There are many advantages to driving a compact, medium, or even large SUV. Beyond the greater amount of passenger and cargo space, better engine performance and traction, and higher visibility on the road, one unique trait to the SUV experience is touring. Simply put, most SUVs like the 2018 Chevy Traverse are well equipped to travel the country on long adventures right off of the factory floor. Without needing any major changes or upgrades, the right SUV is the perfect vehicle to handle the daily grind and a weekend getaway.
The real question that arises when owning an SUV is what kind of adventure do you want to embark upon? Having the capability to travel for long periods of time in comfort opens up a wide range of possible trips, tours, and experiences to consider. Best of all, having a vehicle that excels in a wide variety of conditions means you are less limited to the types of adventures you can consider in the first place.
The challenge is knowing what kind of adventure to choose. That is where this article comes in. With a little bit of imagination, some planning, and the willingness to explore the unexplored, you can quickly find yourself on a unique tour alone, with friends, or with the family in tow.
Staying Close To Home
Nothing says you have to book plane tickets to go halfway across the globe when planning your next adventure. While exploring exotic and foreign sites is the dream of many potential SUV explorers, it may be more realistic to start off small. Chances are, there are plenty of options for weekend getaways and adventures close to home. It all depends on where you live.
For example, anyone who lives in one of the eastern states of America may find some great off-roading or multi-day trips just across state lines. Camping, water sports, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities are plentiful and well within reach of most of these locations. In fact, each state has its own well-known landmarks and outdoor activity hotspots you can easily find online when you are planning your next trip.
If you happen to live near a national park or well-known landmark, take the weekend to drive and spend a night or two. Having a few hours to engage in some fun outdoor activities, look at some local museums, shop around the smaller towns, and more is a great way to spice things up without having to spend a lot of time and money.
Getting Off The Beaten Path
One area where most SUVs, including the 2018 Chevy Traverse, excel is off-road. In fact, some SUVs are specifically bred for exploring the types of terrain that would physically stop other vehicles in their tracks. Having the right vehicle to traverse this kind of terrain opens up many unique adventure options for you to check out.
Once again, start locally to see if there any common 4×4 or vehicular off-road paths for you to try out. Pay attention to the type of terrain these paths have along with their labeled difficulty rating. Some off-road paths may be too difficult for the common SUV to handle without substantial upgrades such as off-road tires, lifted suspensions, and protective body plating.
Outdoor camping is another great option to take your SUV out for a few days without having to pay for expensive hotel rooms. If your SUV has roof racks, you may consider investing in a rooftop tent to conveniently set up camp in just a few seconds right on top of your car. This type of tent allows you to park virtually anywhere, unfold the tent, and then sit down for a night filled with great campfire stories and food.
National parks are a great place to try your hand at off-road driving and long-term camping outdoors. Whether you stay close to home or drive halfway across the country, many national parks are SUV-friendly for people engaged in long-term overland adventures. Some states such as Utah, Colorado, California, and others are more well-known for these national parks.
Equipment For An Extreme Adventure
If you don’t have a restricted budget or schedule to keep to, there are a few ideas that offer a more extreme adventure experience than just exploring the local campgrounds. To do this right, however, you need to make sure your SUV is properly prepared for the greater challenges and obstacles you are likely to experience.
Having a well-prepared vehicle means you have the right equipment on hand before you embark on your trip. Make sure you have emergency supplies and tools somewhere in the SUV in case of something unexpected. These supplies should include nonperishable foods, bottled water, a hand-operated radio, medical supplies, and anything else that may be important if you find yourself stranded out in the wilderness.
For the SUV itself, certain upgrades and additions will increase the capability and survivability of the vehicle. The easiest change to make is upgrading your tires to something more appropriate for all-terrain, all weather environments. If you have the space, larger tires can also help increase ground clearance and traction.
If you don’t mind a weekend garage project, think about adding a lift kit or suspension upgrade to your SUV for a more smooth and versatile riding experience. These upgrades can be pricey, so make sure you have budgeted accordingly to avoid spending too much in the first place.
Finally, additional racks and cargo containers will give you more space to fit additional outdoor toys like bikes and kayaks along with more luggage and equipment. Roof and hitch racks are the most common options available to SUVs and come in a variety of styles, sizes, and finishes.
Starting Your Next Adventure
Don’t wait until you are too stressed out and frustrated to plan your next long trip with your SUV. Even if you do not have the time or money to embark on your next adventure tomorrow, it doesn’t hurt to start planning out the details to make sure everything goes smoothly when the time comes. All it takes is a little bit of research and planning ahead of time to create the perfect itinerary to explore new sites and experiences on any budget.
