How to Prepare Your Truck or SUV for Off-Roading | Brownsville, TX

Are you dreaming of off-road adventures in your truck or SUV? Make sure you’re prepared by installing the right parts, confirming your vehicle’s all-terrain capabilities, and familiarizing yourself with a few off-roading safety principles.
 

Accessories and Parts to Buy

 
Installing new parts and accessories is a solid way to make your vehicle more off-road-worthy. All-terrain tires, skid plates, and a winch are relatively easy to add and will improve your traction, protect your vehicle, and prepare you for getting stuck. Installing a lift kit or heavy-duty suspension components can get a little more involved but will pay dividends when you’re in the wild.
 

Your Vehicle’s Capabilities

 
Before you leave the beaten path for a camping trip or other expedition, make sure you understand your vehicle’s capabilities. You may even want to take a few test runs in easier conditions first. If you’ll be driving over obstacles, it’s especially important to be aware of your ground clearance. Thinking about driving through water? Don’t — at least until you test the depth and confirm that it’s not too much for your vehicle’s water-fording abilities. You should also understand all your vehicle’s 4x4 settings, traction control equipment, drive modes, and any other built-in off-roading features.
 

Off-Road Safety

 
Safety is a must when you’re going off-road. Familiarize yourself with key off-road driving techniques so you can handle dangerous situations in a calm manner. Make sure you’re prepared with the right equipment for where you’re going. Mud, dirt, sand, rocks, snow — these are all very different, and you should plan ahead in case you get stuck or encounter a dangerous situation. Be sure to bring a first-aid kit, emergency supplies, and a friend to watch your back and help you out if needed.
 
To learn more about the right off-roading equipment for your vehicle, stop in and see us here at Tipton Auto in Brownsville, Texas.