Off-roading isn’t just a way to enjoy your day, it’s a lifestyle – and it seems like everyone involved has years of experience.
It’s easy to forget that all four-wheeled enthusiasts are starting from scratch, and there are plenty of beginners eager to hit the track for the first time.
I was an eager beginner when I headed to the Flinders Ranges in South Australia for an off-road crash course as part of the Isuzu I-Venture club.
The learning curve was steep but I learned a lot of lessons after a week.
Here are some of my biggest lessons as a beginner, so you can prepare for your first adventure.
Preparation is key
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
It’s a saying that applies to many aspects of life, including taking a trip off the asphalt.
Preparation has different meanings when it comes to terrain.
First things first, you need to understand your vehicle’s capabilities when you first enter the great unknown.
While old-fashioned four-wheel drive systems are quite primitive, even basic modern off-road vehicles are equipped with smart technology and you have to understand how to use those features to your advantage. .
In South Australia, we had the opportunity to test many of the above features D-Max And MU-Xincludes selectable dual-range 4WD, locking rear differential, Rough Terrain Mode and hill descent control (HDC).
Each was useful at different points in the journey, but I wouldn’t have known how to use them without doing some research first.
The rear differential lock ensures the rear wheels turn at the same speed, which is useful in sticky situations when one wheel is in the air.
Choosing the proper four-wheel drive setting is also important. Some off-road vehicles can operate in 4A mode on closed surfaces, but the D-Max and MU-X need to be driven in 2H mode (or rear-wheel drive) on the road, before switching to 4H ( 4WD high range). ) on loose surfaces.
4L (low range 4WD) is for more severe conditions. It multiplies the engine’s torque many times over, allowing you to climb steeper terrain and maintain momentum like you couldn’t in 4H. It can also be used to control the car’s momentum when going down steep hills.
The importance of tire pressure cannot be underestimated.
Pressure on asphalt is often too high for off-road use and causes tires to puncture easily.
By reducing pressure to 20 PSI for dune sessions, we’ve expanded the rubber’s contact area to maximize grip. If you plan to reduce tire pressure, make sure you have enough tools to re-inflate them when you get back on the road.
Select a line
Once you get over the hump, judgment becomes an important skill.
Almost anything can trip you up and cause processing to stop, from sharp sticks and rocks, to steep slopes and invisible surface changes.
Therefore, off-roading requires concentration and active decision-making when choosing the route ahead.
Marked roads make this process easier, but even then, 4WD roads are often rutted or deeply eroded by the elements. The goal is generally to avoid dangerous protrusions while also staying clear of dents and holes.
Changes in slope need to be negotiated so as not to let the nose or rear of the vehicle touch the ground.
It’s all about thinking ahead and taking as little risk as possible.
Slow but sure
Before the trip, I thought off-roading was all about bumping and crashing, without any finesse or caution.
That couldn’t be further from the truth.
A significant proportion of the expedition is spent at 10km/h or less, trying to overcome hazards without damaging the vehicle or endangering our health. It’s tiptoeing around jagged rocks, slowly diving down steep ditches and crawling up steep paths, rather than overwhelming the landscape. Crazy Max-style.
Even though the four-wheel drive system is built to be very tough, the worst thing you can do is get a flat tire mid-ride due to careless driving.
Choosing slow, steady progress gives you time to assess hazards as a driver, which in turn gives you more time to avoid them. Worst of all, there’s more time to enjoy the scenery.
By taking this approach, we avoided tire-blasting rocks, saved the paint from dangerous spikes, and avoided bottoming out over deep ruts.
It also helps you control the vehicle when the road is steep and downhill. Luckily, hill descent control comes standard in most modern four-wheel drive systems to make that process easier.
The HDC is designed to keep the vehicle in control when going downhill, using traction control and ABS sensors to control downhill speed. It gradually applied the brakes on each individual wheel to limit downhill speeds, which allowed me to blast the bike down scary slopes without becoming a slalom skier.
Finally, comfort also helps prolong the life of the four-wheel drive system by reducing the load on key components such as the suspension and brakes.
That means more time enjoying the great outdoors and less visits to your mechanic.
The time is your turn
It goes without saying that off-road driving is different from your regular commute.
There were a lot of driving habits that I needed to adjust during my time in the bush, and perhaps the biggest challenge involved positioning the bike while cornering.
As a regular commuter, you will be used to cornering on smooth surfaces at speeds between 20km/h and 100km/h, which requires certain inputs.
That all changes when you traverse rocky terrain at a walking pace.
During the early stages of the trip, I was sometimes caught turning the steering wheel too early out of habit, resulting in encounters with the local flora.
Over time, I learned to delay my inputs, charging into corners before turning, which kept my entire D-Max within the marked line.
Instead of aiming to clip the peaks, it’s best to keep your car in the middle when the route is clearly marked.
Grab a friend
Driving training and 4WD can only get you so far, especially in rough and unpredictable environments like the Flinders Ranges.
Even for the most experienced adventurers, things can go wrong and are often beyond your control. Having a trusted ally by your side can make a big difference for many reasons.
First, they can provide an extra set of eyes to spot obstacles on the road ahead. Our guide, I-Venture Club head coach David Wilson, spent most of the time standing in the sun with a two-way radio in hand, chatting with us about the challenges ahead.
He has the best view of any potholes, deep ruts, and pesky rocks.
Because drivers inherently have limited visibility, there is often the difference between a car getting stuck and a safe return to camp.
That doesn’t mean the week is always smooth sailing.
But as the proverbial saying goes, it’s nice to have a friend by your side.
As shown in the picture, a member of the Isuzu convoy suffered a puncture during our journey and the repair was a team effort. Many hands do the light work and setbacks are increased if traveling alone.
Passengers can also provide other services such as navigational assistance and, most importantly, good companionship.
Occasionally ‘send it’
Slow and steady is the way to go in most off-road situations…
It challenges the image people have of overconfident thugs charging through the bush, with their comrades shouting ‘send!’ from the sidelines.
But sometimes, slow and steady wins the race. The natural environment is also preserved for future use, as reckless driving can harm local ecosystems by disturbing surfaces and destroying vegetation.
But – and it’s a big but – some situations require speed, vitality and the ability to turn the wheel. Specifically, driving on rough surfaces, such as sand dunes.
We faced this at Nilpena Ediacara National Park, where red sand overwhelms barren rocky fields.
Here constant momentum is key, which means more throttle and less hesitation. In other words, interesting stuff.
Increasing speed facilitated steady progress across the dunes despite the lack of traction, although even the most enthusiastic drivers were unable to make it at times.
Some customers, especially those driving manual transmissions, were blocked by sand and forced to back off at David’s request.
However, there is a time for everything, including attacking soft hills to the max.
THAN: Everything Isuzu D-Max
THAN: Everything Isuzu MU-X
