Pre-Summer Camping Checklist: Gear & Vehicle Checks

Summer trips don't fall apart on the beach. They fall apart in the driveway, three hours in, when the fridge won't hold temperature or the recovery boards are still under a pile of Christmas decorations. A little prep now saves the whole trip later. Here's the pre-summer checklist we'd run through before hitching up, loading the 4WD or pointing the wagon at the highway.

Start with the rig: 12-volt and solar

Your dual-battery setup is the quiet workhorse of every trip, so give it a proper test before it's carrying the load.

Check the state of charge on both batteries and look for any drop under a load. Run your fridge and a few lights on the auxiliary battery for an afternoon, then see how it recovers.

Inspect the wiring for chafed cable, loose terminals and corrosion. Clean and re-tighten every connection, and check that fuses match what the circuit actually draws.

If you run solar, lay the panels out in direct sun and watch the charge controller. Confirm it's pushing amps into the battery and that your cable and connectors aren't frayed or heat-damaged.

Give your portable fridge a service

A fridge that worked fine in the shed can struggle the moment it's asked to hold temperature in 38-degree heat.

Pull it out, vacuum the vents and condenser fins, and clear any dust or sand from the compressor area. Run it empty to your target temperature and let it sit there for a few hours.

Check the lid seal by slipping a piece of paper around the edge - if it slides out easily, the seal needs attention. Wipe down the inside, check the drain plug and make sure the cable and plug are in good nick.

Air compressors and tyre deflators

If you're heading for sand, these two earn their keep every single day.

Start your compressor and check it actually builds pressure, then time how long it takes to pump a tyre from 18 to 32 psi. Check the hose, fittings and the clips for splits or leaks.

For your deflators, set them to your usual pressure and test one on a tyre out front. Nothing ruins a beach entry like a deflator that won't hold a setting. Carry a backup gauge so you're never guessing.

Tent canvas, zippers and seams

Your tent has been folded in a cupboard for months. Time to open it up in the yard.

Pitch it fully, including the fly, and check the canvas for mould, tears and worn spots. Look closely at the seams and re-seal or proof them now rather than mid-storm.

Run every zipper from end to end, and treat sticky ones with a little silicone or zipper wax. Check the poles, pegs and guy lines, and count the stakes so you're not short at camp.

While you're at it, air your swags, sleeping bags and mats. Nothing sours a good sleep faster than damp canvas.

Safety and recovery gear

This is the gear you hope never leaves the bag, which is exactly why it needs a check.

Inspect your snatch strap for fraying, cuts and UV damage, and check the stitching at the loops. If it's been stressed or looks tired, replace it.

Check recovery boards for cracks and missing lugs, and confirm your shackles and rated points are up to the job. Test your compressor, jack and wheel brace while you're at it.

Then go through the first aid kit. Top up anything used, replace expired items, and make sure it covers your crew - kids, pets, prescription meds included.

Gear you don't own (yet)

Here's the honest part of any checklist: it's easy to spend a fortune tooling up for one big trip.

Before you buy, ask what you'll actually use again. A second fridge, a set of recovery boards or a bigger dual-battery setup can sit idle 50 weeks a year.

On Four Swags you can hire camping, caravanning and 4WD kit from locals near you, or list your own idle gear and earn from it. It's a five-minute job to list, and it beats buying something you'll only use twice.

Your final pre-summer check

Work down the list once, then do a quick driveway run: fridge on, batteries charged, tent pitched, recovery gear laid out. Anything that fails now has weeks to be fixed.

Sort your gear, hire what's missing, and get out there. Adventure more, own less - and start the summer with kit you can actually trust.