Offroading Tips and Tricks

Off roading is an extreme sport which has un-parallel fun but it must be done under expert guidance and supervision.

It sure looks glamorous in TV & photographs but in reality it’s far away from comfort. Be prepared to get drenched in sweat, get ready to face unforeseen & unexpected circumstances. It requires a lot of patience and presence of mind to be a good offroader. Practice is the key here as it is everywhere.

I have tried to put down some of the tips which are important. Please feel free to add / modify them.

IMPORTANT: -

Respect Mother Nature & understand a fact that she would always be powerful than the SUV you drive.

Never litter in or around the trails always carry wastes back to the city and dispose them appropriately. As all of us know, plastics do no disintegrate even in 100 years and pose a threat to the wild life.

Drifting a SUV on Slushy trails is sure a fun but it causes Soil Erosion.

Avoid driving over shrubs & bushes. They may be a shelter to small animals. In fact, sow a seed / sapling for every offroading that you do. Think wisely and drive carefully.

Tips to be followed before leaving for the trail :-

May the FOURs be with you - JEEP

1. Know your SUV well:-

You should be well aware of you SUV’s capabilities, know the approach, departure & ramp over angles to avoid being a sitting duck in the middle of a lake. Most of the new generation SUVs come with electronic shift on fly 4WD mechanisms which add to the complexity if anything goes kaput during offroad.

Keep your Owner’s Manual handy and try procuring a Service Manual from the company / internet. Keep your SUV in top shape before taking it off-road; check all the hoses, relays, wirings, fuses, slackness in belts etc. Check all the Oil & Coolant levels and top up if required. Tyres should be checked for proper tread. Traction plays the key role in off-roading, Deflate the Tyres a bit before hitting the trail to get a wider footprint. Invest in a good portable Air Compressor so that the Tyres can be inflated back to normal pressure limits after offroading.

2. Know your limitations well:-

 

There is a thin line between being adventurous & being sensible. Understand your limits and drive sensibly. Do a proper reconnaissance of the trail and mark routes.

 

NEVER venture out alone. It’s a good idea to venture in a group and with one more SUV at least so that it can pull you out if you are struck. Always carry Hooks, Shackles & Tow ropes which will be handy; a better option is to have a Winch installed on the vehicle.

May the FOURs be with you - JEEP

Have a person standing outside the vehicle who can guide you if you are unable to see the trail ahead properly.

Carry plenty of drinking water, snacks & chocolates. You may get dehydrated in the unforgiving weather conditions.

NEVER… I repeat… NEVER have Beer or Alcohol while offroading. Alcohol dehydrates you faster. DO NOT DRIVE under the influence of Alcohol.

Always carry a comprehensive First AID box along with a basic yet handy toolkit. Make it a point to add a set of bulbs, fuses, clutch, brake & accelerator cables, High lift Jack, Shovel & Spade are mandatory addition too. If possbile, carry cans of necessary oils & a can of Coolant too.

Inform your family members about the trail location, keep your cell phone fully charged while leaving from home. A flashlight or Torch is a must have in the list.

Leave with a tank full of fuel and if possible carry a spare Jerry Can filled up too.

Wear comfortable cloths and shoes. Carry a Cap and Sunglasses. Slippers, Chappals, Sandles are strictly a NO NO. The reason to avoid them is to protect your feet from sharp stones, thorns on the trail.

Tips to be followed on the Trail:-

First and most important, Switch to 4WD before the obstacle, hitting an obstacle with 2WD and switching to 4WD after getting stuck would leave you with less chances of getting out without any damage. If your SUV has Manual Locking Hubs, remember to engage them after switching to 4WD

Reconnaissance of Route (Recce) is of utmost importance if you are venturing in an unknown territory. Walk through the terrain and plan the best route. Ensure that at any given point of time, your SUV doesn’t bottom out. Once recce is done, you can get a good idea where to place your tires and the differentials and have a plan of approach.

Always tackle obstacles in low speed but with substantial momentum, Remember, Offroading is not about Speed, it’s about finesse and expertise.

Never tackle an incline or decline sideways. SUVs have higher Center of Gravity than cars which makes them prone to rollover. Go straight up and come straight down. Always use the Low Range to enable engine braking while descending a gradient. DO NOT use brake, accelerator or clutch. Shift to 1^st Gear and Low Range and pull your feet off the pedals.

If you are struck midway climbing a gradient, don’t panic. Leave the vehicle in gear and crank the engine. DO NOT use Clutch. If the momentum is not enough to get you up, apply brakes, switch off the engine, shift to reverse, leave the clutch and brake together. The vehicle will come down with the engine braking. Remember that visibility is limited when braking downhill, steering is much quicker, and steering kickback is more violent. Do not attempt to turn around on a steep hill, as the vehicle may roll.

Always check high grass and mud crossings for hidden obstacles, such as logs, rocks and ruts.

When approaching obstacles, such as a ditch, it's best to tackle it at an angle, so that only one tire enters the ditch at a time when crossing. This leaves the other three tires on solid ground to provide traction to get you across.

Image courtesy - www.4x4now.com

Thanks BR.. there are lots more to come... I will put them by today afternoon or EOD..

I appreciate the concern which is been rose. The things need to be sorted out because it is about the individual but it can be with everyone. I like this particular article It gives me an additional input on the information around the world Thanks a lot and keep going with posting such information.

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Your shared tips are gonna help me a lot.  Thanks for these tips!!

Bactium