Rules of off-roading
Of course accidents happen, but these five pointers can help reduce the risk
The proliferation of SUVs and trucks has given more drivers than ever the awesomeness of fourwheel-drive.
While accidents can always occur, here are five rules everyone should follow to reduce the possibility of an incident off-roading.
1 Tell someone, take someone Before heading out, tell someone where you’re going, who you’re with, when you’re expected to reach your destination, and when and where you’ll be back. Be sure these people have your contact details, and all your phones are charged and can be recharged.
For more extreme outings, bring a buddy with an equally sturdy 4WD so they can drive you back, or pull you out should you get stuck, damage your vehicle, or have it conk out. Take the right gear too, including flashlights, recovery straps, warm clothing, water and food. Making safety a priority is a smart way to frame your off-road outing and limit the potential for mishaps.
2 Act intelligently
Keep arms and legs inside at all times. Your vehicle could easily slip and you can pinch a limb.
If the vehicle begins to tip, you might be tempted to put your arm out to stop it, don’t. Buckle up, always, and strap down everything inside and outside the vehicle as it will get bounced around on the trail. Secure everything as loose objects or pets can cause serious injury to vehicle occupants in the event of a rollover or crash.
Off-road driving requires serious focus and concentration, so after a few hours take a break, rest, or let someone else drive for a while.
If you get stuck and can’t easily extricate yourself, do not be embarrassed and refuse to seek help.
3 Know your vehicle
Regular off-roaders will know their vehicle and its equipment intimately, but part-timers and the inexperienced might need a refresher on what their vehicle can do and how to engage the equipment that allows the vehicle to do its thing.
Knowing key metrics will stop you from attempting something that could high-centre the vehicle or wedge it in a way that requires a tow. Be sure that your systems work before setting out.
4 Drive carefully
Speed and power are not required for severe off-road driving. In 4WD, low, gearing and good tires will generally pull you over obstacles. In many cases, the average trail speed is no more than 5 km/h. When climbing or descending hills, always go straight up or down.
Know what’s on the other side before going up and over a ridge. One foot on the gas and one on the brake can give you more precise control.
Only climb hills you feel comfortable and confident about, and if you don’t make the crest and start to slip part way up, be sure to stop, keep the vehicle straight and slowly back down straight to a level spot.
Neutral can be your friend here, letting gravity do the work of getting you down. Dropping tire pressure three to five PSI can improve traction and avoid punctures. 5 Be on your best behaviour Know who owns the land. Is it public or private? If it’s public, is it an active logging or mining road that may have large trucks that aren’t expecting oncoming traffic? Could there be snowmobiles or ATVs that won’t be expecting a large vehicle?
If the road is an active trail, be sure to follow and obey all signs, stay on the course and tread lightly.
Yield to others, giving right of way to anything less powerful than your vehicle, such as hikers, bikers and horses.
When approaching oncoming trail users, let them know how many are in your group.
If you meet someone on a hill, let the person going uphill have the right of way, as they may need the momentum.
Do not stop in the middle of a trail on a bend with no visibility, and always keep watch for others behind you. Try to keep dust or mud splatter to a minimum, showing respect to the natural environment and to other people enjoying the ride.