12 Mistakes Every New Off-Roader Makes

My new rule: On a unknown trail and it’s getting bad, get out and walk it. Don’t just keep going as you may not have a turn around spot ahead. Get out and go for a walk before you end up in a bad spot. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

One lesson I learned when traveling in a group is to always keep the rig behind you in view. If they disappear, slow down and give them a moment to come back into view. If they don't reappear - radio to see if they need assistance, or if you need to go back, or if the group should stop.

I would include an overnight bag. Just in case you get stranded and need to spend the night out. This can happen with bad weather that can trap you from a couple of hours to overnight. My bag includes a sleeping bag or blanket, dehydrated food, water, a heating source for food, and body warmth. Just Basic survival items.

"Let someone back home know where you're going!" First and foremost and as always, thank you for your service Brad! I'm an avid boater and enjoy off roading on the beach. Either way, I will not start my trip unless someone back home knows where I'm going and how to communicate with me. Unfortunately, I rarely hear that advice in the off-road community. In my opinion, it's great to have the best communications, gear or tech for your Jeep. But if Murphy's Law joins you in overlanding, ask yourself this, "Where would First Responders start to look for you first?"

One mistake I see more experienced offroaders make is NOT putting their vehicle into 4WD. They always brag "I haven't used 4WD yet". But having your vehicle in 4WD can help you get out of some dicey situations. For example, a steep downhill with a drop-off. We had one guy going down a drop-off and as soon as his front tires went down, his back end started to go over. We all yelled "Gas!" and since he was in 4WD, he was able to avoid doing an endo. Being in 4WD helps you to maintain better control of your vehicle.

I can't stress the "don't tailgate" advice enough. I often wheel with an organized group (many of which are brand new to off- roading). Several times, I've had to stop and ask a driver behind me to hang back a little. This is particularly important in wet or slippery conditions.

SLOW DOWN. Getting in a hurry has lead to more mistakes than anything else. You get in a hurry, forget to hit the sway bar disconnect, climb up a big wash, put a 37 4 feet in the air and then come down a little too hard and slide the back door into a boulder (ask me how I know). Then it's off to the body shop... Pro tip: slow down, take your time, make sure everything is set and you have your line and then go slowly. That's my $0.02...

I think a lot of this can be summed up with TESTING your gear. knowing how to hook up your compressor, knowing how to use the traction control features of your car, etc. My first time wheeling I couldn't figure out how to get ALSD to engage in my toyota and spent 10 minutes stuck. I didn't know what the feature was called, so I didn't know how to look it up. Another big one. Maybe the number one for some vehicles: If you have a spare that is mounted under the bed or under the trunk, take it out of that spot and put it somewhere else when wheeling. if you get a flat, it may not be possible on the trail to jack up enough to get the damn spare out. Also, bring a real jack and an impact wrench. Why bother with those horrible little jacks unless you are REALLY tight on weight. a harbor freight aluminum jack and a battery impact makes tire changes way way way better. If you go exploring old mining areas, you WILL get flats.

Water crossing.... Get your feet wet. I can't tell you how many times I thought I was going through a large puddle and it turns out to be a big hole. Use a long stick or Wade through it... Safe travels Perry

I can tell your a Vet. USMC myself. 100% on point my Squid. I was thinking of doing a video like this, but you have covered this topic completely. I will share this video with my group since they don't listen to Marines. Excellent video , editing and presentation! Semper Fi.

As someone with 0 experience, I was expecting a video stating the importance of crazy modifications. This was good useful information!!! The comments are also helpful. Seems like knowledgeable and helpful people… refreshing!!

Learned this recently: the iPhone 14 and 15 have a satellite SOS feature that will allow you to text for emergency help via satellites. I keep a ham radio, GMRS comms, and my iPhone with me so I have three means to communicate. Many newer ham radios can also do APRS location beaconing. Another thing I learned over the past weekend: don’t be afraid to backtrack if you take a wrong turn. I almost got myself into a bad situation because I was hesitant to backtrack. Also, make sure someone knows your general location when you are out.

1. Always fill up with fuel as close to the trail as reasonable, and keep in mind that most rigs will get less than 10mpg off road. 2. Have emergency rations. A backpacking stove and a couple of backpacking meals take up almost no space, weigh nothing and will last quite some time if you don’t need it. 3. Be prepared to overnight if necessary. 4. Bring a couple of gallons of water. You or your vehicle might need it unexpectedly. 5. Let someone know where you’re going and when to expect a call or text.

Keeping your max trail difficultly level at 70%-80% of your and your rigs capability is always a good one. Always taking the bypass when you have friends and family with you is another one.

1) DO NOT stand inline with a winch cable under load. Pretend you’re being shot at. As a former Search and Rescue 4X4 team member. Before you go into the back country think of the worst thing that could happen, then plan for worse than that.

I started bringing a trash bag with me in a rear hatch when I'm kayaking, and more often than not, I'm bringing back trash at the end of a trip. Agree 100%, leave it better than you found it.

Tire pressure, learned that the hard way. Spent the night in the rig and hiked out at first light.

Thanks for starting out with the most important one - not going out alone. There is infinite inspiration online. You can get all kinds of crazy ideas, and it's easy to get the impression that something is easy because you saw someone do it in a video. This goes for so many things, including hunting. If you don't know anyone who will go with you, go meet someone! You get the double benefit of new hobbies and new friends, and you'll save yourself a lot of time, frustration, and medical bills.

My big tip is to keep a close eye on the weather in the trail area for at least a week or two before you head there! I had run this one trail at least 3 times before, and so I was bringing a friend along on my 4th time. It had rained a lot a a couple weeks before we went, but we thought it'd be dry enough now to do. The trail was completely washed out and we had to turn around less than a mile in. Just reaching a turn around spot I scored some minor under body damage because it had washed a bunch of big rocks into the trail. This was a trail where I have never touched anything before, and this was not even the bad part yet. So be mindful of how the weather might have effected the trail well in advance!

I wish I had known some of these when I was a new offroader. I'm more seasoned now, but I still learn new things. Which is good. We can never stop learning. I would add bring food with you because if you're going to be out even for a bit, it can get exhausting, so even just some snacks can keep you going. Also water especially on hot days. Not just for you but your vehicle too.