In this post, we will show you some features which are essential for an off road 4WD.
Off-roading requires very tough vehicles i.e. vehicles that can be able to go over different types of terrains most especially in UAE. Not all 4WD vehicles can be used for this; however, there are 4WD vehicles designed specifically for off-roading.
If you own a 4WD, before you set off on that off-road journey, you should check if it is really meant for such use.
Essential Features of an Off-Road 4wd
To know if what you own is a real off-road 4WD, it needs to have these;
1. Off-Road Tyres
For your 4WD to be an off-road 4WD, it needs to have off-road tyres. There are various off-road tyres your 4WD could have but the common ones are mud-terrain and all-terrain tyres. Both tyres function differently; for instance, mud-terrain tyres would function very well on the mud while all terrain tyres would function better on the sand.
Also, all terrain tyres are more flexible as they were designed to work on all ground surfaces. Mud terrain tyres were specifically made for off-road driving and they are the best off-road tyres your 4WD could have.
2. Low ground pressure
Low ground pressure is one major characteristic of off-road 4WD vehicles. The essence of this is to reduce soil compactness by reducing the amount of pressure on the soil. This is important when driving on an off-road track in other to maintain mobility.
Most off-road tracks are soft surfaces, mud and sand tracks are very common. If your off-road 4WD does not have low ground pressure, the vehicle is likely to get stuck when it rides on such surfaces.
3. Good ground clearance
Does your vehicle find it difficult to scale through off-road obstacles? Then, it is not a real off-road 4WD. An off-road 4WD should have good ground clearance so it can comfortably ride on tough terrains without getting damaged.
A real off-road 4WD should have a ground clearance between 6 – 10 inches for it to function perfectly. Technically, the tougher the surface, the higher the ground clearance should be. You can measure the ground clearance of your 4WD vehicle from the rear diff to the ground.
4. Locking differentials
Locking differentials will save you from a lot of off-road hassles so it’s something your 4WD should have. An off-road 4WD can have up to 3 lock differentials; one in front, at the rear and one in the center.
This feature allows the tyres if your 4WD to move at different speeds. The lock feature maintains one speed for all tyres so they move equally. One advantage of this is that it makes it easier to turn corners. When locked, it helps keep all wheels moving in the same direction.
5. Low gearing
Vehicles move at multiple gears but for off-road 4WD vehicles, low gear is very important. Low gearing will make an off-road 4WD easier to control when on the move. It will be appreciated the most on very tough terrains.
The low gear for 4WD is usually depicted with 4L or 4Lo. It is to be applied only when your vehicle needs more torque to scale through its off-road path. Applying low gear when it is not necessary could be dangerous; manufacturers warn against this.
6. Good approach/departure angles
When it comes to off-roading, good approach and departure angles are what real 4WD should have. Simply put, this refers to how your vehicle can ride over certain obstacles when descending or ascending. Having a good approach and departure angle ensures that you do not hit your bumper when you ride.
The approach/departure angles depend majorly on how an off-road 4WD was designed. Normally when you purchase your vehicle, these angles will be stated in the manual. A good approach angle should be between 30 – 33 degrees while a good departure angle should be between 25 – 27 degrees.
Conclusion
The aforementioned features make up a real off-road 4WD vehicle. If your vehicle has all the features, then you are really an off-road 4WD owner.
On the other hand, if you want to modify your 4WD vehicle to make it worthy for off-road journeys, AAA Service Center in Dubai are adept at such modifications.