So, after being told many good things mostly true about adventure in the Great Outdoors, you finally purchased a four-wheel drive truck, meaning to bring it deep into the realm of outdoors. In fact, you had it furnished with off road tires, and when some friend suggested you try beadlock wheels, you did that also. And to be fair, your outfit was a beauty to see, and many say, in the offroading trips, too. Most possibly, that is, because you also understand that much of offroading pleasure depends on the driver, and you are a newbie…

What now

The best step for you is to start your offroading lessons slowly. First you have to master managing your truck, so drive it around and get an intimate feel of its features. You need to understand the strength of the brakes, its speed and power in the different gears, turning characteristics and so on. Once you feel you can fool around with the vehicle, go offroad. There are many trail systems tested and mapped for four-by-four tourists such as in the Eastern Sierra area. If those are too far for you, get acquainted an experienced offroader and request him to assist you to a nearby location to learn offroading.

What to bring

Experienced offroaders bring along a winch, but as you would not go in too far, a pry bar and a shovel would be enough to get you out of many little ‘miscalculations’, plus the usual provisions for an extended trip. Although the weather may be warm, take along some cold-weather clothes, for the ‘just in case’. Reserve water and preserved food will not hurt; you need some load in the truck anyway. If possible, go with other offroaders in a group, even neophytes like you, for safety. At the very least you are assure of a ride home.

Easy does it

Once you get to the dirt road, the urge to push down the gas pedal will be very powerful and most yield. Never. Even four-wheel drives perform differently on unpaved roads, and you are as yet unacclimatized with the variations in control and performance of your vehicle in such conditions. Ditto with the location; you could be, euphemistically, in an unfriendly place. If the terrain gets a little complicated, shift to four-by-four mode immediately: it beats getting out of the two-wheel form when you are not having traction. This is your initial run, so be very vigilant about everything around you, the truck and the trail.

Some caveats

When ascending a sharp gradient, the advice was to use the lowest gear for good tire ‘bite’, but it also means shift to the highest gear that grants good progress without lugging the engine. Too low gear may mean too much power and hence, spinning traction-less wheels and lost control. When climbing down, use low gear to allow the engine to function as brake. Riding the brakes can {lock|stiffen] them and make you slide downwards, particularly on slick surfaces. In unfamiliar and complicated terrain, scouting ahead will let you know which way and how to go, or even if you have to go at all. There is no law against moving back and going another way.

Finally, remember you are there to take pleasure in the trip, not penalize yourself.

So, in response to hearing many beautiful things mostly true about exploration fun in the Great Outdoors, you at last bought a four-wheel drive truck, meaning to bring it deep into the realm of outdoors. As point of fact, you had it equipped with off road tires, and when some associate suggested you try beadlock wheels, you did that as well. And to be reasonable, your outfit was a beauty to see, and people say, in the offroading adventure, too. Most possibly, that is, because you also understand that much of offroading pleasure depends on the driver, and you are a newbie…

So?

The best thing for you is to begin your offroading tutorials slowly. Initially you have to master controlling your vehicle, so drive it around and get an intimate feel of its features. You need to understand the strength of the brakes, its speed and power in the various gears, cornering traits and so on. Once you feel you can fool around with the vehicle, go offroad. There are many trail complexes tested and laid out for four-by-four tourists such as in the Eastern Sierra area. If those are too far for you, get acquainted an experienced outdoorsman and ask him to assist you to a nearby location to learn offroading.

What to bring

Advanced offroaders take a winch, but as you would not go in too deep, a levering bar and a spade would be sufficient to get you out of many little ‘miscalculations’, plus the normal provisions for a long trip. Although the weather may be hot, take along some cold-weather clothes, for any emergency. Extra water and canned food will not hurt; you require some load in the truck after all. If there is, go with other offroaders in teams, even neophytes like you, for safety. At the very least you are confident of a ride home.

Slow does it

When you get to the unpaved road, the compulsion to floor the gas pedal will be very powerful and most yield. Do not. Even four-wheel drives behave differently on dirt roads, and you are as yet unacclimatized with the dissimilarities in control and performance of your vehicle in such situations. Ditto with the area; you could be, euphemistically, in an unfriendly place. If the ground gets a little complicated, switch to four-by-four mode immediately: it beats getting out of the two-wheel form when you are losing traction. This is your initial run, so be very vigilant about all things around you, the vehicle and the route.

Some reminders

When ascending a steep grade, the rule was to use the lowest gear for good tire ‘bite’, but it also means shift to the highest gear that gives good forward movement without lugging the engine. Too low gear may result to too much power and hence, spinning traction-less wheels and lost control. When moving down, use low gear to allow the engine to function as brake. Constantly pushing down on the brakes can let you slip downwards, especially on slick surfaces. In unknown and complicated ground, scouting ahead will let you determine which way and how to go, or maybe if you have to go at all. There is no law against turning back and going another way.

Last, remember you are there to enjoy the trip, not punish yourself.