Go Off Roading in an SUV
The off roading experience can be super enjoyable and exhilarating as well as safe, but only if handled properly. Off roading will likely improve your technical driving skills while providing an "extreme" hobby that you can share with other enthusiasts. It will also offer numerous family adventures and provide fodder for future tall tales. If you are new to the off roading world, though, it is recommended that you first join an off road group.— Cohorts help ensure your safety and you will certainly benefit from their shared knowledge.
Contents
Steps
- Purchase a reliable off road vehicle, such as a Jeep Wrangler, Toyota Hilux (old one), or Nissan GQ
- Adapt the vehicle by lifting the vehicle, that is, adjusting the suspension. Lifting the vehicle allows more freedom for the tires to move under the wheel wells.
- Higher quality suspension systems like Jeep's Rubicon or Rubicon Express allow the axles and tires to articulate and move in relation to objects, thereby supplying much improved traction.
- The most common lift ranges are 1-4 inches (3-10 cm).
- If you do not lift the vehicle, there is reduced body-to-tire clearance and increased risk of damage to the undercarriage, frame and suspension. On the other hand, too much lift will cause the vehicle to be top heavy and is, generally, not very practical.
- Install accessory items to improve safety and vehicle toughness. Skid plates, "Nerf" bars and roll cages can help protect you and your vehicle while out on the trail.
- Purchase large tires.
- Large tires add extra ground clearance and allow for a smoother ride and better handling.
- Surfaces of the trails greatly and these may require differing tread designs. The universal or "knobby" tires are a minimum requirement and provide a good starting tire for most off roading trails.
- Tires ranging from 29 to 35 inches (75-90 cm) in height will be sufficient for most off-roading adventures.
- These tires are also designed to run at a very low pressure (5-15psi or 35-100kPa). Low tire pressures are preferred for flexing around tight spots and corners in the trail. The low pressures generally give more traction and the tires are less likely to be punctured by sharp rocks and other debris.
- Take your vehicle to a legal off-roading trail. Many trails can be found in books, online and through your local group or club. Trails range greatly in difficulty: The novice should start with easy or medium trails.
- Easy trails are usually just basic off-asphalt trails and require no technical or extraordinary handling experience. Any four wheel drive (FWD) or all wheel drive (AWD) vehicle should be able to easily navigate these trails.
- Medium difficulty trails will likely be relatively mild with no extreme grades and only a few more technical obstacles. A small SUV is recommended,— one, preferably, with after market tires and/or suspension.
- Hard trails should be left to the well seasoned and experienced off roader. Once your vehicle is prepared with after market tires and suspension, the vehicle should be outfitted with a roll cage. Roll cages should be considered a necessity and should be installed before you attempt this class of difficulty.
- Start out slowly until you get the hang of the terrain. Rocks can move, boulders can be slippery and water driving can be tricky. Each can be more intense than anticipated.
- Remain calm in all situations. Observe the terrain, obstacles and upcoming features closely and react with a level head. Going slowly allows you more time to react to your changing environment. Remember, off-roading isn't a race. It requires technical driving, some finesse and large measures of patience and restraint to maintain a constant, slow speed and "crawl" the terrain successfully.
- Build your skill and confidence. Try tackling some hills and a couple of rock beds. They offer a slippery surface and a stiffer challenge when attempting to crawl your vehicle. Once you build confidence and ability, your off-road driving experience can go one of two ways.— It will only get easier or it will become more challenging ans intense. The choice is yours. You should look expand your horizons and attempt new challenges.
- When driving on more challenging rock beds, always have a spotter outside your vehicle to help you with wheel placement. A spotter is a person that looks for what you are unable to see from inside the vehicle and will help guide wheel placement.
- When driving on sand, snow or ice, loss of control is also a possibility. Drive much more slowly than normal and use snow chains or studded tires to greatly improve performance and ease of handling. On these surfaces, you will need to keep tires from spinning by providing the best traction possible and changing your speed gradually. That is, accelerate from a dead stop to speed and decelerate from speed to a stop should be slow, even and gradual.
- On sand, knobby tires can greatly increase traction. As the tires spin, they act as paddles to propel you forward or backward. Still, no matter the tire type, you cannot spin too much. There is a very real danger of sinking your tires in the sand and it can happen before you know it. Increase your awareness and, if this starts to happen, stop before you are more than a few inches deep (especially if you aren't actually moving any at all). Try backing up, or rocking the vehicle out of the depression before it becomes a crater.
- Experience as many terrains and trails as possible. The best way to learn how to traverse all kinds of obstacles and surfaces is to try it— learn by doing. Up the difficulty of your playground and don't be discouraged if things become tougher than you expected. Respond to the challenges as best you can, then listen to the experienced off-roaders. They may offer suggestions about how to better spend your time on the trail or to more easily surmount recent challenges you have faced.
- If you are unable to complete a section of the trail, other drivers on the trail will probably be willing to help you navigate the obstacles by spotting or will give you advice.
- Forcing your way through an obstacle or trail, may damage your vehicle. Remember: Your vehicle should survive the ordeal with little or no damage and live to off road another day. Your vehicle will be needed to carry you and yours safely home from the trail and is likely used around town too, so avoid powering through difficult situations.
Tips
- If you are a passenger, allow the driver to do the driving. Unless there is an immediate problem or an issue that the driver obviously does not recognize, stay quiet and provide pleasant support. Off-roading can present very difficult sections of trail and a back seat driver rarely helps. Instead, try getting out of the car and spotting.
- The internet is a great source for information regarding local trails or off-road clubs. The forums and the clubs have experienced off road drivers that love to share experiences, skills and advice.
- Never attempt any trails that are way above your experience level or when you are you are not prepared.— You must be mentally ready and your vehicle must be outfitted properly to tackle the particular rigors of the day.
- Be aware that your differentials are the lowest parts of the vehicle. They are located at the center of the front and rear axle.
- While four-wheel-drive may not be required for the whole off-road trail, you should use it when you are not on smooth ground. Don't be afraid to use the 4x4-low for most of the trail, it is very useful in supplying smooth torque to the wheels, and will keep you moving at a slow pace.
- If possible, fold your mirrors in and keep them "tucked in" until you need them, e.g., for backing. Doing so might save you a repair cost.
- Always have a spotter when driving the technical sections.
- Differentials become very important on technical sections of a trail. For the vehicle to be road-legal, it should be fitted with a limited slip differential for the front and a locking differential for the rear. Selectable lockers are available that allow an SUV or jeep to drive on the street without compromising street worthiness. Lockers allow a vehicle to lock the open differential so the wheels don't move independently. This helps gain traction.
- Advanced off-roading may sometimes require more equipment than just a great off-roading vehicle. A winch is a handy tool, especially in locations where traction is the main problem, e.g., wet or slippery rocks. A tall jack will allow you to change tires in odd situations, but is more often used to tilt a vehicle to a better angle and provide better traction. Extra gas is also a good thing to carry along. Adventures often take longer than expected and take you places you hadn't planned to go. Gas is an important commodity, sometimes worth its weight in gold.
- Go very slow on boulder strewn trails. The back end of the vehicle may hit the rock as you come down, or your front end may grind on a rock before your tires reach the rock to lift you above it.
Warnings
- Have professionals install critical safety equipment and hardware. Devices like winches, specialty seats fitted with harnesses offer safety and reliability.
Expect superficial damage to your off-roading vehicle and do your best to avoid serious damage.
- Off-roading is a dangerous hobby unless you acquire the proper skills and have a properly equipped vehicle.
- Know your limits when off-roading. Going too fast can be dangerous to you and hazardous to your vehicle.
- Expect damage to your vehicle. Scratches, scrapes, and dents are commonplace while on off-roading. As long as there isn't any major damage to critical parts (drive train, steering, brakes, tires, suspension, etc.) it shouldn't be a show stopper.
- Three, four or five point seat belts or harnesses are mandatory for all off road trails.
