Increase
your Skills and safety with this guide to off roading –
Brought to you by PartsAvatar Replacement Car Parts.
Off roading is increasing in its
popularity and every year the number of enthusiast is increasing.Drivers of all
ages love to challenge themselves with different obstacles and they are keenly
upgrading their trucks or jeeps with right set of tires and steel bumpers.
There are certain
techniques for driving that are required for your safety. Off roading can be
fun if you are using right equipment for your vehicle. In this article we shall
discuss some important equipments that need special consideration while buying
an off road truck and techniques for your safety.
Considerations
for buying an Off Road truck
If you are not having
enough ground clearance from the floor to the bottom of the truck, then it will
result in immediate damage and getting stuck. It is advised to use steel skid
plates.
Bigger tires should be
considered first for off roading. Bigger tires provide great amount of traction
and more contact with the surface. Thus choose bigger tires over normal ones.
If your vehicle’s air
intake is not high and you wish to enter deep water region then you might be
risking the life of your truck’s engine. Water is not good for engine as it
hinders its performance and air intakes hoses of car
basically prevent foreign particles like water from entering the engine. Make
sure the air intake is installed high.
Pre
Departure Maintenance and Repairs needed before venturing off road
There are certain
equipments that need to be maintained properly before you begin your drive. Off
roading is quite different from normal drive and often considered as rough and
for fun. Certain things depend upon where you are heading to but we provide you
with an ultimate checklist that is must for all types of conditions.
Check
the Fluids
Fluids are very
important for our vehicle as different types of fluids support different types
of purposes like cooling, lubrication, wiping etc. check all the fluid levels
and leaks and it is wise to carry extra fluid with you for any future
breakdown. Check all the necessary fluids- car's coolants,
windshield washer fluid, brake fluid, auto power steering fluid,
oil, ATFs
and differentials before venturing off. Do not ignore car's air filter and if it needs
repairs or replacement get it done before hand.
Inspect
the Shocks
Ball
joints
Check all auto ball joints, wheel bearings
or tie rod ends of car
for any sign of wearing. Visit your mechanic for proper inspection of possible
damages to the ball joints.
Belts
and hoses
There is a possibility
of damaging lower radiator hose of car
while off roading. So, it is advised to carry spare belts and hoses. Check the car's alternator
and auto water pumps
and if they need replacement, get the job done before any delay. Serpentine
belts are much in fashion now as they are less prone to failure but are
difficult to change at the same time. Still, it is not a bad idea to carry a
spare auto serpentine belt.
Spare
tire
There is always a
danger of getting flat tire while offroading so carrying a spare tire and wheel
with you is a good decision to take. Make sure that all the tires are properly
inflated to proper highway speed pressures.
Tool
kit
Carry quality tools in
your tool kit so that it can help you when you are stuck somewhere. Many online
stores offer affordable tool kits or auto tool kit accessories,
so upgrade it with them.
Check
Brake pads and Shoes
Check the car brake pads and auto brake shoes beforehand. Worn out
brake pads may get your safety at risk. Call your mechanic if you notice any
sign of aging with respect to brake pads and shoes. Bleed the brakes properly
for best performance from braking system.
Check
the Steering and Suspension
Visit your professional
and get the steering and suspension system
parts of car inspected for any signs of damage and
aging. It is very important for the safe driving to have good control over
steering.
Tips
for safe off road drive
Regardless of the
experience, all drivers or off road enthusiast should practice safe driving
skills when negotiating obstacle on the trail. Follow these simple suggestions
for your safe off road driving.
Avoid
driving diagonally on hills
Hills are as far the
most dangerous areas for off road driving. Always drive straight up or down the hill
or steep terrains.Driving diagonally unbalances the vehicle by shifting the
weight to the lower wheels thus resulting in a roll over.
Always keep the tires
on the path and prevent sliding by moving slowly. Prevent sideways rollover and
straighten your truck by counter steer and avoid damages to aftermarket truck bumpers.
When
driving over logs or ditches
Cross the ditches or
logs at an angle so that one wheel at a time crosses the obstacle and the other
three help the wheel to climb over. Do not allow one of the front or rear tire
to get into the ditch at the same time as it could get you into vulnerable
position.
Drive
within your ability
It is advised to drive
within your ability. It is wise to have knowledge about trail before beginning.
Bigger obstacles and challenges sound fascinating at once but without proper
tools, equipments and knowledge, the situation would become head grabbing. It
is very important to have full knowledge of your truck. By knowledge we mean
the ability to handle any obstacle because you drive your truck and nobody
knows more than you do about your truck. Gain proper knowledge, and start with
small trails and obstacles. Get used to it and after that it is safer to go on
different adventure.
Maintain and upgrade
your truck parts with necessary tools and equipments for more fun and safe
experience.
When
off roading, tire pressure is everything
Keep in mind that tire pressure
is everything when off roading. Reducing the tire pressure will increase the
traction on sand and gravel. Always follow the manufacturer’s standards if you
are driving on a highway. Get the best use of bigger tires by adjusting the air
pressure up or down depending on driving conditions and make the driving easier
and safer.
Proper
hand positioning
Many drivers have a mad
habit of driving with their thumbs around the steering wheel. While driving off
road, any sudden jerk could result in a broken thumb. Wrap your fingers
accurately on the steering wheel. It provides a secure grip to the steering
wheel and much safer drive.
Safety should be the
first priority of the off road truckers. It is time to practice good driving
habits than using high prized safety equipments and steel bumpers. At the end
of the day, it good to have off roading knowledge and common sense if you wish
to enjoy your off roading experience.
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