Duncan's Off Road

Offroad Driving

Australia is the perfect location for a 4-wheel drive adventure. Its varying climates, soil and terrains offer the off-roader a wide array of challenges to test their driving skills and get the maximum enjoyment out of having a four-wheel drive vehicle. In rainforests, deserts, and other places no ordinary vehicles could reach, you will find numerous all-terrain vehicles. The moment you venture off the tarmac is the moment you realise the incredible potential of a four wheel drive. This guide is designed to make sure you extract the absolute maximum out of your off-road adventure, especially if you’ve decided to take the plunge and buy a 4WD!

1 – Know Your 4WD Inside-Out

Before you venture off-road, it’s worth ensuring that you have a good mental picture of the underside of your four-wheel drive. Check the position of fragile parts such as the fuel tank, engine sump, differentials, and gearbox , so you’re less likely to snag them on rocks, tree stumps, and other obstacles. Check the roof rack and consider it as you drive under low tree branches. Read the owner’s manual and discover the purpose of all the on-board technology and features, especially on the latest advanced four-wheel drives.

2 – Expert Tips For Off-Road Driving

As long as it is safe to do so, test the surface by walking over the ground before you drive over it and always walk a water obstacle wearing gum boots and carrying a stick for checking silt and underwater hollows. It’s better to get your feet wet than your 4WD vehicle stuck. Before ascending a hill, ensure you know what’s over the crest. Never hook your thumbs inside the steering wheel, as any kickback from the terrain could sprain or even break them, but always keep both hands on the wheel, even when reversing.

3 – The Golden Rules For Four-Wheel Driving

BMW X3 Offroad Driving

Drive as slowly as possible and as fast as necessary. Know your vehicle’s dimensions height, weight, width, length, approach and departure angle, ramp angle, and ground clearance. Know the international hand signals for marshalling. Avoid gear changes while negotiating difficult terrain. Use great care when driving on loose or wet surfaces due to the reduced level of grip.

Be prepared to admit defeat: back off and try again, or try an alternative route.

Avoid excessive wheelspin at all times but especially on soft ground where the vehicle can easily lose momentum and even cause environmental damage. Use a gentle right throttle foot and always tell someone where you’re going, what route you plan to follow, and when you expect to return.

4 – Essential Kit For Driving OffRoad

For any four-wheel drive, off-road adventure, it’s essential that you know your all-terrain vehicle inside out and pack the essentials in your 4WD off-roader before heading out.

Check list:

• Tow rope
• Shovel
• 2-way radio, or in the Australian outback, you should also include an emergency transmitter beacon.
• Suitable, climate-appropriate clothing
• Correct footwear
• GPS navigation and maps
• Food and water
• Extra fuel

5 – Off-Road Driving Technique

To drive effectively over rough terrain, a degree of smoothness is required. Make sure the throttle is applied smoothly and released slowly. This keeps the offroad tyres from spinning on acceleration or deceleration. Keep steering precise and braking to a minimum. The driver always controls the four-wheel drive; the vehicle should never control the driver.

6 – Overcoming Obstacles

Try walking the ground before you actually drive on it. Approach ridges straight on but approach a log, rocky step or ditch diagonally so that three of the four wheels always retain contact with the ground. Make sure tyres are fully inflated to road pressures for rocky ground. Straddle deep ruts with your 4WD. This will keep the vehicle level, reducing environmental impact.

As you drive along a deeply rutted track, take special care if the ruts are cut into slippery ground. Indeed, you may be unaware that the wheels are not pointed straight ahead until grip becomes available and the vehicle suddenly veers to one side. Some advanced 4WD vehicles have a wheel direction indicator to help you in situations such as this.

Unless you are going downhill, the best way to avoid having your wheels ‘locked’ by a rutted track is to relax your grip on the steering wheel occasionally, while keeping a frictional grip with your palms. This will allow the wheels to regain the straight-ahead position. The tyres may not be able to grip the slippery sides of the rut and you will be unable to turn the steering wheel to the left or right.

7 – Selecting The Best Driving Gear

Selecting the best gear and range is vital for smooth progress and the most enjoyoment from your off-road experience:

• Rocky ground should be attemptted in Low Range, 1st gear;
• Soft ground in Low Range 2nd or 3rd gear;
• Ice and snow in the highest gear possible for conditions;
• Slopes should be climbed in the highest practical gear;
• Slopes should be descended in Low Range, 1st gear;
• Wading in Low Range 2nd gear;
• Sandy tracks should be driven in Low Range in 3rd, 4th or 5th gear.

8 – Taking Your 4×4 Back On Road

Recreational Offroad Driving

Once you have completed your off-road adventure, you will need to return to the road. To do this, you should: disengage diff-lock, if applied; stop and check for any minor damage such as cuts in tyres, body damage, or lodged debris; check that lights, windows, and mirrors are clear, that number plates can still be read and that all equipment is secure.

The final check is to take happy memories of the exhilarating ride and make sure you start planning your very next offroad trip in the near future!