Off Road driving techniques
Posted: May 18th, 2011, 10:55 pm
Since a lot of us go off-roading with our trucks, it's prudent that we have a thread where we can all contribute some safety tips when we're out there on the trail. Proper driving technique, safety practices and a bit of common sense will help to ensure that each one of us is fully prepare to tackle the terrain, as well as be prepared for surprises too.
Here's a helpful site I found with some good basic tips:
http://offroaders.com/info/tech-corner/reading/techniques.htm
Common Offroad Driving Techniques
The following are some general offroad driving techniques that are used in all types of terrain. These general tips can help to improve your ability to navigate safely and efficiently.
Safety & Hand Position
When driving off road, your safety should be your number one priority. Nothing spoils the fun like someone getting hurt, yourself including. So here are a few basic safety tips that can help keep the fun going. First, it's been said before and it'll be said again, buckle up. When offroad, there are so many opportunities for the un-expected to happen. Rollovers, wet brakes, sudden stops, the list goes on. So play it safe and put that belt on. Another tips has to do with your hand position and the steering wheel. It's important not to place your thumbs on the inside of the steering wheel. When driving offroad, ruts, potholes, rocks, hidden objects in mud, etc, all can cause the the wheel to suddenly turn. A sudden jerk of the wheel can cause the spokes of the wheel to whip around resulting in the thumb being bruised, dislocated or even broken if it is left inside the wheel. Make it a habit to keep your thumbs safely on the outside of the steering wheel where they are out of harms way. Consciously done often enough and it should become second nature to you. Today with power steering, this technique is not as important at it once was when manual steering was more common and steering stabilizers were rare. Still with today's higher horsepower engines and more gun-hoe driving styles, it's a good idea to think of the thumbs and save them from the force at which the steering wheel turns when hitting an obstruction. This technique also helps save the thumbs when harsh bumps or accidents are encountered and you are jerked forward. With the thumb on the outside, it again is not bent backwards.
Choosing Your Line
A common term used in offroad driving is "line". The "line" is the approach and path that you take through an area in over and around obstacles. This path should take into consideration several factors. You are considering your best path to avoid damage and maintain traction to get over, around or through whatever you are negotiating. You are taking into consideration your undercarriage which includes your differentials, axle tubes, suspension, lower shock towers, your oil pan, transmission pan, exhaust, drive shafts, lower fenders, spare tire, anything that hangs down and can hang you up or suffer damage. The idea is to think ahead and imagine the vehicle driving through the path you intend to take BEFORE you try it. This approach helps you to plan your way through obstacles while minimizing damage and keeping your momentum.
Sometimes it is difficult to navigate your line of choice yourself because it can be hard to see everything around your vehicle from the driver seat. This is where the help of a "spotter" can be quite valuable. A spotter would be someone standing outside of your vehicle watching your path and providing direct to you, both verbally and through use of hand signals. A spotters job can be what makes or breaks a run through an obstacle course. Describing what makes a good spotter can be difficult but you know when you have a good spotter. It's also good to note that you are better served by one good spotter carefully guiding your vehicle through a line rather than a whole group of "wanna be" spotters shouting out directions.
Braking Tips
With manual transmission vehicles, there are time when you are descending down a hill and attempting to control your rate of speed by applying the brakes. Another method for controlling speed is to put the vehicle in a low gear such as 1st gear in low range and let the clutch out. Stay off the gas and brake and let the engine do the braking. This works by putting vehicle in a gear that will spin the tires slower at an engine idle than you want to go. The effect is the engine slows the tires down. The benefit of engine braking is you are controlling the wheel spin at a fixed rate of speed. This fixed rate of speed increases traction on a hill descent or during cornering allowing you to maintain control of the vehicle. Brakes can still be applied if necessary to slow the vehicle further. The opposing method of 100% braking (rather engine braking) means that you are applying stopping force which may lock up a wheel causing a loss of traction and consequently a loss of control. Engine braking is an advantage that manual transmission have over automatic transmissions.
Another tip that deals with braking applies to slowing a vehicle suddenly during trail riding. If you are slowing suddenly, lets say to avoid slamming into a rock or a pothole, here is a method for preserving your suspension components. When applying a vehicle’s brakes hard, your vehicle’s weight is shifted forward onto the front suspension. This causes the front suspension to compress. When your suspension is compressed, it has used up most of the suspensions travel leaving very little for absorbing the impact you are about to encounter. In these situations if you cannot stop in time, try releasing the brakes just before impacting the obstacle (pothole, rut, rock, etc). This will allow the front suspension to return to its normal height and give more suspension travel to absorb the impact when you actually hit the obstacle.
Some other basic tips when off-roading:
- When driving in a convoy, always leave at least 2 car lengths between you and the truck in front, in case of sudden stops or slippery conditions
- NEVER GO OFFROADING ALONE!! This applies doubly if you don't know the terrain. Always let someone know where you're gonna be going, and what time to expect you back.
- Make sure to read your truck/suv manual and find out where all the hard-points on the chassis are, in order to be able to attach snatch-straps, tow-ropes and chains in case you need to be rescued or perform a rescue operation. NEVER attach a rescue line to: Bullbars, rollbars, the bumper or the tray hooks. These are all weak points on the chasis and are prone to breaking. Ideally a tow-bar in front and back would be best, but in a pinch you can attach the tow-line to your leaf-springs, axle or the tow-hook in the front bumper.
- Always have a First Aid Kit ready and up-to-date (i.e. not expired).
- Communication is important, so a charged cellphone and a handheld radio are important to have with you
- When approaching an obstacle, eg. a ditch or a log, always be mindful of the underparts of your truck/suv's body that are liable to snag or get hung up. Be careful to keep your axle's transfer case out of the way of any rocks or logs as you pass over them. When climbing over an obstacle, switch into 4WD or 4-Hi, and cross at an angle so that one wheel at a time can cross over the obstacles. Hopefully the other wheels will have enough traction to drive you over the obstacle. Take your time, don't rush, and try to feel the suspension as the wheels travel over the obstacle.
- When driving up or down a hill - ALWAYS TRY TO APPROACH IT HEAD ON. If you drive up a hill at a sideways angle or even drive along the hill perpendicular to the hill, you run the risk of rolling over (since trucks and SUV's have a high center of gravity). In case you start to roll - TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE DIRECTION OF THE ROLL and try to guide the truck into the roll and ride the momentum down the hill. Never stomp on the brakes (or else the wheels will lock up and you'll lose traction), apply smooth pressure on the brakes and use the transmission braking to stop you or at least ride the truck down the incline.
- During a towing operation - always try to tow the stuck vehicle out in a straight line, as directly forward as possible. More often than not the stuck vehicle's front wheels will initially not have enough traction to steer the truck, and the force of the pulling-vehicle will determine which direction the stuck vehicle will head towards. If you pull at an angle while the stuck truck's front wheels are turned, the path-line will become unpredictable.
- Always stand well clear of a towing or winching operation. Tow-lines, snatch straps, chains, winch lines can and do burst sometimes, and the whipping action of the line can cause grievious injury to nearby bystanders. Keep a good distance away, and protect your eyes and hands (wear gloves and goggles)
- When in a convoy and you have to clear an obstacle, always allow the vehicle in front to clear it first as well as to let them roll forwards a bit to give you room to maneuver. Then you can clear the obstacle yourself plus you'll have room to safely stop if you've built up some speed and momentum.
- Try to limit alcohol consumption as much as possible, by everyone, including passengers. Drunken and irresponsible behaviour on a remote trail is risky to everyone there and should be avoided.
- last but not least - always try to walk/scout a trail or rough section before driving through it, especially if you don't know the terrain. This applies doubly for crossing streams, going through large puddles, or driving over loose soil. You don't want to drive into a situation and encounter a bad surprise.
By following these basic rules whenever you're out there in the bush, you'll be better prepared to take on most challenges and possible emergencies. Also, you'll have a better chance of coming back home unscathed at the end of the day.
Now go out there and have fun!
Here's a helpful site I found with some good basic tips:
http://offroaders.com/info/tech-corner/reading/techniques.htm
Common Offroad Driving Techniques
The following are some general offroad driving techniques that are used in all types of terrain. These general tips can help to improve your ability to navigate safely and efficiently.
Safety & Hand Position
When driving off road, your safety should be your number one priority. Nothing spoils the fun like someone getting hurt, yourself including. So here are a few basic safety tips that can help keep the fun going. First, it's been said before and it'll be said again, buckle up. When offroad, there are so many opportunities for the un-expected to happen. Rollovers, wet brakes, sudden stops, the list goes on. So play it safe and put that belt on. Another tips has to do with your hand position and the steering wheel. It's important not to place your thumbs on the inside of the steering wheel. When driving offroad, ruts, potholes, rocks, hidden objects in mud, etc, all can cause the the wheel to suddenly turn. A sudden jerk of the wheel can cause the spokes of the wheel to whip around resulting in the thumb being bruised, dislocated or even broken if it is left inside the wheel. Make it a habit to keep your thumbs safely on the outside of the steering wheel where they are out of harms way. Consciously done often enough and it should become second nature to you. Today with power steering, this technique is not as important at it once was when manual steering was more common and steering stabilizers were rare. Still with today's higher horsepower engines and more gun-hoe driving styles, it's a good idea to think of the thumbs and save them from the force at which the steering wheel turns when hitting an obstruction. This technique also helps save the thumbs when harsh bumps or accidents are encountered and you are jerked forward. With the thumb on the outside, it again is not bent backwards.
Choosing Your Line
A common term used in offroad driving is "line". The "line" is the approach and path that you take through an area in over and around obstacles. This path should take into consideration several factors. You are considering your best path to avoid damage and maintain traction to get over, around or through whatever you are negotiating. You are taking into consideration your undercarriage which includes your differentials, axle tubes, suspension, lower shock towers, your oil pan, transmission pan, exhaust, drive shafts, lower fenders, spare tire, anything that hangs down and can hang you up or suffer damage. The idea is to think ahead and imagine the vehicle driving through the path you intend to take BEFORE you try it. This approach helps you to plan your way through obstacles while minimizing damage and keeping your momentum.
Sometimes it is difficult to navigate your line of choice yourself because it can be hard to see everything around your vehicle from the driver seat. This is where the help of a "spotter" can be quite valuable. A spotter would be someone standing outside of your vehicle watching your path and providing direct to you, both verbally and through use of hand signals. A spotters job can be what makes or breaks a run through an obstacle course. Describing what makes a good spotter can be difficult but you know when you have a good spotter. It's also good to note that you are better served by one good spotter carefully guiding your vehicle through a line rather than a whole group of "wanna be" spotters shouting out directions.
Braking Tips
With manual transmission vehicles, there are time when you are descending down a hill and attempting to control your rate of speed by applying the brakes. Another method for controlling speed is to put the vehicle in a low gear such as 1st gear in low range and let the clutch out. Stay off the gas and brake and let the engine do the braking. This works by putting vehicle in a gear that will spin the tires slower at an engine idle than you want to go. The effect is the engine slows the tires down. The benefit of engine braking is you are controlling the wheel spin at a fixed rate of speed. This fixed rate of speed increases traction on a hill descent or during cornering allowing you to maintain control of the vehicle. Brakes can still be applied if necessary to slow the vehicle further. The opposing method of 100% braking (rather engine braking) means that you are applying stopping force which may lock up a wheel causing a loss of traction and consequently a loss of control. Engine braking is an advantage that manual transmission have over automatic transmissions.
Another tip that deals with braking applies to slowing a vehicle suddenly during trail riding. If you are slowing suddenly, lets say to avoid slamming into a rock or a pothole, here is a method for preserving your suspension components. When applying a vehicle’s brakes hard, your vehicle’s weight is shifted forward onto the front suspension. This causes the front suspension to compress. When your suspension is compressed, it has used up most of the suspensions travel leaving very little for absorbing the impact you are about to encounter. In these situations if you cannot stop in time, try releasing the brakes just before impacting the obstacle (pothole, rut, rock, etc). This will allow the front suspension to return to its normal height and give more suspension travel to absorb the impact when you actually hit the obstacle.
Some other basic tips when off-roading:
- When driving in a convoy, always leave at least 2 car lengths between you and the truck in front, in case of sudden stops or slippery conditions
- NEVER GO OFFROADING ALONE!! This applies doubly if you don't know the terrain. Always let someone know where you're gonna be going, and what time to expect you back.
- Make sure to read your truck/suv manual and find out where all the hard-points on the chassis are, in order to be able to attach snatch-straps, tow-ropes and chains in case you need to be rescued or perform a rescue operation. NEVER attach a rescue line to: Bullbars, rollbars, the bumper or the tray hooks. These are all weak points on the chasis and are prone to breaking. Ideally a tow-bar in front and back would be best, but in a pinch you can attach the tow-line to your leaf-springs, axle or the tow-hook in the front bumper.
- Always have a First Aid Kit ready and up-to-date (i.e. not expired).
- Communication is important, so a charged cellphone and a handheld radio are important to have with you
- When approaching an obstacle, eg. a ditch or a log, always be mindful of the underparts of your truck/suv's body that are liable to snag or get hung up. Be careful to keep your axle's transfer case out of the way of any rocks or logs as you pass over them. When climbing over an obstacle, switch into 4WD or 4-Hi, and cross at an angle so that one wheel at a time can cross over the obstacles. Hopefully the other wheels will have enough traction to drive you over the obstacle. Take your time, don't rush, and try to feel the suspension as the wheels travel over the obstacle.
- When driving up or down a hill - ALWAYS TRY TO APPROACH IT HEAD ON. If you drive up a hill at a sideways angle or even drive along the hill perpendicular to the hill, you run the risk of rolling over (since trucks and SUV's have a high center of gravity). In case you start to roll - TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE DIRECTION OF THE ROLL and try to guide the truck into the roll and ride the momentum down the hill. Never stomp on the brakes (or else the wheels will lock up and you'll lose traction), apply smooth pressure on the brakes and use the transmission braking to stop you or at least ride the truck down the incline.
- During a towing operation - always try to tow the stuck vehicle out in a straight line, as directly forward as possible. More often than not the stuck vehicle's front wheels will initially not have enough traction to steer the truck, and the force of the pulling-vehicle will determine which direction the stuck vehicle will head towards. If you pull at an angle while the stuck truck's front wheels are turned, the path-line will become unpredictable.
- Always stand well clear of a towing or winching operation. Tow-lines, snatch straps, chains, winch lines can and do burst sometimes, and the whipping action of the line can cause grievious injury to nearby bystanders. Keep a good distance away, and protect your eyes and hands (wear gloves and goggles)
- When in a convoy and you have to clear an obstacle, always allow the vehicle in front to clear it first as well as to let them roll forwards a bit to give you room to maneuver. Then you can clear the obstacle yourself plus you'll have room to safely stop if you've built up some speed and momentum.
- Try to limit alcohol consumption as much as possible, by everyone, including passengers. Drunken and irresponsible behaviour on a remote trail is risky to everyone there and should be avoided.
- last but not least - always try to walk/scout a trail or rough section before driving through it, especially if you don't know the terrain. This applies doubly for crossing streams, going through large puddles, or driving over loose soil. You don't want to drive into a situation and encounter a bad surprise.
By following these basic rules whenever you're out there in the bush, you'll be better prepared to take on most challenges and possible emergencies. Also, you'll have a better chance of coming back home unscathed at the end of the day.
Now go out there and have fun!