5 Tips for Buying a Vehicle for Off-Road Adventures in the USA
Off-roading is an adrenaline and action-packed adventure that excites many. However, without the right vehicle, your off-roading may fail to take off or be one stressful experience. Off-roading forums online can be a good source of car-buying and driving tips as they attract fellow off-roading enthusiasts.
Reading reviews on such sites is helpful, but buying a good off-roader is not a walk in the park. There are vital things to consider to get the best off-road SUV or truck. This article highlights valuable tips for buying a vehicle for off-road adventures.
1. Choose Your Vehicle
Off-roaders fall into two categories: traditional truck-based sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and crossovers. The former are purposely built for off-roading adventures, while the latter can be used for off-roading and regular driving. You also need to choose between an all-wheel drive and a four-wheel drive, which is a matter of preference. Search for “new cars for sale” on your browser and explore the off-roaders that tickle your fancy.
2. Consider the Ground Clearance
During off-roading adventures, you may find yourself driving on rocky terrains, muddy roads, and sand-filled areas. It would be a shame to buy an off-roader that constantly hits the ground, belly-scraping rocks, bumping into uneven ground, or getting stuck in the mud because it has low ground clearance. Go for a vehicle with high ground clearance. Good ground clearance in an off-roader is at least 8.5 inches.
3. The Engine Matters
You’ll constantly be driving on steep terrains, uneven ground, ditches, and muddy roads. Choose a car whose engine has a high low-ending torque and excellent engine speed to give it the power it needs to start in the middle of a muddy road or deep in the rocky terrain. An engine’s torque is the rotating force that the crankshaft produces, and it is different from the horsepower.
4. Choose the Right Tires
Tire capability is a major factor to consider when buying an off-road vehicle. Some off-road enthusiasts love buying a used car and customizing the tires and other parts such as shock absorbers. You can take this route, but do your due diligence on the pros and cons. Also, make sure the off-road tires are of high quality and compatible with the vehicle.
If you want a new vehicle, buy one with tires that can withstand the challenges of rough terrains. You can choose between all-terrain, mud-terrain, or light terrain tires. All-terrain tires can withstand any rocky or stone-filled road and are thick, while the mud-terrain tires are good for muddy roads. Light terrain tires are better than regular tires but produce a lot of noise on bitumen roads.
5. Pick a Good Recovery Kit
When you go out for off-road adventures, you are driving right into challenging terrain, so the chances of getting stuck or your car breaking down are high. You need the right recovery kit. First, get your vehicle fitted with Rated Recovery Points at the factory or at the dealership. Additionally, invest in a good recovery kit with a traction pad, snatch traps, high-lifter jack, headlamp, gloves, and a jump starter.