Off-Road Vehicles
Choose and understand the vehicle: how 4x4 SUVs, off-road trucks, ATVs and UTVs differ in drivetrain, clearance, payload and safety equipment, and what to check before buying a vehicle for trails.
Off-Road Riders
Off-Road Riders covers the vehicle and the driver: how 4x4 SUVs, trucks, ATVs and UTVs differ, which recovery, protection and lighting equipment does what, how tires and suspension change capability, and the driving techniques for sand, mud, rocks and water. Every technique guide stresses training, rated equipment and knowing when to turn back.
Off-Road Accessories
The equipment that gets a vehicle unstuck, protects it and lights the way: recovery straps, winches and traction boards rated for your vehicle, skid plates, rock sliders and bumpers, and LED light bars and auxiliary lights.
Tires and Suspension
How tires and suspension change what a vehicle can do: all-terrain versus mud-terrain tires, load ratings, airing down and back up with the right equipment, suspension systems and what lift kits change, including handling and warranty effects.
Off-Road Driving
Learn the principles before the trail: beginner techniques, driving on sand and mud, rock crawling, judging water crossings and the basics of vehicle recovery.
Maintenance and Preparation
Prepare the vehicle and keep it trail-ready: pre-trip inspections, undercarriage checks, cleaning off mud and salt, and the emergency and tool kits to carry, following the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual.
Latest Guides
Research-based guides, newest first
UTV and Side-by-Side Safety: Belts, Helmets, Passengers
Safe side-by-side use: seat belts, helmets, keeping inside the vehicle, passenger limits, paved-road risks and age guidance from CPSC and ROHVA.
Tire Pressure Gear: Gauges, Deflators, Compressors
The gauges, deflators and portable compressors used to air down for the trail and re-inflate before pavement, and how to use them safely.
Sand Driving Basics: Flotation, Momentum and Steering
Driving on sand and dunes: airing down for flotation, steady momentum, gentle steering, where to stop, and what to do if the tires start to dig.
Rock Crawling for Beginners: Principles and Precautions
Rock crawling basics for beginners: low range and slow speed, reading clearance and angles, line choice, working with a spotter, and when to turn back.
Recovery Gear Ratings: Straps, Shackles and Winches
How to match recovery straps, kinetic ropes, shackles, winches and traction boards to your vehicle's weight, and what the ratings on them mean.
Off-Road Pickups: Payload, Bed Loads and Handling
How payload, bed loads and extra weight affect a pickup used off-road, how to read the load placard, and why tire load ratings matter.