What's the Biggest Lesson You've Learned Off-Roading?

[Ninjak]

Florida black sand is dangerous! It will look like normal stuff, but if you go through and do not have momentum, it will grab you, and you will come to a stop. The next issue you think you can power out, but it is already too late. You're just going to turtle the vehicle.

So lesson: Have a shovel handy. Have traction boards. Stop digging yourself in, and start digging yourself out. If you bury yourself deep enough, even winching will be useless. Do not be fooled!

Sponsored

 

[Steve_In_29]

If you are anywhere near trees, bring a saw!!! Chainsaw (electric or ice), sawsall with a long blade, manual saw, etc. We were 50 miles in a couple weeks ago in the Pioneer Mountains (Idaho) and there was a 12” tree fallen across the road. Buddy brought a chainsaw and I had a sawsall so made short work of it. This is particularly important if you have to go back the same way you went in. If a tree falls across your only exit, you have problems.

A folding bow saw greatly increases cutting ability while taking up almost no room.

 

[Pops]

Spend the time to secure and tie stuff down in back, like you would in an airplane.

I quadruple re-learned this the other day. After airing up after a hot afternoon, I was tired. "oh, the compressor will be OK just sitting between a few things.
The first roundabout coming home -- WHAM!! Morrflate went sideways, from left to right, into the far-side interior side panel.

 

[Mtea]

@Steve_In_29 Agreed about the bow saw. Less weight too. Not wanting to work too hard on the trail I’ll go with something that can use my Ryobi batteries. I also carry a spare Ryobi charger to plug into my 110 v outlet and at least three batteries. My go-bag also has food, water, clean water straws, duct tape, zip ties, jump starter., paracord, tent canvas, water boiler and fuel, shovel, to name a few. The Idaho mountains are pretty remote. When we hit that tree at 50 miles in we hadn’t seen any other people. We didn’t pass or meet anyone until going into Copper Basin from the east over Antelope Pass after about 60 miles off-road.

Sponsored