Awareness

The best tip I can give for off road driving (or any driving for that matter) is awareness. And I mean awareness of everything, and everyone around you. If you ask around amongst even the most experienced off-roaders, the majority will tell you that trouble came when they were lax and not paying attention. It's always the small things that get you into trouble. That mud hole that didn't look like much, that water crossing that didn't look too deep.

When you are out on the trail, take your time, take in the situations as they come, look for ways out before you actually need them. If you have means of self recovery try to keep that in mind when entering mud holes or crossings and if you can, find a solid recovery point on the other side and aim for it as you cross if it's possible. Use this technique on all the obstacles you come upon. Sooner or later, if you spend enough time off road, it will save you.

Be aware of your vehicle, you know it best from driving it everyday. Pay attention at all times to how it is running and how it is reacting to the situations you put it in. You will find there are situations it doesn't like very much, try to avoid those if possible. Things like wrenching on the steering wheel when the sidewall of a front tire is up against something. If you just let the truck move forward while you are turning it will be easier on the steering components, and your arms. If you notice that it is running abnormally in any way, stop. If you are with a group, signal the person in front of you and have them stop, get out and take a look, it might be something simple that may take minutes to remedy. If you keep going without fixing it, it could lead to disaster.

When out with a group of unfamiliar people in an unfamiliar place, go at your own pace, not theirs. They may be moving right along down the trail at a faster pace than is comfortable to you and not giving you time to be very aware, if you find yourself in that situation, signal ahead, let them know how you feel. After all, you will be the one that pays for any damage that occurs on the trail, not them. If they are a decent group they will slow to your pace, if they don't want to, make a note not to follow them again. Keep in mind that although you may be with a group, you are still and individual, and treat every outing like you are going alone. Pack everything you need to feel comfortable and don't rely on anyone else to bring something that you didn't, I will go over preparedness in another section.

Be aware of people and trucks around you at all times. Things can get crazy on the trail from time to time and you may have people and/or trucks around you in close proximity. Some times people follow too closely or get out of their trucks to help with an obstacle, be aware of these people and/or trucks and think of them first when you make a move. If some one is too close behind you let them know, it's in everyone's best interest. Let spotters know exactly what you are doing. If they are giving you direction, follow it, or do nothing until you tell them otherwise, they are expecting you to move in the direction they gave you, if you suddenly move in another you could catch them off guard and put them in a bad situation. In the same breath, if you find yourself spotting for someone, keep that in mind. Look for back up lights and such to give you an idea of what direction the truck is going to move in. Always be prepared to move quickly and don't put yourself in any situation you can't get out of quickly if the need arises. If you are aware of all these things each time you go out, and apply what that has taught you, you should have a better time on each outing. But never let the good time get in the way of your awareness. Failures, stucks and accidents can turn a wonderful day on the trail into a nightmare in seconds. The thought it takes to avoid these is very small compared to the effort it takes to remedy them once they have happened.