Any road trip requires good planning, but it’s especially necessary for an off-road trip. If you’re thinking about going off-road, you need to be extra prepared. You won’t have the smooth roads that will be kind to your vehicle and its suspension. You won’t be conveniently close to everything that you need, from places to fill up on fuel to people to help you if you get in trouble. You have to take the time to get ready for your trip and ensure you’re going to be able to survive. Before you head off on an off-road trip, here are some of the things that you will need to do.
Plan, Plan, Plan
There are various parts of your trip that you’ll need to plan before you go off-roading. Of course, the route that you want to take is one of the first things that you’ll need to work out. Deciding on your route doesn’t just mean choosing where you want to go but also understanding the terrain and the conditions that you might face. Start by picking a destination that you want to visit and then use a variety of tools and resources to work out where to go.
The easy thing to do is to look for a predetermined route that you can take. You can look online, buy a book or download an app that gives you suggestions for places to go and how to get there. But if you want to make your trip planning a bit more challenging, you can start from scratch and decide where you want to go independently. You can use paper maps or various map applications to help you work out the terrain and the conditions you’re going to face. Some good things to think about include where you’re going to stop if you’re on a multi-day trip, where you might be able to get fuel or water (if it’s possible), and other conditions, such as the temperature and weather during your trip.
Pack Smartly
Packing for your off-road trip is something that you have to balance carefully. You need to be well prepared for your trip but you can’t pack too much stuff. The more you pack, the heavier your stuff will be and the more it will affect certain parts of your trip, such as how much fuel you use and how fast you can travel. When you have a lot of space to pack things into your vehicle, and there’s even the option of expanding with a trailer or roof rack, it can be tempting to take everything that you can think of. But some smart thinking can help you to pack what you need without going overboard.
Focus on packing the most important thing, prioritizing what’s most useful on an off-road trip. You might not need too many changes of clothes, but it will definitely be useful to pack a lot of water.
Consider Cargo Options
When you’re planning what to pack, you’ll also have to think about how to carry everything. You could just pack everything into the interior of your vehicle, which can be easy if you have a lot of space to use. But if most of the space is being used by passengers (whether they have two legs or four) you might need to think about other solutions for carrying your things. Your two main options are to add a roof rack or to have a trailer. If you’re thinking about taking a trailer, you’ll need to consider the towing capacity of your vehicle and how it’s going to affect your driving. You might also be considering taking an off-road camper trailer, which gives you a living space to use while on your trip.
A roof rack might make your vehicle less aerodynamic and heavier, but it also allows you to pack your stuff without the need for a trailer. It can be useful for carrying all kinds of things, from regular luggage to sports equipment such as bikes or canoes.
Take Extra Tyres
Being prepared for things to go wrong is essential when you’re going on an off-road trip. One of the parts of your vehicle that’s most likely to sustain damage is the tyres. If you end up with a punctured tyre, you need to be able to replace it. Before you go, make sure you’ve visited a store like https://www.ozzytyres.com.au to ensure you have at least one spare tyre. There are several places where spare tyres can be carried, so you might even be able to take more than one with you. Of course, it’s also a good idea to have essential maintenance tools so that you can change tyres and perform other tasks.
Give Your Vehicle a Health Check
Before setting out on the road, it’s essential to give your vehicle a health check. If you’re taking your own vehicle with you, you can check some key things yourself or perhaps even take it to be serviced before you go. If you’re hiring something, you should make sure that the company you use carries out thorough checks on their vehicles to ensure they’re in good condition. It’s better to catch any potential problems before you go instead of having to deal with anything when you’ve already left for your trip.
Know Your Fuel Needs
Don’t forget to plan well when considering how much fuel you’re going to need. If there’s nowhere near to fill up, you’re going to have to make sure you have enough for your whole trip. You should know your vehicle’s fuel economy and MPG specifically for off-roading. If you’re using a trailer or have a lot of luggage, you’re going to need to know how that affects your vehicle’s fuel economy. If you have to take extra fuel with you, you should consider the ways to carry it safely during your trip.
Get ready for your off-road trip by following these travel tips. The more you prepare, the more successful your trip can be.
Leave a Reply