Things You Need to Know Before Going Off-Road

Going off-road is a unique driving experience. Whether planning it for your job or just adventuring in the wilds, every off-roading trip requires special training, equipment, and knowledge.

Sounds surprising to you? Well, that’s exactly what it takes if you want your off-road breakouts to be efficient and full of adventures, not risks and unexpected moments you weren’t prepared for. In this article, Tread Magazine exposes all the essentials about off-roading that will come in handy when you head into the wilderness.

Off-Roading Fundamentals: More Than Just About Vehicles

Believing that a capable vehicle can solve it all in off-roading conditions is a wrong preconception. Even the best-performing four-wheel drive might not be enough if you do not develop specific driving techniques and do not understand how to navigate various terrains. Take a moment to grasp some basic principles before hitting the unknown.

For example, loose surfaces require steady momentum without excessive speeding. Otherwise, your wheels will spin and dig your vehicle deeper into the sand or gravel rather than moving you forward.

Likewise, you might want to hit the brakes while in specific slippery areas. But abrupt braking can cause slides on such surfaces, while gentle inputs can better get you out of trouble.

The first off-road lesson is to develop your terrain-reading skills. Planning your route and identifying potential obstacles is a good starting point. This allows you to estimate the risks and choose the best management technique.

Understanding Off-Road Terrain Types

Off-road jobs or adventures involve tackling various terrains, requiring different driving techniques. From sand digging to rock crawling, you must know how to adjust your tire pressure and when to press or avoid pressing the accelerator pedal. Here are some tips that may help:

Desert and Sand Driving

Vast American deserts and sand dunes present unique driving challenges. Finding the right balance between excessive speed and braking is crucial in these conditions. Too slow, and you find yourself sinking, too fast, and you lose control. To keep momentum, consider the following:

• adjust tire pressure to 12-15 PSI
• steer widely and smoothly to avoid digging in

Also, it’s a safe practice to avoid desert off-roading during the hottest peaks of the day. Get extra water for you and your radiator (just in case).

Mountain and Rock Crawling

If exploring the Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains, your vehicle must be properly equipped for the challenging rock crawling ahead. This is where low-range gearing and differential locks help a lot. These allow for superior control and precision at extremely low speeds. As for the driving techniques, consider the following:

• keep speeds extremely slow and controlled
• try to understand proper line selection to maintain traction
• place tires precisely on the best line through obstacles
• ask for help, if possible, when not having a clear view of difficult sections

Mud and Wetlands

Muddy conditions like those in the Southeast can test even the most equipped vehicles. The wheels can easily become vulnerable to excessive spins in the mud holes if the driver does not know how to maintain steady momentum. To provide forward and constant progress, consider the following tips:

• mud-terrain tires with widely spaced lugs are a must for severely muddy conditions;
• Think of snorkel modifications where mud is mixed with extremely wet areas.

A snorkel is a device that ensures the engine can operate normally while the vehicle is partially submerged in water. It can help in excessively wet and muddy areas. Also, it’s safe to check water depth before crossing muddy areas.

Severe Winter Conditions

Off-roading in Northern states requires technical driving skills and specialized preparation. In addition to dedicated winter tires, chains should not be missing from the equipment for additional traction on snow and ice. For a wintry off-road adventure, consider the following tips to stay safe:

• Buy good quality winter tires and/or chains
• Extra warm clothing and emergency supplies
• Learning about ice recovery techniques
• Understanding that snow can hide obstacles
• Sharing your route information with close people and expected return time

Choosing the Right Vehicle for Off-Roading

Each type of vehicle (SUV, CUV, pickup truck, etc.) is designed for specific driving conditions. Dedicated off-road options like Toyota 4Runners, Ford Broncos, and Jeep Wranglers provide superior off-road capabilities as off-roading is in their DNA straight from the factory. On the other hand, most trucks and car-based SUVs can deliver moderate trails as their primary intent focuses on versatility rather than strong off-road capabilities.

The point is that choosing the right vehicle can make a difference, especially when regular off-roading is a part of your life. For a truly capable and confident experience, your vehicle should have a few essential features:

Higher Ground Clearance

-8.5 inches or more improve the vehicle’s capabilities to go over logs and rocks with minimal risk of damaging the undercarriage. CUVs and car-based SUVs usually have too little clearance for serious trails. Instead, stock SUVs like Jeep Wranglers are high enough to deal with aggressive and uneven terrain;

Four-Wheel Drive System

This system is the most competent in terms of off-roading, as all four wheels promote traction on different terrains. Of all the subsystems of this system (part-time 4WD, full-time 4WD, and AWD), the true 4WD is intended for serious off-roading. The rest deliver dependable performance, yet they lose in certain aspects compared to 4WD;

Differential Locks

A locking differential prevents the wheel from spinning on uneven terrain, ensuring power goes to the wheel with traction. While highly valuable in off-road conditions, this feature is useless when one wheel might be in the air on uneven terrain;

Low-Range Gearing

This feature multiplies your engine’s torque several times, allowing for traction at very low speed. It helps the vehicle crawl over obstacles without holding back the engine and get through steep inclines while keeping grip and traction;

Approach, Breakover, and Departure Angles

The three measurements determine how steep an obstacle your vehicle can safely handle.

All these features determine your vehicle’s off-road capabilities. Serious off-roaders like the Land Rover Defenders or Jeep Wranglers have them all optimized from the factory.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t go off-roading with a more modest SUV. Even if your SUV or truck isn’t fully equipped for bold off-highway driving, it can still handle it with careful driving and proper tire selection.

Choosing the Right Tires for Off-Roading

Needless to say, traditional highway or all-season tires won’t do much in serious off-roading conditions. Muddy or rocky, activities in the wild need special tires that contribute to traction and grip. So, you have two options to think about: all-terrain or mud-terrain options.

Of the two types, all-terrains are perfect for mixed conditions when splitting driving time between trails and highways. Take, for instance, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT. Its tough construction and rugged traction shoulder provide extra grip and off-road power, so performing some moderate tasks in the wild shouldn’t be an issue.

Mud-terrain tires are a more reliable alternative for complex and challenging terrain. Their tread is notable for its aggressive architecture, capable of biting through loose surfaces and gripping steadily on rocky terrains. The Baja Boss M/T is a superb option designed by Mickey Thompson. Mud, gravel, sand, and rocks do not present any difficulty for this product, which feels like a fish in the water in these conditions.

In a nutshell, you need a deep, aggressive, and durable/thick tread pattern in your off-road tires. That’s what helps traction and grip when off-roading becomes challenging. Lowering tire pressure is also a good technique to enhance traction. Less pressure (typically 15-20 PSI) increases the tire’s footprint on loose surfaces, which can get you out of trouble.

Off-Road Recovery Equipment: Because Getting Stuck Can Happen

Getting stuck in off-road conditions can happen to any driver, even the most experienced. I recommend thinking about such a risk and preparing in advance. In this sense, you need essential recovery equipment that will facilitate your release from the off-roading traps. Put the following essentials in your trunk:

• recovery straps and shackles for vehicle-to-vehicle recovery
• winch (if your vehicle can accommodate one) for self-recovery
• traction boards for instant traction in sand, mud, or snow
• hi-lift jack for lifting vehicles with good frame or rock rail attachment points
• full-size spare tire and tools to change it
• portable air compressor to reinflate tires after off-roading

This equipment is mainly aimed at serious off-roading, but it can also be helpful in light off-roading conditions. In addition to these tools, it’s wise to add a basic wrench kit, screwdrivers, and sockets to manage simpler but time-consuming complications.

Building Off-Road Driving Skills

If you’re an occasional off-roader, your general driving skills, attention, and vigilance might be enough. Otherwise, you might need formal instruction for serious off-roading.

In this regard, remember that various organizations offer valuable training courses for those who want to venture into more challenging wild experiences. For example, Overland Experts or the 4-Wheel Drive Trainers Association are reliable sources for beginners.

Courses include guidance on operating in complex off-road situations, terrain reading, vehicle maintenance, and left-foot braking techniques. So, it’s a real science that you need to digest to stay safe while enjoying your off-road experiences to the fullest.

Final Thoughts Before Hitting the Trails

Off-roading is an adventurous activity that gets the adrenaline pumping. But it requires proper preparation, skills, and equipment to enjoy it fully. Die-hard off-roaders respect nature, their vehicle, and their community, which shares experiences and knowledge with their peers.

Start humbly, and don’t venture into unknown territories unprepared. Progress gradually instead, and you will discover the joy of outdoor activities. The trails are ready. What about you?