Four-wheeling presents a host of challenges in any environment. Drivers naturally focus on terrain and techniques. Therefore at the end of long day, food safety and hygiene don’t always get the attention they’re due. Let’s review some basics.

Safe food handling and storage

Keeping food chilled properly can be a real chore. A long trip to a remote destination during hot weather puts a strain on any cooler. Eggs, milk and raw meat, in particular, must be kept chilled. A cooler is OK for a day or two, but you’re better off buying a 12 volt on board refrigerator/freezer. I have used one for many years, and highly recommend it. They’re not cheap — good ones run $800 - $1,000 — but the convenience and peace of mind they provide is worth it. Make sure you buy a top model. Reliable brands to consider include ARB, Engel and SportFridge. A good 12 volt fridge/freezer is compact, energy efficient, and easy on your battery. Energy consumption varies, but they typically draw about 2 or 3 amps. That may sound like a lot, but it’s not. You could get by for at least a day or more without charging your battery. Remember that the fridge draws power only when it’s cycling. You can minimize cycling by parking in shaded areas when possible and limiting your access to the fridge. Night time is easier on the unit. It’s naturally cooler, and the fridge doesn’t get opened as frequently. Even though the fridge/freezer runs efficiently, it’s a good idea to have a back-up plan. You could install a second battery—to run the fridge/freezer—or pick up a Micro-Start personal power supply. Though small, the Micro-Start packs a punch, and will jump start your engine.

Because many 4WD excursions last two days or more, there’s usually the need to select a campsite arrangement. You can elect to go with a base camp, or set up camp at a different location each night (what I call a cruise or a moving camp).

Another option is a hybrid variety. This is handy for really long excursions, say in excess of seven days. Use a base camp for a few days, then a moving camp for other days in your trip.

There are no hard and fast rules. Select the arrangement(s) best suited to your trip, its location and the needs of your guests.

Before going further, we should review some fundamentals of campsites. Regardless of the style you select, it should: