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Tools to take to the Victorian High Country
Exploring Victoria’s Alpine National Park in a 4WD is an extreme experience of nature, so being prepared for the remoteness and conditions of the High Country starts with what tools you need for your 4x4.
4WD Pack
Hema HX-1 Navigator
In all cases of regional or remote four-wheel driving, it’s necessary to carry a toolkit with you at all times. However, the High Country’s climate and challenging 4WD conditions make carrying an extensive toolkit of utmost importance, with the region a part of Australia’s cool temperate zone. It’s easy to forget that High Country Victoria is in fact designated as a ‘Remote Area’, the same classification given to the central deserts of Australia.
Taking that into account means that many of the roads are not often travelled, so if something happens to your vehicle you may need to rely on your own resources to get out of the situation. In these cases it pays to pack a toolkit, necessary spare parts, recovery gear and some other items to have the right gear on hand to solve your vehicles issues (or at least for a passing bush mechanic to use).
Toolkit
- Set of combination/ring open end spanners (check whether you need metric or AF for your vehicle)
- Large 250mm adjustable spanner
- Jacking plate – 30cm square x 2cm thick board
- Kit of screwdrivers
- Hammer
- Pliers and side cutters
- Air compressor and tyre pressure gauge
- Workshop manual to suit your vehicle
- De-watering fluid, WD 40, CRC or similar
- Hacksaw with spare blades
- Battery jumper leads and/or booster device
- Spark plug spanner (for petrol engines)
Vehicle spare parts
- Radiator hoses
- Fan belt
- Heater hoses
- Assorted fuses
- Fuel filter
- Assorted globes
- Insulation tape
- Gaffer (100 mph) tape
- Engine oil
- Silastic
Miscellaneous Items
- Water – 10 litres
- First aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
- Emergency food and cooking equipment
- Insect repellent
- Masking tape
- A bundle of plastic bags
- Wheel chocks (not wooden)
- Poly tarp
- Fire lighters and waterproof matches
- Torch
- Chainsaw
- Tyre chains
- Communication equipment (UHF radio/satellite phone)
- GPS, maps and navigation equipment as necessary
Recovery gear
- 9m snatch strap
- 4 x rated shackles
- Drag chain
- Axe
- Shovel
- Hand winch and pulley block (if your vehicle is not equipped with a winch)
- Winch extension strap
- Tree protector
- Gloves
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