Off-roading is one of the more popular auto sports these days, and it’s not hard to see why. Who doesn’t like the idea of tearing over dirt and rocks in a beast of a car, feeling the engine roar as it conquers every obstacle. Yes, off-roading is extremely fun. However, many people jump into it in a counter-productive way. Here are some of the best tips for getting started off-roading.
Obviously, you’re going to need a car which can handle off-roading. You may already own a 4×4. However, is it really kitted out for all you want to do with it? For the inexperienced off-roader, this can be pretty hard to discern. Jeep, for example, follow their official line that all of their vehicles can go off-road. If you take this as fact, you can end up in a literal rut pretty quickly! Some 4x4s are better at off-roading than others, so do your research. There are many online resources which to reviews of 4x4s. Aside from that, anyone working at a specialised dealership like Saxton 4×4 should be able to point out a few good models. Obviously, the car isn’t going to be cheap. Be sure to consider how a rugged 4×4 fits into everything you’d need it for.
The next big thing on your checklist is an off-roading buddy. This will make the whole experience more enjoyable for one. However, there’s a safety feature to having someone to do off-roading with as well. When you’re on some of the wilder trails, it can be surprisingly easy to get lost. When this happens, you certainly want someone to be with you! In other situations like breakdowns, accidents and injuries, it really helps to have someone out with you. For some of us though, we love off-roading so much that it’s impossible to keep us away. If you do go off-roading alone, make sure several people know you’re doing it and where you’re going.
Finally, make sure you start off slow. When experienced off-roaders get a hulking 4×4 to actually leave the ground, it’s pretty exhilarating. However, if you attempt one of these manoeuvres the first time you get off the beaten track, you could be putting you and your vehicle at serious risk. Believe it or not, even doing 5mph when you first start off-roading can be an exhilarating experience. If you saw a Wrangler mount an obstacle and clear it at a sluggish rate, then you wouldn’t be exactly wowed. However, when you get behind the wheel yourself, it’s a completely different story. Even tackling the smallest of obstacles when you’re off-road requires great control of the car. This is something you won’t have straight away. However, as you try different routes and figure out how little changes affect the car, you’ll get sucked in faster than you know it! For a healthy learning curve and an intact car, take baby steps to begin with.
I hope this article has given you a great start in the world of off-roading. Progress may be slow to begin with, but keep getting out there!
