Overcoming challenges.
It’s the basic element of all off-road adventures.
If you return from your adventure blemish-free, an asterisk will apply to the stories you share. Off-roading needs challenges. But how can you overcome them? Here are five of the most common off-road challenges, along with tips to make sure they remain challenges and nothing more.
Getting stuck
Didn’t post it? Didn’t happen. A common sentiment these days, given we filter life through our phones. Off-roading has its version: if you didn’t get stuck, did you even off-road?
Loss of traction is the culprit. Maybe you took your foot off the pedal crossing a mud flat or tried to cross it at full speed; either approach can leave you going nowhere, fast. Like every challenge on this list, coming prepared is the trick. A winch (and knowing how to use a winch), recovery straps, and traction pads will all help when you get stuck.
And you should get stuck. The sooner the better. It happens to everyone, even the ones with dirt-flavoured diesel coursing their veins. The first time will bruise the ego, after that, you’ll be ready.
Wheel misalignment
Most have limited knowledge of car mechanics. Even then, most know how important wheel alignment is. Like a piano loses tune over time, a car loses its wheel alignment. And it loses it on-road. Amplify that effect when you take things off-road.
Wheel misalignment demands a before and after-journey remedy. The signs don’t change. Check for uneven tyre wear. Was it making that sound yesterday? Take your hands off the wheel. If it starts drifting, you know what to do. And unless you’re a qualified mechanic, be sure to have a professional sort it out. Misaligned tyres and unpredictable terrain don’t balance each other out.
Tyre damage
Like replacing the washer in your kitchen tap, there’s a certain satisfaction in changing a flat tyre yourself. But when you’re off-road, flats are often inevitable, and even the most seasoned off-roader can be caught out. Carrying a spare is essential, but if misfortune strikes twice, professional help can save the day. Services like mobile tyre fitting by companies such as DMH Tyres Widnes, or other local providers, can come to your location, quickly replace or repair your tyres, and get you back on the trail without delay.
Adjusting tyre pressure is critical for preventing tyre damage. Responsible off-roading is about moving in sympathy with the terrain; lowering tyre pressure is one of the best ways to do this. Just remember your air pressure gauge and portable tyre pump, as you’ll need your tyres back to normal when you return to the land of paved roads.
Exterior vehicle damage
Like getting stuck, you want some evidence you’ve gone beyond the beaten path. Along with a generous lick of mud and dirt across your vehicle’s exterior, there’ll be signs of damage, once you’ve given it a good hosing. Another inevitable price to play.
Body armour prolongs the life of your vehicle’s exterior, so invest in some. If you don’t fancy dressing your pride and joy like a knight, at least use armour for the head and tail lights. Effective, functioning lights are essential to safe off-roading, no excuses.
What action you take with exterior vehicle damage will depend on the extent of damage first and appearance second. Dents and scratches you can ignore. A hole in the passenger door window from a fallen tree trunk, not so much. A good rule of thumb – if the damage runs deeper than the paint job, address it as soon as you can to prevent rust. This is especially critical with coastal off-roading.
Undercarriage damage
If there’s a common theme in off-road challenges, it’s exposure. For a vehicle’s undercarriage, it’s the main theme, bar none. Without the luxury of an exterior shell, most of the undercarriage is exposed to the terrain you encounter. Rocks, sticks, and debris – anything and everything becomes a weapon. Many of the exposed undercarriage parts play key roles for your engine and transmission, so you can’t write them off as cosmetic.
Attaching skid plates is the undercarriage version of attaching body armour. But don’t stop there. Be proactive. Check regularly for leaks, and loose parts. Parts missing altogether. While you’re poking around under there, think about a GVM suspension upgrade. This modification makes your rig safer by enabling it to comfortably—and legally—hold more weight, a benefit often overlooked.
These are five common challenges. You will encounter them all, more than once. You’ll also encounter a heap of others. Some will be simple to overcome, others will have you screaming at the surrounding scrub. It’s all part of the fun with off-roading. The best part about overcoming these challenges? They make great campfire stories when you’ve got a cold beer in hand.
