The world is full of amazing places to see and explore, but not all of them are easy to get to. That’s when an off-road vehicle comes in. These magnificent feats of engineering are a fantastic way to put a little adventure into your trips, no matter what nature has to throw at you.
So how do you choose the perfect off-road vehicle for your needs? Here’s our beginner’s guide.
What exactly is an off-road vehicle?
An off-road vehicle, like those equipped with reliable Mopar parts is one that is designed to be driven on many types of terrain, as well as a standard road. They are usually quite large, so not ideal for tight city driving, but many people own one as a family vehicle.
Off-roaders are sometimes called 4x4s or SUVs and have 4-wheel or all-wheel drive rather than just receiving power from two wheels. They are also designed to be more rugged and robust than standard road cars.
You can also fit specialist trailers or tents to your vehicle. Check out the site tuffstuffoverland.com for some great ideas for a kit for your next off-road adventure.
Types of off-roading terrain
Fields, dirt tracks
The type of off-roader you need will depend on the types of ground you’re planning to drive over. If you’re just planning to tackle a few muddy fields or dirt tracks, when you’re out, then this should be a breeze for any-off roader.
Overlanding
Heading a little further off the beaten track means that you could be encountering streams, rocks and loose debris. A good suspension and higher ground clearance are a must for this kind of off-roading.
Rocks
For the pros only, rock traversing in an off-roader requires the highest spec of vehicle in order to get you over those boulders and keep you safe.
Torque
When it comes to tackling that tough terrain, it’s not all about power. Torque is what you need to get out of those tricky situations. So what is torque? It’s the amount of power that you have available to you while turning the car. While power is essential for speed, torque is needed for acceleration, which is what will get you up and over those ditches and boulders.
When it comes to offroaders, torque will get you moving but power will keep you moving at speed.
Low range transfer case
It’s important for off-roading that you can get the power you need, but when in a lower gear so that the wheels are moving slowly.
Ground clearance
Bumping around over rocks, ditches and uneven ground can cause a lot of damage to the underside of your car if it scrapes on one of them. Though most off-roaders have increased protection on the underside of the vehicle, it’s still possible to pierce, dent or rip an important piece from the car, which can cause it to break down. For this reason, off-road cars have a higher ground clearance. It also gives the added advantage of having an elevated driving position, which allows you to see ahead more clearly. It can benefit you on the roads too as you’ll be able to see around you and spot any potential hazards or obstructions.
So why aren’t all cars designed with high ground clearance? Though many SUVs and other road cars have elevated driving positions too, it can affect the tipping point of the car, making it more likely to tip over due to having a higher centre of gravity. So having a ground clearance that’s too high is dangerous.
Four-wheel drive
An essential feature of an off-roader is the ability to power all four wheels at the same time. In a four-wheel-drive vehicle, the power from the engine is split evenly between each wheel. So if you’re navigating uneven terrain, the wheel or wheels with the most traction will be able to get a grip on the surface.
You may also come across the terms ‘all wheel drive’ which is becoming more common on many models of new cars. This system allows different levels of power to be sent to the individual wheels as needed. This makes them better on standard roads than standard four wheel drives, which can lose some performance in the corners.
A four wheel drive uses a transfer system sending power to all four wheels at once, whereas all wheen drive distributes torque to both axles.
Given the technology at present, a good quality four wheel drive car is better for off roading than all-wheel drive, especially if you’re tackling difficult terrain in your off-roading adventures.
A locking differential
We’ve already spoken about the benefits of four wheel drive, but a locking differential is a must too. So, if you’re caught in a position where your some of your wheels aren’t touching the ground, you don’t want to waste torque spinning them (often at different speeds). By locking the differential, either automatically or by a driver intervention, this will ensure that the wheels are moving together, meaning that the wheels that are off the ground aren’t getting getting power they can’t do anything with, it’s all going to the wheels with the most traction.
Additional equipment
Not all off-roaders are created equal and you should try and get by the very best for your budget. Look for for things such as winches, tow bars and enhanced suspension. It will make a huge difference to your comfort levels when you’re travelling. Some even have great extras such as animal cages to keep you pets safe while you’re travelling, which is always important.
Also look out for off-roaders with external cameras, they can come in useful when you’re trying to see just what you’re dealing with in a tricky situation.
Final thoughts
Off roading is a very popular pursuit these days. Whether you’re doing it to travel to an out of the way vacation destination, or attempting off-road courses, you’re going to need the right vehicle for the job. Be sure to do the your research so you can get the very best vehicle for your budget.