What Are Your Best Tips for Off-Roading in Hot Weather?

[suparee]

It's been seriously hot lately. If you're heading out on the trails this time of year, what are your go-to tips for staying cool?

The basics I know are bringing plenty of water (or drinks with electrolytes), wearing a hat and sun sleeves, and keeping a small fan in the vehicle. Some people also like to air down before hitting the trail to help reduce stress on the tires in hot weather.

What other hot-weather tips would you recommend? Any gear, habits, or tricks you've learned that make summer wheeling a little more comfortable?

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[Scott R Nelson]

Just one tip - turn on the air conditioner.

I meet people in side-by-sides up in the hills on hot days and I'm thankful that I can select the temperature that I want inside my Bronco. And when I'm on one of my motorcycles up there, I'm often thinking that I should have gone in the Bronco.

 

[GoHawks63]

When we did the Moab Off-Roadeo last year, it hit 105 degrees while on the trails.

We had water, hats, sunscreen, bug spray, etc. Our guide instructed us to keep the Broncos idling with the A/C on when getting out to inspect a trail or obstacle. We were driving a WildTrak with a soft top and we were comfortable the whole time.

 

[userdude]

Drink plenty of water ahead of time to help stay hydrated, have a salty meal a day ahead, bring more water than you think you need (2-3 quarts a person), having a big cooler with ice helps, wear light (and light colored, ask HR Giger how black worked in the Saudi desert lol) long sleeved shirts and a wide brimmed hat with sunscreen, turn on the a/c and leave it on even with the windows down. I also like the cooling cloths w/ice water. Maybe put some aloe in the ice in case someone gets overheated or sunburned, that feels good on your face and neck.

Be smart, don't do stupid crap like get hammered the night before and go out already dehydrated. Expect you might be helping others, too. Bring handheld fans and a simple shelter to sit under if you're outside for a while, like during lunch; I have a little blanket I bring to put over the back door and roof if I want some shade.

Bring a change of cloths and dry socks. Sunglasses. The only time I've called for help was at a state park in 106deg temps when the sun bounced off the coliche rocks with little shade and I started seeing things and had trouble walking. Don't be hero. If you feel like you're overheating, take care of yourself and watch for others, especially children and the elderly, but it can happen to anyone.

 

[Oldhippie]

Keep the top on and turn on the the AC…we used to get laughs for running top and AC on but now more are doing it…yep, I’m a wimp

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

Simple one, often ignored: Avoid the hottest hours of the day, which are now easy to see, with weather apps. The difference between 6a and 6p might be +25 degrees in the desert. Here in SE Utah it’s not dark until after 9 and the hottest hour of the day is often around dinner. Be done by mid-afternoon and you’ll be okay most places. Hit the trails early. 10 or 15 degrees can make a big difference to the health of both you and your equipment.

 

[T800]

I'm in CA, so we have the desert and the mountains. During the summer, I will only go up to the mountains because it's often 20 degrees cooler. Even then, if it's going to be above 80, I'll leave the top on so I can use the AC.

80 is fine for when you're moving. If you're sitting still a lot, it can feel hot. I just bring a Yeti tumbler with plenty of ice. Fill it completely with ice before putting water in.

 

[itwelder]

My "opposite day" recommendation is to turn the AC off, but that's so my Bronco won't leave me stranded from overheating. But then again I like hot weather.
I always carry a Zep spray bottle full of clean drinking water, it fits perfectly in the door cup holder. Sounds weird, but I can: spray a fine mist on my face and arms, which really cools me off; use it as a quick hand wash; drink it in an emergency.

 

[TheKim]

My "opposite day" recommendation is to turn the AC off, but that's so my Bronco won't leave me stranded from overheating. But then again I like hot weather.
I always carry a Zep spray bottle full of clean drinking water, it fits perfectly in the door cup holder. Sounds weird, but I can: spray a fine mist on my face and arms, which really cools me off; use it as a quick hand wash; drink it in an emergency.

The Bronco actually cools better and drops engine temps with the AC on.
Sounds counterintuitive but it's because it turns on another fan for the condenser or something like that.
Check out your temp gauge next time you're cruising with the AC off, it'll probably be between 210F-230F - once I turn my AC on, it'll work it's way down to 180F and hang around there.

(I'm in a 2021 2.7L, engines and results may vary I don't know the 2.3L that well.)

 

[T800]

The Bronco actually cools better and drops engine temps with the AC on.
Sounds counterintuitive but it's because it turns on another fan for the condenser or something like that.
Check out your temp gauge next time you're cruising with the AC off, it'll probably be between 210F-230F - once I turn my AC on, it'll work it's way down to 180F and hang around there.

(I'm in a 2021 2.7L, engines and results may vary I don't know the 2.3L that well.)

This is true for many cars. My mechanic told me always leave the AC on low even if driving a convertible with the top off. He told me never turn it off. If the temp is perfect, just adjust until comfortable.

 

[CalvinT]

Hydration, long sleeve white linen shirt, sun block, wide brimmed hat, chinos,

Go to mountains.

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

Hydration, long sleeve white linen shirt, sun block, wide brimmed hat, chinos,

Go to mountains.

… Boots, whip, revolver, John Williams soundtrack.

 

[GoHawks63]

Simple one, often ignored: Avoid the hottest hours of the day, which are now easy to see, with weather apps. The difference between 6a and 6p might be +25 degrees in the desert. Here in SE Utah it’s not dark until after 9 and the hottest hour of the day is often around dinner. Be done by mid-afternoon and you’ll be okay most places. Hit the trails early. 10 or 15 degrees can make a big difference to the health of both you and your equipment.

Good point. We went a couple of days earlier for our Moab Off-Roadeo. The day before we hiked Fisher Towers. We were up at sunrise and were at the entrance at 6:00 am and were finished at around 10:00 am just as the sun was rising over the towers, and even with that it was hot. We brought those backpacks that you can fill with water with a tube that wraps around.

Aside from the day of the Off-Roadeo, we stayed out of the sun during the mid-day to afternoon hours. We hit the National Parks either in the morning or later in the day.

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

The Bronco actually cools better and drops engine temps with the AC on.
Sounds counterintuitive but it's because it turns on another fan for the condenser or something like that.
Check out your temp gauge next time you're cruising with the AC off, it'll probably be between 210F-230F - once I turn my AC on, it'll work it's way down to 180F and hang around there.

(I'm in a 2021 2.7L, engines and results may vary I don't know the 2.3L that well.)

You're so right. It drops both engine temp and transmission temp as well.

I not only bring a cooler and extra water, but also electrolyte tablets or LiquidIV and I always have a Sawyer Squeeze in my pack along with salty snacks.

I also tend to wear sun shirts with SPF 50 built in and have a couple that are Insect Shield and put on Sawyer bug lotion to protect from ticks.

I use Permethrin spray on my gear, clothing, and entry points, seats, and floor of my Bronco as well. I have MGV seats and no carpet on my floors with all weather floor liners.

I do roll down my windows in Summer because I want to hear and smell the woods, but my AC is always also blowing on low to keep cool and the Bronco temps as stated earlier.

 

[stevenstommyboy1]

Camel Back full of beer.

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