Avoid These Common Wheeling Mistakes

It happens to the best of wheeling veterans, but if you’re new to off-roading there are a number of bad habits not to do on the trail.

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Words by Tom Severin

We were cruising in Ocotillo Wells, CA. It was a sunny day with great visibility. Though the area consisted mostly of sand dunes, it‘s possible to encounter long stretches of level sand. From a distance, the area appeared featureless but looks can sometimes be deceiving.

The lead driver stopped on a level area. The second driver, probably 189 m (600 ft) back, raced to meet him. Travelling about 2 to 3 m (6 to 8 ft) to the right of the lead vehicle’s track, the second driver assumed the terrain would be the same.

He suddenly arrived at a small cliff. Unable to stop, he launched off an approximate 1.2 m (4 ft) cliff. The flat terrain merged with the visual horizon, and he never saw the cliff until it was too late. The driver, who had several years of four-wheeling experience, made a rookie mistake. Two rookie mistakes, actually.

First, he was driving too fast and secondly, he didn’t properly survey the area. He assumed the terrain was level and featureless the entire way. He hadn’t counted on a drop-off just a short distance to the right of the lead vehicle’s path. Although he only suffered a bruised ego, it could’ve been much worse. As a four-wheeler, you must be on constant alert.

4WD Mistakes to Avoid

Below are a number of issues four-wheelers need to avoid when they first start to go off-road and best practices that seasoned wheelers should always remember.

Throttle Control

One of the first best practices for new off-road drivers is to train your right leg to maintain a nice, steady acceleration on the pedal. When in 4-low, the engine can deliver a lot of power. Pushing too hard on the accelerator - just like you do on the pavement - causes the vehicle to jump. If the accelerator is pushed too much and you then ease up, the vehicle settles down quickly creating a hopping motion (if this happens to you on the trail and you’re questioned about it, just blame it on the rough terrain that caused your foot to bounce on the accelerator to save face).

Work the Blind Spots and Ensure Proper Tire Placement

Another driving practice to master is positioning your front tires exactly where you want them to go when you no longer can see obstacles. There’s always a significant blind spot anywhere from 5 to 6 m (16 to 19 ft) in front of the vehicle. When approaching an obstacle, line up your front tires to avoid the obstacle. Eventually, it will be in your blind spot and remember that the right tire can be particularly difficult to judge. Practice this maneuver by picking out a small rock. Did you drive over the rock?

A student of mine took this practice to heart. One night driving on a rural highway in Kansas, he thought the lane markers Bott’s dots would be good practice and would stave off boredom. After explaining the concept to the cop who pulled him over, he was spared a lecture and ticket.

Applying More Power When Stuck

When you first start off-roading it’s easy to assume that if you are not moving forward, you must not have enough power. So naturally, you’ll push down hard on the accelerator. Remember, if you’re going uphill and feel like you’re not moving forward there may be a few things that could happen by adding more blasts of power:

  • The wheels will spin and the vehicle will drift off the trail. Where you end up is uncertain. You could drift right off the side of a hill. You’ll also dig holes that will make it more tricky the next time you go up the hill or make it difficult for other wheelers.
  • If you’re accelerating a lot but not drifting, the vehicle’s front end may start jumping up and down in place. Every time those big wheels come down and hit the dirt, they send a shock wave through the drivetrain. So much torque is delivered when those wheels touch the ground, you could damage an axle or tear a drive shaft off of the pinion.
  • If you’re stuck in the rocks, the reason could be that a wheel is trapped and if you continue to accelerate it can potentially damage the axles. You can try backing out, but be sure to use a light throttle with some ‘finesse’ or turn on the lockers for more traction. If that doesn’t do it, use a strap or winch to get unstuck.

Insufficient Reconnoitering

In my opinion, four-wheelers don’t assess or survey the terrain enough. By doing so, you’ll avoid many mistakes like hitting an obstacle, getting in a jam, or worse, driving over a ledge.

Whenever possible, get out of your vehicle and survey the area before proceeding. You may have to walk up the hill to see if there’s something on the other side. When travelling downhill, stop and walk down the trail. Look back at the slope you want to come down. There might be a drop-off on one side that you couldn’t see from the top. Many times, just standing up by the driver’s door is sufficient.

Don’t Follow Another Vehicle too Close

If you do this common bad habit, the terrain immediately behind the vehicle in front of you is in a blind spot and you won’t be able to see obstacles in front of you, formulate a plan of approach, choose the best line, and/or visualize the obstacle as it moves under your vehicle. Always stay back far enough to see what lays ahead, but close enough to observe the other driver’s actions.

Fatigue and Overconfidence

Most accidents occur off-road in the late afternoon when fatigue starts to set in and you’re not as sharp as you were earlier in the day. After a long day, it’s also common to think about the camp ahead and completing some tasks to your rig, thus losing some much-needed concentration.

Another potential cause of an accident is being overconfident. When a trip is going well, it’s common to simply push on and not realize the true intensity or difficulty of a certain area on the trail ahead. If your route is a particularly stressful one, arrange for a break in the early afternoon to give your mind and body some rest before embarking on the final leg of the trail.

Sticking your Hand out the Window

The obvious reason not to do this is to prevent breaking your arm or wrist on a nearby passing branch or hard obstacle. Another reason is not so obvious. Picture this: A vehicle is driving through a narrow canyon. It starts to climb up a small ledge, causing the vehicle to tilt slightly to the left. The driver instinctively puts their hand out the window thinking they can keep the vehicle upright. All it takes is one little bounce for their hand to hit the canyon wall. Hands and arms should always be inside the vehicle. That goes for passengers as well.

Getting Caught up in the Moment (‘Testosterone Poisoning’)

Imagine another scenario. There’s a challenging spot on the trail up ahead. Drivers have attempted to negotiate it and failed. However, you’re caught up in the moment and you’re determined you can make it. You hit the pedal, hoping momentum will carry you through. Maybe it does. Sometimes it won’t. Going too fast results in little time to react and you don’t have enough control over the vehicle like you should. Next time you just night hit those rocks or go sailing over the edge you couldn’t see. Leave the ego on the pavement and think clearly before proceeding on difficult terrain. Always drive smart.

Hanging on the Vehicle During an Extraction

This is dangerous. It’s too easy for someone to fall off or get stuck underneath if the vehicle is bouncing or moving. Some people think that added weight helps the situation. It doesn’t. It puts lives at risk. There are methods to safely free up a vehicle. Whatever method is employed – a winch, recovery strap or jacks –  be sure bystanders stay clear of the vehicle (s) and working equipment.

Standing too Close to a Vehicle when Spotting

The obvious concern is getting hit by the vehicle. However, you must also be mindful of nearby boulders, trees or canyon walls. Position yourself so you can provide valuable hand signals, but avoid getting in between the vehicle and an obstacle.

A manual transmission adds another challenge. Moving slowly is difficult as the driver has to maintain a minimum speed to avoid stalling. If you’re spotting and are too close or in the wrong position, you won’t have time to get out of the way. Always give yourself extra room whenever spotting for another driver.

Conclusion

All four-wheelers make mistakes on occasion. When they are handled properly, they can be learning experiences. But being aware of basic errors – what I call rookie mistakes – should help you avoid these issues when you’re off-road.

Tom Severin is a 4x4 coach and teaches four-wheel drive owners how to confidently and safely use their vehicles to the fullest extent in difficult terrain and adverse driving conditions. Visit www.4x4training.com to develop or improve your driving skills. Connect with Tom Severin on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Badlands4x4Instructor/