There are a lot of people who start their off-roading experience by adjusting their existing truck or vehicle to withstand rough driving conditions. But, eventually most off-roaders want a regular off-roading vehicle with all sorts of add-ons like roll bars, doors, bumpers, and stronger suspensions. They outfit their off-road vehicle to meet the needs of the type of off-roading they prefer.
The Off-roading Adventure
What is off-roading? Off-roading is the wording used to describe the practice of driving on unpaved or even no roads for the thrill of a rough ride. Off-roading can take place in terrains such as fields, deserts, riverbeds, sand dunes, beaches, mountain foothills, or muddy bogs. There can be mud and water to get through, there can be large rocks to traverse, or sand and gravel to sink into. Some off-roading is at least partly done on roads that have fallen into disrepair and are no longer used for common traffic.
Though some people alter regular trucks, jeeps, or other vehicles to withstand off-road driving adventures, most serious off-roaders purchase vehicles designed for off-roading and then add more equipment to make them stronger and safer for the experience. They need a special supplier dedicated to the best, strongest equipment for off-road vehicles. Thumper Fab is one of these suppliers that can be depended on for the best off-roading equipment and add-ons.
One of the companies making off-road vehicles is Honda, and anyone wanting to add Honda talon parts or parts for other Honda models can go online to order parts to be delivered to their home. This supplier also has off-road add-ons and accessories for other brands of vehicles including Can-Am, Polaris, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Tracker Off-Road. The best vehicles for off-roading are high-riding and very durable as they will get hard use.
Customers often look for and order this equipment by categories such as:
- Accessories
- Cages
- Audio
- Bumpers
- Doors
- Lighting
- Racks
- Roofs
- Winches
- Suspension kits
The exact add-ons needed depend on the type of off-roading the vehicle owner purchases and how they want their vehicle to look. Different terrains call for different types of tires or suspensions.
Types of Off-Roading
There are different categories of off-roading to choose from. This decision may depend on what off-roading opportunities a located nearby or what part of the country the off-roader lives in.
Rock crawling involves driving off-road vehicles on tracks that are interrupted by challenging rocks and boulders. The vehicle used for this advanced form of off-roading needs modifications including lift kits, special larger tires, strong bumpers, rock sliders, and covers for differentials. This is not for beginners.
Dune Bashing is off-roading among sand dunes where the drivers go up one side of the dunes and down the other side without getting stuck. For this type of off-roading, the tire pressure needs adjusting for more traction, and adding a roll cage for protection is recommended.
Green Laning is driving on unsurfaced trails or tracks in forests or on decommissioned roads that are not kept up. This is good for beginners and vehicles without many modifications. The name comes from the fact that many of these paths are covered in grass and weeds.
Mudding is simply off-roading through muddy areas and getting dirty. Getting stuck is a real possibility here. The right tires and means of getting unstuck are needed here.
Cross-Country Off-Roading is a trip of several days and might involve several different types of terrain and types of off-roading. It is more challenging to prepare for this kind of adventure. The vehicle needs to be prepared for different conditions. This type of off-roading is one that should not be done alone, so take another person along.