One of the great things about living in the Pacific Northwest is having the ability to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. This is one of the most beautiful regions in the world, and the possibilities for exploration are virtually endless. Whether you like to stay close to home here in Idaho or travel around throughout Washington, Oregon, Montana, and beyond, you'll want to have the right vehicle available for the job.
When the time comes to purchase a new off-road vehicle, what should you look for? The tips provided below should help point you in the right direction.
Four-Wheel Drive!
Okay - so this was an obvious place to start, and you probably didn't need our advice here. Any off-road vehicle worth anything to you is going to have the ability to send power to all four wheels. It does need to be said that not all off-road vehicles approach this task in the same way, and that's okay. All-wheel and four-wheel drive systems vary somewhat from manufacturer to manufacturer, but the important thing is that your vehicle at least can power each of the four wheels when necessary.
Why is having the ability to power all four wheels important in an off-road situation? Simple - it gives you more opportunity to find grip when some of the wheels are in a tough spot. For instance, imagine you are driving off-road in a standard front-wheel drive vehicle. Things are going along fine until you slow down slightly on an uphill stretch and your front wheels get a bit stuck in some mud. The back wheels are on firm, dry ground - but you can't send any power to those wheels, so they are unable to help out. If you were in a four-wheel drive vehicle instead, the back tires would be able to grab some traction and help you keep moving along.
This same concept applies when all four wheels are not on the ground at the same time. If you are on an uneven patch and one of your wheels is slightly off the ground, that wheel obviously can't help you move forward. Again, with the advantage of four-wheel drive, you could hopefully overcome this difficulty and move your vehicle along successfully.
Sufficient Capacity
It's easy to focus on the capabilities of the engine and drivetrain when picking out an off-road vehicle but take a moment to think about what you need the inside of this vehicle to provide. Are two seats going to be enough for your adventures, or do you need four? What about cargo capacity? The way you use your off-road vehicle is going to be different than anyone else, as you surely have your own hobbies and interests to consider. With that in mind, take a moment to carefully think through what you'll want to take with you on your trips before making the final decision on a purchase.
On-Road Ability
While you probably have visions of cruising around in the mud on roads deep in the forest, the reality is your off-road vehicle is going to spend plenty of time on the pavement. Whether that time is just to get from one off-road destination to another, or it is commuting around town to and from work, you'll want to pick out something that is going to keep your relatively comfortable on the roads. A vehicle which burns too much gas or offers a ride which is too harsh for daily driving may get tiresome quickly. Think about how much pavement driving you will be doing and find an off-road vehicle that is going to strike a nice balance.
Ground Clearance is Important
When driving on pavement, you don't often have to worry about ground clearance. As long as your front bumper is high enough to get over the speed bumps in the grocery store parking lot, you are good to go. Things look a little different with an off-road vehicle, however, as you'll need to clear all sorts of obstacles while travelling off the beaten path. This is particularly true if you like to drive places where rocks tend to be a problem. Pick an off-road vehicle with a ground clearance that you think will be sufficient for most of your exploring.
The Right Price
As with any purchase, you'll need to make sure you find a vehicle that fits appropriately into your budget when you decide to buy an off-road car or truck. While you obviously can't go way above and beyond what fits into your budget just to buy a nice off-roader, you also don't want to go too cheap and find yourself breaking down out in the woods. This vehicle needs to be solid and reliable, so make a sound investment which matches up nicely with what you can afford to spend.
Looking Ahead
Once you have taken ownership of an off-road vehicle, one of the keys to getting the most out of your purchase is going to be having that vehicle cared for properly on a regular basis. Off-road driving is hard on a vehicle - harder than just cruising along the pavement. With that in mind, make sure to bring this vehicle in for consistent service and maintenance. By staying ahead of the game from a service perspective, you can hopefully avoid bigger problems down the line. This is a good strategy with any kind of vehicle you own, but it is particularly important when you are putting your off-road vehicle to work in a tough environment.
If you need assistance tracking down the perfect off-road vehicle for all of your outdoor pursuits, Taylor & Sons Chevrolet would be happy to help. Give us a call or stop by soon to ask any questions you may have. Our experienced team is always glad to assist, whether it is regarding the purchase of a new vehicle, or service and maintenance on one you already own. Thanks for stopping by, and we look forward to serving you soon!