Must-know Off-road Trail Driving Tips

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Off-road trail driving can be an exhilarating and adventurous activity for those seeking to explore the great outdoors. Whether you’re a seasoned off-roader or a beginner looking to embark on your first trail adventure, it’s essential to have a solid understanding of the necessary skills and precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. In this article, we’ll provide you with must-know off-road trail driving tips that will help you navigate challenging terrains and make the most out of your off-road journey.

1. Object Crossing

   You should study and know the underside of your vehicle. Know the critical points you want to protect such as differentials, transfer case, and oil pan. You can protect these areas by additionally installing the best skid plates for Jeep. Be able to visualize where they are in relation to objects as you pass over them. Doing this will allow you to position the vehicle in such a way as to minimize the risk of damage. Below is a simple example of the worst way to cross an object.

   

   The next picture shows how most people would approach an object mainly because it will provide a smoother ride for the passengers. Note: with this approach, you also risk tire sidewall damage or breaking the tire bead.

   

   The best way to cross an object is shown in the next picture. It provides maximum ground clearance and protection of undercarriage components and by placing the tire, specifically the tread on the object which is designed for the abuse. Unfortunately, this also provides for the roughest ride.

   

2. Side Hill

   Driving sidehill can be one of the most nerve-racking parts of trail use. Slow speed is critical this helps you have more time to react. Learn what you feel is a comfortable angle for your vehicle. Sidehill performance can be improved by widening the distance between the left and right side tires. Sidehill performance is decreased by lifting the vehicle, such as suspension lift kits, body lifts. Sway bars help on sidehill but stop the articulation we desire everywhere else. There are no simple answers you must find your vehicle’s setup that suits your driving habits. The most important thing to remember is if you sense your vehicle is going to roll overturn the wheels downhill, this will usually stop a rollover.

   

   Never turn uphill which may feel like the natural thing to do. Just like we learned to counter-steer on slippery surfaces to avoid spin-outs, we must learn to turn downhill to avoid sidehill rollovers. Plan your sidehill approach try to leave room to turn downhill. Even if you have to turn downhill into a tree or boulder it is better than rolling over.

3. Down Hill

   The key to going downhill is a slow speed. Use low range, low gear, and don’t engage the clutch. Be sure you are in a four-wheel-drive going down steep hills. Going down will shift all the weight to the front tires and in two-wheel drive, the rear tires may slip causing a loss of control. Never attempt to shift on steep downhills. Use the brakes only if necessary on the steepest downhills.

   Be sure you don’t allow too much speed to be developed and then try to brake hard, you may find yourself rolling over frontwards if traction is good. If conditions are slick and you lock up the brakes you may find yourself sliding out of control. If you start to slide get off the brake, counter steer if necessary. A fast semi uncontrolled descend may be a nerve-rattling experience, but it is better than sliding sideways and finding yourself flipping down the hill.

   

4. Up Hill

   Going uphill you have some options. You can use low range and low gear if you feel traction will be good and just crawl to the top. On the other hand, if conditions are slick or you have non-locking axles, Momentum is your friend. Approach with a little more speed but not too high of a gear where you might find yourself lugging or stalling halfway up the hill. Never attempt to shift while climbing steep hills, keep the clutch engaged. As you approach the top let the vehicle slow to a crawl as you crest or you might find yourself air-born. If you get stuck on the hill you may find the rear will be grabbing traction more than the front end due to the fact more of the vehicle’s weight is on the rear.

   

   If the front end is slipping and due to the weight of the engine in the front of the vehicle. The front end may slide to either side and even try to turn you around. This is not the place for a U-turn, get off the gas go easy on the brake and let the vehicle roll back while counter-steering to straighten yourself out. Rollback to a more stable area on even the bottom of the hill. Give it another attempt using what you learned on your first attempt, maybe more momentum or a slightly different line.

   If you attempt too steep of climb and traction is good your own horsepower makes pick up the front end. Let off the gas let it come back down, proper braking is important, sudden brake action or too much will add to the action of picking up the front end. After you get to the bottom you may need to call it quits before you do something you will regret.

   

   WARNING: Always wear your seatbelt. Off-road vehicle operation is dangerous if not due caution is observed. Personal injury or even death can occur.