4X4 Australia

For its 2017 model updates, engineers from General Motors, including Holden personnel, have pulled the Colorado/Colorado 7 apart and put it back together with revised and new parts from one end to the other.

Some of the changes are global, while others are specific to the Australian-delivered Colorado and upcoming Trailblazer. 4X4 Australia got an exclusive chance to sample the upgrades prior to the car’s launch, which will be in mid-August.

Since its release in 2012 the Colorado has sold reasonably well, though without ever worrying the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger in a highly competitive and ever-growing ute market. The Colorado’s wagon sibling, the Colorado 7 – soon to be renamed the Trailblazer – has been less of a success.

After the Commodore, the Colorado is Holden’s best-selling model and will become more significant in Holden’s product mix once local production of the Commodore shuts down, late in 2017. Holden buyers looking for a two-wheel drive ute then won’t be able to buy the Commodore-based ute, which may boost the slow-selling Colorado 4x2s. And if buyers don’t take to the next-generation European-sourced front-drive Commodore in the same numbers as they do the current locally built rear-driver, then the Colorado could well be Holden’s best-selling vehicle.

With this in mind GM’s engineers, including Holden personnel, have pulled the Colorado/Colorado 7 apart and put it back together with revised and new parts from one end to the other. Some of the changes are global, while others are specific to the Australian-delivered Colorado and upcoming Trailblazer. To be frank, the Colorado needed a major overhaul as it fell short of competitor utes – particularly the VW Amarok and the Ford Ranger – in a number of key areas.

WHAT’S NEW CHANGES start with a relocation of the engine’s balance shafts, which are designed to counter the inherent dynamic imbalance of all inline four-cylinder engines.

In the case of the Colorado’s 2.8-litre diesel (see Italian Job breakout below) the twin shafts, located in the usual position under the crankshaft, have been moved forward 10cm. This change, along with newly designed engine and transmission mounts, is designed to address the much-criticised harsh feel of the current engine.

On top of this, Australian models get additional engine soundproofing to address the engine’s noise issues, including an injector insulator, metal timing cover and an oil-pan insulator.

Australian models also get a new torque converter for the six-speed auto that incorporates a centrifugal pendulum absorber, which allows the torque converter to lock up earlier and more often and makes for smoother shifts. Meanwhile, again for Australian models, the way-too-tall gearing of the six-speed auto has been addressed with the final-drive ratio shortened a significant amount from 3.73:1 to 4.1:1.

Chassis changes start with the adoption of electric power steering (EPS) in place of the hydraulic power steering, a change that mirrors the Ford Ranger – although Holden says it was working on EPS well before news broke that Ford was working on the same thing for the Ranger.

EPS is becoming popular these days, because not having to use power to drive a hydraulic pump results in marginal fuel savings, and fuel economy is one of the current holy grails of new-car design. EPS also allows the steering weight to be varied almost infinitely so you can enjoy both light and quick steering at parking speeds and slower, weightier steering at highway speeds.

Suspension calibration has been addressed with generally softer springs across the front of all ute variants matched to a beefier front sway bar. The wagon’s front springs and sway bar remain unchanged but, like the ute, there are new dampers all ’round. New OEM Bridgestone tyres bring lower rolling resistance, a softer ride and improved wet-weather performance.

The chassis control systems for both on- and off-road driving have been recalibrated. In particular, trailer-sway, electronic traction and hill-descent control systems have been tweaked. These changes are aimed at improving off-road performance for 4×4 variants.

As before, the Colorado retains a rear mechanical limited-slip diff in addition to ETC, which Holden says works better in situations such as turning out of a corner on a wet bitumen road. The mechanical limited slipper prevents the inner wheel from spinning, which means the potentially power-robbing ETC is not activated.

Additional changes aimed at improving general running refinement and NVH include a new body-mount system. Compression mounts were previously used on all ute variants and the wagon, but now a mixture of compression and shear mounts are used. Dual-cab utes and the wagon have eight mounts each, while single and extended-cabs have six mounts each.

Revised roof mouldings, exterior mirror mounts, door seals, sliding glass channels, B-pillar inserts and a thicker windscreen also improve refinement.

New or updated safety features include a driver’s knee airbag, a range-standard reversing camera and high-end active safety features such as collision alert, blind-spot monitoring, plus tyre-pressure monitoring on selected models. Holden’s hoping for a five-star ANCAP rating – currently only applied to dual-cabs and the wagon – across all variants.

The interior and dash have been revised, though we didn’t get to see this or the exterior redesign on this drive. Holden has since released the photos you see here.

What we know is satellite navigation is now embedded, which means you don’t have to rely on a silly phone app for navigation. Some models will also get remote start and auto headlights with LED daytime running lamps. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also part of a revised MyLink infotainment system.

THE DRIVE THE sneak preview of Holden’s MY17 Colorado was held over two days, initially at Holden’s proving ground at Lang Lang and then on Victorian country roads and forest trails. Along for the drive was Holden’s engineering team, Jeremy Tassone (vehicle development manager), Amelinda Watt (lead development engineer), Rob Trubiani (vehicle dynamics specialist) and Tony Metaxas (chassis control specialist).

We had access to a MY16 dual-cab for comparison purposes, an ‘integration’ wagon, a ‘pre-production’ dual-cab and a ‘manufacturing validation’ dual-cab, which was the closest of the four to a full-production vehicle.

Highlights at Lang Lang included a violent lane-change at 180km/h on the high-speed bowl and an equally violent ESP ADR validation swerve manoeuvre initiated by robot control. But the real test came on the on- and off-road drive, where the across-the-board changes could be felt.

Most impressive was the new EPS, which is light and quick at slow speed, with a nice on-road feel. The engine is noticeable quieter and smoother and the gearing of the manual much more real-world usable. The ride quality and general refinement, especially at slower speed on rough roads and trails, is also much improved.

Despite now meeting Euro 5 emissions standards (helped by the addition of a diesel particulate filter) the claimed power and torque figures – 147kW/500Nm (auto) and 147kW/440Nm (manual) – remain unchanged.

Not that this is an issue, as the Colorado (at least with the popular six-speed auto) is the fastest accelerating diesel ute in its class, helped in part by being lighter than its key rivals. The manual, despite having less torque than the auto, feels more spritely again – even more so with the shorter final-drive gearing.

That the Colorado is a better thing than before is not in doubt, though the acid test will be how it stacks up against the opposition – namely the best-selling Hilux and Ranger. We will only know how that pans out when we line up the MY17 Colorado in a multi-ute comparison test!

Seismic Shift

WHEN the current-generation Holden Colorado debuted in 2012 it represented a seismic shift in General Motors’ global approach to the light-truck market. No longer would GM look to Japanese manufacturer Isuzu for product in this market sector as it had previously done with vehicles such as the Rodeo and the first generation Colorado. Instead, it would build its own ute.

To this end GM mustered its global resources, including engineers from Holden, and corralled them in its Brazilian division headquarters. And after six years and two-and-a-half million test kilometres carried out in South America and four other continents, Holden produced a ute it would sell around the world.

This change from Isuzu-sourced to in-house development came about due to GM selling the last of its interest in Isuzu in 2006, a company it had held a one-third stake in since 1972 (and a controlling interest from 1999 to 2002). Isuzu was still involved in the development of this new ute but as a junior rather than a senior partner. Indeed, the current Isuzu D-Max shares its basic body shell and chassis with the Colorado but differs in powertrain, suspension details, bodywork and interior fit-out.

Italian Job

THE Colorado ute and its wagon sibling are both powered by 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel from Italian diesel engine specialist VM Motori. Why? Because up until 2013 General Motors had a 50 per cent stake in VM Motori. Since 2013 VM Motori has been 100 per cent owned by Fiat Powertrain Technologies, which in turn is owned by the Fiat Group. The Fiat Group also owns Chrysler, which is why VM Motori diesel engines appear in a number of Jeep models including the Wrangler and the Grand Cherokee.

THE National 4×4 Outdoors Show & Fishing and Boating Expo is taking place next week, August 19-21.

The Friday-to-Sunday event is jam-packed with events and festivities. It will feature some of the biggest names in the industry.

A heap of aftermarket gear will also be exhibited, so head on down for advice on how to deck your 4×4 out for a remote-area adventure.

Events include a 4WD Proving Ground, an Outback Stage, a Fishing Stage, a Campsite Cooking Corner, an Action Arena and a Kids Terrain section.

Learn the basics of four-wheel driving at the 4WD Proving Ground, with demonstrations and lessons by the team from Four Wheel Drive Victoria. Learn 4×4 recovery techniques, how to drive on sand, trip preparation and how to get the most out of your 4×4.

The Waeco Outback Stage provides the opportunity for punters to mingle with the biggest names in the 4×4 industry – including Roothy! Keen adventurers will hear interesting outback stories and get valuable camping and off-road tips from the best in the business.

Sessions will focus on touring, accommodation, wildlife, 4WD and camping.

The Fishing Stage will feature presentations by some of Australia’s best anglers, with technical tips and demonstrations on how to snap up the best fish.

Are your campsite cuisines getting a bit dull and repetitive? Then head to the Campsite Cooking Corner for tips and tricks on how to spice up your campsite meals.

For those looking for more action and adrenalin-pumping fun, the Action Arena is the place to be, with its freestyle motocross and monster trucks!

There will also be plenty of competitions running throughout the weekend, with a heap of great prizes on offer.

The event runs from 9am-6pm on Friday and Saturday and 9am to 5pm on Sunday.

Entry prices are: Adults $18; Pensioners $13; and Kids under 15 are admitted free of charge. There is also an Adult two-day pass for $30.

For the red carpet treatment and to save some coin, get your tickets online and use the discount code: AUSTRALIA. Get the tickets here!

The event is held at the Melbourne Showgrounds, Epsom Road, Ascot Vale.

For more info and to get tickets head to the National 4×4 Outdoors Show website.

LAST week we revealed the winner of 4X4 Australia’s Project Hilux competition.

The lucky winner was keen off-roader and 4X4 Australia reader Glenn Kelly from Perth, WA.

Glenn flew across the Nullarbor with his wife to collect the adventure-ready tourer from our Melbourne office, and he has spent the past week getting to know his new ride on the long drive back.

Check out the above video, as 4X4 Australia editor Matt Raudonikis hands over the keys to an ecstatic Glenn.

“I’m still waiting for someone to jump out and tell me it’s just a joke,” Glenn told us. “I still can’t believe it!”

The Project Hilux has spent the past year getting decked out with some of the best equipment from the industry experts, including kit from Terrain Tamer, Flashlube, TJM 4×4, Mean Mother, Lightforce, Ironman 4×4, TJM Airport West, Cooper Tires, EFS Suspension, Ontrack Automotive, Marks 4WD, MSA 4×4 Accessories, HEMA Maps, DPChip, Piranha Offroad Products, Harrop Engineering, Opposite Lock and MaxTrax.

The Hilux’s value has skyrocketed to $55,000, and with all the modifications and accessories attached it has become an off-road-ready tourer ready to tackle the Australian outback.

Glenn arrived back in Perth earlier this week without encountering any issues, and he shot a few photos as he passed through South Australia and arrived in Western Australia (seen here).

Glenn was drawn from a pool of more than 35,000 entries. Congrats again Glenn, and thanks to everyone who entered the competition.

IN THIS episode of Terrain Tamer Masterclass, Allan Gray sits down to chew the fat with two old-timers.

This week, the industry legend talks all things cooling and radiators.

For those living under a rock, Allan Gray is 4×4 royalty. He has been tinkering with cars in workshops since the 1950s.

He worked for Thiess Toyota, before opening up his own business in Melbourne called Allan Gray Toyota 4WDs. He worked closely with the great Don Kyatt during those years.

Now, Allan is the face of Terrain Tamer.

In this hilarious video, Allan, alongside the experienced duo, provides some tip-top advice on outback set-ups, while also showing off some of Terrain Tamer’s new radiators.

The light-hearted series educates as well as entertains, and episode two features explanations on the workings of radiators and cooling systems.

And, it must be said, his diagrams should be framed as works of art!

The three grey nomads can turn spanners with the best of them, so in this episode they install a brand-new Terrain Tamer heavy duty radiator into Al’s Toyota Hilux. What a coincidence that the radiator in Al’s Toyota needed replacing!

The lads complete the job like they’re taking a stroll through a park. That’s what more than 60 years of experience can do!

Episode two of the Masterclass series is sure to give you a chuckle, and you’ll definitely learn a thing or two.

To watch the rest of the video series, be sure to check out the Terrain Tamer website.

BRITISH Special Forces have been photographed by the BBC driving Jordanian-modified LandCruiser 70s in Syria.

AFTER years of seeing images of Islamic State fighters taking it to the opposition in fleets of Toyota-based Technicals – as the adapted vehicles are known – it seems like the Western Forces are taking notice.

It was reported earlier this year that the US DOD is looking at specifically armoured Toyota LandCruisers and Hiluxes for its own forces.

And this BBC report proves that the British Special Forces are already using modified Cruisers – called Al-Thalab Long Range Patrol Vehicles – equipped with sniper rifles, heavy machine guns and anti-tank missiles.

The LRPVs are built for harsh terrain and have the ability to go almost anywhere. The full BBC report can be found here.

In the latest edition of 4X4 Australia magazine, we took a recently developed 70-Series-based Long Range Patrol Vehicle for an exclusive drive. The massive LRPV featured in the September issue is built by Australian Patrol Vehicles (APV) in Townsville.

Based on a 79-Series LandCruiser, the reconnaissance rig has wild modifications including a gunner’s compartment with a mounted 360-degree weapons ring. The 79-Series Cruiser was chosen as the base for its well-proven and durable platform.

The extreme rig is set up to be self-sufficient for extended trips in protest warzones, and APV is shopping it out to defence contractors around the globe.

Pick up a copy of the September issue to read all about it.

4X4 Australia’s September issue hits stores on August 11.

Brimming with off-road content, this issue features another edition of Roothy’s LowRange DVD to add to your collection.

In the mag you’ll find a battle-hardened Australian Patrol Vehicles’ LRPV, an all-Ford desert shoot-out between the Everest wagon and Ranger ute and an exclusive behind-the-scenes drive with Holden’s new Colorado.

Grab the latest copy of 4X4 Australia from newsagents, or get it before everyone else by subscribing to 4X4 Australia in electronic or print format.

What you’ll get this month:

BATTLE READY A 79-series LandCruiser like you’ve never seen before. This one’s an LRPV from Australian Patrol Vehicles.

EVEREST v RANGER Scooting up the Oodnadatta Track with a pair of Fords. Does Ford’s ute or wagon handle the dust better?

STOCK HILUX ON THE CSR We challenge a showroom-stock Hilux to overcome one of Australia’s harshest, most brutal roads.

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE NEW COLORADO We climb into the new Colorado for an exclusive R&D drive with a team of Holden engineers.

BARGAIN BRAWLER This custom D40 Nissan Navara proves you don’t have to mortgage the house to craft the ideal off-road tourer.

ADVERTISERS’ ADVENTURE We hit sunny Moreton Island in Queensland for some R&R with the 4×4 aftermarket industry’s best and brightest.

12-VOLT FRIDGE TEST With so many portable fridges on the market, we thought we’d find out which one is most deserving of your hard-earned.

OLD ANDADO TRACK, NT Pack the 4×4 and take off on a remote adventure that showcases all the desert has to offer.

BORDER RANGES NP, NSW A relaxing and inspiring trek through the world heritage-listed national park.

OVER AND ABOVE Aussie products are infiltrating the European markets, so we went to check them out at the Abenteuer & Allrad 4WD and Overland expo.

LIVE-AXLE SWAP First, get the 4×4 you desire. Second, replace the independent front with a live axle. Voila, you’ve got the best of both worlds!

THE REST A heap of new gear is tried and tested, plus we show you the art of winch redirection. Dean Mellor takes his Navara to the snow, Ron Moon attempts to discover the true centre of Australia, Roothy gives Milo a fresh lick of paint and Fraser Stronach reveals the flaws in fuel consumption figures. Enjoy!

Nissan has issued two recalls for its D23 Navara.

The first recall applies to D23 Navara QR25 (campaign number R1620). The VIN ranges for the affected Navaras are: MNT*A2D23A0000002 to MNT*A2D23A0000645 – although, not all vehicles in this range are affected by the recall.

The report indicates a malfunction indicator light (MIL) or engine light warning fails to illuminate when an exhaust system sensor fails.

This means the driver of the vehicle is unaware of any malfunction, and that their vehicle may not comply with regulations.

This malfunction also affects F15 Dukes.

If unsure whether your Nissan is affected, contact your local dealer to find out and get a free fix.

The second recall concerns the Navara Genuine Tradesman Canopy. According to the recall report, the side and rear lift windows of the canopy – where the window stoppers are – may cause the window to be out of alignment.

This may cause the safety glass to shatter when the window is opened or closed, which could cause serious injury.

The affected VIN range is from MNTC**D23A0000026 to MNTC**D23A0015265 – although, not all VINs are affected by the recall.

Owners of the affected canopy are advised to contact their local Nissan dealer to arrange for the window stoppers to be replaced with an improved design.

And in further recall news, Jaguar Land Rover has recalled its 2.0-litre diesel-powered 2016 Range Rover Evoque for a fuel leak.

These remind me of good old-fashioned rock cakes, but with a modern twist.

These biscuits are addictive. The first time I made them they lasted only a couple of days, so now each time I make them I have to double the mixture. They are quick and easy to prepare, if not a little messy. Make them at home before you head off for your next camping trip. They will be a hit with everyone and great with your morning or evening cuppa. This mixture makes approximately 16 biscuits – don’t make them too big, about the size of a golf ball will do.

Ingredients

Method

Step 1: Preheat oven to 180°C or 160°C fan forced.

Step 2: Line a large baking tray with baking paper.

Step 3: Put the butter and honey into a saucepan (or microwave) and cook over a low to medium heat. Stir for about two to three minutes until the butter has melted and the mixture turns frothy. Remove from the heat and set aside.

Step 4: In a large bowl combine the remaining ingredients and mix well.

Step 5: Pour in the butter/honey mixture and stir until well combined.

Step 6: Shape the mixture into balls (a dessert spoon makes a good size cookie) – the mixture will be a little sticky and feel a little oily, but that’s okay. I prefer to use my hands to shape the balls and the trick is to keep them damp. If your hands get too sticky and coated with mixture, it will be difficult to shape the balls, so scrape the mixture off your hands and back into the bowl, then give your hands a quick rinse in some water and start again.

Step 7: Put each ball onto the baking paper and press down lightly.

Step 8: Bake in oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 9: Remove from the oven and cool the cookies on the tray until firm, then move them onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10: Store in an airtight container (if you’re lucky to see them last that long).

Viv’s hint

You can add whatever dried fruit you like, such as sultanas, but I love dried cranberries and they work so well with these biscuits. I’ve only ever used white flour, but wholemeal flour would be good enough if you’ve got it.

Want more recipe ides? Browse our Bush Cooking collection for inspiration.

DO YOU remember what it was like navigating in the bush prior to the advent of global positioning systems?

As I recall it, using a topographic map, a compass and a ruler was sometimes a bit of a hit-and-miss affair, especially when trying to navigate in heavy scrub.

It could also be very expensive. Before heading off on a four-wheel drive adventure – even a short weekend away – you’d have to rifle through the filing cabinet to make sure you had all the topo maps covering the areas you intended to travel through.

If you were missing any maps, you’d then have to head off to your nearest map store and stock up, usually at a cost of around 10 bucks a map. Depending on where you were going you might need a couple of 1:100,000 topos and half a dozen 1:25,000 topos to even cover a relatively small area – so $80 or so later you could be on your way.

But hang on a tick. First you’d have to navigate your way to your intended off-road destination, which would involve using a series of road maps or a road atlas. Of course, due to their expense, you’d hang on to these for as long as possible, so they were usually out of date, meaning you’d often have to rely on your nous to get you through.

On top of these – and the topos – you might also have to throw in a few local visitors’ maps, some state forest maps and some Hema or Westprint Maps, as these would include additional useful information covering the area you were driving through.

With so many maps to carry you’d need a folder, folio or briefcase to store them, and it was always a good idea to put them in some sort of order prior to departure so you weren’t muddling through them once underway.

Once you finally made it to the off-road part of your trip, you could unfurl your brand new topo map on the bonnet of your 4×4 (assuming it wasn’t raining, dark or windy) to see exactly where you were. Unfortunately, even your brand new topo was likely out of date.

These maps were only revised occasionally and it could be more than a decade since they were last updated, so chances were that other than the topographic lines depicting the natural terrain, a lot of the other information might be incorrect, with missing tracks and various other features absent.

I don’t know about you, but I was always very particular with the way I handled my topo maps. But even taking extra care to make sure I folded them away correctly, they’d often start to wear on the folds – I still have a bunch of maps in my filing cabinet with holes worn through them from regular use.

These holes would, without fail, start to develop right at a critical junction of two tracks, ensuring the decision-making process would be as hard as possible when considering whether to turn left or right at the end of a long day of forging through the scrub.

I always considered myself to be reasonably competent when navigating with topo maps, a compass and a ruler. But I also recall the feeling of self-doubt creeping in on a regular basis when driving up an unfamiliar track that didn’t seem quite right – especially when leading a convoy towards the end of the day when everyone was hoping for a hot meal and somewhere warm and dry to spend the night.

These days we’ve got it easy – you don’t even need a dedicated GPS device. There are any number of apps you can download on your smartphone or tablet that will give you access to the latest topographic map, and they include various features so you always know exactly where you are and how to easily navigate to where you want to be. You don’t even need a compass or a ruler!

Just make sure you don’t drop your phone or tablet in a puddle of water, or the only place you’ll find yourself is up the proverbial creek.

THE SCENIC Rim area of south-east Queensland is known for its amazing views over valleys and mountain ranges, and Levuka 4WD Park is ideally situated on the south-western edge, offering some spectacular scenery.

Not only that, the park has an abundance of 4×4 tracks, ranging from easy to extreme, which pass through rocky gullies, sticky mud holes, hill climbs and ruts.

The park is accessible to 2WD and 4WD vehicles, which makes it easy for families looking for a nice scenic spot to go camping for a few nights. You can also bring the bikes for the kids, as they will have a ball just riding around the campsites. The four-legged children can also come with you as the park is dog-friendly, but as this is a working cattle farm it’s advised to have tick protection for your dogs before and after you visit.

A central location within the park is The Playground, where everyone can have a go at trying its different tracks and, like everywhere else, once a bit of rain falls it’s much more fun. There is a fair bit of space to park and watch, or you could be the one rolling in the mud having all the onlookers cheering you on.

Upon arrival at the park you are given a welcome pack, which contains a map of all the tracks. You have the choice of enjoying mud holes, rainforest tracks, rocky tracks or hill climbs. Each track is rated, and it’s stipulated that all the ratings on the tracks will change dramatically once there’s been a bit of rain.

Most of the tracks are one-way, which is handy as you don’t have to worry about oncoming traffic – there is usually no room to pull over in any case. If you like exploring, there is a small waterfall within the rainforest where you can pull over to the side of the track. It’s not that far and you can clearly see a trodden path you can follow to get a nice scenic photo with the waterfall.

Serious off-roaders can attempt the Rock ’n’ Roll Gully, which can do some serious damage to your vehicle. It’s best if someone jumps out to guide you through, as you don’t want to be changing a CV along this little track. It’s an exciting track, with a very tight left-hand turn that requires an (almost) eight-point turn to get the vehicles between the two trees either side of the track. Following that, you’ve then got a monster hill to climb!

If you’re after another challenge, Havoc’s Crossing is a doozy, especially after rain. It doesn’t look like much at first, but the steep decline to a tight left-hand turn that then leads to an equally steep ascent is difficult. Having no space for a run-up at the bottom throws a spanner in the works, but if you have a winch and a locker you’ll get up no problem.

Once the day of driving is done, head back to Levuka’s well-maintained campsite and indulge in a hot shower. Choose your time wisely, though, as you may end up lining up with everyone else. It’s these small luxuries that make a camping trip just that little bit more enjoyable.

Levuka is one of the smaller 4WD parks we’ve been to and we completed the map quicker than we anticipated, but it still has a lot to offer for beginners and experienced drivers alike.

During the school holidays – especially Easter – helicopter flights are available, and on the last night of the Easter long weekend there’s a spectacular fireworks display. We set up camp right at the entrance of the park and had front-row seats of the fireworks – it was the best way to top off a great weekend.

TRAVEL PLANNER

READY, SET, GO

CAMPING trips can seem very stressful for families and those who only go camping once or twice a year. However, it doesn’t need to be. Take the time to plan your trip in advance so that everything is practically ready to go and all that’s left to do is pack the truck on the day.

Plan two to three weeks out by writing a menu for every day you are away, and then break down that menu into a shopping list. That list should be sectioned off into categories (deli/fresh produce/non-perishables/perishables) to make it easier when at the shops.

Prepping the food before the trip makes it easier once you’re at camp. Pre-chop all meat and vegetables and vacuum seal them to keep them fresher for longer. A great idea is to freeze them flat so that they can go straight in the fridge/freezer standing up on their ends like books. Labels make it easy to determine what each packet has in it.

A fully stocked pantry box – a pre-packaged meal kit – is a fantastic way to take the stress out of packing for a trip. By having the box already stocked, you just need to top it up with fresh items like garlic, onions and potatoes. Having one box makes it so easy to pack in the back of the truck.

Also keep all non-perishables and kitchen items like dishwashing liquid, scrubbing brushes, garbage bags, snap-lock bags, utensils and cooking appliances in one big box. Think about the items you currently use the most in your kitchen at home, and pack these items.

The remaining bulky necessities that need to be packed are bedding and clothing. The easiest and simplest way to pack and transport these items is by using a large duffel bag. These bags are showerproof, dustproof and are made from a hardy material, so they can be thrown around and won’t get damaged. Whack the duffel bag on the roof rack and ratchet-strap it down. It will be the last thing to go on and one of the first things to come off once you arrive at camp.