Driving/4WD tips

[Dunkly]

Hi,

I'm fairly new to offroad driving, having only owned my navara for a month, just wanted to know if anyone has any tips and tricks to share about driving offroad?
Anything you have to share is good no matter how big or small, I mainly do sand/dune driving down to the beach for fishing

Thanks,

 

[WarD40]

dont get stuck in someone elses rut when leaving the beach if there are wood post in the way they do not move....

 

[calcal]

In the mud...2nd gear flat foot!!!

 

[Geoff3DMN]

On steep downhill slopes choose a suitable low range gear and let the engine braking keep your speed down.

 

[Ben-D22]

Get your self a good air compressor and tire gauge, don't be afraid to play with tire pressures in the sand. 16psi is a good starting point.

 

[joshman]

On steep downhill slopes choose a suitable low range gear and let the engine braking keep your speed down.

If you start to slide (indicating you've lost, or are losing traction), speed up, do not use your brakes because you WILL continue to slide, and you have no control over the vehicle when you're sliding. Keep your wheels rolling, wheels rolling = control of vehicle. This applies for most surfaces that you'll drive on.

Sometimes its better to stall your vehicle than to jump on the clutch when going downhill.

You can judge the softness of sand by observing the wheel ruts of other cars, of you can see the tread pattern, it's reasonably firm, also keep a good look in the rear view mirror at your own tire marks, of you see the shimmering of water in your wheel marks as you drive, you're probably a bit close to the water. Where possible, drive in other peoples ruts, the sand underneath will be harder than the sand around it.

Where possible, always travel with another vehicle.

 

[Bong]

never ever change gears when in soft sand and if you have not lifted the vehicle do not follow wheel ruts, try to keep crossing them to stop bellying out.

 

[mitch92]

Momentum! It is your friend!

 

[scooba_285]

Momentum! It is your friend!

second that

 

[sparra04]

if you go with a d40 take plenty of recovery gear

 

[d40ryan]

LOCK STOMP STEER.

keep the bonnet level, and try not to spin wheels, let the lsd do the work.
walk the water/mud first.

 

[luke91]

Try and let someone else go 1st.

 

[equipt]

Go out with others, you can learn a heap from watching others who know what they are doing, and even those that don't you can learn from there mistakes.

 

[tweak'e]

if you go with a d40 take plenty of recovery gear

big thing would be choice of tires and tire pressure.
shovel for clearing sand away.
also have a look at exhaust jacks. they can also be pumped up by an air compressor and are very good at jacking up vehicles especially on sand.

 

[qqc d22]

Try and let someone else go 1st.

we have a winner

 

[nathand22]

Adjust tyre pressure to suit the terrain your driving on, and adjust your speed to suit your tyre pressure.

check the depth of any water crossing or even puddles, more then a few people have been caught out by what looks like a small puddle that ends up swallowing the 4by, OR as somebody has all ready said LET SOMEONE ELSE GO FIRST......

try not to let a wheel that is in the air and spinning fast hit the ground while your still on the loud peddle, its a good way to damage your drivel line.

 

[lookskyward1]

1 Join a 4x4 club and attend local events
2 NEVER drive across a hillside, always either climb or decend
3 NEVER venture off alone
4 Be prepaired to walk the ground/water first
5 Remember on a beach if you get stuck, the tide will come and get you.

Good luck and enjoy your truck

 

[Old.Tony]

if you go with a d40 take plenty of recovery gear

That's exceptionally good advice. Never ask to be recovered with someone else's gear - have your own, and use that instead. D40 owners will appreciate not having to pull your ass out of the sand with their own gear.

Seriously, you SHOULD take some recovery gear with you. These include:

* Long-handled shovel

* MaxTrax or similar for sand/mud

* An excellent air compressor (not a good one, get something better)

* A good tyre deflator or set (and check that they work properly before you go).

* A rated recovery point on each corner of the vehicle is just good sense (unless you get a hitch receiver and bullbar with winch). Always carry an equalisation strap.

* a 4WD course is worth ten times what you pay for it

Some simple rules:

1) If you can't see the bottom you will HAVE to walk it, regardless of what might be swimming in it.
2) If you CAN see the bottom, remember it's twice as deep as it looks
3) If the water's flowing faster than you can jog then it's not worth entering (this varies on depth)
4) Whether you can see the bottom or not, a wading bra is almost essential
5) Don't stop in the water
6) If the water is salty, hose the car thoroughly as soon as you get home
7) If the water is muddy, hose it before you get home. Car Lovers will hate you.