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!

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[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.

 

[Desmolicious]

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

https://www.outdoorlife.com/gear/best-folding-saws/

 

[T800]

Agree with carrying a saw (although I don't have one... yet).

A few years ago we had a guy get a Jeep Cherokee stuck on top of a small shrub. He had no recovery points and it turned into a long recovery. Would've been great to have a saw.

 

[vrtical]

I have an Electric (Milwaukee) chainsaw in a pellican to go case now after watching some friends almost lose their leg with an axe trying to unstick my bronco in the trees.

 

[EasternSierra]

I have an Electric (Milwaukee) chainsaw in a pellican to go case now after watching some friends almost lose their leg with an axe trying to unstick my bronco in the trees.

Yeah, I recently bought an electric chain saw for on the trail in wooded areas. No, it's not for serious chainsaw work (which I have done in the past). However, it's a compact, lightweight tool that doesn't need the maintenance and fluids of a combustion chainsaw.

 

[Desmolicious]

I have an Electric (Milwaukee) chainsaw in a pellican to go case now after watching some friends almost lose their leg with an axe trying to unstick my bronco in the trees.

so this is to guarantee that someone will lose a leg?

 

[Desmolicious]

this thread made me realize that I already have an axe that is packed in the Bronco. I bought it years ago, it’s never been used, just transferred from one vehicle to the next.

I guess I’m hoping to never having to use it, but it is there if I ever go all Jack Torrance at a Bronco Off-Roadeo event.

 

[Kini]

Snow wheeling in CO sucks & hopping equals broken shit.

The KOH method of driving anywhere breaks stuff and tears up the trail. Moab is a good example. In snow, Air down a lot, do not spin, go slow. If you can't get on top of the snow you're not likely to get very far. It's really pretty simple, spin and you go down.

 

[Bradley Thornton]

Enjoy the view, the people and just don't be in a hurry.

If you are scared to get it dirty, dented, scratched or break it don't bring it.

Don't forget to air down. (Don't air down to early, we once jumped on the main road to take a trail that was down the road) My butt was tight while keeping up with the others at 50mph.

Some times you just have to send it. (Probably bad advice but I like to send it (But wheel hoop is the devil, Just let off the gas let it stop and send it again)

Winch and tow straps are just priceless (Using them to much gets old but not enough is boring)

A bad day makes the best memories!!!!! Read that again and remember that on a bad day. (This is what you will call the good ole days one day)

Having the biggest lift and biggest tire doesn't make the day more fun it makes it easy and boring.

The fun is in the journey not the end result/destination. Read that again. This goes for your life in every way.

Having a person that knows the area/trails is priceless make sure to thank them.

Happy trails

 

[MilesTeg]

Don't be an asshole and tear up the trail. Air the F down.

And never even think of using that "trail turn assist" button.

 

[MilesTeg]

When you're pretty much exhausted after 3 days of hard (for you) wheeling in Moab, take extra care when you get back in the vehicle after assessing an obstacle to ensure there is not an unseen obstacle right in front of your rig that you forgot about, because you were tired.

Or, that rock grew right up in front of me. I'm not sure which.

 

[dpAtlanta]

This will be hard to top my friends.

Myself, and two other vehicles were spending the weekend in Windrock ORV park, and I was leaving early, so I headed out on my own. (mistake #1).
I got suck and went to access the situation in front of my Bronco.
While standing there, nature called, and there was absolutely nobody within miles.
I stood in front of the Bronco and relieved natures calling.
While doing so, I looked over and realized that my Garman forward facing camera was still recording (mistake #2).
No, I will NOT attach video stills.

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