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

[Steve_In_29]

A properly sized spare tire AND a plug kit.

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[CitrusBronco]

You have to drive this home afterwards.
How long and comfortable that drive is will depend on how your day on the trail goes.

 

[userdude]

Great example of what NOT to do:



I wheeled with the guy that filmed this. He was quite the character. Love the look on the spotters face as she runs for her life.

Obstacle nickname is 'Pucker Pass'

"Hey Shaun, don't run me over!"

Plucks cigarette out of his mouth and points accusingly. "If you had held my beer when I asked, I woulda made that look EASY! That gas pedal don't press itself, toots."

"You're a maniac."

 

[T800]

A properly sized spare tire AND a plug kit.

I still don't understand those that think it's ok to do a 'spare delete' and justify it by carrying only a plug kit. Most organized runs require a spare.

I have been on runs where the spare is needed. They start off saying they don't have one, can they borrow yours? Maybe if I knew the guy. I'm not loaning a stranger my spare. I might go as far as loaning it to get off the trail. I would make it known that I am following until we hit pavement, then they can call a tow truck.

I was on a run where I ran over something and needed two spares. Had to install one spare and drive about 30 minutes on a flat tire to get off the trail. Then borrowed a spare from a friend to make it to a tire shop.

Another run (Calico, same area as the video) we had a marine that brought his Jeep on it's first run after buying it used. Upon needing a spare, discovered he didn't have the wheel lock key. Another fun one!

 

[MDrums]

I got nothing to prove...I am old I go around...and I will drive home. LOL

 

[RR25HB]

After spending more time on the trails, most of us probably have a story where things didn't go exactly as planned.

Maybe it was getting stuck, forgetting something important, or learning the hard way that a little extra preparation goes a long way.

What's the biggest lesson you've learned from off-roading?

Trust the vehicle's technology, then trust yourself, and always go slow. There is no prize finishing in first place or for being the first moron to trash his/her truck.

 

[Way2Fast]

I learned this last year in Baja. If you shred a tire and put on the spare. Make sure you replace the tire before off-roading the next day. My friend shredded his spare the day after using it. We took their tire to be fixed at 12:30 pm and didn't return until 11:30pm. Had to sleep in the car.

 

[contented]

Where were you 5 years ago? Now you tell me

I got into water deeper than that a few years ago w/ very bad results. So now I over compensate.

 

[Saltwater Junkie]

As far as leasons learned,
"One's superficial bravado will never surpass my weekly laborious worth"

Why peeps don't air down is ..well, gives me something to chuckle at anyway.
Noticed this in Fla a few weeks ago while having breakfast near an access beach ramp.Think we were the only one airing down that we saw.

 

[Ramble_Offroad]

Snow wheeling in CO sucks & hopping equals broken shit.

 

[CalvinT]

4WD means you walk farther when you get stuck.

 

[Y2KFirehawk]

1. Go slow (over rocks, bumps, water)

2. Align tire with the rock, not under truck, depends on situation.

3. Air down. (Air up afterwards)

4. Recovery (massive topic. Don’t get killed doing it)

5. Water for you.

6. Fuel for Bronco.

7. Suitable clothes / shoes for walking steep terrain

Love this list. I'll expand #1... As slow as you climb something, come down equally as slow. That jounce can hurt!

 

[RNC]

It's easier to get in to trouble than it is to get out.

 

[Karsa]

get out and walk the obstacle, and the right line is 90% of a successful run

 

[userdude]

If your buddies spot you on something but they all pull out their cellphones and start recording...

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

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