Here?’s a taster of some of the off-road tips you will be learning:
- 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.
- Avoid gear changes while negotiating difficult terrain.
- Always read the ground as far ahead as you can. If it is safe to do so, walk the ground before you drive.
- 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.
- Always keep both hands on the wheel, even when reversing and never hook your thumbs inside the steering wheel, as any kickback from the terrain could sprain or even break them.
- Always walk your water obstacle wearing wellington boots and carrying a stick for checking silt and underwater hollows. Better to get your feet wet than your vehicle stuck.