From Liwa to Al Qudra, a night in the desert is one of the best things about living in the UAE. A pickup is the ideal vehicle for it, but dune driving shakes a load like nothing else. Here's how to pack so you arrive with everything in one piece and can find what you need fast.
What to bring
- Recovery gear: tyre deflator and gauge, compressor, shovel, sand boards (traction mats) and a recovery strap with rated shackles.
- Water: more than you think you need, for drinking and for the car. Plan for the heat even in winter.
- Shelter: tent, ground sheet, sleeping bags or mats, and a sun shade for the day.
- Cooking: stove and gas, a cool box, food, firewood if you plan a fire, and a fire extinguisher.
- Safety: first aid kit, torch and head torches, spare phone charger, and a fully charged phone with offline maps.
- Rubbish bags: take everything home with you.
Where to put it in the bed
Heavy and low at the front. Water, gas and firewood go against the cab, centred between the wheel wells. Weight there keeps the truck balanced on the dunes and stops heavy items flying backwards on a steep descent.
Recovery gear where you can reach it first. If you get stuck, you need the shovel and sand boards without unloading the camp. Keep them on top or along one side near the tailgate.
The cool box in the middle, where it's easy to reach from the side and well protected.
Light and soft items last. Tents, sleeping bags and bags go towards the tailgate or on top.
Stop it shifting on the dunes
Dune driving means steep climbs, sharp drops and sideways slopes, so the load gets pushed in every direction. Everything needs to be held on all sides, not just strapped down from the top.
- Close all lids and zips before you set off, so sand can't get in and contents can't spill.
- Strap down tall items like gas bottles so they can't tip.
- Block in boxes and cans so they can't slide. A modular organizer like Gripteck does this quickly: blockers plug into the bed mat right against each item, so jerry cans, cool box and camping boxes each stay in their spot. Move them in seconds when you unpack at camp.
- Check the load after the first stretch of dunes, and again before the drive home.
At camp
Unload only what you need. A tidy bed is also your kitchen counter and storage at camp, and it makes the pack-up in the morning much faster. Before you leave, make sure nothing is left on the sand.
Before you go
- Tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back.
- Never go into the dunes alone. Travel with at least one other vehicle.
- Lower tyre pressure for the sand and re-inflate before the road.
- Check the weather and avoid dune trips in strong wind or extreme heat.
Find the Gripteck kit for your truck · How to secure cargo in a pickup bed