Irrespective of whether you’re recently bought your first 4WD or you’ve had many years of experience, everyone is constantly picking up new advice and 4x4 tips throughout their journeys. Even proficient drivers find themselves in precarious situations every once in a while, so learning from our mistakes is the crucial. It’s important that we stay safe when touring and minimise any damage to our vehicles, and there are certain ways in which we can do this. To give you some insight, today we’ll be providing you with our top 6 off-road driving tips to help you stay safe and have fun!
Always carry recovery gear! Getting bogged is a rite of passage for all 4WD owners so it’s paramount that you’re prepared for any predicament when off-roading. Although at times you can get away with floor mats under the tyres and some digging, most of the time you'll need suitable recovery equipment to get unstuck and arrive home before dinner! Depending on whether you're journeying alone or with some friends, an electric winch or snatch strap is the best way to efficiently recover. Choose a suitable gear Always remember to shift into 4WD before your vehicle even reaches the dirt, mud, or sand. You’d be astounded at how many folks simply forget to shift to 4WD and get stuck after their wheels start to spin! On difficult tracks, it's normally best to use low range 4WD which gives your vehicle more torque at lower speeds and greatly assists in getting around obstacles. Some exceptional advice given to me is 'drive as slowly as possible and as fast as necessary' which can be applied to many off-road circumstances. You'll naturally need to be in first gear when driving over rocks, but more speed and momentum is needed for soft sand and mud to keep your wheels moving. Find traction Although decreasing your tyre pressure improves traction, often times this alone isn't good enough. If you feel your tyres are beginning to skid or spin, don't give into that innate impulse and apply more gas because this typically only makes your tyres lose traction even quicker! Rather, stop your 4x4 and slowly move your steering wheel backwards and forwards in a sawing motion which allows the biting edges of your tyres to find new strips of dirt or grip to the clean side of a rock. You'll quite possibly need to practice this technique but once you've got it, you'll find it to be invaluable. Additionally, always remember to keep your thumbs on the outside of the steering wheel to prevent any nasty injuries! Read the terrain Even though it takes plenty of practice, foreseeing what lies ahead by reading the terrain correctly is what 4WDing is all about. Essentially, you should never get an unpleasant surprise when driving through a tough segment of a trail because if you can't anticipate it, you should stop your 4WD and check it out. When driving, heighten your gaze so you can see far enough ahead of you to spot any changes in the trail. Similar to driving a steep ascent, you should pick your line prior to attacking the hill including what rocks you want your tyres on and what rocks to avoid! Know your angles Whilst ground clearance is undoubtedly important, it's not the only spec that will enable you clear a large rock or obstacle. To effectively get over a high obstacle, you need to know your approach and departure angles which is measured from the ground to the lowest point of your 4WD (commonly under your front and rear bumper). The higher the angle, the more clearance you'll have. Furthermore, it's also valuable to know your break-over angle which gives you an idea of how big an obstacle can be which your vehicle can handle without getting high-centred. Although you'll almost never measure any obstacles, these angles give you a mental picture of what obstacles your 4x4 can manage. Inspect the depth of water crossings You never know when you're going to run into a stream or creek and it's critical that you always examine the depth of the water before crossing it. If you don't know your 4WDs wading depth (how far your vehicle can submerse without damage), then look at your owner's manual to find out. Verifying the depth of water is not only an indispensable safety precaution, but it also gives your 4WD time to cool down before plunging through cold water. A seemingly shallow river could be much deeper than you visualised, and you never know where large boulders are hidden which can easily get you bogged. Ultimately, knowing your vehicle's restrictions and reading the terrain is crucial to your 4WDing ability so it’s essential to always stay within your comfort zone when off-roading. Having a skilled driver in the passenger seat is the best way to enhance your skills as they'll have the ability to hand down knowledge in an enjoyable and safe environment. If you need any more information about off-road driving techniques, or you're wanting to acquire some 4WD products and accessories, speak with the friendly team at TJM Australia by calling their staff on 07 3865 9999.
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4x4 Accessories Manufacture & SupplierWhether you’re an off-road enthusiast, a weekend warrior, or just a city slicker, TJM Australia have all the gear you need to get your 4WD equipped. Archives
March 2019
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