Off-roading, while a fun and exhilarating way to pass the time, can be dangerous for the uninitiated or the under-prepared. This danger can come in many forms: some obvious, like handling powerful vehicles, and others more subtle. No matter where you’re heading, you should know how to adequately prepare yourself for your next off-roading adventure.
Whether you have plenty of previous experience off-roading or you’re a newcomer to the hobby doesn’t matter; any lapse in preparedness can lead to risky situations. Ensure you take the necessary precautions, that the people around you take those same steps, and make sure avoidable hazards don’t mire your day of off-roading.
Look Into Where You’re Going
Before anything, you need to research the location where you plan to take your vehicle and have a firm understanding of the topography, weather, and surrounding areas. Off-roading without looking into the dangers and features of the environment can spell disaster.
This information also helps you prepare for any potential issues that may occur and will help inform what you need to take with you. You don’t need exhaustive knowledge of wherever you go. You just need to know enough to have an idea of what to expect, what the risks are, and what the best supplies may be for navigating any risky situations.
Have People Around You for Support
While off-roading can be something you do on your own, it’s significantly safer to go out with a group and surround yourself with people for support. If anything goes wrong, whether you experience a mechanical breakdown or get injured, you’ll have others there to directly help you or call for professional help.
However, if you do go out on your own, make sure to let others know where you intend to go and how long you plan on being out. Consider setting up a time for them to call and check in. Leaving this information with someone you know and trust can ensure that if anything happens to you, they can let emergency services know where you were and at what time.
Be Aware of Fuel Levels
Driving consumes a lot of fuel, whether driving in the city, suburbs, or off-roading; but running out of fuel is far more dangerous when you’re off-roading. You don’t have the luxury of having a gas station a half-mile away, the nearest station could be miles away across treacherous terrain. Make sure to top off your tank before heading to your destination, heading out with anything less may mean running your tank dry at an inconvenient time.
It’s also good to have a spare canister of gas on hand, just in case you use more fuel than you realize. Having that spare fuel, even if it’s just a gallon, is a nice safety net to have and can most likely get you to the closest gas station. Whatever the situation, you don’t want to be caught short in the middle of nowhere.
Don’t Neglect Packing Supplies
Aside from having a fuel surplus, it’s never a bad idea to stock up on some basic supplies before heading out to your off-roading destination. These supplies can include extra food, water, a spare set of clothing, and general cleaning supplies.
In the same way that there probably won’t be any gas stations in your general vicinity when you’re off-roading, there most likely won’t be any concession stands either. Even if you’re not in a dangerous situation, going without any food while off-roading can cause its own issues.
As for extra clothing and cleaning supplies, off-roading can be a messy hobby; getting caked in mud can be a common occurrence. Having a change of clothes and some cleaning supplies such as towels and wet wipes means you don’t have to spend the rest of the day in dirty clothes.
Having Proper Repair and Rescue Equipment
Off-roading takes a toll on your vehicle, and it pays to prepare for the worst-case scenario when you’re out in the field. Whether you encounter a flat tire or need to help someone else get their vehicle out of a ditch, come prepared with a recovery kit and other supplies.
Tools such as recovery straps, winches, tire repair kits, and recovery boards can prevent a mild inconvenience from turning into a disaster. Off-roading without ample recovery tools means you won’t have any means of helping yourself if something goes wrong.
Have Methods of Communication
One of the best things to know before going on an off-roading adventure is how you’ll be able to contact people from your location. Just about everyone has a cell phone on them 24/7, but service areas can be spotty, especially if you’re out on an off-roading trail. Cell coverage is not guaranteed in the wilderness, so it’s not something you want to rely on if your safety depends on it.
CB radios, satellite phones, GMRS radios—these are all good alternatives to have in case your phone just can’t find a signal. Equip your vehicle with secondary forms of communication beyond just your phone; you’ll want to be able to call for help if anything goes wrong. Be sure to pack the necessary batteries for these tools as well—they can’t help if they don’t have a reliable charge.
Make Sure You Have What You Need
Don’t head out to your off-roading trail half-cocked—only amateurs set out completely unprepared. Take stock of everything you have and make note of everything you need; always hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Whether you need more recovery tools, a food and water pack, or more methods of communication, don’t wait to make the changes you need.
Beyond supplies or general preparedness, consider the vehicle you use for off-roading and make sure that it’s suitable for the task. At Juggernaut Ventures, we have INEOS Grenadiers for sale in West Valley, Utah, tested and ready for your off-roading needs. Don’t head out to the trails with a less-than-adequate vehicle—make sure it can handle the terrain and keep you out of harm’s way.