Off road driving is full of twists and turns, ups and downs (figuratively and literally), but even more so with a camper trailer attached to your hitch. Whether you’re new to off road driving completely or have just recently procured an off-road camper trailer and are ready for adventure, this guide will tell you everything you need to know before heading off into the great unknown. Off road driving can be a thrilling adventure, but it can quickly become dangerous if you’re not prepared. With these tips and tricks, you’ll be more than ready to tackle the road less travelled for a memorable trip that you and your family will cherish for years to come.
- Maintain Proper Speed
A common misconception is that you have to rip around the trails as fast as possible to have fun, but driving super-fast only increases your risk of damaging your vehicle or your camper trailer and getting stuck. Your best rule of thumb is to drive slowly to avoid getting stuck, but as fast as necessary in order to climb steep hills without being unable to stop. If you’re not going fast enough, all you have to do is add more speed, but slowing down can prove difficult in off road terrain with a camper trailer attached, so it’s better to maintain a steady compromise.
- Make Use of Guides
Off road driving tends to be quite unpredictable, but if you’re nervous about where to go, there are tons of guides and GPS specific to unpaved roads that can help you until you get in the groove. They also help you know where to avoid, like roads not suitable for camper trailers or paths that are actually much longer than the appear (you’ll want to know exactly how far you’re going at first).
- Lower Your Tyre Pressure
This might go against everything you know about driving, but make sure you lower the tyre pressure in your vehicle and camper trailer tyres. Fully inflated tyres will bounce around like a basketball when off road driving, giving you an even rougher ride and unpredictable handling—especially with the added weight distribution of a camper trailer. A lower tyre pressure will give your vehicle more grip, especially in low-traction areas. Of course, when you get back to town don’t forget to fill them back up or you’ll quickly notice lower fuel economy.
- Read the Terrain
Off road driving (especially with a camper trailer) requires a certain amount of skill and technique, but if you’re not quite an expert yet, you can still enjoy getting off the beaten path and exploring with your off-road camper trailer. You’ll just have to know when you’re in over your head and not be afraid to turn around when the terrain becomes too challenging. Over time, you’ll get better and better at reading the terrain and knowing exactly what your vehicle and camper trailer can handle, but until then start predicting and noting exactly how your camper trailer reacts to sharp turns, steep hills, muddy sections, etc., and scout on foot if necessary to ensure you’re not heading into anything you can’t handle.
- Pack Recovery Gear
Let’s face it, stuff happens, and you will likely get stuck at some point in your journey. If this does happen, you’re going to want to have recovery gear packed to help you extricate your vehicle or your trailer. Ideally, you’ll have a buddy car with you that you can attach a tow strap to, so make sure you pack one of those. If you’re alone, an electric winch rated for your vehicle can be incredibly smart to have. It’s a bit of an investment, but if you’re planning a lot of off road driving, it simply makes sense. It’s a great idea to pack traction ramps as well to get out of sticky spots, and a shovel wouldn’t hurt in case one tyre needs to be levelled with the others. As well, you’ll also want a standard emergency kit packed with everything from first aid items to extra batteries, vehicle fluids, duct tape, etc., and extra food and water wouldn’t hurt in case you end up a little farther than you’d anticipated. Hopefully you’ll never have to even crack it open, but with off road driving, you simply never know.
