The Complete Buyers Guide To Spares & Tools To Take On Your Big Lap

Things break on the road. Screws vibrate loose on corrugated roads. Cupboard catches snap. Fuses blow. Hose fittings crack. Seals start weeping. None of these are trip-ending disasters, as long as you can fix them. Without the right tools and spares, a five-minute repair becomes a 200km round trip to the nearest hardware store and a lost day of travel.

This guide covers the tools, spares, and emergency gear worth carrying on the Big Lap. It’s not about turning your tunnel boot into a workshop. It’s about having the essentials to handle the problems that actually happen, based on what experienced Big Lappers fix most often on the road.

The Basic Toolkit

Your toolkit needs to cover the fasteners and fittings specific to your caravan. Before you buy anything, walk around your van with a notepad and check what sizes you actually need. Most Australian caravans use a mix of metric bolts and screws, but the specific sizes vary by manufacturer.

Socket set: A basic 1/4″ and 3/8″ drive metric socket set covering 8mm to 19mm handles most bolts on a caravan. You don’t need a 200-piece professional set. A quality compact set from the likes of Kincrome or Stanley is fine. $40 to $80.

Spanners: A set of combination spanners (ring and open-end) from 8mm to 19mm. Again, compact sets designed for tool rolls or small cases are ideal for caravans where storage is limited. $30 to $60.

Screwdrivers: A Phillips head (#2 is the most common in caravans) and a flat head in two sizes. A multi-bit screwdriver with interchangeable heads saves space and covers most needs. $15 to $30.

Pliers: Standard combination pliers, a pair of long-nose (needle-nose) pliers, and ideally a pair of multigrips (adjustable pliers). Between them, these cover gripping, bending, cutting wire, and holding things you can’t reach with your fingers. $20 to $50 for the set.

Adjustable wrench (shifting spanner): An 8-inch adjustable wrench handles odd-sized fittings, plumbing connections, and gas bottle fittings that your socket set doesn’t cover. $15 to $30.

Multitool or utility knife: A quality Leatherman-style multitool is one of the most used items in any caravan toolkit. Knife, pliers, screwdriver, wire cutter, bottle opener, all in one pocket-sized package. $60 to $150 for a good one.

Hammer: A small ball-peen or claw hammer. You’ll use it for tent pegs, stubborn fittings, and the occasional loose panel. A full-size hammer is overkill; a compact one does the job. $10 to $25.

Tape measure: Essential for measuring gaps, checking clearances, and working out whether that modification you’re planning will actually fit. $5 to $15.

Spare Parts You’ll Actually Need

The items on this list aren’t hypothetical. These are the things that break most often on caravans during extended travel, based on the collective experience of thousands of Big Lappers.

Fuses: Carry a selection of blade fuses in the ratings your van uses (check your fuse box and note the amperages). A 10-pack of assorted automotive blade fuses costs $5 to $10 and takes up no space. A blown fuse is one of the most common electrical issues, and without a spare you’ll lose the circuit entirely.

Electrical tape and heat-shrink tubing: For quick wire repairs, insulating connections, and securing loose wiring. $5 to $10.

Cable ties (zip ties): Arguably the most versatile repair item in existence. They hold things together, secure loose wiring, replace broken clips, and serve as temporary fixes for an astonishing range of problems. Carry a bag of assorted sizes. $5 to $10.

Silicone sealant: A tube of neutral-cure silicone sealant (not acetic-cure, which corrodes metal fittings) handles leaking seals around windows, roof penetrations, external fittings, and plumbing joints. A small caulking gun isn’t essential but makes application much easier. $10 to $20.

Hose fittings and clamps: Spare click-on hose connectors, a few stainless steel hose clamps in the sizes your van uses, and a short length of spare hose. Water system leaks are common, and a $3 hose clamp can fix what would otherwise be a significant problem. $15 to $25 for a small kit.

Cupboard catches and hinges: The cheap plastic push-catches used in many caravans break regularly, especially on corrugated roads. Carry a handful of spares in the type your van uses. $10 to $20.

Light globes / LED replacements: A blown exterior light is an immediate safety issue (you need functioning tail lights and indicators for legal towing). Carry spares for your van’s exterior lights at minimum. $10 to $30.

12V wire and connectors: A few metres of automotive-grade wire, some crimp connectors, and a crimping tool let you repair or extend 12V circuits. Anderson plugs and connectors specific to your van’s solar and battery system are also worth carrying. $20 to $40.

Duct tape and Gorilla tape: The universal temporary fix. It won’t last forever, but it’ll hold things together until you can do a proper repair. $10 to $15.

WD-40 and white lithium grease: WD-40 for freeing stuck bolts and displacing moisture. White lithium grease for lubricating hinges, jockey wheels, stabiliser legs, and any moving metal parts. $15 to $20 for both.

Tyre & Wheel Gear

Tyre problems are the single most common mechanical issue Big Lappers encounter. Punctures, slow leaks, and blowouts happen, and they tend to happen in remote places where roadside assist is hours (or days) away. Being able to deal with a flat yourself isn’t optional for extended travel.

Tyre pressure gauge: A quality digital gauge accurate to 1 PSI. Check your pressures cold before every driving day. The cheap pencil-style gauges are unreliable; spend $20 to $40 on a proper digital one.

Portable air compressor: Essential for reinflating tyres after airing down on sand or corrugations, and for keeping pressures topped up on the road. A 12V compressor that plugs into your vehicle’s accessory socket or connects directly to the battery is the most practical option. Look for one rated to at least 150 PSI with a decent flow rate. Brands like ARB, Bushranger, and Ironman do well-regarded units. $100 to $300 depending on capacity.

Tyre repair kit: A plug-style tyre repair kit lets you fix a punctured tyre without removing it from the rim. It’s a temporary repair that gets you to a tyre shop, which might be 500km away in outback Australia. A basic kit with plugs, reamer, and insertion tool costs $15 to $30. Practice using it at home before you need it at the roadside.

Wheel brace: Your tow vehicle should have one, but check it fits both your vehicle’s and your caravan’s wheel nuts. If they’re different sizes, carry the right brace for both. A breaker bar or torque wrench makes the job easier and ensures correct tightening when you put the wheel back on.

Jack: Your vehicle’s standard jack will handle the vehicle, but may not be suitable for the caravan. Check whether your caravan has jack points and whether your jack reaches them. A bottle jack is more versatile and stable on soft ground than a scissor jack. $30 to $60.

Emergency & Safety Gear

First aid kit: A comprehensive kit that goes beyond bandaids. Look for one that includes wound dressings, bandages, antiseptic, tweezers, a thermal blanket, gloves, and a first aid guide. Kits rated for remote travel or 4WD touring are ideal. Check and restock it regularly. $40 to $100.

Fire extinguisher: A 1kg ABE dry powder extinguisher is the minimum for a caravan. Mount it somewhere accessible inside the van (not buried in a cupboard). Check the expiry date and pressure gauge before every trip. Some states require a fire extinguisher for caravans by law. $25 to $50.

Fire blanket: Useful for kitchen fires and as a secondary fire-fighting option. Mounts on the wall near the stove. $15 to $25.

Torch / headlamp: A quality LED torch and a headlamp. You’ll use the headlamp more than you expect: setting up camp after dark, checking under the van, working on repairs where you need both hands free. Rechargeable models save on batteries. $20 to $50 each.

Jumper cables or jump starter: A flat vehicle battery is a common problem, especially if you’ve been running accessories off the vehicle battery at camp. A portable lithium jump starter (around $80 to $200) is more versatile than traditional jumper cables because it doesn’t require a second vehicle.

Tow strap or snatch strap: If you go off-road or visit beach camps, a recovery strap is essential. Even on sealed roads, getting bogged in soft roadside shoulders happens. A rated snatch strap (8,000 to 11,000kg) costs $40 to $80.

Going Remote: Extra Gear For Off-Grid Travel

If your Big Lap includes remote outback driving, particularly unsealed roads in the NT, WA, or far north QLD, the standard toolkit needs supplementing. The distances between towns (and mechanics) in these areas are measured in hundreds of kilometres, and mobile reception may not exist.

Satellite communicator: A personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite messenger like the Garmin inReach. A PLB sends an emergency SOS signal via satellite and is a genuine lifesaving device in areas with no phone coverage. A satellite messenger also allows two-way text messaging. PLBs cost $250 to $400 and have no ongoing subscription. Satellite messengers cost $400 to $600 plus a monthly plan.

Extra water: Carry additional water beyond your tank capacity. A minimum of 20 litres per person in a separate container (not reliant on your van’s plumbing). This is for emergency situations where you’re stuck and can’t access your tank or the tap has run dry.

Recovery gear: Rated recovery points on your vehicle, a snatch strap, shackles, a shovel, and traction boards (MaxTrax or similar). If you’re going remote, this isn’t optional. $200 to $500 for a basic recovery kit.

Spare fuel: A quality jerry can (metal, not plastic) for carrying extra fuel. In remote WA and NT, fuel stops can be 300km+ apart, and prices at remote stations are eye-watering. Carry enough to extend your range by at least 200km. $40 to $80 for a 20-litre jerry can.

How To Organise It All

A toolkit is only useful if you can find things in it. Throwing everything into a single bag in the tunnel boot means digging through a tangle of tools and spares every time you need a screwdriver. A little organisation goes a long way.

Tool roll or compact tool bag: A canvas tool roll keeps spanners, screwdrivers, and pliers organised and accessible. It rolls up tight and fits in the tunnel boot or under a bed. $20 to $40.

Spare parts box: A small plastic parts organiser (the kind with adjustable compartments) holds fuses, cable ties, hose clamps, screws, and small fittings. Label the compartments. $10 to $20.

Tyre gear bag: Keep the compressor, gauge, repair kit, and wheel brace together in a single bag. When you have a flat, you don’t want to be rummaging through three different storage areas.

Emergency bag: First aid kit, fire extinguisher, torch, PLB, and jumper cables / jump starter in one accessible location. Not in the tunnel boot under three other bags. Somewhere you can reach quickly.