Top 10 tools to take bush

Mark Allen shares with us the gear and tools he never leaves home without when he heads bush.

Everyones heard of MacGyver and his seemingly impossible repairs with nothing more than what he finds in his pocket, the back of his car or plucks out of thin air. We’ve also seen countless bush mechanic repairs, undertaken with little more than wire and ratchet straps as tools, pieces of tree branches or perhaps scraps of car parts, to aid in getting a vehicle or camper trailer mobile. Even if it’s just into the next town for proper repairs.

Not that I consider myself to be an expert bush mechanic. Hey, there’s no TAFE or university course to do. Nor is there homework or study to undertake. A basic understanding of all things mechanical is an excellent place to start. For some, it comes naturally, perhaps from watching and helping Dad or elders while young. Indeed, if you are a mechanic or have a similar hands-on tools occupation, that’ll all help you in the bush no end.

The next step is to carry relevant tools, spares and various components to effect roadside bush repairs. Think wire, various tapes, rope, ratchet straps, and the like that can temporarily hold broken parts in place. At least if you carry all the right gear, others can help if you can’t get the job done.

While some repair jobs may seem impossible while in the comforts of your driveway, knowing you can call a mechanic to fix the problem and hand over the credit card, it is amazing what can be accomplished when you must have a go or face the alternative of rotting in the bush.

For my packing to head out on any bush trip, my short list of must-have tools are:

1. A fully-kitted toolbox

I know that’s more than one product, but you should never leave home without a complete set of spanners, sockets, various hammers, pliers and screwdrivers in your arsenal of bush tools.

2. My old Leatherman

While all the tools on my Leatherman can be found in my toolbox and are, potentially, better and easier to use than a one-tool-does-all, it is an invaluable bush tool to keep on my belt at all times. Mine is a Leatherman Supertool, given to me as a birthday present from my Dad back in the 1990s. It has been around Australia, on countless other smaller bush trips, used for general home use, and has been used and abused many times. Once you’ve got one, you’ll be amazed at how often you reach for it.

3. A shovel

Essentially, all a shovel does is dig holes, right? Yeah, but the varied needs of these holes necessitate a decent and adaptable shovel to easily handle all jobs. I use a three-piece Bushranger Diggar shovel. It’s been part of my kit for well over 15 years. In its shorter guise, it incorporates a D-handle, while the longer handle attachment provides a straight handle. Separating the three pieces helps store them within your 4WD or camper.

4. Tyre repair kit

Carrying a tubeless tyre repair kit and air compressor is a get-out-of-jail-free card when it comes to the inevitable flat tyre. Sure, I sometimes carry a second spare, but the ability to fix your tyres shouldn’t be underrated. Let’s add a decent jack to this segment. I replaced the standard unit with a hydraulic version. Really, this should be in your standard vehicle tool kit, not just for when you head out bush.

5. Wire, tapes, ropes and ratchets

Let’s bundle all of these things into one bush tool, eh! Essentially, they are all used to temporarily hold busted stuff together until a permanent fix can be undertaken. Wires of different diameters and strengths, tapes with different properties and half a dozen hanks of good ol’ Telecom rope. You know, the blue and yellow stuff that every fella has in their shed is a great option. Ratchet straps, bungee cords and anything else that can be used to tie anything together can always come in handy.

With regards to wire, sure, it can be twisted to tighten, or I’ve got a wire clamp that I made in high school (oh my, that was decades ago) that does a better job at tightening and is much neater.

6. Fault code reader

In this day of all things high-tech to do with your vehicle, I now carry an OB11 fault code reader. No, they are not a bush tool to fix a problem as such, they are used to find what a fault is and potentially clear that fault to allow a vehicle to continue driving. Sure, that fault may persist, so fixing the root cause should be done as soon as possible.

7. Navigation tech

Knowing where you are and where you should be going, is all getting easier with technology. Being able to navigate anywhere easily is a priority. Yep, having good old paper maps is excellent, but the job is so much easier with technology on your side. I use a combination of my phone with Google Maps and OsmAnd, an Ipad with the same apps as my phone, and a VMS 3DX navigator.

8. Recip saw, axe and machete

Yep, I take plenty of things to cut and chop wood and undergrowth in my bush tool kit. The recipe saw is my new go-to tool for cutting firewood. It’s fast and much less effort than an axe or saw. The axe is more for splitting but also cutting if needed. The machete is mainly for smaller kindling and big, hairy, scary things that might need fending off.

9. Tarp

As simple as it may seem, I always include a tarp for multiple uses in my bush tools. Shade and protection from rain and wind are obvious uses, but using it to lay on the ground while working on the car saves those prickly little bindies from sticking into me and keeps most of the dirt off me while rolling around under the car. An impromptu picnic on the beach, riverbank or any old surface is made so much nicer with a tarp.

10. Protection

I’m sure there are plenty of leathery old fellas with tougher hands than me, but I wear gloves for general safety. Especially when collecting firewood, digging, poking around the fire with the billy and BBQ plate, as well as if needed to keep the fingers warm.