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It’s the dog days of summer for many of us, but I, for one, am looking forward to winter.
Snow may be one of the most fun obstacles to tackle when off-roading; however, it does come with a great risk of getting stuck or even stranded.
In today’s feature, we’ll go over how to prepare for a snowy trip and some driving tips that will ensure you get stuck less and enjoy the scenery more.
Prepare for a Snowy Overlanding Trip by Checking the Weather
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Make sure you check the weather a few days before you leave for your trip just to be sure that conditions will not be too bad to drive through – we may love pushing our rigs to the limits but in certain situations waiting for the weather to clear up may be the wiser decision.
Make Maps Your Friend
Have some old-school printed maps with you in case your phone stops working, and you get lost. When all roads are covered in snow it becomes far more difficult to identify certain places; therefore, getting lost becomes a high possibility.
Prepare for a Snowy Overlanding Trip by Telling Others Where You’ll Be
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Let other people know the exact route you will be following – this will ensure someone will know where to look for you if you do not arrive back home on the planned date.
Do not deviate from that track at all in snowy situations because if something happens outside your designated route no one will know where to search for you.
Have Snow Chains on Hand
Just because you are putting snow chains on doesn’t mean that you should skip lowering your tire pressures.
Before installing the chains, lower your pressures down to a similar number as the one you usually run when driving on soft sand and then install the chains. This will ensure that the truck will sit on top of the snow instead of digging into it.
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Prepare for a Snowy Overlanding Trip by Watching for Falling Trees
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Trees can fall at any time throughout the year; however, they are far more likely to do so during winter. That’s because the ground is soft and soggy, and the trees need to hold the added weight of the snow. Therefore, be cautious of the trees around you when driving and camping to avoid any major accidents.
Avoid Using the Handbrake
Moisture and water may get onto your handbrake while driving throughout the day, when you park the car at night the cold air can freeze the cable of the handbrake; therefore, preventing it from releasing.
To avoid that, try camping on flat ground and put the car in gear when parked.
Prepare for a Snowy Overlanding Trip by Lifting the Windshield Wipers Up
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Leaving your wipers down overnight might lead to them freezing and sticking to the windscreen. When that happens, they will either not work at all or the rubber part of the wiper will rip straight off because it’s stuck on the windshield.
Stay on 4WD Tracks
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If you see an opening full of snow don’t be tempted to drive in there. It may look clear, but you never know what’s underneath. To prevent any damage or even accidents stay on the 4wd tracks.
Snowy weather can lead to some amazing scenery while making the easiest of tracks a proper challenge to drive.
It sure is fun but the right safety measures and techniques must be implemented to ensure you get back home safe!