Debunking the Most Common Off Roading Myths That Exist Today 

According to experts, the off road vehicle market is due to reach $18 billion by 2026.

We get the rise in popularity! Off roading is the very best way to get out and enjoy the wilderness.

It gives you a sense of freedom that standard cars just don’t offer you!

But there are some common misconceptions about off roading that you should know about before you go. There’s so much misinformation floating around, and it can end up costing you a fortune in unnecessary equipment.

We’ve got your back, however. We’re here to debunk the most common myths so you can enjoy your next off road driving trip.

1. You Need to Install Brush Guards/Rock Rails/Underbody Skid Plates

Off-road enthusiasts often like to brag about what they believe makes them look more intimidating while driving down the open trails. There are all sorts of aftermarket products out there that claim to offer the best protection.

Not only is this completely unnecessary, but it’s also not very cost-effective either.

Having these products installed will give you little to no benefit when it comes to protecting your vehicle on the rocks or in rough terrain areas.

This is because most rocks and obstacles encountered while off-roading will sit flush against your frame rail without even touching the underbody skid plate.

Despite this, one thing that is crucial to have is the correct off road tires. Have a look here.

2. You Need a High Clearance Vehicle

People often like to brag about high clearance 4×4’s or trucks as if it were some sort of badge of honor. The truth is, you can go just about anywhere with any vehicle since many obstacles are unnoticeable until against them.

Researching the trails you plan to take beforehand will help you uncover all sorts of details to look out for that may appear troublesome during your adventure (i.e., rocks, trees, deep water crossings, etc.).

Even though most people don’t realize this beforehand – very little terrain is completely inaccessible without a low clearance off road vehicle!

3. Driving Downhill Will Drain Your Battery

It’s been proven multiple times that driving downhill does not drain your battery more than driving on flat ground would. It can help preserve your battery life since most batteries today are just fine working the brakes.

4. A Vehicle Needs to be “Rock Crawling” Certified Before You Go Off-Roading

Here’s another myth that just isn’t true either! While rock crawling courses do exist for those who wish to take part in them, this is mainly done so you can learn about the proper angles and positioning of each tire.

Although the value of learning these skills is high, it’s not necessary to pass any sort of certification test when going off-roading with your family or friends.

Pretty much anyone can go off-roading regardless of size and experience, as long as they watch a few videos beforehand on proper recovery techniques (i.e., winching).

5. You Have to “Air” Before Going Off-Roading

With years of off roading experience, we can safely tell you that this is another old myth that has been passed down throughout the decades. While air suspension kits are becoming more popular today, they are still not necessary.

Many off-roaders prefer going with a spacer lift kit which gives you a little extra room under the vehicle while providing a firmer and more stable ride overall.

If you do decide to get an airlift kit, however – make sure you check your tire pressures often during your drive since “air” can shift from time to time depending on how rough the terrain gets.

6. You Have to Go Off-Roading at Night

While it certainly isn’t for everyone (especially novice off-roaders), you don’t have to go at night. For those who are experienced, however – many prefer driving in the dark.

This allows them to see better during their descent while also giving them more privacy if they plan on doing something other than driving (i.e., nature calling). Just remember to pack extra batteries for your lights if you plan on doing this.

7. It Takes Years Before You Can Handle Difficult Trails

Today’s trails are designed for novice off-roaders to give it a shot. Most of the obstacles you’ll come across are fairly easy to get over even if you’ve never done any sort of off-roading before!

To make things even better – many trails are located nearby metropolitan areas which means you can quickly get back home in case anything goes wrong.

8. You Can’t Go Off-Roading During Winter

Just like you can go off-roading at night, it’s not necessary to wait until the summertime before you hit the trails again. While certain obstacles present themselves during winter, most of these will be manageable.

Just remember to bring along an ice scraper for your windows before you go out and you should be fine!

9. You Have to Carry Spare Parts When Off-Roading

Spare parts are necessary when you’re racing competitively or in the case of an emergency. For casual off-roaders, however – you don’t need to carry around miscellaneous spare parts whenever you leave your house.

Unless you plan on doing something out of the ordinary (i.e., super-crossing / rock crawling), you should be fine with just making sure your spare tire is inflated.

Want More Off Roading Advice?

We hope you have enjoyed this article. In it, we debunked the most common myths that exist today and gave you some tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of these dangerous misconceptions.

If you’d like to learn more about off roading, check out our blog for more articles on finding the best off road truck and help to build your own off roading checklist!