Things To Consider For Amature Off-road Drivers
Do you own a 4x4 but do not know anything about off-roading? Well, you are not alone. Countless people worldwide own 4x4 vehicles but have never experienced off-roading. Trust us when we say that it is one of the most fun and daring things you can do with your automobile.
Off-roading tests not only the limit and power of your vehicle but also your driving skills. It can be very challenging if you have no prior experience for off-roading in mountain areas. But do not let it hold you back from all the fun and great adventure. In this blog post, we will talk about things to consider if you are new to the world of off-roading.
BUY A SEPARATE 4X4
Depending on your budget, you should buy a separate beginner rig for your off-road hobby. Why? You do not learn to ride a motorbike with a 1300 CC Hayabusa. Instead, you start with a budget motorbike as you know that you may fall over several times while taking bike lessons.
With a separate rig for your off-road hobby and learning, you'll have more fun on it as going off-road may likely cause damage to the rig. In this way, you won’t have to be worried about keeping your rig in top-notch condition to take you to the office or other daily work.
KEEP LOW TIRE PRESSURE
One of the biggest and most common mistakes that individuals with an off-road hobby make is not to keep a low tire pressure. While some may not be the case with regular driving on the road, off-road driving requires low tire pressure for superior performance. Moreover, best off-road tires are needed for desert driving. Experts recommend keeping the pressure of 10 PSI if your rig is not that heavy or big. A tire pressure between 15-18 psi is recommended for bigger rigs.
KEEP A FIRE EXTINGUISHER
PitStopArabia strongly recommends that you buy a suitable fire extinguisher and keep it inside the rig at your arm's distance. Going off-road puts tremendous stress on the rig and requires considerable power to navigate the way; it may sometimes catch fire due to added stress on the engine. That is why it is necessary to have a fire extinguisher in your rig.
LEARN ABOUT YOUR RIG AND BUY A GOOD TOOL KIT
Your off-road hobby can be a bit expensive, considering your rig may need regular maintenance and change of damaged parts. If you want to keep the cost low, learn how to fix or replace rig parts yourself. Buy a good toolkit for your rig, which will enable you to fix the basic rig issues and keep them maintained.
Moreover, you should know about the basic mechanical stuff related to your rig. In case your rig breaks down in the middle of nowhere, you may be able to know the exact problem and fix it. It is better to save the contact information of a vehicle recovery service before leaving.
REMAIN UPDATED
Before going on an off-road adventure, make sure that it is legal for you to do off-roading over there. Just because you may see some people going in the woods for off-roading doesn't mean you can also go without confirming it. You can join related groups on social media and find out where it is legal to do off-roading.
FIND PEOPLE WITH THE SAME HOBBY
While you can fulfil your off-road hobby alone, it is recommended that you find people with similar interests. Why? It is more fun, and you will learn new things about off-roading in a group.
Inform Friends & Family
Before leaving, ensure that you share the trip details with your family members and friends. Tell them about when you plan to leave and at what time you expect to be back. So, if they do not hear from you for any reason whatsoever, they can inform the authorities promptly. It would be best if you never preferred a secluded area. Instead, opt for places where you expect to meet other off-roading enthusiasts.
Mobile Phone
Make sure that your mobile phone is fully charged before setting out. PitStopArabia recommends that you always carry a power bank with you to avoid any hassle. Also, check whether the off-roading area has mobile coverage. We request that you avoid areas with poor mobile coverage.
First Aid Kit
Regardless of the terrain difficulty or the driver’s experience, you must always carry a first aid kit. You never know when you may require it. So, it is better to always have it on you.
Snacks
Many people do not realize the importance of carrying food and water until it is too late. Regardless of the trip's duration, always bring food and water. Suppose, there are some things to do and things not to do when your car breaks down, and it will take some time for the recovery vehicle to arrive. In that case, you can eat and drink to keep your energy level high. Otherwise, when your energy level decreases, negative thoughts might creep in. It may cause you to panic, which is the last thing you want in such a situation.
Wrap Up
It concludes today’s article. If you have any questions in mind regarding off-roading or what to look for in a 4x4 vehicle, let us know. Our experts will respond to each query with a detailed response. Lastly, after each off-roading trip, we recommend that you schedule a workshop appointment as it will help identify any issues promptly. If the problems keep lingering, you may end up with an expensive repair bill.