Going on an adventure is a term that has a different meaning now than what it had let’s say about a decade ago. Not that vehicles were non-existent back then, far from it, but the off-road community wasn’t nearly as large as it is now. What’s an “off-road community” you might ask? Well, we’ll get to it in just a moment.
Let’s say that you enjoy going camping, but you like those unreachable destinations that are not connected with any roads or pathways whatsoever. How exactly do you reach them? We’re pretty sure that hiking and climbing are a good combination, but what if it’s too far away from home? You can’t just take your brand-new car uphill and off-road, right? That’s right, you can’t.
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However, there’s something that you can do, which is to purchase a 4×4 terrain vehicle that’s meant solely for this purpose. Reaching your dreamy camping spots or simply enjoying high-adrenaline rides through the mountains doesn’t seem so unreachable anymore.
Whether you have one off-road vehicle already, or you’re planning to make such a purchase shortly, you’ll still need to know how to drive it properly. For this, we’re going to help you out in today’s article. This introduction has been pretty long already, so let’s end it right here and jump straight into the tips. Take a look at these nine off-road driving tips for all you who are stepping into this world in 2024.
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Start slow
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These vehicles cost money, and the more you invest in them, the higher the regret will be when you end up causing some damage both to the exterior and the interior.
Don’t get us wrong, there’s absolutely nothing bad with having money and purchasing the most expensive rig, but we recommend that a beginner needs to start slow and with a less-expensive vehicle. Why? Because you’ll have a lot more fun not worrying about scratching something. When you learn how to drive like a pro, you’ll transition to the better ones. There’s time for everything.
Know your environment
It’s not possible to purchase an off-road vehicle that can be taken in every type of environment on our planet. It’s just not how things work. Some are built for going through the deserts, others are meant to endure the sharpest and most steep rocks in the mountain area. Know your environment and build or purchase one depending on where you’re going to use it.
Don’t do it solo at first
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Every activity is more fun when you have other people with you, especially if they’re the same type of fanatics and they enjoy doing the same thing as you. It is fine if you enjoy riding through the mountains solo, but we suggest that you have someone more experienced with you at first. This will ensure that you get some help in case you need it because you never really know when things might go sideways out in the hills. If you want to find a great place where people of this community spend time together, feel free to visit maddigi.com
Create your toolbox
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Everyone needs to have tools, but if you want to enjoy this hobby, you’ll need a lot of them. Create your toolbox based on your build, and add everything that you might need to perform repairs. This toolbox can be stored in your garage, or you can take it with you whenever you go out on the road. Both options are good.
Builds are not aesthetic
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We’re not talking about Lamborghinis and Porsches that will draw the eyes of everyone who sees you pass by on the street. We’re talking about very powerful, but not aesthetic builds that are created only for functionality. This doesn’t mean that your off-road machine cannot look good, but most of the money you’re going to spend will go on parts that are under the hood and nobody can see them. You should be aware of this before buying your first one.
Tires are king
Tires are the only thing that receives so much impact while you’re out driving on top of rocks, mountains, hills, and other tricky surfaces, meaning that they’ll suffer the most damage. You should be prepared to invest some money in reserves, in case one of them ends up blowing up in the middle of nowhere. Take the reserve one with you anywhere you go.
Also, tire quality is really important so don’t hold back on this investment, and make sure that you purchase durable ones.
Safety equipment
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Although this is a hobby for those who enjoy adrenaline, and adrenaline doesn’t rhyme well with safety, you’ll still need to purchase at least some kind of equipment that might save your life shortly. Accidents can happen off-road, and we’re not going to sugar-coat this at all. It’s for your good. A fire extinguisher, for example, is a must-have in your rig.
Pre-road checks and preps
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Before you head out on the road, it’s really important to make all the required checks and preparations for your vehicle. This means checking the pressure in your tires, which by the way needs to be a lot lower than on a regular vehicle, testing your brakes, engine, and all of the important stuff. The more you prepare, the safer you’ll be out in the mountains. It doesn’t even take a lot of time to check all of these things out, so don’t be lazy, it might save your life.
Stay safe
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Last but not least, our final tip for all you beginners out there is to remain safe, and never risk something that looks like it’s going to end up with a bad outcome. Start slowly at the beginning, and eventually, you’ll start doing all of those crazy rides that you see on TV. Just don’t rush things and you’ll get there. Remember that if you get injured or get in a more serious accident, you’ll never really reach the point where you truly enjoy off-road driving. With that being said, stay safe and have amazing trips.
