Monsoon special: Getting down and dirty with your SUV
When it rains, normal people scurry indoors. Off-roaders on the other hand, rub their hands in glee. When it rains, trails become exponentially tougher and driver skill becomes that much more important. If you like the outdoors, if you love the challenge of getting through tough obstacles with calculated driving, then maybe off-roading is for you. Here are handy tips and tricks on how to get started.
Before you get started though, tread lightly. That means you leave the trail as you found it. Take care to not destroy the ecology and make the utmost effort to preserve it the way it is. Avoid strewing garbage/trash around and keep to the trail to avoid destruction of the flora. Have fun, but responsibly.
Words by Benjamin Gracias
Never head out alone
Off-road trails are usually very far from civilisation and if you get stuck alone, you will be looking, at the very least, at long walk back. If your vehicle malfunctions or you injure yourself in a mishap, it is good to have company, specially if you are in an uninhabited place without recourse to help.
Before you head out, ensure that your vehicle is in perfect working order and that your tyres are in good shape. Make sure you yourself are in perfect health as well, without any nagging ailment. Carry along a basic tool kit for minor mechanical glitches that you can fix yourself. Avoid alcohol completely when your are riding/driving. Drive/ride within your and your vehicle’s limitations. Do not undertake extreme terrain unless you are well experienced.
Upgrade
The bare minimum you need to go off-road over slushy, soft, rain drenched terrain is a set of mud tyres (all-terrain tyres will do if you aren’t into hardcore off-roading). You could also get specific off-road bumpers that improve your approach and departure angles.
Spotting
Off-roading is a team sport because you need to rely on your spotter to help you drive through tricky terrain. Take along someone who has experience. Over tricky ground, have him step out and tell you where to place your wheels so as to find the best way through an obstacle. Watch him, do exactly as he says and you will improve your off-road technique.
Throttle input
Use your throttle with discretion on off-road trails. Too much throttle could result in the wheels getting mired in mud or slush. A capable off-road vehicle is endowed with adequate torque to overcome most obstacles. Judicious use of the throttle is the key to mastering the off-roading craft.
Using gears
To engage the right gear at the right time is a skill acquired over time and it is indispensable for safe passage. Too high a gear and the vehicle will bog down and too low a gear will bring about wheelspin that could get the vehicle stuck.
Starting off and stopping
Accelerate gently when starting off and brake lightly when coming to a stop. On loose terrain, accelerating or braking hard will cause your tyres to dig in and get stuck.
Speed
Off-roading is not racing. It is about overcoming obstacles in your path with the minimum risk and hassle. You can exercise better control over your vehicle at slow speeds and also reduce the possibility of damage or disaster. The rule of the thumb here is: as fast as necessary and as slow as possible.
Steering inputs
Steering is basically pointing your vehicle in the direction you want it to go. In a vehicle with no power steering, do not to wrap your thumb around the steering wheel rim as a jerk may result in the dislocation of your thumb. If the front tyres are about to get stuck, turn the steering to the left and right. Off-road terrain calls for the canny use of the steering wheel.
Getting unstuck
When your vehicle gets stuck in mud or slush, try reversing without slipping the wheels. If that does not work, turn the steering at full lock and try getting out. Also try rocking the vehicle back and forth by quickly shifting between first and reverse.
If all else fails, grab a shovel and clear the mud around the tyres, and place tree branches and rubber mats under the tyres to get traction. If you have a winch, secure it to the nearest tree (use a tree protector) or another vehicle, put a mat on it so it will drop down and not whip around if it breaks.
Slopes
Always drive straight up and down a slope. Off-road vehicles in general have a high centre of gravity and driving across a slope will increase the chance of a roll-over. If on your first attempt, you don’t make it up, shift to reverse gear, keep the steering wheel straight and reverse down on engine braking. If you’re going down a steep slope, use engine braking and try not to follow natural instincts and use the brake. You will need to build trust in your vehicle to do this.
Water crossings
Before crossing a stream or puddle, gauge the depth of the water by walking across it or poking a stick into it. Look for hidden underwater rocks that could gouge out the sump. While driving across, drive at a steady speed and build a bow wave ahead of you. If you attempt water crossings often, invest in a snorkel – it’ll save you from expensive engine damage.
Making friends
Facebook has a lot of off-road groups and India has many off-road clubs. Find one near you. Most of these clubs are full of friendly enthusiasts waiting to meet people to get dirty with. It sure beats shaadi.com.
Off-roading can be therapeutic, physically demanding and thoroughly enjoyable. Do it right and there are a lot of thrills on offer.
