Best Off-Roading Tips
Off-roading is the act of treading treacherous and lesser-known roads. Some do it for the feral, gut-wrenching experience it offers, while others do it to relieve stress and attain a beautiful emotional experience. To many others, it can prove a rite of passage. Regular drivers and cruisers may find off-roading a crazy experience for the risk unpaved roads come with; whereas, the more crazy ones find driving on rough paths a task for the courageous. If you are one of the crazier lots and would love some off-roading adventure, this article is for you. If not, you will empathize with the ones that are.
Russian Roulette of Traveling
The defining trait of off-road travelers is that they don’t have a fixed destination in mind. They follow their heart and travel the unexplored and untouched places. A true trailblazer doesn’t hesitate to take any risk to quench their thirst for adventure. Wearing mud and sweat with pride, off-roaders set out on a daring journey that others haven’t tread before. For people of this tribe, their heart is their compass guiding them on their path and their vehicles are their companions travelling the dangerous and tricky roads. Often while exploring these mysterious places, off-roaders come across untamed territories. Driving off-road is not as easy as driving on normal roads. So, this article will help you in understanding and mastering the art of off-roading.
The Ground Rules!
In off-roading, you don’t follow a defined path with a destination at the end; rather, you are led by your instincts. You need to plan your route in advance. Beware of the road you want to explore. For example, you can track the weather forecast and be prepared. Wear weather-appropriate clothes and carry spare ones. Also, carry water in reusable bottles, pack some energy food, tool kit and stepney. Don’t litter the road along your way; always carry a bin in your car and be responsible for the environment. Have Internet access from your mobile, so that when you are lost, you can use Google maps to get back on track. This way, it becomes easier to locate nearby gas stations when needed. Remember that driving on off roads doesn’t only require courage but also a solid vehicle that can endure the tough roadways. Your ride should have durable tyres to withstand the rugged paths that may have mud, thorns, slopes and unpredictable obstacles. Also, it should resist any kind of weather. In short, the health of your vehicle’s tyres plays a key role.
Get Acquainted With Your Vehicle
A car is no less than a friend or a pet, and one should know their cars like they know their friends. Especially, understanding your vehicle will save you money and time because it will help you prepare for unforeseen circumstances. Know the specifications of your vehicle; engine, fuel tank capacity, tyre size, transmission and mileage.
Pay Attention To The Tyres
Your car journey depends on the condition of its tyres. Durable tyres will go a long way. Driving on smooth roads is not the same as driving on caliche-topped paths, jungles and slippery roads. As you know, there are different types of car tyres, and the right tyre to mount on your vehicle depends on various factors such as driving conditions and general use of your vehicle. For instance, taking a slow turn on a fully paved road will require a different type of tyres, and driving at the edge of a road on curvy paths will need a whole other type. The following are different types of tyres in a car that are good for off-roading.
Performance Tyres:
These type of tyres are also called summer tyres, and are known for having a strong grip even at high speeds. This class of tyres are used in F1 racing cars, too. If your adventure demands speed, then choose performance tyres for speed, grip and high performance.
All-Season Tyres:
Tyres are exposed to various weather conditions. All-season tyres, as the name suggests, resist all weathers. It maintains the right balance and durability in moist, rough and pouring weather. These are made of hard rubber compounds that negate unfavourable conditions. Even if you are taking a trail to wet places, these tyres serve well as they have good rolling friction on wet roads. As a bonus, these tyres cancel out noise while driving.
Wet Weather Tyres:
Yes, they are tyres specifically for pouring season as they are for summer. Driving cautiously alone is not enough on wet roads as they are prone to accidents, tyres play a major role in keeping the balance. For this, we have wet weather tyres that are designed to channel water away from the tyre’s contact patch. Even in the rainy season, these tyres heat up quickly and maintain contact with the road surface. For stable performance, these tyres are made with a broader patch and are built substantially with more spikes when compared to other types of tyres.
Winter Tyres:
Snow and ice are among the toughest challenges on a road trail and can prove disastrous for vehicles with the wrong tyre. For this, we have winter tyres that come in two kinds. You can choose the right fit depending on the environment of the terrain. M & S tyres are, according to several experienced off-roaders, the best for driving on mud and snow. If the weather is too snowy, choose winter tyres with a snowflake symbol on them. They have larger block patterns that enable optimal contact with icy roads. Metal studs are embedded on the treads of winter tyres that hug the icy roads aggressively for superior grip.
All-Terrain Tyres:
These types of tyres are used in SUVs for driving on unforgiving roads. The stiff sidewalls in the tyres help the vehicle easily cruise rocky roads, and the larger tread block patterns are used to withstand gravel, sand and dirt.
Thoroughly check the condition of your tyres; inflate and deflate as needed. Learn how to fix a stepney and other small wear and tear of your vehicle by yourself.
Off-road driving demands a high sense of responsibility. You need to be mindful and alert while driving. With prior knowledge, planning and practice, one can easily master the art of off-roading.