Have all those off-roading videos that you watch inspired you with a desire to do the same yourself? If you have watched a fair number of such videos, then you must already be aware that a good off-road driver needs to have certain skills to handle tricky situations. Here are six most essential skills you need for off-roading safely:
Even if you are going off-roading in a group, there are skills you need to bring to the table to make yourself useful in a crisis. Knowledge and ability on how and when to use the recovery tools is a very important one if your car gets stuck. You will need to learn how to use a shovel to dig out mud or the walls of ditches to get your car out, as well as how to use tractions boards, pull rope and a winch.
While off-roading you may face different types of terrains with confusing curves and descents. Get yourself acquainted with the terrain using maps before the trip. Also get out frequently for spot checks to see which is best way to get across a difficult terrain. Knowledge of geometry comes in handy here for climbing over slopes and rocks. But make sure you choose a terrain that is according to your experience level.
Off-road often involves fording a stream or a brook. This means you may find a water body which is shallow enough to cross in a vehicle. You need to first understand if your vehicle has good ground clearance and is sturdy enough to cross the currents and also the depth to which it can cross. It helps to get out of the car first and check the depth of the water body with a stick or a branch. Stay alert and if you feel the vehicle can't handle the current at any point, retreat and avoid directly crossing the stream.
You need to maintain more traction on rocky trails; hence, you need lower tyre pressure. This means that you should deflate your tyres within a safe limit. This will enlarge the tyres and increase surface contact which will stabilize your car better. But keep an air pump handy to reinflate the tyres once you cross that trail.
Off-roading needs sturdy vehicles with high ground clearance and bigger tyres. Jeeps and SUVs are more suited to off-roading compared to smaller cars. Some drivers also prefer to get their cars modified before embarking on tough terrains. Being able to select the right vehicle and modifications comes in handy if you're an avid rider.
Steering and manoeuvrability are crucial for off-roading. Off-road terrains can often filled with deep ditches, slopes, boulders on which you may need your vehicle to crawl over or out of. Often, crossing such a terrain is a matter of picking the right spot in the ditch or on the rock to manoeuvre the car over. Here steering comes in handy. Avoid turning around when your car is in 4x4 mode though. It could damage the system. Also crossing a rough terrain is about first seeing it and finding the pest path through it for your car to go through easily, which requires mad steering skills.
Build your driving skills to be able to explore diverse terrains! Are you ready to get started?
