Overland Equipment Planning Preparation

Overlanding requires suitable equipment, planning and preparation to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable overland trip. To do this you need to prepare your Land Rover mechanically and fit necessary overland equipment and accessories. Then once you are ready to pack you need an overlanding checklist to help remember all the camping equipment, first aid kit, maps, tools and other essentials.

Overlander vehicle preparation for expeditions can be never-ending and expensive with the ever increasing number of 4x4 accessories on the market. Just because they exist does not mean that they are necessary, and just because your mate has got one doesn't mean that you need one. More often than not you'll be too busy travelling or too damn lazy to use them. The most valuable vehicle preparation you can do is too maximise the packing efficiency by utilising the dead space of your vehicle. By doing so you will be able to minimise roof loading, shorten packing times, know where things are and have a more comfortable and safer trip. Make sure that all items which you carry either inside or outside are firmly secured, such that there is no free play, and room for movement. Your overlanding equipment should be fitted and packed tight, free from vibration and rattle.

• Fit a built in water tank Pack light bulky items on the roof
• Build in underbody storage boxes for spares and tools
• Fit addition fuel tanks rather than jerry cans
• Keep fire extinguisher in accessible spot
• Fit a raised air intake (snorkel), mainly to minimise dust intake

This is the golden rule which is easier said than done. It is alot easier with newer Land Rovers that are more reliable and usually regularly serviced, but if you are driving an older Landy then you need to pay attention. Especially when it suddenly dawns on you that in a weeks time you will be in the middle of the bush, and there is no way that you will be able to complete that long list of mechanical to do's before you leave. Most of the problems experienced on trips can be prevented by replacing worn parts, tightening loose parts and replacing lost parts. Especially in Africa where long corrugated dirt roads wreak havoc with all parts including stationary mounted ones. Service your vehicle either privately (see our servicing page) or professionally, but get it done regularly.

Checking your vehicle before during and after trips will also help to pick up potential problems. If in doubt replace and fix, rather than hope that it will be alright. Periodically checking and tightening all critical visible fixings/fittings during your trips is all that is really required.

• Exhaust system from manifold to outlet
• Springs and shock absorbers
• Wheel nuts, and steering linkages
• Engine and gearbox mountings
• Propshafts front and rear Battery, connections, cables and earthing
• Roof rack and other accessory mountings

Overlanding Camping Equipment and Accessories

Overland expeditions by their very nature involve a lot of travelling, if not continually then intermittently. Therefore the camping setup needs to be kept as functional as possible, without elaborate kitchens and tents. Quick and easy means that you set-up and breakdown quickly and effortlessly thereby enjoying the surroundings more and working less. Start with less equipment at first and buy what you think you need after a trip or two, rather than breaking the bank and starting up your own outdoor warehouse, and having to carry it all. The biggest mistake travelers make is to carry too much, be warned! By using a bit of ingenuity and looking for the right piece of equipment, you can have a very functional and comfortable setup.

• Sleep inside or use a roof tent
• Use a portable or fixed kitchen box, to carry crockery and cutlery and basic foods, spices etc
• Have a fixed water supply which is on tap, so that there is no lugging of heavy bottles.
• Use fluorescent lights, they are light, compact and efficient.
• Fit a fridge (compressor type), and setup split charging using 2 batteries.
• Keep clean things inside and dirty things outside, that way you won't be cleaning dirty clean things all the time.
• Try to get lightweight cutlery Use melamine crockery and plastic glasses and containers.
• Use compact stackable aluminium pot set.

Overlander Checklists

Preparing or an overlanding trip means that there will be alot to remember and you want to make sure that you packing list includes everything and don't leave important items behind. There are some key items that you should consider on your overland checklist.

Route planning

Thorough planning, route plotting and research are the key to a trouble free and enjoyable trip. Specific times, dates and venues are not as critical as a clear understanding of the route and what to expect on route. The preparation depends very much on the nature of the trip and route to be traveled. You will require

• Detailed maps, travel documents, visas, passports, vehicle registration and permits
• Expected weather and corresponding road conditions
• Fuel and water availability/cost and distances between fuel stops and corresponding road conditions
• Availability of overnight stops and camping stops, bookings if necessary
• Safety issues in terms of locals and military activity GPS and co-ordinates of trip

Basic First Aid Kit

• Antiseptic e.g. Dettol or Bettadene Eyedrops, allergic and bite ointment and drawing ointment.
• Elastic/crepe bandages and triangular bandages and splints.
• Sterile gauze bandages
• Assorted band aids/plasters and roll of elastoplast
• Pain killers e.g. aspirin/panado
• Diarrhoea treatment, tablets and gastrolyte
• Cotton wool, scissors, safety pins, tweezers
• Sterile pack of needles,
• Latex gloves

Camping Equipment

There is an infinite selection of camping equipment available, but you will only use so much and be able to carry so much. However there are a few items which you should use all the time, every time, and without which you may struggle.

• Table and chairs
• Gas stove and or skottle braai
• Lights and torches
• Tent, sleeping bag, mattress
• Braaigrid and braai utensils

Basic Recovery Gear

• Recovery strap Two "D" shackles
• Spade
• Axe/panga/saw
• High lift jack
• Jumper cables

Tool Kit

The basic rule is to make sure that you have the necessary tools suited to your vehicle. If you are not mechanically inclined and do not normally work on your vehicle, then don't carry every single imaginable tool which you know you will not use. If you are travelling in a group, you should have the basics, but try to avoid duplication of larger, heavier bulkier items.

• Socket sets metric (8-26) and/or AF (5/16 - 11/4 inch)
• Hammer, screwdriver set, file, vice grip
• Pliers, medium, long-nose, wire cutters and wide mouth grips
• Flat/ring spanner sets metric (8-26) and/or AF (5/16 - 11/4 inch)
• Shifting spanners, small and large
• Circuit tester Hacksaw or steel saw
• Tyre pump, electric or manual
• Any other special spanners required for your vehicle.

Spare Parts for Emergency Breakdowns

Generally the older your vehicle, the more spares you will need to carry. The simple reason is really that the older vehicles are usually neglected and not in as good a condition as the newer ones. The golden rule for all vehicles is service and check your vehicle before and after long trips, this way you should have trouble free trips. For newer vehicles  a loan spares kit is usually obtainable from dealers for a deposit fee, which is returnable upon return of the complete kit. Here is a typical list, give or take depending on your vehicle type.

• Workshop manual
• Replacement fluids and oils, engine, gearbox, brake.
• Fuel and oil filters Brake and clutch master and slave cylinder kits.
• Oil seals for: gearbox input & output shafts, diff pinions, wheel bearings/hubs
• Spark plugs/injectors, condenser, points, rotor arms
• Fan & other belts, speedo cable Halfshafts (especially for Series IIA)
• Spare wheel, tube puncture kit and tyre levers
• Strong tape, exhaust cement, cable ties, silicone sealant, gasket maker
• Distributor cap
• Epoxy quickset glue and putty Spare bulbs, fuses, assorted nuts&bolts, hose clamps

Accommodation

Overland Africa Camping Accommodation
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