Put on your seatbelt, and instruct passengers to put them on as well. A good belt will help restrain you when driving difficult terrain, and can save your life in case of a rollover or other accident. Some people want to jump clear if a vehicle rolls, but it usually rolls on you and kills you. Don?t try it.
Since this is primarily a 4x4 magazine, the first thing to do when you get in the dirt is to put the transfer case in four-wheel drive and lock the hubs if your vehicle is so equipped. With all four wheels hooked together, your control is increased, braking is improved, and you won?t get stuck as fast when you make a mistake. This also spreads the tractive force over four tires instead of two, minimizing breakage of drivetrain parts. However, with practice, flipping back and forth between 2WD and 4WD can be advantageous for turning, sliding, and other advanced maneuvers, but it?s best to learn while in four-wheel drive.
Using low range in the transfer case is another asset that many beginners forget. In low range the available power is greater, and the speed with which you can drive is diminished. By driving slowly over obstacles rather than pretending you?re in a SUV commercial and flying over them, you?re more likely to make it to the other side instead of breaking your rig or yourself. Going downhill is also easier in low range, as compression braking from the engine is increased. This allows you to stay off the brake more often for optimum control.
Watch the driver in front of you and see how he makes it through. You can learn a lot on what to do and what not to do. Get out and walk the trail or examine the obstacle before you drive through. This allows you to get a mental picture of where you will place your tires before you go. Just as a golfer examines the green before that game-winning putt, you need to know what?s ahead of you so you don?t get into trouble. Walk ahead and look back; the view is different from the other direction, and other features of the terrain become apparent.
While gripping the steering wheel, make sure that your thumbs aren?t wrapped around it. If the wheel should suddenly whip around from a tire hitting a rock, your thumbs won?t get broken or mangled. Believe us, we?ve seen it happen, even with power steering.
Turn your stereo off, so you can hear what your vehicle is telling you. The sounds of slipping tires, scraping metal, and engine rpm can all help you be a better driver, but not if you can?t hear them. Just like drinking and driving, distractions from what is happening with your vehicle can distract you at the wrong time.
Know your rig inside and out. This means being familiar with all of the controls in the cab, as well as how to use them for what purpose. On the outside, make a mental note of what hangs down underneath, and what side the front differential is on so you won?t bang the underside on obstacles.
Staying off the clutch unless you need it is important in many situations. While automatic-equipped 4x4s can have an easier time crawling over things, a manual transmission rig is capable of outdoing an auto as long as the clutch isn?t always used. Try driving with your feet on the floor for practice, and see what your rig can do. Once you push in the clutch you?ve unhooked the drivetrain, and only your brakes will be holding you on a hill.
Consider lowering your tire pressure according to the terrain and speed. Tire pressure lower than the manufacturer?s recommendations can provide greater tire traction, flexibility, flotation, and smoother ride. Because the tire will tend to spread out at lower pressures, a bigger footprint is formed, but the tire is more susceptible to sidewall damage. Never air down farther than what you are comfortable with, and remember to air back up to specs when you hit the pavement.
If you?re unsure of what you?re doing while driving an obstacle, ask someone to spot you over the tough areas. An experienced spotter can be your best ally and can make you look like a pro. Remember, though, that you as the driver are the one in command, and it?s your decision to trust the spotter or not.
