Are you about to embark on your first off-roading adventure? Before you do, explore our beginner’s guide for insightful advice for those new to off-roading!
Are you considering going off-roading for the first time? It’s an incredibly fun outdoor activity but can be dangerous if you’re unprepared or don’t know what you’re doing. Below, our beginner’s guide to off-roading breaks down what you need to know before your first excursion.
Where To Go Off-Roading
Before you start preparing your vehicle and honing your skills, you have to find a good place to off-road. Off-road parks are a great place to start, as they offer a more controlled environment and have areas where drivers can hone their skills in a controlled environment. Otherwise, off-roaders can look at the US Forest Services, the Bureau of Land Management and various trail guides for legal off-road trails.
Preparing Your Vehicle for Off-Roading
Next, drivers must properly prepare their vehicles for the challenges and dangers of off-roading. A critical consideration for off-roaders is the tires. All-terrain or mud-terrain tires are essential tire products for off-roading adventures. Other modifications off-roaders should consider for their vehicle include the following:
- Lift kit
- Winch
- Skid plate
- Roll bar/cage
Driving Tips
We’ve covered where to go and how to prepare your vehicle, but what about when you get out on the trail? It wouldn’t be a proper beginner’s guide to off-roading if we didn’t explain what you need to know behind the wheel of your vehicle!
Know Your Limits
First, know that you’re a beginner to this adventure, so stay within your limits. Even if you’ve taken training courses and think you know what you’re doing, don’t get too overconfident in your skills. The most skilled off-roaders learn from experience, so give yourself time to learn and grow before tackling the toughest and most challenging trails.
Know Your Vehicle’s Capabilities
Don’t overestimate what your vehicle can do, either. Even with all the right equipment and modifications, an off-road vehicle can only do so much. A driver must not push the vehicle over its limits to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Every off-roader makes mistakes and gets stuck — the key thing is to learn from those mistakes and not repeat them.
Never Off-Road Alone
Off-roading may seem like something anyone can do alone, but you should always have a companion and spotter. For one, a spotter is a valuable resource as they can guide you through tricky parts of the trail and terrain. Second, they could help you get unstuck or call for help. The worst scenario for an off-roader is getting stuck and stranded without a way to call for help.
Those are our tips and advice for new off-roaders! Remember that half the battle preparing — so always ensure you have a quality off-road vehicle and safety equipment to ensure a fun and safe adventure.