Off-roading can truly lead to some amazing adventures and unforgettable memories. However, riding off-road is not always as simple as it sounds – even though it’s definitely exciting. There are several things to keep in mind; what’s more, proper preparation is essential if you wish to be safe and have a blast. Still interested? Here’s what you have to do.
Always plan your trip and trail in advance
As you can imagine, exploring an unpaved road offers plenty of possibilities and a true adventure, but you don’t want to get lost or find yourself in a dangerous situation. This is why it’s paramount that you actually plan out the route you’re going to take carefully before heading out. Make sure to use some kind of GPS in order to know your location at all times. However, keep in mind that GPS may fail to work sometimes, which is why you also need to bring a paper copy of the map for the route you’ve chosen. Proper planning means that you’ll be informed about the difficulty of the terrain, weather forecast, more challenging points of the trail, etc. Of course, make sure that your rig is in proper adventuring condition.
Be prepared to take a shower
One of the biggest concerns for off-roading has to do with the question of showering. Of course, a great solution would be to bring your own tank where you could store at least 5 gallons of water. But, your rig has to be big enough for this and you generally need to have enough storage space. However, it’s more likely that this is not the case. And if you’re not planning on spending days off the beaten track, you don’t really need to bring a water tank with you. A convenient solution in this case involves baby wipes. And if you’re not too fond of baby wipes, you can get wet wipes specially made for “shower replacement” when on the road.
Equip yourself with the right equipment
When you’re off-roading, you need to ensure your safety and comfort first. In that sense, you will have to bring the right kind of equipment with you on this trip. Obviously, the basic tool box for your rig is an absolute must. But, you should also consider other essentials such as a tow rope, snatch block, D rings, etc. Don’t forget to bring gloves, everything you’d need to put up a tent, a proper change of clothes (especially for camping), a knife, and similar.
Furthermore, communication equipment can mean a world of difference and a simple mobile radio can do the trick. A radio should be positioned close to your navigation system (be it your phone or tablet). Of course, you can always use RAM Mounts if you’re planning to take some truly magnificent shots with your camera. In general, plan and pack the equipment based on your goal(s) for this off-road adventure. After all, the setup will be different based on whether you’ll be away for just one day or a whole week.
Enough food and drinking water
Aside from the equipment you’d need to bring as well as other essentials such as water for showering, you also have to prepare enough food and drinking water when off-roading. Again, the amount you’d need will depend on the number of days you’re planning to spend adventuring. However, you never know what could happen, so don’t hesitate to stock up on canned goods and bottled water for a day or two longer than what you’re planning to stay on the road. Aside from canned goods, you still want to make sure that your perishable goods are properly secured. That said, a special cooler specifically made for longer camping can be rather beneficial. On the other hand, you can get yourself a plain camping cooler and a small block of dry ice from a grocery store for a rather quick yet effective trick for keeping your perishables fresh for longer.
If you want to do a proper prep for off-roading, you should be aware of the fact that having some company is always better than going on your own. After all, it’s safer and more fun to have someone with you. But, if you really want to experience new sights and trails alone, at least make it a point to inform your friends and/or family about the route you’re planning to explore and when you expect to be back – just in case.
