Summer is on the way—it’s time to get outside again and have some fun. Being cooped up in the house for months on end makes a person want to get out, breathe some fresh air, and take their truck off the beaten path. Off-roading is a fun activity that you can do with friends, alone, or with a huge group of other enthusiasts. There are some essential tips for planning your first off-roading trip that will make sure it’s a memorable one for all the right reasons. Read the list and get ready to hit the trail for some summer fun.

Get a Lay of the Land

Find out where you want to go first. Study the terrain and know what is ahead of you; don’t just yank the wheel to the left and blast through a farmer’s field. There are outdoor recreation areas that have trails for trucks, ATVs, and dirt bikes that are good to start off with. The trails are clearly marked and there are other people around who can help if you get stuck.

Pack a Lunch and Bring Some Friends

The best activities are ones that you can do with friends. You will have at least one extra seat in your ride, so bring your buddies along for the ride. Pack a cooler with some snacks, sandwiches, and cold drinks because there won’t be any drive-thrus on the trail. Be sure to strap the cooler down well so that you don’t leave the grub for the woodland critters.

Make Sure Your Ride Is Ready

Very few vehicles roll off the assembly line ready for off-roading. The roughest terrain most vehicles encounter is a wayward pothole or speed bump. There are specific modifications that an off-road vehicle needs to handle the rough terrain. It should be lifted and have bigger tires, four-wheel drive, and a winch at a minimum. Take your truck to the mechanic and get a quick tune-up as well, so you don’t have engine problems on the trail.

Bring Some Tools

Don’t depend on anyone else to help you out if you have problems—this is an essential tip to remember when planning your first off-roading trip. Be ready with a tool kit and emergency kit for when the worst happens. You probably won’t need anything but don’t expect everything to go perfectly. You are putting the vehicle through its paces and asking a lot of it. Bring some sockets, screwdrivers, Allen wrenches, and wrenches at a minimum. When you need some quality off-road tires in Rock Hill, SC, come visit us at RNR Tire Express. We can outfit your truck or Jeep with some big ol’ knobby tires.