Technical Tips

Taking Your 4X4 Offroad Tips:

Preparation

Like any journey the success will depend largely on the amount of preparation that is done. Do not expect your vehicle to perform forever unless you invest in some “tlc”. Check all of the basics and make sure you have recovery tackle with you. i.e. ropes and shackles as a minimum – perhaps a spade and torch. You may not be going on safari but don't let poor preparation spoil your FUN!    

Go slow

Many times “freshers” think that hitting the gas hard will get you out of trouble. Whilst it might be the solution in some situations, it can also get you into a lot of trouble fast!

It is also easier on your vehicle to go slow and take your time. When you go slowly it helps to keep traction. Traction is your friend. When you're spinning your tyres, you have decreased traction. Let the tyres work for you and go slow.

Then there is Momentum

Momentum will help you to get up some ledges, hills, and mud holes. This means starting farther back from an obstacle. This comes with experience. Knowing how much momentum you need without going too fast depends on the obstacle. When in doubt watch someone else and learn from their mistakes or experience. Try hitting it with a little momentum and then decide if you need a little more if that doesn't work.

Know your limits

This applies especially when you are alone. It seems obvious to stress that it is probably best to only test your limits when you have company to help if anything goes wrong.

If your vehicle won't clear an obstacle, hitting it harder is just going to damage it and give other people something to laugh about. Don't try to bite off more then you can chew, it could be an expensive bite.

Mud holes

Test the depth first if you have never crossed the hole. Get a stick or something to see if the bottom is 2' down or 6' down, or if the bottom feels soft or hard. Mud holes can be deceiving. A soft base can swallow your vehicle. When entering a mud hole get a little momentum. As you enter the hole if you feel yourself getting stuck, start turning the front wheel left to right. This can help gain you some traction. Go as far as you can forward if you can't get out, try reverse, also moving the front tyres left to right. Sometimes you can back out of a hole. Of course your friends will still want to see you hit it again...

Note: Keep your windows up when ‘mud pluggin'. It’s no fun getting sprayed in the face or having to clean the inside of your windscreen, dash etc.

Hills

After estimating how much momentum you need, try to hit a hill straight on as far as possible. Keeping all wheels on the ground will increase traction. Keep forward momentum unless you sense your vehicle getting sideways or the front wheels coming off the ground (obvious statements really). If so, let off the accelerator and regain some control.

Practice “escapes” from hills on gentle slopes. Using reverse after stopping to come safely off a hill is a useful technique that can be practiced safely. You really do not want to be caught out!

Stuck

When you get stuck it may, on occasions, be worth letting your tyre pressures down. This will give your tyres more surface area for better traction and will help make them ride more smoothly over bumps. But don't let them down to much. And don't drive fast with them deflated you could break a bead. When you return to the road air them back up so your tyres don't wear abnormally.

Stalled when wading

If you stall with your EXHAUST PIPE under water, don't crank the engine. Get a tug out of the water and pull the spark plugs before turning the engine over. Unlike air, water doesn't compress very well and a cylinder full will result in a destroyed engine if you try to crank it back up. With the plugs out, turn the engine over a few times and the water will be ejected without bending rods and pistons.

Steering

When wheeling, hold the steering wheel with your THUMBS OUT. That is, do not grab the wheel like a baseball bat. Why? If your vehicle hits a rut, rock, or other obstacle just the right way, your wheel could spin too fast for you to react, possibly hurting your thumbs. By keeping them on the outside of the wheel, you reduce the risk of injury from the steering wheel spokes.

Tools

Keep a small tool set on hand that has all the essentials. Something like a 42 or 60 pc. set.

A Hi-lift jack is a very good tool and not just for lifting your vehicle

Respect

Whether it's the ground you're on, your vehicle or the people around you. It's all about RESPECT on the road or off of it.