Off-roading has become one of the most popular ways of travelling in recent years. Especially in countries where you have loads of open spaces and long roads connecting you to everything. It's a chance to really break free from the typical travel lifestyle and explore things outside of the busy cities around you. Some popular off-roading travel destinations include Australia, USA and Europe. Regardless of where you want to explore, it's crucial to be prepared!
Not sure where to start? Don't worry we've got you covered. Below, you'll find a few ways to prepare for your very first off-road adventure:
The cool thing about road trips and off-roading is that you don't need to be too structured. In fact, some of the best travel experiences are found when you discover unplanned things. So, you don't need to create a very strict schedule or route for this trip. However, it certainly helps if you have a rough idea in your head, just to give you a sense of direction during your journey.
For example, pick a country or place that you want to travel around, and pinpoint some areas to visit. This should create a very rough plan of action, letting you know where to drive every day. What you do along the way is entirely up to you, and it's okay to get sidetracked! But, this rough route exists to stop you from wasting petrol by driving around aimlessly with no direction whatsoever.
Make Sure You Have the Right Vehicle for the Job
You've planned a route, but now you have arguably the most important task. Going on a road trip means you need to have a car or vehicle to take you everywhere. While this may seem simple, there are certain vehicles that are more suitable than others. For instance, will you go on an off-road adventure in a Mini Cooper? Unless you want to have an awful experience and wreck your car, the answer is a resounding no.
In reality, you need a car that can stand up to hours of driving in harsh conditions. You might spend a lot of time off the beaten track, traversing through fields, forests, mountain ranges, and deserts. Therefore, you need a 4x4 vehicle at the very least. Not only that, but you need to equip it with the right wheels and tyres for the job. This will include tyres with enough grip to withstand lots of driving, and wheels that are big enough to handle harsh terrains. Thankfully, you can find wheel and tyre packages that should help you get what you need. Thus, you'll be in a position to drive around without worrying if your car can handle it.
It honestly depends on what your preferences are. As mentioned, a 4x4 is ideal, but there are many variants of this vehicle. Some solid advice is to maybe get a car that's spacious. Why? Because you can bring lots of things with you - like camping equipment - and it can provide a more comfortable emergency sleeping environment. You never know, you may find yourself tired after a day of driving, with nowhere near to camp. So, you have to pull over and sleep in your car. This is much easier when your car is large enough!
Pack All of the Essentials
You say that camping equipment was mentioned above, and this is one of the many things you should bring on your off-roading adventure. The whole point of this travel journey is that you avoid doing normal touristy things - like staying in hotels. Instead, you may find campsites to stay in, or you'll have to create your own camp off-road. In either case, you will need some basic camping supplies to ensure you're comfortable. This should include:
A big enough tent
A portable stove
A cooler box for food/drink
Sleeping bags/blankets
Pillows
Spare tent spikes in case yours break or go missing
You can probably think of other things you might need while camping, but these are the essentials. Still, your packing won't stop there! You also need to bring other key things for a road trip adventure. Here are a few more suggestions:
A car emergency repair kit
At least one spare tyre
A first aid kit
Portable chargers (preferably solar-charged ones)
A map and compass (just in case you lose signal on your phone)
Emergency flares
Adequate amounts of clothing (don't forget warm clothing as it can get cold at night)
A decent supply of water
Non-perishable food
Sun protection
Again, your list of supplies can be much longer than this. Already, you can see why you'd need a large vehicle for this trip! One thing that wasn't mentioned in the very first tip is that planning your route lets you stop at towns or cities for supply runs. You'll notice that food and drink are on your supplies list, but they can run out quite quickly. This is why you need to plan to visit some towns to go shopping and top up your food stores - especially water.
Learn How to Put Up a Tent
Lastly, you need to prepare for your trip by learning how to put up a tent and take it down. As mentioned a few times, camping will be your main way of sleeping during this adventure. Ideally, you won't be on your own. Travelling with more than one person is the best way to enjoy an off-road travel adventure! Still, everyone needs to practice how to put up a tent, so you can get it up as soon as possible. This will come in handy when the weather conditions aren't great and you need some cover straight away. It also helps you avoid hours of frustration every night of your trip!
There you have it: four ways you can prepare for your first off-road adventure. It's a brilliant way to travel, but you need to make sure everything is planned out beforehand. Now, all that's left is to go back to the first tip and start planning your route!
Have you ever gone off-roading before? What tips and tricks do you have to add to the list?
And until next time...
Stay Curious!
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