Off-roading gives drivers the opportunity to test their vehicle’s limits while exploring exciting new environments, but it’s not without its risks. From boulders and mud pits to logs, steep inclines, and other obstacles, off-roading is a far cry from your average Sunday drive. While most rides go off without a hitch, accidents do happen. That annual membership for roadside assistance might come in handy when you’re facing a flat tire or dead battery on the side of the highway, but even the priciest policy isn’t going to make much of a difference when you find yourself mired in the muck in an off-the-grid locale. If you want to ensure you don’t get stranded while off-roading, there are a few simple tips to follow. Join us as we explore the off-road basics, including proper driving techniques, the right components and equipment to bring along for the ride, and some important background information on today’s four-wheel drive (4WD) systems.
Know Your 4WD Basics
All the 4WD capability in the world won’t amount to much if you don’t know how and when to use it. While some less experienced drivers might think that all 4WD systems are created equal, this couldn’t be further from the truth. If you want to up your chances of off-road success, take a little time to familiarize yourself with the inner workings of your 4WD system. Start by identifying whether your vehicle is equipped with a part-time or full-time 4WD system. For the purposes of this article, we’re going to focus on part-time and full-time 4WD systems instead of all-wheel drive offerings. While an AWD system might provide some modest off-road utility, it’s not really designed for serious off-road applications.
Part-Time 4WD
As the names imply, a part-time system can be activated or deactivated at your leisure, while a full-time system provides constant 4WD performance. This sort of flexibility is great for drivers who tend to spend equal time on or off the road. When you’re just running around town or completing your morning commute, a part-time 4WD system can be disengaged to improve fuel efficiency, but when the going gets tough, calling on the 4WD feature can mean the difference between a fun outing and one that ends in frustration.
A part-time 4WD system will typically default to operating in two-wheel drive, automatically locking the front and rear driveshafts to provide power to the wheels that need it the most when struggling for traction. This approach leads to a more efficient ride as the vehicle doesn’t have to constantly deliver power to all four wheels. In addition to offering improved efficiency, part-time 4WD systems are often more affordable to purchase and maintain than their full-time counterparts.
Full-Time 4WD
Full-time 4WD system powers all four wheels at all times thanks to a transfer case or center differential that allows the front and rear driveshafts to spin independently of one another. This offers some real advantages in terms of traction but can mean a more expensive trip to the gas station. Estimates vary, but some experts suggest that a 4WD vehicle might consume around 10 to 15 percent more fuel than one operating in 2WD. That can certainly add up, but if you’re looking to tackle some tough off-road terrain, there’s simply no substitute for a good 4WD system.
4WD High vs 4WD Low
Most 4WD vehicles are equipped with a two-speed transfer case that gives drivers the ability to choose between two different settings. 4WD High employs the same gear ratio that’s used for 2WD but sends power to all four wheels. This setting provides more traction than 2WD and is ideal when encountering light snow, mud, or other mildly difficult conditions. When you activate 4WD Low, the system swaps over to a lower gear ratio to provide maximum torque and traction. 4WD Low will give a vehicle unparalleled traction when facing tough conditions like steep hills, rocks, or deep snow and mud. 4WD Low should only be used when absolutely necessary to free yourself from a sticky stretch of trail, while 4WD High is better suited for higher-speed applications.
Locking Differentials
As the name implies, these components essentially lock the left and right wheels together, but why is that so important for an off-road vehicle? It all comes down to a matter of physics. Whenever you take a turn on a paved road, the vehicle’s inside wheel doesn’t need to travel as far as the outside wheel, which means it turns more slowly. When you venture off-road, having two wheels turn at different speeds can have a major impact on traction. By forcing the left and right wheels to turn at the same speed, a locking differential guarantees that the wheel with the most traction is always receiving the most power. Locking a vehicle’s differential used to involve manually locking the hubs, but a new generation of electronic-locking differentials can be activated at the touch of a button or even automatically spring into action.
Gear Up
Setting out with a well-equipped vehicle and familiarizing yourself with some of the basic tenets of off-road driving can help you avoid a lot of worst-case scenarios, but if you want to avoid an unexpected night spent curled up in the back seat of your vehicle, it’s important to equip your ride with some off-road essentials. From recovery and emergency gear to specialized off-road components and more, let’s review some of the basic gear that you should never leave home without.
Tires
Upgrading your tires is one of the easiest ways to set your vehicle up for off-road success. You wouldn’t set out for a hike in a pair of flip-flops, and it’s no different when it comes to your vehicle’s footwear. All-terrain and mud-terrain tires are designed with a deep, blocky tread that’s not only perfect for chewing through loose off-road surfaces like mud and sand but it also improves traction by effectively expelling gunk from in between the grooves. Also, make sure to check your tire pressure before setting off on the trail, and consider packing a portable pump for emergency scenarios.
Beadlock Wheels
If you’re seeking some off-road ability, you can try letting a little air out of your tires to improve the amount of tread that makes contact with the road. It’s amazing how much difference a little less pressure can make, allowing a vehicle to virtually float over surfaces that would otherwise present a real problem. Most tires can have their air pressure reduced down to 20 or 25 psi, but if you’re looking to go any lower, you might want to invest in a set of beadlock wheels. Beadlock wheels prevent blowouts by clamping the edge of the tires against the wheels and enabling drivers to reduce the pressure to as low as five to seven psi.
Recovery Straps
When you’re up to your axles in deep mud or sand, there’s no substitute for a good set of recovery straps. Simply attach one end of the strap to the vehicle’s tow hooks or frame, hook the other side to a second vehicle, and slowly pull your way out of trouble. It’ll take a little patience, but a set of recovery straps should be able to solve all but the most extreme off-road issues. That said, it’s important to pick the right tool for the job. A typical tow strap might be fine for pulling another vehicle down a flat, paved road, but it’s not the best choice for off-road recovery scenarios. Unlike tow straps, snatch straps have a little stretch to them, like a bungee cord. This might seem a little counterintuitive, but by storing energy within the slightly stretchy rope, snatch straps provide the stuck vehicle with a little extra burst of power instead of relying on a recovery vehicle to pull you out of a rut all on its own. It’s a safer, more consistent method of freeing a vehicle and, at a price of around $50 to $75, a cheap alternative to calling in an off-road recovery service.
Winch
Recovery straps are a great option when you’re riding with another vehicle or exploring a popular off-road trail with a lot of passing traffic, but what about solo excursions? Even the best snatch straps aren’t going to make much of a difference if there’s nothing to attach them to, which is where a winch comes in. Typically mounted to the front bumper, a winch is an essential bit of recovery gear that can pull you out of a tight spot without any outside assistance. Just attach the steel cable to a tree, rock, or other nearby anchor point and use the winch to haul yourself to freedom. When choosing a winch, just make sure to look for a model that’s rated to pull at least 1.5 times the weight of the vehicle and avoid cheaping out if possible. The last thing you need when you’re facing an off-road recovery scenario is a winch that’s not up to the task.
Traction Boards
A set of traction boards could make all the difference if you find yourself stranded while off-roading. Simply slide these hard plastic boards under your tires, and you’ll significantly increase your chances of digging yourself out of a hole. They might not be as heavy-duty as a winch or as useful as a set of recovery straps, but they can come in clutch when encountering a moderately sticky situation. Make sure to bring a good compact shovel along on the ride, as it’ll let you dig out some space for the traction boards or excavate pesky dirt, snow, or sand.
Snorkel
If your off-road adventures tend to get a little wet and wild, a snorkel is a must-have accessory. A vehicle’s air intake, which is usually located somewhere behind the grille, is responsible for drawing fresh air into the engine. When you start fording streams, splashing through deep puddles, and encountering other aquatic obstacles, you risk drawing in a little extra water in the process. A snorkel addresses this issue by elevating a vehicle’s air intake high above the waterline. It might look sort of unusual, but outfitting your vehicle with a snorkel can prevent the sort of hydrolocking that can easily destroy an engine. When in doubt, never venture into even the most innocent-seeming body of water without first gauging the depth. That innocuous puddle could go a whole lot deeper than you think and easily derail your off-road trip.
Off-Road Wrap-Up
Familiarizing yourself with the inner workings of your 4WD system and prepping your vehicle for off-road excitement is essential when you leave behind the asphalt in favor of the road less traveled, but there’s plenty more you can do to improve your next off-road excursion. Whether you’re engaging in extreme off-road activities or navigating the wilds of an interstate highway, proper maintenance is key. Before hitting the trail, set aside some time to give your off-road vehicle a thorough once-over that includes checking the brakes, fluid levels, tires, suspension, and other key components. Spotting a potential issue in your driveway is certainly preferable to discovering it when you’re miles outside of cell phone range.
Off-road driving often requires a different approach than navigating a paved road. Sudden braking can lead to a dangerous loss of traction, while obstacles like logs, rocks, and other off-road debris require a driver to keep their head on a constant swivel. It might be tempting to take it slow when trying to get through a tough stretch of trail, but losing too much momentum can sometimes make things worse. A popular off-road philosophy is, “As slow as possible, and as fast as necessary.” There are some basic rules to follow, but a little trial and error and a whole lot of experience are really the easiest ways to earn your off-road stripes.
You should also spend a little time researching your destination and the current trail conditions. Be honest with yourself when it comes to your off-road ability. Start small and work your way up to bigger challenges as you gain some experience and plan a route that’s within your comfort zone. Just because your vehicle is up for the task doesn’t mean you’re automatically a seasoned off-road driver. In fact, it can often lead to the sort of overconfidence that can easily result in an expensive accident, ill-advised stunt, or a long, cold night out on the trail. Most importantly, always let someone know where you’ll be and when you expect to return before setting off on any off-road journey. This list might make off-roading seem a little intimidating, but with proper planning, the right equipment, and an adventurous attitude, it can lead to some of the most fun you’ll ever have on four wheels.
