The Toyota Blog

It is a week from your departure on your 6 week cross country trip through Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and Angola. You need to finalize your vehicle's payload. What should I take? What shouldn't I? Will I have enough space?

The entire packing list of any overland vehicle is highly debatable. Some guys literally take the proverbial "kitchen sink" with as well! Taking too many thing with on an overland trip can cause your vehicle to be overloaded and can cause you to get bogged down where you should actually be able to cross easily. In some instances may even result in vehicle damage. Unfortunately there are some things that you cannot go without, and also will there always be something you need that you didn't pack. But hey if it wasn't for some hard times where would the adventure lie? In this blog entry I will list the most common items that are in my opinion a NECESSITY on a long overland trip:

Equipment and spares:
Spade
Axe
High Lift Jack
Duct Tape
Cable Ties
Ski rope
Recovery Straps
Q20
Multi meter
shifting spanner
S M L Philips and flat screwdrivers
Pump/plumber's pliers
Side-cutter
Engine oils
one front wheel bearing
one rear wheel bearing
one diff carrier bearing
spare fuses and bulbs
spare keys
spare wheel nuts
fan belts (a ladies nylon stocking works a a temporary universal replacement)
hydraulic fluid (clutch 'n brake)
Little bit of fence wire and electric wire
Leatherman
Jerry Cans
Siphon Pipe
2 Spare wheels
Tyre plug repair kit
12V Compressor
Seed Net
Tyre Gauge

General:
2 hands-free led torch and another torch
A couple of boxes of matches in waterproof container.
Refuse Bags
candle
Dishwashing liquid
Small block of Original Green sunlight Soap (Can be used to repair punctured fuel tank)
extra batteries and 12V cigarette socket charger
GPS AND MAP AND COMPASS
First aid kit (with antihistamine)
30 Seconds board game (when in a group of 4 or more hehe)
Bedding & mattress (Preferably not inflatables - you might be sleeping on hard Mother Earth sooner than you think)
Camp Chairs
Camera
Spare memory cards
Tent (rooftop preferably, to avoid some animals trying to make you their snack)
Fishing tackle

Catering:
12 V Freezer/Fridge
Gas Bottle with normal stove adapter
Grill
Firelighters
A couple of boxes of matches in waterproof container.
Cutlery
steel mugs
Butchers knife
Stirring wooden Spoon
2 Pots
Salt & Spices
cooking oil (my cooking oil and sauces I pour into an energy drink style bottle with pop-out spout - uses easily and also doesn't start leaking after the first bump in the road.
Sponge and cloth
Egg "helmet" box
cooler box

Besides your normal Clothing:
Raincoat/Bivvy
Polar Fleece Jacket

Very Important:

If traveling to extreme remote places make sure you have enough water and tinned food on you at all times. In the unfortunate event of you getting bogged down good these will sustain you while you wait to be rescued.
Always travel in groups of two vehicles or more.
Never leave your vehicle if you become stranded.

Use this list only as a reference. I beg your pardon if I left something out - this list was done in a hurry.

Godspeed!