Top 10 Off-Roading Basics

Ahmad Pervez is the founder of Dubai Off-Roaders Group. An IT entrepreneur during the day, he organizes regular off-road excursions in the desert every weekend with newbies, intermediate and advanced off-roaders. 

Off-roading in its most basic sense may seem like an activity which can be enjoyed with family and friends in a light fashion, but one must never forget, that during the course of a drive, the driver and his/her fellow companions engage directly with raw forms of nature. Any sort of the solecism could result in either a serious crisis or an injury, therefore here are a set of 10 tips aimed to provide you with a safe and positive experience while you challenge nature.

Before the drive

1) Be Over Prepared

Before entering the desert or a wadi, one must be sure of the supplies he/she is carrying. Believe me, excess amount of water will neither affect your car’s power, nor will it take up too much space. Basic Essentials Include:

- Garmin GPS

- Tyre Pressure Gauge

- Spare Tyre

- Tyre Inflating Pump

- Tow Shackles

- Tow Rope

- Shovel

- Radio (Walkie Talkie)

- Lots of Water

- Adequate Food

- Hydraulic Jack and a Base to keep below 

2) Be Organized

Dumping tools and other equipment in the back of your car will not only result in various rattling noises accompanying you throughout the trip but in an instance when the car is not exactly facing upwards, the tools can fly around and injure the passengers. Invest in a few tie-down ropes from Ace Hardware and organize the back of your car in a way that the movement of the stored items is restricted.

3) Maintain Your Car

In a situation when you will be miles away from the closest tarmac without any signal on your mobile phone, your best friend will be your car so ensure that it is well maintained with a full fuel tank and the other engine fluids are at sufficient levels. Check out our Maintenance Expert Sam Freij's article "5 tips to Maintain Car Fluids". 

During the drive:

4) Never try to defy physics!

If your car is struggling on a dune sideways, always turn towards the ground and not towards the air!

5) If you are travelling in a convoy, ensure that the car in the rear is visible to you

If the rear car is not visible, stop! This way the car in front of you will be unable to see you and also will halt, thereby bringing the entire convoy to a standstill and no one will get left behind.

6) Don't Push It

Never try to stretch your limits to an extent under which the car may run out of control. The younger generation tends to rely heavily on momentum while off-roading, because of which they are forced to drive at high speeds even in the desert, which at times has fatal outcomes. It is not worth it, so if your expertise cannot take you up the dune, do no try and fly to the top.

7) Invest in a quality GPS like Garmin

Don't get a cheap one from the fake parts market and trust it for directions!

While camping:

8) Stay clear of hidden and dark places

These can be home to snakes or scorpions. Also, always check your shoe in the morning for such specimen before putting them on!

9) Learn to start and maintain a good bonfire

This will keep the insects and other wild animals at a distance and also it may help to provide warmth in cold conditions.

10) Never wander off too far all by yourself

Solitary walks in the night to clear your mind, away from the campsite are highly discouraged. It's easy to get lost in the wild and it's very very difficult sometimes to find your way back!

Finally the most important tip, go out and enjoy nature! There is an amiable and serene feeling stored for anyone who may be ready to absorb it. So leave behind your iPod at home and connect the veins of nature with the ones in your own body as your experience it!