Get Off the Pavement and Get Some Mud on your Tires

A Thoroughbred horse is bred to run and jump. You can hitch it to a wagon, but the horse will amaze you simply by doing what it’s meant to.

Likewise, that four-wheeler taking you to work each day is “bred” for a more exciting purpose. Vehicles like Rocky Ridge Trucks are engineered to handle everything Mother Nature throws at it: uneven ground, hills, snow, gravel and mud – all while keeping you in control.

It takes training and practice to become a skilled off-road trucker, but the rewards are well worth the effort. You’ll gain new skills, increase your confidence and make new friends as you discover what your truck can really accomplish.

Get your skills on

Off-road experts recommend taking training classes. Under the guidance of a skilled instructor, you’ll learn a lot:

• How to engage the correct gear to keep your truck stable in any environment
• How to determine the “approach angle” to get over and around obstacles
• How to grip the steering wheel lightly to create fast, nimble direction changes (and avoid the dreaded “kick back”)

Take on any terrain

Once you have been trained in off-roading, have located approved trails and know how to drive responsibly, the fun begins. Your local driving clubs can point you to the trails and courses that match your skill level.

• Silt. Soil that contains a fine mixture of clay and sand lets you practice getting into the best gear to take on a soft, pliable, ever-changing surface.
• Water. Getting just the right level of “spray” without flooding the engine block is the goal of any off-roader who powers through a stream or riverbed on a vehicle-approved course. It’s all about speed and accuracy.
• Hills. From subtle to steep, hills test your driving mettle. The uphill drive requires you to pick a careful route that minimizes the chance of turning sideways while you engage throttle and gears strategically. Downhill? That’s another story. With gravity on your side, you’ll combine steering and braking skills to reach the bottom quickly and safely.
• Mud. Don’t be left spinning your wheels! You can take on mud, snow and other thick surfaces by slightly deflating your tires to better spread the weight of the vehicle and provide more traction. Then it’s a matter of finding the right momentum and aiming your tires forward into ruts so you don’t get stuck.

A dirty truck is a happy truck

Double duty is no problem for Rocky Ridge trucks. They will be your family’s trusted vehicle for everyday trips. But come Saturday morning, you and your truck can “turn it loose” on a trail or course for some real heart-pounding fun.

Your goal? Come back dirty – and happy.

Stephen Craig is a part of an elite team of writers who have contributed to hundreds of online publications. Follow him @SCraigSEO.

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