Off-road driving experiences are becoming more popular among people who love to travel. Rather than going on endless city breaks, people are looking to get out into nature and really enjoy themselves in ways they never imagined possible.
If you live in North America, you’ll know that the wilderness is a huge expanse. Once you get out of populated areas, there really is nothing but you and the elements. It’s a remarkable experience.
But, of course, off-road driving is not without its perils. Anything can go wrong, and when it does, it’s not always as easy as calling roadside assistance for a tow.
That’s where this post can help. We take a look at how off-roaders can avoid potholes, puddles, and dare we say it, polar bears!
Potholes
When it comes to off-road driving, potholes are public enemy number one. These can wreck your wheels and suspension. Even some RAM 1500 parts need replacing after a nasty impact.
The trick here is to improve your skills. As an off-road driver, you can never avoid potholes entirely; they come with the territory. But you can predict and anticipate when they will arrive and make steering wheel adjustments to avoid them.
The more experience you get off-road, the more naturally avoiding potholes will become. Eventually, you’ll understand all the angles and never have to worry about them again.
Puddles
Puddles are another major bugbear of off-road drivers and people who love traveling in the wilderness. Sometimes puddles are small, in which case you can plow right through. Other times, they are more like lakes in their own right, and often there’s no way around.
You have to be especially careful of puddles. That’s because they can harbor all sorts of horrors, from sharp rocks that will slash your tires, to disgruntled and dangerous wildlife.
If you plan on driving through puddles, ensure your vehicle is designed to do it. Many off-road car manufacturers, like RAM and others, specially design their engine compartments and cabins to withstand several feet of submersion. Water shouldn’t enter the vehicle and the engine should keep ticking over.
Of course, if you opt for a regular vehicle, you’ll need to deal with water ingress in flood conditions or when fording streams. Your feet might get wet, and it could take days to dry out all the interior upholstery.
If you’re not sure whether your vehicle can go through a puddle and come out of the other side in good condition, don’t do it. Too many keen travelers have gotten stuck this way and had to spend countless hours waiting for rescue vehicles to arrive.
Polar Bears
Lastly, we have polar bears. Granted, most off-road expeditions to places other than the Arctic Circle won’t encounter them. But if you are planning a trip to Alaska or the northern reaches of Alberta, then you may encounter them.
The best safety advice is to avoid wearing anything white or that could make the polar bear mistake you for a seal. Don’t feed them, and don’t make any eye contact or sudden movements to avoid danger.
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