Everyone who owns a car, and can drive in that car, has thought about going on some kind of adventure with that car. However, there’s far too much to take into consideration for a simple weekend away, and maybe your car isn’t quite up to the task. But does that really have to stop you?

Summer is coming up, and chances are you’re planning to go on some kind of road trip with your friends or family. And yet, for the people who like to live a little more of an adrenaline fueled life, off roading is a whole ‘nother activity to try out. No matter the kind of car you already own, there are some ways to make sure it can handle going off terrain to your heart’s desire. Grab the people you’d love to travel a country with for weeks at a time and put plenty of bedding and food into the car; it’s time to put your dreams into practice.

You don’t have to fork out thousands for a car capable of the all terrain driving you’re planning on if you can’t afford it and know you won’t get enough use out of the car. Instead, work with the vehicle you already have, and the plans you’ve been refining for months or even years now! All it takes is a little more effort on your part, and then you can have the holiday of a lifetime! Here’s some ideas on how you can make sure you’re ready for the off roading a lot of people are too nervous to fully face.

Things to Consider First

There’s quite a few terms out there you’re going to need to properly understand when it comes to wanting to off road, or take to some serious road tripping terrain. And the main thing to understand first of all is how they apply to the vehicle you’re using. So you need to understand what you car can and can’t do!

Do you have the traction control necessary for this kind of driving? A good traction system is something you’re definitely need to make sure of; brakes and wheels need to work in a safe and controllable way. Of course there’s no general rule here to follow, as all cars have their own kind of traction control to follow; make sure you know where you stashed the handbook to find out what yours is.

Similarly, make sure you know what four wheel drive actually means. There’s two types you can switch back and forth between here depending on the kind of terrain you’re trying to cross: high and low. And that’s the car considerations out of the way, now on to the basic survival tips:

Make sure you’ve told people back home where you’re going, how long you’ll be there, and when you’re planning on returning. If events transpire that stop you from making it home within the timeframe you’ve set, at least someone at base can alert the authorities if need be.

However, if Your Current Car Doesn’t Seem Capable..

Invest properly. There’s a lot of off terrain vehicles out there, but rarely do people just getting started in the off roading business know what kind of cars to look into (or the ones they’ll be able to afford!). However, we all know the vehicle we drive behind, and if they just can’t pick up the speed or don’t have the right turning circle, it can seem a lot simpler to fork out for a new car.

Whilst it might seem like a decision you’re making on a whim, buying a car that can make it across all kinds of terrain is great for the city as well! If you have family to transport back and forth across your area, do so in style and safety when you have all the extra handling capability black ice could ask for. A car like the subaru forester is a good vehicle to splash out on here. Not only is it good for all kinds  of terrain (built in the environment of Australia after all!), but it’s also quite affordable compared to similar car models.

Try Changing Your Tires

Yet, before you decide to splash out on a whole new vehicle, think about the repairs or modifications you could make. And there’s no more important place to start than your tires! Your tires are going to be what’s keeping you on the road after all, so make sure they’re the kind that can get you to and fro across terrains as hard as Bolivia or Russia. Your tires are the base of your car, and everything else that makes up your vehicle depends on them, so make sure there’s a spare in the back as well.

Depending on the car you have, you’re not going to be able to fit some of the biggest known tire brands out there for your vehicle. However, there’s plenty of alternatives to these for those of us with smaller cars to our names! Don’t worry, there’s a lot you can do with a simple set of all terrain types, and they can always hold up much better than a standard set of tires, no matter where you get them from. Check out the guide here for more information on what to shop.

Make Sure You’ve Packed the Right Resources

And these include both the edible and inedible kind! We’re always going to need supplies to keep us sustained when it comes to making any kind of journey, and when you’re going off road, these are going to need to be a little more heavy duty. Remember, there’s going to be a lot of things you’ll need to make sure to take to stay comfortable behind the wheel when you’re hauling it over those mountains!

You’re going to need a first aid kit with you on your travels, so make sure you’ve got plenty of bandages and wipes stored away (you’re very likely to get at least a graze when you’re off roading!). Also pack a puncture kit in the back of your car so any rips in your tires (including the spare in the back) can be immediately smoothed over on your adventures. Roadside assistance is going to take a while to get to you no matter where you are, so be as self sustainable as possible. You’ll also need to keep track of everything that should be in your car anyway, like a jack to make any repairs as well as the wheel nuts.

Pack a Battery!

So this is another resource to have to your off roading name, but it deserves a section of its own! When you’re off roading, your car is going to be put through the hardest challenges of its life. So you need to make sure you’ve got plenty of energy behind you to keep your car in the best condition, as reliability is always the best preparation. Try either changing your battery before you go, or simply take another with you to make some more of your own repairs.

This is especially pertinent when you’re using a car that has some age and mileage to it. These kinds of vehicles are always going to have something springing up in the break down column, and you don’t want to get stuck anywhere when no hint of civilisation is nearby.

Don’t Make Any Questionable Decisions

We all want to stay safe when we’re travelling, and when it comes to taking a plane and touching down in another country, we know what to do. It’s the same when off roading. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an expert, you’re going to need to stay smart. Only travel roads you know you can handle, and take regular breaks to keep your energy up; a nap in the backseat never hurts! Make sure you camp down securely at night in a tent that can hold up against all kinds of weather. It’s the best way to stay clean and dry, and warm when you need to.

You’ll also need to stay quite slow, as speed can be where a lot of people go wrong. Remember your driving lessons when it comes to going off road: a lack of speed means you can better control your turns, and there’s a lot of them when there’s no official roads. And don’t be afraid to get out of your car when you’re not sure what lies ahead. Scouting the road out will make the trip a lot safer, and you’ll be better able to predict if your car can handle it.

Your car is capable of a lot more than you might think! Similarly, off roading doesn’t have to be as unapproachable as it first seems. There’s always something for everyone across the multiple off roading trails that exist in the world, so try it out when you next have a good week or two of your own time, as it’s always an experience people like to praise.