Off Roading Basic Skills Thread

[Jedders]

Hi.
Anyone know any basic tips for offroad?

J-

 

[Yoyodyne]

Don't just follow the chap in front - he might know less than you.
Don't just follow the chap in front - he might be an expert.

Either way you can end up in a whole world of stuckness and/or vehicular damage.

 

[wattfield]

Join a club, most will be happy to help. Or go on an offroad day.

 

[Cabbie]

Best way of learning is to make mistakes.

 

[goonarmy]

If your gonna off road, do it in someone else's motor.

 

[Turboman]

Hi.
Anyone know any basic tips for offroad?

J-

If you are really interested, you could try this for starters. There are many others available.

https://haynes.co.uk/catalog/genera...ing-modifying-restoration/road-driving-manual
Or this, which you can actually read on the net
http://www.drivingfast.net/off-road/off-road-driving-techniques.htm#.VeYeFvlVikp

If your gonna off road, do it in someone else's motor.

Good plan too, dunno if it is in the manual

 

[Paul D]

Wide open, 2nd low box, drop the clutch, usually gets over a lot of stuff ..

Well, if you don't break anything ...

Seriously, go slow, then go slower than that, but keep enough speed (read that as momentum) to get over little obstacles and small hills without adding too many revs. The old saying is "Slow as you can, Fast as you need" ..

 

[Turboman]

Wide open, 2nd low box, drop the clutch, usually gets over a lot of stuff ..

Well, if you don't break anything ...

Seriously, go slow, then go slower than that, but keep enough speed (read that as momentum) to get over little obstacles and small hills without adding too many revs. The old saying is "Slow as you can, Fast as you need" ..

Couldn't really disagree with any of that!
Or, as my saffer mates say, ASAPAFAN! As Slow As Possible, As Fast As Necessary!

 

[Marmaduke]

Don't put your thumbs through the steering wheel to grip it cos if one of the tyres hits something it'll spin the steering wheel faster than you can move your hands out of the way and A and E here you come.

Also don't presume that the other person has got a tow rope.

 

[donk56]

A good understanding of your vehicle dimensions. Knowing what the underside looks like....high and low points.
Bits which stick out....roof rack, spot lights etc.

A bog roll cos you never know.

There are some good videos on youtube and the like.
Driving techniques and equipment.

 

[Yoyodyne]

Know where your diffs are and which way your wheels are pointing.

 

[Paul D]

Don't wade without absolutely knowing how deep the water is, how good the base is to drive on, and if you're approaching a flooded ford, make sure you know whether the ford has a dog-leg in it so you don't drive straight into the river instead of on the road ...

 

[flat]

Keep your thumbs outside of the steering wheels and don't try to force the steering wheel when in ruts - let the car find it's own route - just grip the wheel lightly.

 

[Flossie]

Windows up cos a bitch slap offa Hawthorne smarts a bit.

 

[BenG]

These videos help:

Vince Cobley

- Old school off-road video

 

[ER1C]

Seatbelts on !....Sounds silly but I was once caught in a ditch and I had to be recovered, there was a risk of it rolling. but as I didn't have my seatbelt on when I went onto an angle the belts had locked.. Meaning a risky recovery without a seatbelt.

 

[Turboman]

Seatbelts on !....Sounds silly but I was once caught in a ditch and I had to be recovered, there was a risk of it rolling. but as I didn't have my seatbelt on when I went onto an angle the belts had locked.. Meaning a risky recovery without a seatbelt.

Harnesses are even better than belts for the serious off-roaders.

 

[giveitago]

Windows up cos a bitch slap offa Hawthorne smarts a bit.

just found this out the hard way lol

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

never go on yo own

 

[jai_landrover]

Not a fan of harnesses myself. Even ccv comp Motors you only require lap belts. If wearing harnesses binder you controlling your vehicle then stick to normal belts.

Join an offroad club a proper one like the Awdc or association of land rover clubs that will teach you how to drive. Myself and 300bhp had fun competing in the Nationals this year and it turns out points wise pretty much matched.