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Updated on Jun 4, 2024
If you’re looking to get outdoors, there’s nothing better than getting behind the wheel as you explore acres of open terrain. Driving off-road is often more rewarding than going for a hike. You can cover more ground without exhausting yourself in the process. But as exciting as this journey can be, you need to make sure your car or truck has wherewithal to get you home in one piece.
With the right off-road accessories, you can turn your vehicle into a rip-roaring, mud-trekking machine. It’s all about maintaining control and stability when driving on unpaved surfaces. You also need to find a way to keep your vehicle clean as you wade through mud, dirt and snow. Get ready for your first trip through the wilderness with these must-have off-road essentials.
To get your vehicle ready for the great outdoors, it’s best to invest in some all-weather or all-terrain tires. They are designed to give drivers the best of both worlds so you can maintain control on and off the road. When driving off-road, it’s helpful to have tires with a thick tread pattern because they can get a grip in the mud and snow while pushing excess debris away from your car. They also come with reinforced sidewalls and heightened puncture resistance so you don’t get a flat as you run over rocks, twigs and other sharp objects.
Look to replace your factory tires with a set of off-road tires to stay in control behind the wheel. Otherwise, there’s a good chance you’ll get stuck in the mud or snow, leaving you stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Even with all-weather tires, there’s still a chance you could get stuck in a thick patch of mud or snow. To make the most of your time in the outdoors, bring along a set of durable traction pads for more peace of mind. These large pieces of rubber will help you get out of a jam in just a few minutes. They come with a thick tread pattern so your tires can get a grip in rough conditions.
If your car gets stuck, just lay down the pads behind or in front of your tires and slowly accelerate or reverse onto the pads. Your tires should grab onto the pads, helping you drive to firmer ground.
These should only be used in emergency situations so stash them in the trunk or underneath the seats for a rainy day.
You can never be too careful when pushing your vehicle to the limit. If you plan on tackling some truly challenging terrain, you need to bring along additional safety gear in case something should go awry. Use a winch to get yourself out of a jam. You can attach the wire to a nearby tree and use the resistance to get your vehicle moving again.
Make sure the tree or structure is stable enough to support the weight of your vehicle—or you could snap the tree in half. Leave plenty of distance between you, the vehicle and the tree, as the winch could go flying if the tree should snap. Slowly accelerate or reverse with the winch attached to get your car unstuck.
Leaving paved roads behind usually means leaving streetlights behind as well. Don’t underestimate the power of the darkness when driving off-road. With minimal light in the sky, you may have trouble seeing what’s in front of your vehicle. There’s also more to keep track of when driving off-road. A stray rock or steep curve could throw you for a loop if you’re not paying attention. Even if you only plan on driving during the day, it’s best to install additional lights on your car for more visibility.
Use an ultra-bright light bar to see more of the path ahead of you. When using factory headlights, the low beams usually help you see between 160 to 250 feet in front of your vehicle, while high beams shine about 350 to 500 feet ahead. The light bar will extend this distance, while illuminating the edges of the road, so you can react to anything that comes your way.
Install the light bar on the roof, bumper or grill. The lights should project far ahead of your vehicle. Look for those made with stainless steel for extra durability.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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