Trekking the Terrain: 12 Off-Road Essentials

As you start venturing out into the wild, the exterior of your car will likely fill up with dirt, mud and other forms of debris. You may not care if your car gets a little dirty, considering you can always take it to the car wash, but all that excess debris can do a number on your ride, leading to rust, mold and even electrical damage. It could also gunk up the interworks of your vehicle, making it difficult to repair.

If you’re serious about going off-road, it’s best to install a series of universal mud flaps over the back of your tires. They’re not just for eighteen-wheelers. These durable pieces of rubber will help you fend off dirt and debris as you cruise over all types of terrain. As your tires kick up mud and dirt, the flaps will protect the underbelly of your car so the mud slides right back to the ground where it belongs. 

Super-Duty Fender Flares

If you need to install a series of mud flaps, you might as well go for a set of super-duty fender flares as well. This is the ultimate level of protection for serious off-roaders. Made with thick all-weather thermoplastic, it sits just above your tires to protect the underbelly of your vehicle. The mud and dirt will fall to the ground instead of gunking up the fenders. This makes it much easier to maintain your tires over time. Use a cloth to quickly wipe away excess fluid and dirt for a clean, efficient ride every time.

Heavy-Duty Floor Mats

As you start to protect the exterior of your car or truck, do the same for the inside of the vehicle. Going off-road often means tracking in all kinds of dirt and debris. From hiking to white water rafting, there are so many opportunities to get dirty when you’re exploring the wilderness. But tracking that mess into your vehicle will likely come back to haunt you. Lingering ice, mud and dirt can lead to mold, mildew and nasty odors that will ruin the air quality inside your car.

To keep a clean interior, lay down a series of heavy-duty floor mats. They are made with thick, durable rubber so the mess doesn’t end up in the carpet or upholstery of your car. As you start to make a mess, just pull out the mat, wash it off with some soap and water, let it dry and the interior of your vehicle will be good to go. You won’t have to worry about shampooing the floor of your car after a romp through the mud. Going off-road usually means getting dirty, so it’s best to prepare for the worst.

If you’re not sure how to clean car mats, use this helpful guide for a faster cleanup. 

Outdoor Work Gloves

Now that your car is off-road ready, let’s move on to some health and safety basics. Driving off-road means getting in touch with your wild side. Be prepared to get dirty as you explore the outdoors and maintain your vehicle in the wild. That’s why it’s best to invest in a pair of quality, all-weather work gloves. They should be waterproof with thick insulation to protect you from the cold. Make sure your gloves have a textured surface so you can maintain a firm grip on your tools and other slippery surfaces. 

You never know when you might have to change a flat, clean off the windows on your vehicle or make some other last-minute repairs. Look for gloves that are resistant to rips, tears and cuts for more protection from the outdoors. 

Durable, Waterproof Footwear

Do the same for your feet when exploring the wilderness. Nothing will slow you down like wet, soggy feet. Invest in some quality, weather-proof boots to stay safe outdoors. As the temperature starts to drop, your feet need to stay warm and dry. We know that wet feet lose heat 25x faster than dry. In extreme situations, the body uses vasoconstriction to shut down peripheral circulation in the foot to prevent heat loss. Warm boots will keep you moving in the wilderness so you can get back to your truck and make it home in one piece. 

First Aid Kit

You’ll need to put together a robust first aid kit. Again, nothing could be more important than your health and safety when venturing outdoors. The kit should include everything you might need to contain a wound in the wilderness until you reach safety. This should include gauze, bandages, rubbing alcohol for disinfecting surfaces and even a tourniquet for minimizing blood loss. You’ll need over-the-counter medications like pain killers, anti-nausea medication and those for allergy relief. Keep your kit updated by replacing expired medications. 

Food and Beverages

To stay alive and well in the wilderness, bring along plenty of food and water in case you need to spend the night in your car. You should have a couple of gallons of fresh drinking water on hand to stay hydrated. You can also keep a water filtration system in your vehicle for purifying lake and river water. 

In terms of food, bring along items that will give you energy without weighing you down. Avoid overly sugary and salty snacks that fill you up with empty calories. These items will also spend a lot of time in your car, so avoid carrying around perishable items. They should also be sealed in smell-proof containers to avoid attracting bears and other wildlife. Go with granola and protein bars, dried nuts and fruit, jerky and other high-protein foods for keeping your energy up.

Search and Rescue

Last but not least, consider the possibility that you may have trouble getting home. Whether it’s engine failure, a muddy bog or you simply lose your way, you need to have a plan in case of emergency. Bring along anything you might need to get home safe and sound, including flares for sharing your location with others, a two-way radio in case your cell phone loses a connection and paper maps for navigating the terrain without a GPS. It’s best to rely on old-fashioned technology instead of the latest gadgets when exploring the deep recess of nature. 

As you can see, going off-road can be an entirely new experience for many drivers. Leaving the road behind means encouraging all kinds of new situations and potential hazards. You will have to contend with a range of possibilities and variables as you cruise over mud, snow, dirt and other forms of debris. Take your time when navigating the wild to make sure you reach your destination safely. Driving through the open wilderness comes with a steep learning curve, so learn to adjust your driving habits along the way. Take your turns slow and steer clear of overly murky patches of mud and snow to avoid getting stuck. With a little practice, you will be a professional off-roader in no time. 

Use these accessories to build the perfect off-road vehicle. You will be able to cruise through the mud and snow like nobody’s business without worrying about damaging your vehicle. Consider making additional adjustments as time goes on. You may want to upgrade to mud-terrain tires or even a lift kit if you are looking to tackle some truly extreme territory. Use caution and stay safe when mastering the wonders of the natural world.