W hether it’s that rocky mountain trail or the endless desert dunes, there’s just something about offroading that calls any driver to adventure.
Unfortunately, in some cases, you can run into trouble while taking your vehicle off the road.
But worry not fellow offroader; that’s what we’re here to help you with. Just follow along with our expert tips for offroading, and you’ll be on your way to more fun and safe offroading adventure in no time.
So, whether you’re new to the offroading scene or a seasoned veteran, keep on reading.
Top 7 Tips For Offroading
Although you may already be aware of some of these tips, it’s important you incorporate them into your plan before you embark your vehicle off the trail. Without a proper plan, you risk running into problems or being unprepared for danger.
With that said, here are 7 tips for offroading you should consider:
1. Slow and Steady
There’s no race here to win, so speed isn’t exactly your ally when it comes to offloading. That said, going too slow can also pose a threat; if you’re on a wilderness trail that becomes dangerous after sunset, moving at a snail’s pace won’t exactly help either!
As one of the golden rules of off-roading goes, take your vehicle “As slow as possible, but as fast as necessary.”
2. Stay on The Trail
Most cave-diving accidents happen in the case of divers that don’t stay on the guideline and get lost deep underwater. Though off-roading and cave diving are hardly alike, the same principle applies: as long as you stay on a known trail, you’ll be safe, not sorry.
Another reason why you should consider staying on the trail as an offroader is to prevent damage to the environment, especially the local flora and fauna.
3. Avoid The Sunk Cost Fallacy
In behavioral economics, the sunk cost fallacy indicates that individuals will continue investing additional time and effort into action after initially investing in it. For off-roading, this translates into refusing to turn back once they encounter a difficult obstacle or dangerous situation.
If, for instance, you run into a steep slope deep into a trail, you may try and power through even though your vehicle can’t make it. In this case, the best course of action is to simply turn back rather than risk getting stuck where you’re unlikely to find help any time soon.
4. Sign Up For a Training Course
Would you consider flying an airplane without proper training? What about skydiving, or exploring the depths of the ocean? Although off-roading is hardly considered as dangerous as these other extreme sports, that’s no reason to first seek professional training.
Even if you’re already a seasoned off-roader, a training course will better equip you with the skills necessary to handle difficult and dangerous situations, such as during vehicle recovery.
5. Bring a Friend
Although many of us are lone adventurers wanting to explore the wilderness solo, disaster can strike at any moment; that’s why you should never go offroading alone. Having another person accompany you while offroading can not only prevent damage to your vehicle but also save lives.
Make sure your friend is an experienced offroader and spotter. Spotters can assist the driver to navigate through difficult obstacles by stepping outside and having a clearer view. In the worst of cases, your friend will prove a vital asset in case someone needs medical assistance, or to run back and call for additional help.
6. Scout and Plan
It’s possible to succeed offroading even without a proper plan. That said, a solid plan will help you out in case things go awry. As an example, plan ahead by checking the weather forecast; the last thing you want to do is run into rain on a muddy train, a blizzard on the mountains, or a sandstorm in the middle of the desert.
Scouting usually involves trekking the trail first on foot and looking ahead for dangerous obstacles. Alternatively, you can scope out the terrain using an aerial drone or browsing Google Earth.
7. Prepare Your Offroad Vehicle
Finally, make sure your offroad vehicle is ready for going offroading. You need to have everything in order well before you embark on the offroad trail, such as lowering your vehicle’s tire pressure, checking the engine oil and fluids, and cleaning the windows and windshield for maximum visibility.
Although offroading may seem challenging and even dangerous at first, it’s relatively straightforward once you know what you’re doing.
Just stick to the 7 essential tips for offroading we’ve outlined above to not only have more fun offroading but guarantee your safety doing so!
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This post is tagged in:
- Offroading tips
- Offroading life
- essential offroading tips
- offroading for beginners
