A lot of people get confused when it comes to 2WD and 4WD and what the uses are. Four wheel drive vehicles is where the engine power goes to all four wheels at the same time. Sometimes 4WD vehicles do allow you to switch back and forth between 2WD and 4WD depending on the need. If you like off-road adventures, settle into 4WD and buckle up!
TRY NOT TO SPIN THOSE TIRES
Though it looks like all fun and games, you need to maintain control and be careful about spinning. The grip needs to remain spread to all wheels – if you can – just go soft on the throttle and gently give it some power. Spinning without control will leave you STUCK and as much fun as it can be to get use out of your winch, it can be harmful to your Jeep (and whoever is pulling you out!)
THINK AHEAD
Try to focus on the vehicles or terrain ahead of you to avoid damaging your Jeep. You may be gunning it to get out of a possible sticky situation, and your friend in front of you may be taking it slow trying to get out of a pit. That’s when accidents happen when off-roading, when you aren’t paying attention to what is going on in front of you. We usually let someone take lead and get through a pass before starting; this also helps cut down on more than one vehicle being stuck! Think smarter, not harder!
GEAR UP
A winch alone won’t get you out of a tough spot – you need to make sure you have everything you need just in case. In a pinch a rugged floor mat under each tire or even stacking rocks or filling holes could help get you free, but for a major ‘sticky’ situation, you’ll need the heavy duty wide tow strap with the fabric loops on each end. The straps can be secured using the strong clevis at each end and attach directly to the frame or tow hook. (don’t ever ever ever wrap around a suspension arm, axle or bumper – just trust me on that!)
LOWER YOUR TIRE PRESSURE
Lower tire pressure equals increased traction for nearly every off road trip. Dropping the pressure allows your tire sidewall and tread to be able to flex and mold itself around obstacles. The Jeep will have more grip, and the quality of your ride that much better. Just be careful – it can also pinch and cause a flat tire!
GET A CHECK UP
After a major off road adventure, always take your baby in for a check up! Making sure that you keep up on maintenance and take care of any minor damages that could occur during an off-road trip can help keep major damages from occuring!
