A helpful guide for beginner 4×4 drivers
Purchasing your first 4×4 vehicle is an exciting experience.
That long-awaited fishing trip has become all the more worthwhile now that you can pitch-up in your new vehicle.
Although it may sound like fun to manoeuvre through the bushes, driving off the beaten track can turn ugly if you aren’t prepared with the right gear and skills.
The first step to achieving that is by learning.
Even though you learned how to drive in a bakkie or 4×4 vehicle at a driving school in Cape Town, what you won’t necessarily be taught is how to react on different terrains, other than the road. From sand to mud and deep water, each trail invites their own challenge. But, with a little pre-planning, you should be well-equipped for this exciting adventure. One of the points behind purchasing a 4×4 or even a 4×2 vehicle is to explore new terrain and use the vehicle for what it was made for. But, before you can even consider getting into a car on a bumpy road, you need to study your car’s manual.
Off-road driving requires you to understand the different tyre pressures. Even at the most basic level, you need to know when to deflate or inflate your vehicle tyres or alter the footprint. All of these tweaks will make a significant difference in your ability to drive off-road, or get out of sticky situations. Off-road is far different to what you would experience in normal driving situations, so engage with all systems before you approach an obstacle. Here are a few helpful tips to help you along on your next encounter:
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Lower the tyre pressure
Tyre pressures can either be decreased or increased. When you lower your tyre pressure, you can mould your tyres to the shape of the rock, preventing them from falling back or rolling off. When you put your tyres on a lower tyre pressure, be extremely careful, as the lower the air pressure, the bigger the chance of a tyre bead popping off and causing a flat tyre. It will also be harder to move around. But, if you increase the tyre pressure, the tyres become stiffer and less prone to damage.
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Drive as slowly as possible
If by any chance you are stuck on rocky terrain, it is important to drive as slowly as possible to avoid damage to the wheels. Most people’s first instinct is to speed over something. That is incorrect because it will cause your tyres to spin or slide. Kick your vehicle into low-range and idle your speed to get over the obstacle. Try to keep your foot off the petrol as much as possible and rather move your wheel around to see if that movement alone can manoeuvre you off a rocky terrain.
Usually, soil that is softer requires a bit more momentum and wheel speed to keep the tyres stable and on top of things. Mud is the type of trail which requires you to take a chance. Sometimes slower speed will help you get through mud quicker, otherwise, you will need to accelerate and hope for the best.
Every bakkie or 4×4 vehicle has a gearset. Depending on the engine power, your ease level will differ. If you are looking for a bigger engine to do these activities in, you can find double cab bakkies for sale for under R60 000 that will take your off-road dreams to another level. You just need to know where to look.
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Pack recovery gear or have access to a backup vehicle nearby
Driving into unknown areas can be dangerous. On your next trip out, make sure you are surrounded by other vehicle drivers who can assist you if they need to. Or bring a recovery gear set with you. If you get seriously stuck, you will need another vehicle to tow you out of the situation. And, if there isn’t someone who can do that for you, make sure you have an electric winch for your vehicle.
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Know the depth your vehicle is able to go
As you can imagine, four-wheeling is an adventure that cannot be determined beforehand. You never know what you might get yourself into, as this type of activity is very weather determined. One of the trails to get you down to your camping or fishing spot may require you to cross a stream.
Well, on paper that may sound easy until you see it in real life. Make sure that before you go on any adventure, you have checked the fording depth of your vehicle. It is usually printed in the car manual, and it shows you how deep your vehicle can go into a body of water.
Final words
Have fun and do your research. Driving a 4×4 vehicle is all about having fun and making an adventure out of it. If you have faced something challenging already, at least you’ll be more confident for the next one. There are several 4×4 trails to explore, so keep your eyes peeled for the next off-road experience.