A GUIDE TO OFF-ROADING FOR THE UNINITIATED
ALL YOU NEED IS FOUR-WHEELS & A “WHAT IF” ATTITUDE
The appeal of off-roading is simple — it’s fun driving over rocks and through mud. If you disagree, that’s too bad! However, tens of millions of Americans do in fact love off-roading, and practice dune-bashing in our All-Terrain Vehicles all the time. From rock crawling to fording rivers, there’s a whole world of 4×4 testing, extreme off-roading opportunities out there, as wide as the West is wild.
You may already own a 4×4 vehicle, but that doesn’t mean you know how to use it. Today’s trucks, Jeeps, and suped-up SUVs are truly amazing machines, built to handle stop-and-go highways as well as adventurous off-road terrain. However, you absolutely should be prepared for the specific types of terrain you plan on driving in, as a little bit of preparation goes a long way in avoiding damages to your vehicle, yourself, and ensuring you have a fun time. That’s why we’re doing two things today:
1. WE’RE GOING OVER THE MANY DIFFERENT CHOICES YOU HAVE FOR TYPES OF OFF-ROADING.
2. AND WE’RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT YOU NEED IN TERMS OF TIRES, RIMS, LIFT KITS, ETC. TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A SAFE, FUN TIME WITH PREFERED TYPE OF OFF-ROADING AND FOR YOUR SKILL LEVEL.
At some point in your hobby as an off-roader, you will want to modify your vehicle in some way. However, not everyone has the cash available to do that whenever they want to. That’s why Off-Road Rim Financing provides no credit needed financing with 90 day purchase options designed to help you get the 4×4 tires and wheel packages you want NOW. All you do is complete the custom vehicle quote form, then one of our Fitment Specialists gets to work helping you out. You can apply for one of two payment plan options, and, once you settle on the plan you want, you sign the contract for the products and they are sent out for delivery. Finally, you receive the products, you or your neighborhood mechanic install them, and it’s time to do some off-roading!
THE 4 MAIN TYPES OF OFF-ROADING
Before you start modifying your vehicle with a new lift kit, wheels, or tires, make sure you know what type of off-roading you will be doing, for the most part. Each type brings its own type of thrill, requires different types of vehicle mods, and is appropriate for different driver skill-levels. Read on to learn about the different types of off-roading and what you need to be prepared for them!
HILL CLIMBING & ROCK CRAWLING
Hill climbing and rock crawling are two closely related types of off-roading that involve exactly what it sounds like — it is when your vehicle is designed specifically for going up and down steep inclines, often over uneven, rocky terrain. This type of off-roading calls for some careful planning, usually, to avoid having your vehicle slide down the hill or roll over. Aggressively tackling rocky, boulder-laden trails is probably the first thing people think of when you mention that you go off-roading as a hobby. Extreme rock crawling takes hill climbing to its logical extreme and is probably one of the most mod-heavy forms off-roading; requiring your vehicle to be designed specifically for such tasks. Mods necessary will generally include wheel and tire upgrades and the inclusion of heavy-duty bumpers, suspension, winches, and so on. Hill climbing is more intermediate-friendly, while rock crawling is certainly not for the beginner.
GREEN LANING & CROSS COUNTRY
Moving now from the most extreme to the mildest type of off-roading, green laning involves driving along forest trails, unpaved roads, and other types of trails specifically designated as places for off-roading vehicles to go. This a great entry-level activity to get into off-roading, requiring minimal upgrades, if any, for your four-wheel drive vehicle.
Cross country off-roading is similar to green laning, but is different in that it typically involves more obstacles, more overgrown terrain, and longer trips — often taking place over multiple days, with friends taking their vehicles through the mountains or hills, dealing with obstacles from water and mud to rocky terrain and heavily overgrown trails. In most cases, you can start doing cross country off-roading with stock parts, however, once you start tackling more difficult trails, you will most likely need to upgrade your tires, wheels, bumper, suspension, and whatever else you determine.
Once again, Off-Road Rim Financing’s goal is to make getting those upgrades as easy and affordable as possible. Check out what wheels and tire brands you can choose from with us
MUDDING & WATER FORDING
Off-roaders really have complicated names for their type of speciality, no? Mudding and water fording are exactly what you’d expect: driving through mud and making some big splashes. The real challenge with off-roading focus is not getting stuck in the mud, which is easier said than done. Even after extensive vehicle upgrades, sometimes the mud is just so sticky and slick, you just have to be winched out by a buddy. The types of terrain you face with mudding and water fording aren’t just mud pits, but also involves learning how deep your vehicle can go without the engine drowning, being aware of water currents, and more.
DESERT RIDING & DUNE BASHING
There’s that saying: “the dream of open road” — well, this is for those who dream of an open-open road! Desert riding is similar to cross country off-roading, except, since deserts usually have fewer obstacles, it’s done at much higher speeds. You will still probably have to deal with hills, rocks, dunes, etc., and many people enjoy hitting these with high-speeds to get some air.
Lastly, dune bashing combines hill climbing with mudding, though there generally is no mud, going up and down sand dunes while avoiding getting stuck or rolling over. Doing this properly will usually require equipment upgrades, in particular a quality suspension system. Trying to tackle a type of off-roading that your vehicle is not modified for or that you yourself are inexperienced at is always a risk. It’s a good idea to ease yourself into the hobby, to acclimate yourself to the types of driving conditions, types of decision, and other factors before driving into a river and finding out that you’ve now turned your Jeep into a motorless submarine.
WHAT TYPE OF TIRE SHOULD YOU GET?
Once you get more into the hobby, or when you have decided what type of off-roading you’re most likely going to be doing for the most part, new tires are often a great place to start with upgrades. Off-road tire options include:
- All-Terrain Tires — These tires perform well in adverse weather conditions, and are well-suited for cross country and desert riding in particular.
- Mud-Terrain Tires — These are perfectly designed for mudding and water fording. The larger tread blocks and more aggressive style give you the off-roading capability necessary for making it across wet terrain that you simply could not otherwise make it across.
- Rugged-Terrain Tires — Thinking about doing some hill climbing or rock crawling? Rugged-terrain tires are a great choice for you then!
Reach out to Off-Road Rim Financing today to learn more about our tire brands and tire financing options
WHERE WE COME IN
Off-Road Rim Financing allows you to get the tire, rims, and wheels you want at any size, any finish, and with whatever customization you want, easily and quickly. We work with your goals and desires and set up a pay plan that helps you achieve the standards of excellence you are looking for in your vehicle.
There can definitely be a competitive aspect to off-roading. When all your friends’ Jeeps or trucks can’t ford the river but yours can, there’s inevitably a level of respect from that.
Part of that is the components you have, but an equal part is your own ability as a driver, and, yes, there’s some luck to it as well.
Once you have selected the upgrades you want and sign up for a payment plan, we’ll ask you for fitment information and get your new tires, lift kit, wheels, and whatever else you need delivered to you promptly.
Our fitment specialists are experts in finding you the perfect fitments for lifted, leveled, or even stock trucks and jeeps, while still offering low monthly payments that don’t even require you to have great credit. Ready to find the off-road components you need
GET WHEEL, TIRE, & SUSPENSION FINANCING TODAY
Without Off-Road Rim Financing, you may feel that you need to settle for lower quality. We help you get the brand of rims, tires, and lift kit your truck deserves and you need for the type off-roading you’re doing without compromising on performance. Reach out to us today for low or no credit financing options. We guarantee we can set you up with a payment plan that works for your budget.