Off-roading for Beginners

Yep that is the video I remembered, thanks for finding it.

 

Depending on the trail but 20 is,a good starting point and can be as low as 12.

 

Right, but common sense is hard to come by, so we have to dumb it down for the newcomers.

I have been down to 20psi, but some have gone lower. Although you do not want to go too low losing the bead. Although this depends on the tire you are using.

As for the compressor, I used one like you did and put the power to 400 watts and it did fine twice.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/off-roading-tips-stickies.95210/

 

Airing down to 20-25 PSI (depending on conditions) provides more traction by increasing the 'contact patch' of tire to ground. It also reduced the likelihood of a puncture simply because the tire can mould itself around rock and stuff (more 'give') rather than having the rock slice through.

As for airing up, I purchased a small, portable air compressor from my local off-road specialist for under $100 CAD. http://www.viaircorp.com/portables/87p/ Don't waist your money on cheap stuff from Canadian Tire / Walmart etc. such as the Air-Hawk. The Viair 87P compressor is a direct-to-battery connection. (Do not purchase the Aux port connection 85P - it draws 14.5A and the Aux ports are 10A max.) I also purchased a good quality needle/dial style tire pressure gauge.

The difference between quality tools and cheap chit is well worth the extra money in terms of service, reliability and long life use.

Cheers,
Jules

 

Can we expand on 'simple recovery gear' aspect?

In addition to a quality tow strap, a couple of heavy duty shackles, and a good length of appropriate rope, what else should we be adding to out off-road kit? Thanks

Cheers, Jules

 

BC is different than desert which is different than the Appalachians back east here. Which means recovery gear is different.

For example, I never carry max trax because we have one million downed trees, limbs etc that are ready to use for that initial traction to get out of that mud hole.

Here is a basic list:
Work gloves
Shackles to fit front and rear.
Strong rope
I carry a small battery chain saw with an 11" bar. Lots of trees come down here
Recovery Strap not a tow strap. They are different.
A way to contact help! CB, Ham, satellite, smoke signal, etc. I use a satellite beacon with text feature. Fits in my pack and I can carry it both in my truck or on my mountain bike.
Jack of some type. I carry a bottle jack.

That's essential gear. Next would be a come along or winch and from there the sky's the limit.

I have a hitch mounted winch and a hi lift I never use. I've had both for 30 years and yet to use them lol. I sometimes do take my come along though if I'm by myself.

That's just me. I'm sure everyone has their preferences and special gear. Some people spend thousands on recovery gear just to look good lol. I don't.

Two sage pieces of advice that will serve you well:
1. Never be afraid to stack rock and
2. Never be too proud to go around.

Have fun!

 

Great post OP, and thanks to those who have contributed. Lots of good info.

 

https://www.findmespot.ca/SummerSavings/lander.php

Thanks for that comprehensive list. Sorry about the tow strap / recovery strap thing. I didn't realize there was a difference. Mine is a recovery strap with loops, not hooks.

I have a findmespot device that I purchased for my epic motorcycle journey last year. Great for marking milestone locations and for checking in each night at hotels/motels. (I could go for days and days without having to phone home. )

The help/assistance and SOS functions are invaluable. Should be standard issue equipment for all adventurers.

Cheers
Jules

 

These are great suggestions. I have had Taco's for years but got my first 4wd last year. I have taken it off road solo in Death Valley and had a blast. Got a flat in NO where but changed it and up to speed with an auto inflate to get to correct pressure...off I went. I am hoping to find a class to teach me basic skills here in calif. Is there such a thing? I welcome all replies and suggestions!!

 

Do you have any info on classes?? I am having a hard time finding anything

 

You will until covid eases. They happen at off road Jamborees.

 

Holy necro Batman! Still, I'm glad this thread got resurrected. Plenty of good info and most of the stickies in the offroading forum are old as dirt. Glad to see a contemporary discussion.

 

Glad to see this.

 

I found a local company that offers a beginner class. Ima signing up!! I LOVE all the suggestions and am taking notes. Love my Tacoma family!! https://thedrivingcompany.com/ is the group I am going to take a class from!!

 

Find a local club and join it. A real club, not a FaceBook or forum club. Real paid club members meeting and discussing things, planned trail events, learning opportunities. The folks in these clubs are the safe ones, the ones with a lot of years experience. Our club has multiple offroad shop owners and techs in it who train us on various equipment, firefighters who train us to use fire suppression gear, folks who have "been there, done that" who will help you when you get stuck (you will) and not only safely recover you but explain to you why & how so you learn, and a hige variety of vehicle types to really just get out and have fun together.

 

Drive your truck on trails as-is. Go to the places that you want to go with it as-is. When you hit that spot where you have to turn around due to whatever reason then you can ask "what modification would get me past this point and is it a situation that I will likely encounter often". Your stock truck will go more places than you can imagine, especially if you are following a lot of the advice on this thread. Only spend $$ on mods that you actually need to make. It's silly to lift a truck if you never have ground clearance issues!

 

Learn the 4 wheel drive system, do it in a field and get the truck into 4 wheel drive, low range, reverse in a crossed up manner, you'll find out what the truck is going to do.

 

I'm not a hardcore off-roader. My emphasis is on getting where I want to go, which means vehicle preservation is #1. For gear, always have a shovel, air compressor and factory bottle jack. Hi lifts are extremely dangerous. I have one, used it once and never will again. I only kept it because it has other uses around my property.

For technique, I keep wheel speed and steering angles as low as possible. Spinning your wheels at a high rate then suddenly getting traction, especially while having the wheel cranked, is a great way to break a CV or tie rod link. Unless you are in a mud pit, which I tend to go around, high wheel speed is an unnecessary risk. Back up and pick a better line. To that end, keep as many wheels on the ground as possible and realize that your rear wheels will take a different path than your front wheels and plan for it. Luckily, the rear ends of our trucks are pretty flexy, so it can maintain contact over more challenging obstacles then the front end.