Common Mistakes to Avoid When Overlanding
Overlanding is an incredibly enjoyable experience. However, serious overlanding, venturing off-road for an extended time, can be complex.
Equipping yourself and your vehicle with the right gear to ensure safety, progress, and comfort on unpredictable trails requires thorough consideration and preparation.
If you’re gearing up for an overlanding trip, here are the common errors novices make and tips on avoiding them.
Purchasing Cheap Gear
Quality overlanding gear is rarely inexpensive. While it shouldn’t break the bank, you typically can’t find dependable gear at bargain outlets, dollar stores, or deep discount retailers.
Here’s why: your gear needs to be lightweight to avoid burdening you or your vehicle. It must be robust enough to endure tough environments.
Items such as tents, sleeping bags, and even clothing should be waterproof, as nothing spoils an overlanding trip faster than everything being soaked.
Lightweight, durable, and waterproof materials and designs are more expensive. ARB festival camping gear will cover most of your needs for setting up camp, cooking, and sleeping.
Failing to Research Your Route Fully
One of the most common mistakes to avoid while off-roading is neglecting route research. You might face unexpected challenges if you skip looking into the path you intend to traverse during your off-road adventure.
To prevent finding yourself in a risky situation without the necessary skills or equipment to navigate it, ensure you invest time in obtaining a map of the area or consulting someone familiar with the route.
A quick walk to a spot with a better view can help you avoid unwelcome surprises.
Carrying Too Much in Your Vehicle
Vehicle spaces are limited, so overpacking with non-essential items can add unnecessary weight, decrease fuel efficiency, and take up room needed for crucial supplies.
On top of that, disorganized gear can make accessing or using anything a pain in the rear (pun intended).
Optimizing your pickup or SUV’s bed with modular and drawer storage will be one of the smartest choices as you enhance your setup.
Overlooking Communication and Navigation
Having advanced smartphones in our pockets that provide instant location information and connectivity to almost anyone may lead us to overlook remote areas where our phones are ineffective.
Discovering these locations is key to overlapping; when done correctly, your phone won’t have a signal. Ensure you carry tools for assistance and navigation wherever you go.
Personal locator beacons, SAT phones, and GPS devices are some options. Always have a paper map and compass and know how to utilize them.
Tackling Challenges Beyond Your Skill
Off-roading is enjoyable because it allows you to push your limits. However, staying within your skill level and comfort zone is crucial.
For novice off-roaders, attempting steep inclines or large obstacles can harm their vehicle and jeopardize their safety.
To responsibly enjoy off-roading, drivers should progress gradually to tougher trails as they improve, instead of taking on extreme challenges immediately.
Assess your off-roading skills honestly to know when you’re facing an obstacle beyond your ability.
Endnote
When organizing an overlanding journey, there’s much to consider. However, the effort pays off.
The more you embark on such trips, the more skilled you’ll get. Avoiding these errors on your initial outing already puts you at an advantage.