Off Road Driving Techniques: 7 Tips for Beginners
You’ve gone and purchased the perfect vehicle for trail-blazing, and now it’s time to hone your off-road driving techniques. Whether you’ve chosen to buy a brand new Polaris side by side with every available option or picked up an old Jeep Wrangler from the ’80s, the tool is only as good as the operator.
Knowing what to do and when to do it is the type of information you’re going to need when your trail is getting rough. Do not shortchange yourself and your vehicle by trying to sprint before you know how to crawl.
Pace: Slow is Good
If your driving a new or used atv it is critical you understand how much your speed does not matter in the offroad arena as much as your control does.
Whether facing mud, sand, water, rock, or any combination of these, control is the key to navigating them successfully. You’ll want to understand how to feel the behavior of your vehicle, where your tires are connecting to the surface (also known as their contact patch), what you can and can’t see, and more.
However, your ability to analyze these various factors and react well is greatly affected by how fast you’re trying to go. Keep it slow, allow yourself the time you need to get it right, and then you can start looking at more techniques!
Seek Out Fellow Off Road Enthusiasts
The available options you have for seeking and finding quality off road driving techniques are numerous. One of the easiest and most enjoyable methods is to connect with those who are already doing it.
Website forums, local gatherings, clubs and scheduled events are all ways to start meeting those who enjoy what you’re interested in.
Speak with some who have your same vehicle and some who do not, allowing yourself to see the techniques from multiple perspectives. Expect these outlets to be comprised of men and women of all ages and experience levels, so be sure to vet who you decide to start taking advice from first.
Devote Your Attention to Your Task
Many everyday driving techniques will be applicable here:
- Eyes on the road
- Two hands on the wheel
- Distractions to a minimum (radio, passengers, food, drink)
- Phone on silent, out of sight
- Look ahead to where you’re going
- Seat belt fastened
Where off road driving techniques become more complex is in the terrain you may face. A veteran move is to get out of your vehicle and study what you are about to conquer.
Are you facing a particularly rocky trail?
You’ll need to feel comfortable in knowing where the rocks are that you need to avoid. Are you crossing a stream? Your best bet will be to find an area of the stream shallow enough for you to move easily move through.
Do not overlook how valuable it is to see before you have to react.
No Shifting While You Navigate an Obstacle
Changing gears in your vehicle causes a disruption in the momentum of the vehicle. Shifting up or changing down will yield the same result: your vehicle is going to lurch as the mechanical components follow their orders.
While this is acceptable in daily driving, it is your enemy when you’re being challenged by the environment around you. It is best to decide which gear in your transmission is going to serve you well, then move forward in the obstacle, and do not shift until you’ve cleared the challenging part.
Thumb Placement: Outside, not Inside
Repeat it to yourself until you turn blue in the face: “My thumbs do not wrap inside the steering wheel while driving off-road.”
This is an important safety tip for you, due to the unexpected obstacles you may face while behind the wheel. Your steering wheel is connected to the front tires, and those tires are facing intense challenges. One bump or extra moment of grip when you least expect it can cause dislocation or worse.
Smooth is Fast
The manner in which you handle your vehicle will absolutely determine how it behaves as you navigate off-road terrain. Jerking at the wheel erratically or diving on the brakes are practices you want to avoid unless absolutely necessary.
Instead, focus on moving the steering wheel at a consistent pace from one point to the next. Keep your speed down so that your brakes can devote their entire energy toward slowing the wheels down, rather than the weight of the vehicle.
Off Road Driving Techniques Depend on Traction
No matter the terrain you face or the vehicle you’ve chosen to face it with, you’re going to need good traction to be safe while having fun. There will be moments where you are unable to keep all four tires on the ground, but they are not the moments you want to be facing when you’re just starting out.
Additionally, sliding does look cool but it doesn’t help a beginner much. If you can keep yourself from sliding around while navigating your challenges, it’s a sign of developing skill and control. It’s a good thing!
Pack for All Potential Challenges
Off road driving is a hazardous hobby, albeit an incredibly fulfilling one as well. So many things can potentially occur while having a great time and how well you pack can be critical to going home in one piece.
You’re asking your vehicle for more than the regular workload, so bring extra gasoline, water, a spare tire, a tow strap, and a fire extinguisher.
You’re traveling, so pack food, water, a cell phone charger, and a first aid kit.
You’re aiming to conquer new challenges and hone new skills, so bring a friend to help you with your sightlines or travel with a group of enthusiasts who can teach you along the way!
Time to Start Learning
As a beginner, you want to do it all, but you’re quickly going to find just how much there is to learn. Don’t rush the learning curve for your off road driving techniques.
Instead, focus on making sure you’re overprepared. You can find lots of really helpful info on our blog and you can contact us directly for answers to all of your questions.
We’re here to help you go from beginner to expert, and we’ve got all the right vehicles and parts to be your one-stop shop!