How to Drive Off Road in Your Truck

Step 1: Bring a recovery kit with you.
A recovery kit will help you get your vehicle out if it gets stuck while you are off road.  Never leave home without one.  It should include items such as a heavy duty chain, a yank strap, and D shackles for connecting it all together.  Also, a come along or a high strength jack can help you pull your vehicle free.  Make sure to use a tree as an anchor point.

Step 2: Lower the air pressure in your truck's tires.
Doing so will give you better traction and a more comfortable ride.  Bring a tire gauge with you to make sure that you don't release too much air and be sure to fill your vehicle's tires back up as soon as you can after you are done.

Step 3: Put your vehicle in 4WD.
It will provide you with better vehicle control and prevent you form getting stuck.  Some trucks have 4WD High and Low modes.  In High 4WD, all four wheels are being driven, but your truck drives about the same as it normally would.  In Low 4WD, your truck's gearing is multiplied by the transfer case.  This allows you to drive at lower speeds while keeping your truck's engine speed high enough for adequate power.

Step 4: Use a spotter.
It helps to use a spotter when negotiating particularly tough stretches of terrain.  Finding the right path can be difficult from your vehicle's driver's seat.

Step 5: Always take the high road.
When driving over uneven terrain, try to place your truck's wheels on the highest points of the trail.  It's always easier to roll off of high rocks than it is to try to get out from between them.

Step 6: Slow and steady wins the race.
OK, this isn't exactly a race, but driving too fast is a good way to get yourself stuck or even damage your truck.

Step 7: If you do get stuck, never use your vehicle's ball hitch or bumper to try to pull your truck free.
Never attach a chain or strap to a ball hitch to try to pull your vehicle free.  These are only made for towing.  A good yank on it could rip the ball off and possibly cause damage to your vehicle, or even worse injury.  Also, never use the bumper itself as an attachment point to try to pull your truck free.  If your truck has tow hooks, use these, otherwise try to use the frame as an attachment point.

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