The 3 Essentials To Prepare For A Safe Off-Roading Trip

A very popular hobby is off-roading with all-terrain vehicles. It is a sport that is high on adrenaline and a huge sense of adventure. There are often surprises that make every trip unique and fun. Getting the most out of the trip is going to take quite a bit of preparation, however. Since there is also danger involved, the more you prepare ahead of time then the better your experience is going to be.

There are some essentials that need to be addressed before you head out off-road so that you can enjoy the trip. Since there are some dangerous situations that can arise, it is good to prepare for them so they can be avoided or mitigated if you find yourself in one. In this article, we will go over some ideas that you can use to stay safe on your next off-road adventure.

Lift it up

Getting the vehicle off of the ground is essential to be able to keep from getting stuck or worse. The undercarriage is usually very vulnerable when you are traveling over rocks and bumps. In fact, it is not uncommon for a vehicle that hasn’t been lifted to have the fuel tank ripped out when running too close to the obstacles on the ground.

The first thing to do is to outfit the vehicle with a lift kit that will bring the undercarriage up and away from the dangers faced on the ground. By lifting even a few inches, you can usually avoid getting stuck since you have far more clearance. Make sure to look into the best running boards since it will be easier to get into a vehicle that is lifted when you have them.

Part of the kit should be a good suspension system that allows each tire to be independently suspended for more agility when riding over rocks or uneven ground.

Have emergency gear

Always assume that when you head out off-roading that you will get stuck and there is a high probability of having to stay there overnight before help arrives. Although this isn’t likely to happen it is a good idea to be prepared for it.

Have some gear to tide you over just in case. It should include a first aid kit to help you take care of an injury should you get one. In addition, you should also have some warm clothing, water, and some kind of snacks to help you ride out sometime in nature while you wait for an emergency crew.

Winch and hooks

If you get stuck, and you definitely will at some point, your best way out is to have some external help. Using a winch with a strap and hooks is very important to have. You could find yourself in a ditch with no way to push yourself out. Or, you may find that the vehicle has sunk too deep into the mud to have any chance of moving it.

Let the winch do the work and you can be on your way in minutes.

Featured Photo by Brandon Green on Unsplash