I was getting ready for a trip the other day with a friend who had never been off-roading. He wanted to know what he should bring with him and what he needed to prepare. While off-roading is fun and gets your adrenaline pumping, it can still be a dangerous activity. Here a few things to remember when you are going out for a trip:

  1. Let someone know where you are going.
  2. Put a good first aid kit together with a book on what to do if a problem occurs.
  3. Put together a good tool kit along with basic spare parts.
  4. Make sure that you are well rested both physically and mentally.
  5. If it’s possible, travel with another vehicle. If something happens to your vehicle, you have a way to get help.
  6. Don’t be the sole driver. It’s a good idea to share the driving responsibilities in order to cut down on driver fatigue. Be sure to take breaks throughout the day.
  7. Make sure you know where the facilities are located such as fuel, repairs, food, and water.
  8. Remember – “As slow as possible and as fast as necessary.” Keep your speed right for the conditions and your experience.
  9. When you ride the trail, put safety first!
  10. Think ahead. Ask your local dealer about the laws and regulations in the area. Do your best to preserve the areas where you ride, and be sure that you only ride where off-road vehicles are permitted.
  11. Wear the appropriate gear for the surroundings.
  12. Check your vehicle is running properly before hitting the trail.
  13. Sometimes, you can’t get there from here.

These may not be in the correct order for your trip, but it is a basic idea of what you need to think of before hitting the road.