This is a general information page for people who are new to off roading. Going off road is a lot of fun and a great way to see and be in places you never thought was possible. Over the years I have seen people from all walks of life enjoy taking their vehicles off road and see the world without paved roads.
I my opinion 90% of off roading is the driver and the rest is the equipment. A good example is just because you have the best paint brushes in the world, your not going to paint a Mona Lisa unless you have the skill and patience. Here are some tips to make your off roading adventure more fun.
1. Always wear your seat belt. (yes, we are going slow but it doesn't take much to lose your front teeth on the steering wheel)
2. THREAD LIGHTLY!!! www.treadlightly.org (repect the environment or we will lose it all)
3. Always go off road where it is permitted. (there are enough people out there who want us to all stay on the paved roads and ban all of us off the trails, don't give them anymore excuses)
4. Know your vehicle. Do you know where your tires are planted? Do you know which side the pupmkin is on each axle? Did you see the size of that rock?
5. Always be prepared. If it might snow , bring jackets and blankets in case you get stuck (has happened to people). Did you bring any food? Spare parts? Extra gas? Spare tire?
6. Maintain your vehicle. Do you have enough coolant, motor oil and transmission fluid? Is the brakes working? Is the motor running right? The last thing you want to do is to hike out of the woods looking for a tow truck.
7. When driving off road keep a firm grip on the steering wheel and keep your thumbs outside of the steering wheel. If you should hit a rut the wheel may turn sharply and bang your thumb. Also use the transfer case in 4 low to slow you down for the steep decents and steep climbs, it will give you better control and try use the brakes only when necessary so you can maintain control. For automatic transmission owners, turn on the AC when going down steep decents so the extra load on the motor will help slow it down a little more.
8. Always go straight up a hill, never straddle the side because it will increase the chance for a roll over. Do the same when decending.
9. Off roading is not about speed unless you are racing in the Baja Championship. Always go at a safe speed and do not carve ruts into the trail with your tires.
10. Don't go off road alone (it's nice to have someone around to pull you out if you get stuck)
There are many more thing I didn't cover but I hope this will give you ideas and things to keep in mind. The most important rule is to have fun and a good atitude.
See you on the trails!
