Off-road driving can be something recreational, but it can also just be part of the journey when going to some remote destination. Regardless, it’s important to note that driving off-road can be quite different from driving through the city. As such, we’ll be taking a look at tips to help beginners and first-timers to properly and safely drive off-road:
Stay on Track
Heavily-worn tracks generally mean that the area is usually travelled on, and are probably the quickest and/or safest route to follow. If you’re new to the area and new to off-road driving adventures, it’s just best to stick to these tracks. Following the trail ensures that you won’t get lost and that you’d do less damage to the environment as compared to going through unexplored/uncharted terrain. You’d also be less likely to damage your car by avoiding any “surprising” when making your own path. So unless you’re driving somewhere that has no trail at all, stick to the tracks.
Know the Terrain
If you’re going off-road driving, it’s best that you do some research about the terrain, or at least read the terrain before you drive on it. Try to scope ahead and see if there are tracks you can follow, if not, try to read the area and determine the safest path to go through. You should also be wary about changes in the ground, such as shifts from dirt to sand or mud. Going off-road in an area with no visible trails isn’t recommended, especially for beginners, but if you’re in a situation where you have to drive off-road in a trail-less terrain, you’d want to bear this tip in mind.
Slow and Steady
Even if you’re behind the wheel of a fully equipped and well-designed off-road vehicle, it’s important that you don’t go all “Dukes of Hazzard” when you finally hit the trail, especially if you’re new to driving off-road. Driving off-road means that you’d have to encounter different types of terrain, obstacles, bumps, dips, and possibly even wildlife. So, it’s important to remember that you should drive at a relatively lower speed in order for you to have enough time to reach in changes in the terrain and to ensure that you don’t end up in an off-road accident.
Gear Up
It goes without saying, but if you’re driving off-road, you should be driving a 4WD or a vehicle that’s designed to be driven off-road. If you plan on going on an off-road adventure, it’s best to park your family sedan and rent or borrow an off-road vehicle instead. Off-road vehicles such as lifted trucks provide you better control when driving in rough terrain and, thus, are better at keeping you safe and making sure that you arrive at your destination without breaking down in the middle of the tracks (or are unable to continue due to off-road conditions). This also applies for those who wish to relocate somewhere detached from the city, like a forest cabin or a villa across some rocky terrain; if you see yourself having to drive off-road for the foreseeable future, it might be time for you to search for lifted diesel trucks for sale around AZ.
Tell Someone
Before you go on your adventure, even if you’re with other people, it’s important that you notify someone that you’ll be off-road driving somewhere, and let them know when you’ll be back. This way, they’d be able to know when they should start searching or notifying the authorities in case anything happens. Don’t just rely on your phone, as it’s possible to lose signal in certain areas, making emergency calls impossible.
Conclusion
The main takeaway here is that you should always be well-prepared and well-equipped when driving off-road for the first time. So make sure that you remember these reminders before you set off for your first off-road adventure.
