Did you know that Jeep sold more than 200,000 Jeep Wranglers in the year 2020? Jeep Wranglers are a great and popular vehicle for a number of reasons, but the main reason is for the thrill of off road driving. It is natural to get excited after purchasing your new Jeep or other vehicles that are designed for off road driving trails.
You need to be aware that off road driving is dangerous even when you have the best tools, resources and tool box organizer, like off road driving wheels. The good news is that you’re in the perfect place to learn more about the best off roading tips for newcomers to this great and adventurous hobby.
Keep reading this article to learn about seven helpful driving tips for all drivers that are new to the off roading lifestyle.
Take Things Slow
The first and most important thing that you’ll want to remember when it comes to off road driving is that you’re better off taking things slow when you’re driving your vehicle. Speed is one of the least important things when you’re driving on a trail, while control is arguably the most important.
The slower that you drive your vehicle, the more control you have over where you’re going and the approach angles that you can take. You also need to account for weather conditions and the surface that you’re driving on. This means understanding the right speed for driving over rocky terrains versus muddy or wet terrains.
The slower you drive your off road vehicle, the more time you’ll have to analyze the path that you’re taking and make adjustments as needed. Getting the right off-road driving wheels from grid-offroad.com also helps.
Make Connections with other Off Roading Enthusiasts
Another great tip when you’re getting started with going off roading is to connect with and make friends with other people that enjoy taking their vehicles out on the trail. They’re a perfect resource for teaching you the different techniques that you’ll need to get your vehicle through the toughest trails that nature can provide.
You can connect with other experts through different forums that are built around the community of going off-road. Another great resource is forums that are designed for people that own the same vehicle that you do. If you own a Toyota FJ Cruiser and you want to get more involved with learning how to drive on trails then join an FJ Cruiser forum and connect with other owners.
This is also a fun way to get invited to different off-road events that are happening in your area. You can go and meet these other enthusiasts and go off-roading with them. This is a great opportunity to socialize while also making new friends with people that have similar interests.
Focus on the Task of Off Road Driving
You’ll also need to be in a place where you can devote all of your attention to operating your vehicle and reading the path ahead of you. Off-roading is dangerous and you need to stay focused at all times if you want to keep yourself, your passengers, and your vehicle safe while out on the trail.
This means keeping your eyes on the road at all times, keeping two hands on the steering wheel, and eliminating distractions. You also need to avoid using your phone at all times. A good strategy is to find a good place to store it where it is out of sight and won’t capture your attention while you’re behind the wheel.
You can also apply these ideas when you get outside of your vehicle. If you come to a complex part of the trail then you shouldn’t be afraid to stop your vehicle and get out to study the way that the path goes. This will help you find the safest way to move forward and make it further into your journey.
Don’t Shift in the Middle of Obstacles
This applies more when you’re driving a vehicle that has a manual transmission, but it is important to remember that you shouldn’t shirt while in the middle of navigating a tough obstacle. This will cause a disruption to your focus and it will affect your control over the vehicle.
This causes your vehicle to lurch, which can put you and your passengers in a dangerous situation. You’re better off staying in the gear you’re in and shifting after you get through the obstacle. This is a difficult habit to break if you’re used to driving a manual transmission with everyday driving.
Strong Grip
Make sure that you’re gripping the steering wheel with enough strength when you’re driving off-road. Your front wheels could get jerked by different terrain features and obstacles and this could rip the steering wheel out of your hands. Make sure that you have a strong grip and that you have control of the vehicle at all times.
Smooth is Fast
It is also wise to avoid jerky movements when you’re operating your vehicle on off-road driving trails. It is better to be smooth than it is to be fast. Smooth handling and steering will help you to maintain control of the vehicle even in tough obstacles. The same principle applies when it comes to using your brakes.
Don’t slam on the brakes when you’re on the off-road trail as you shouldn’t be driving fast enough for that to be necessary.
Bring All of your Off Road Driving Tools
You need to make sure that you have everything that you’ll need for each possible hazard you’ll encounter. This means remembering to bring your off-road driving tools like a shovel and a jack stand. You should also remember to bring food, more water than you think you’ll need, and extra fuel.
Take your Off Road Driving to the Next Level
Learning how to get better at off road driving is a big step when you purchase a Jeep or other vehicle that is designed for off road driving trails. Make sure that you take things slow and that you have a strong grip on your steering wheel. You should also avoid shifting in the middle of an obstacle and you should bring everything that you’ll need in case something goes wrong.