5 things every bakkie should have (that most people forget)

A quick, honest list for South African drivers — the small, cheap things that turn a roadside disaster into a two-minute fix.

Most of us only think about this stuff the day we need it

Nobody plans to break down. But the people who get going again fastest are the ones who kept a few small, cheap things in the car before anything went wrong. Here are five worth having in your bakkie — or any car — today.

1. A jump starter (ideally a 4-in-1)

A flat battery is the most common way to get stuck, and a pocket jump starter lets you fix it yourself in seconds — no second car, no waiting. Even better is one that also pumps up a soft tyre, gives light and charges your phone, so a single device covers most of this list. That's exactly what VoltGuard is: a 4-in-1 built for South African roads. (More on it at the end.)

2. A tow strap

Sand, mud, a wet driveway — sooner or later something needs pulling. A rated tow strap in the box costs little and saves a lot of trouble.

3. A headlamp or torch

Changing a tyre or checking a battery at night with your phone torch in your teeth is miserable. A cheap headlamp keeps both hands free.

4. A reflective warning triangle

It's part of South Africa's roadworthy requirements, and it keeps you safer when you're stopped on the shoulder. Keep one where you can reach it without standing in traffic.

5. Water and a small first-aid kit

The boring ones you hope never to use. A bottle of water and a basic kit cost almost nothing and matter enormously on the day they count.

The one that does the most

If you only add one thing this week, make it the jump starter — it's the fix for the thing most likely to leave you stranded, and the 4-in-1 quietly covers a few of the others too.

Never stranded. Never helpless. Never alone.

The best time to pack for a breakdown is before one.