10 Things Every New Off-Roader Should Know Before They Hit the Trail
I get asked a lot: “What should I know before I go off-roading for the first time?”
Tyler and I put together a list on Episode 722 — and honestly, these are the same things I would tell anyone I was taking out on the trail for the first time. Not gear tips, not camping advice. Just the stuff that actually matters when the road ends.
Here’s the short version.
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1. Wear your seatbelt. Always.
Every time, no exceptions. Moving two feet. Backing up at camp. Doesn’t matter. Vehicles can roll over obstacles, slide off rocks, and flip in ways you’d never expect. Your seatbelt costs you nothing. Not wearing it can cost you everything.
2. Be in the seat before you start the engine.
This one gets people hurt. Sit down, get control of the wheel, foot on the brake, then start the vehicle. Not “almost in the seat.” Not reaching from outside. Full control, every time.
3. Hydrate — and check your pee.
You’ll go harder than you think out there, especially in the heat. A beer at camp isn’t water. A good, simple metric: if your urine isn’t clear, you’re behind. Bring a flat of water bottles. It’s easy to grab one while you’re moving and crush it when you’re done.
4. Use your gears on the way down.
Most new off-roaders think brakes = control on a descent. That’s wrong. Your transmission does the work — drop into a low gear and let the engine slow you down. Your dad’s rule (and mine): whatever gear you went up in is the gear you should go down in.
5. Learn your vehicle’s tools.
Lockers, crawl box, winch, rock lights — these aren’t accessories. They’re tools. Go out and play with them in safe situations so you know how and when they actually work. You can’t use a tool you don’t understand.
6. Put your tires on the rocks.
Your instinct is to straddle everything and keep the rocks between your tires. That’s how you get stuck with your belly on a boulder and all four tires off the ground. Get the tire up on the rock. Let it climb. That’s what it’s there for.
7. Know where all four tires are.
You can only see your front driver tire from inside. The other three are guesswork until you train yourself. Start playing the game early — pick a rock, try to hit it with a specific tire. Practice until it becomes instinct.
8. Think about your rear tires on turns.
Your front end cleared the gap. Great. Now what are your rear tires going to do? Longer wheelbase = bigger swing. Learn this before you wrap your rear quarter around a tree.
9. Know your ground clearance.
Where are your differentials? Your skid plates? What are your approach and departure angles? Off-roading is a constant mental scan of what’s coming and how much room you have. The faster you can read the trail ahead, the smoother you’ll be.
10. Get comfortable being uncomfortable.
Off-camber is never fun. Looking straight up at the sky on a steep climb is never fun. But your vehicle can handle more than your nerves tell you. Go with people who’ve done it before. Trust the vehicle. And celebrate the small wins — making it over a tough rock, getting to camp, and clearing the gatekeeper. That’s the whole thing.
Bonus: Air down for better grip.
The easiest way to get a better grip and traction on the trail is to air down. Airing down allows your tires to expand and have a better footprint on the trail. It also helps work with your suspension and save your back. This might be the cheapest and best tip on the list.
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These tips came out of a real conversation Tyler and I had on Episode 722 — go give it a listen if you want the full breakdown with real trail stories behind each one.
And if you’ve got a tip we missed? Call our voicemail at **916-345-7441** or hit us up on Instagram **@snailtrail4x4**. We might just turn your tip into its own episode.
*See you on the trail.*
— Jimmy
