Avoid Hazards While Off-roading

By Author: Nate Rodney
Total Articles: 499
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Off-roading can be a dangerous activity. Though off-roading vehicles are made to stand up against different types of terrain, that doesn’t mean they are impervious to damage. Off-roading vehicles are just as susceptible to damage and unforeseen accidents as your normal street vehicle. This is because, though off-road vehicles are made stronger, the terrain they face is that much stronger as well. This presents an interesting challenge to off-road drivers: finding the most difficult terrain to traverse, while simultaneously avoiding damaging their vehicle. More importantly, off-road drivers should always be looking for ways to avoid hazards while driving. Hazardous terrain or inadequate vehicle safety could not only damage your vehicle but could prove dangerous to the driver as well. Knowing how to spot different hazards while off-roading is just as important as driving. By being able to spot hazards you can ensure that your car won’t be damaged and you can safely enjoy your day. But off-roading hazards are not only present in the terrain; they can also be present in your vehicle. By checking your vehicle before you go on ...
... any off-roading trips you can ensure that your vehicle will make it out of the trip in one piece. Read on to see some of the hazards you should avoid before and during off-roading:

Check Terrain
Before embarking on your next off-roading adventure it is important that you research the terrain that you will be driving on. By doing so you will be able to know, within reason, what to expect from your off-roading course. This will also allow you to understand if your vehicle can handle the terrain you are about to drive on. Different terrains pose different challenges to different vehicles and knowing your terrain will help you to avoid hazards that could potentially damage your vehicle.

It is also important to inspect the terrain you will be driving on for potential hazards. Research will only get you so far when you are familiarizing yourself with your terrain. Inspecting your terrain before driving will help you avoid hazards like large potholes or sharp rocks that could pop your tires. By inspecting the terrain you will be driving on you can avoid potential off-roading hazards that could sideline your vehicle and cause damage that may need expensive repairs to remedy.

Check Tires
The tires on your off-roading vehicle are very susceptible to damage. Hazards – like the ones mentioned above – can lead to a popped tire or damaged frames. Every off-roading vehicle is different and requires different tires. The same can be said of off-roading terrain, as every terrain is different and requires different tires and pressures.

As a rule of thumb, it is important to remember that the bigger the tire is, the better; as larger tires can grip terrain better. Another rule of thumb is to air down your tires while off-roading. The website Rockcrawler.com suggests that you air down your tires for every type of terrain as this will help your tire handle better. Different terrains require different tire pressures, but every terrain requires that you air down your tires. It is important to note though that you should always keep your tires inflated while driving on normal roads again as tires with low pressure can be dangerous on regular streets.

Know Your Vehicle’s Limitations
The most important hazard to avoid while off-roading is overworking your vehicle. Off-roading’s terrain and unique challenges can work your vehicle and you as the driver. But that is what makes off-roading so fun, the challenge. Unfortunately those same challenges can damage your vehicle if it is overworked. That is why it is important to know your vehicle’s limitations, so that you don’t damage your vehicle while using it.

But knowing your vehicle’s limitations only works if you avoid the hazards that will strain your vehicle. By knowing your vehicle’s shortfalls, and avoiding hazards that will expose those shortfalls, you can avoid damaging or overworking your vehicle.

There are many hazards that will present themselves while you are off-roading. But if you are diligent in preparing your vehicle and avoiding those hazards you can enjoy your off-roading trips.

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