The 3 Most Common Off-Roading Mistakes To Avoid

So, you’ve just installed your Ford F150 lights for off-roading, invested in a tow kit, and have lifted the truck to get the most out of your off-road adventure. It seems like you have everything ready to go off-roading. 

It may seem like you are ready, but you probably aren’t as prepared as you think that you are. If you are new to offroading then there are some things that you may not be aware of. These could factor into your trip being less than ideal and even potentially dangerous. 

In this article, we will go over several common mistakes so that you can avoid them yourself when you want to head off-road. 

1 – Going by yourself

It is a common rule for many outdoor activities to always use the buddy system. This applies equally to offroading in your truck. It may seem like you are invincible in your truck as you feel protected. However, there are lots of moments that could go wrong and you won’t have any help. 

You could get stuck. You could get lost. Or you may get injured. All of these things are possible and would be minor problems to overcome if you have a friend there with you. When you are alone you are helpless in many of these types of situations. Always go with somebody else. 

2 – Not taking it slow

There is a learning curve involved with learning off-road. You have to walk before you can run, after all. All too often, new hobbyists will think they are ready for those challenging and adrenaline-pumping harder trails. However, you will be faced with situations that you don’t know how to respond to since you haven’t faced them before. 

Make sure to work your way up slowly to the difficult trails and take your time. This will ensure that you gain the right experience so you know what to do when faced with challenges later on. 

3 – Not bringing the right gear

What you bring with you when you set off on your adventure is going to have a big bearing on what you get out of it. When you are poorly equipped you risk having a frustrating trip since you aren’t really prepared. That’s the best-case scenario. The worst-case scenario is that you put yourself in danger. 

It’s important that you have things to help get you out of a jam such as a tow rope, winch, and spare tire. You also should have things for an emergency. This should definitely include a first aid kit in case of an injury. 

It’s also possible that you get stuck and end up needing to spend the night outside. Make sure to have enough water and even a small bag with warm clothes or a blanket just in case it’s cold outside. 

Lastly, make sure that you have a map for those times that you lose a cell signal or can’t use GPS. this will get you out of where you are and back to civilization.