Emma Radebaugh Some people love adventure, especially if it’s related to driving. While driving on the road can be fun and relaxing, off-roading gives people the chance to live life on the edge. Off-roading is the act of driving over rough and natural terrain, like mud, gravel, water, rocks, sand, and snow. Not every vehicle can handle this, but some—such as pickup trucks, SUVs, and all-terrain vehicles to name a few—are. For those that own these vehicles but are unsure if their vehicle can handle it, these tips on how to make your vehicle better for off-roading will help you have a fun and safe adventure.
Get a Lift Kit
Lift kits, or a suspension lift, are modifications designed to raise a vehicle’s height. This is essential for vehicles that are lower to the ground, such as compact trucks or SUVs. Lift kits aren’t just for aesthetics, though. These lifts allow for steeper approach, departure, and breakover angles, higher ground clearance, and allows for larger wheels and tires. This makes handling and maneuvering easier when traveling over rough terrain.
Add a Skid Plate
Skid plates are special abrasion-resistant materials fixed onto a vehicle’s underside. This prevents damage to the underside when hitting the ground. Aside from giving your vehicle a more aggressive look, skid plates increase resistance against debris and potential impact, protect the engine against dust and dirt in the front, and give your vehicle a longer lifespan.
Install a Light Bar
When it comes to off-roading, lighting is essential. No matter what time of the day you’re traveling, having the right lighting system will greatly improve your driving and vision. One of the best tools for this is a lightbar. Lightbars offer a powerful bright light at a low-power cost and low-operation temperature. This makes them some of the most efficient lighting options for off-road adventures available today. Not to mention, lightbar installation is easy and great for DIY enthusiasts.
Use Off-Road Tires
It’s likely your vehicle is equipped with normal all-season tires, but to truly vamp up your ride, opt for all-terrain or mud-terrain tires. Both are great options, but there is a slight difference between them. All-terrain tires are optimal for both on the highway and off-road travel. They are great for four-wheel drive over most terrain types, like dirt, gravel, and snow. Still, mud-terrain tires give better performance over mud and rocky terrain. Their design pattern allows for easy travel over rocks with better grip and traction than traditional tires.
Protect Your Fenders with Flares
Fender flares give an aggressive style and help protect your vehicle from road conditions. They primarily prevent the wheels from flinging mud and soil onto your exterior. Also, fender flares give your ride an aggressive look. The best flare styles for off-roading are the bolt style and extended style. Both styles offer serious extension while making your vehicle something people wouldn’t want to mess with.
