DIY Off-Road Vehicle Maintenance: Trail-Ready Tips

Before any off-roading adventure, drivers should prepare their vehicle. Dirt, mud and other debris can affect the components of your car, leading to rust, premature wear and even knocks and noises.

A few easy-to-follow tips can help ensure your vehicle is trail-ready. Check and carry spare serpentine belts, lower radiator hoses, alternator/water pump belts, and carry a high-lift jack.

1. Clean Your Truck

Regardless of whether you’re planning to tackle a difficult trail or just want to take it easy, you need your truck to be as clean and dry as possible. This helps reduce the risk of rust and corrosion, which can be detrimental to your vehicle’s performance.

Using a pressure washer and soap is the best way to remove any dirt, mud, or debris from your truck. It’s also essential to wash and dry the undercarriage of your truck. This area is particularly vulnerable to damage, as it is exposed to road salt and other harmful contaminants. Taking the time to do this prevents corrosion and ensures that your tires have maximum traction on non-paved surfaces.

You should also make sure that your vehicle’s fluid levels are topped off and lubricated. In addition to keeping your engine running properly, lubricating the joints and driveline components protects them from dirt, mud, and water that can infiltrate them during off-roading adventures. This prevents the deterioration of your vehicle’s performance and increases its lifespan.

After washing your truck, you should wipe it down with a microfiber towel. This will help get rid of any residue left behind by the soap, as well as any mud or dust that could scratch your paint. Then, use a hose to rinse your vehicle off once again and make sure that it’s completely dry before you put it away.

It’s also a good idea to add extra food, water, and supplies to your truck for any potential off-roading emergencies. Items like snake bite and burn gels, a first aid kit, and a flashlight with extra batteries are great to have on hand in case of an emergency or if your vehicle gets stuck in a bad situation.

2. Check Your Tires

Your tires are the primary point of contact with the terrain, and play a critical role in your vehicle’s traction and performance. Regular inspections and maintenance will help you spot problems before they turn into a breakdown or accident.

Start by checking your tire tread depth, which is a good indicator of the health and age of your tires. The grooves in your tires are designed to dig into dirt, mud, gravel and other surface material, providing stability and traction as you drive over rough terrain. If your tires are showing signs of wear, it may be time to replace them.

You also want to check your tire pressure, which can affect traction. When you air down your tires for off-road driving, you want them to be low enough to provide extra grip on uneven surfaces. Be sure to air them back up to the correct pressure before heading out again. Finally, you should inspect your tires for deep cuts or missing lugs, and ensure that the lug nuts and bead locks are secure.

Your tires can be a big contributor to the risk of crashes, with tire issues reported as a factor in 1 out of 11 vehicle crashes. Blowouts, tread separation, under inflation and worn treads are all associated with these crashes. A quick post-trail check will help you nip these problems in the bud, making for a smoother ride and better overall performance.

3. Check Your Suspension

A suspension system that is capable of handling your big tires and lift is crucial to a good time on the trails. A thorough inspection of your suspension, including checking for cracks and leakage as well as proper strut and shock height is a must before heading out on any trail. It is also a good idea to check and re-torque all hardware associated with your suspension and other important components such as steering and control arms, track bar springs, and bump stops. Marking fully torqued bolts with a marker is a great way to easily identify those that have loosened and need to be re-torqued.

In addition to suspension, a quick check of your fluids and all electrical systems is also a great way to make sure everything is ready for your next adventure. Be sure to check the condition of your serpentine belt and hoses, look for signs of leaking fluid in your differential or transmission, and verify that all lights are functioning properly, especially headlights, taillights, turn signals, and brake lights.

One of the easiest Do it Yourself ways to tell if your suspension is getting tired is to do the Bounce Test. Park your vehicle on a level surface and push down with your body weight on the front of the vehicle to see how it bounces. If it rebounds several times before coming to a stop there is most likely an issue with your suspension. A quick inspection of the control arm, track bar, and bump stops will help you find any issues that should be fixed before heading out on your next trail.

4. Check Your Brakes

Before heading out on the trail, it’s important to check your vehicle for damage and general upkeep. Your truck will be exposed to a lot of dirt, water, sand and other debris while off-roading. Performing these simple maintenance checks can help you nip problems in the bud and save you the heartache of a breakdown on the trail.

Start by checking the brakes. All that bouncing around on the trail can shake things loose, especially your brakes. A brake problem can be a deadly disaster on the trail, so it’s essential that they are in good working order. Check the brake pads and rotors to make sure they’re not worn down or damaged.

Also be sure to check the brake lights to see if they’re functioning properly. If not, a failure in the dark can be very dangerous.

A simple way to check your brakes is to look at them from the outside. Find the brake caliper, which is a long metal piece clamped to the side of the rotor. You should be able to see through the caliper and see a rubber lining. If it’s too thin, your brake pads are wearing out.

You should also check your hoses and belts. Be sure to carry spares. The lower radiator hose is usually the first one to fail on older vehicles, so carrying a replacement can be critical. Newer vehicles often use serpentine belts, which are less prone to failure but still should be checked for wear and damage.

5. Check Your Tire Pressure

Your tires are the primary point of contact with the terrain, and their performance directly impacts traction, handling, and overall vehicle performance. Getting them ready for the trail starts with checking your tire pressure. Many off-road enthusiasts lower their tire pressure to improve traction on rough surfaces, but this can result in over-inflation which reduces fuel efficiency and increases the risk of punctures. Moreover, to enhance both safety and visibility on the trail, consider equipping your vehicle with off road flags.

Start by removing the valve stem cap from one of your tires. Next, use your tire pressure gauge (either the classic stick style that looks like a pen or a digital gauge with a readout on a screen) to take a reading. Place the nozzle of your gauge over the valve stem and push down. You should hear a hissing sound as air escapes the valve stem, but the nozzle must be pressed evenly and firmly in order to get an accurate reading. Repeat this process on each of your four tires and record the readings.

Once your tires are aired back up, it is important to compare their pressure to the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure number, which can usually be found in your owner’s manual or on a sticker located inside the driver’s side door of your vehicle. Then, make any necessary adjustments.

Adding more air to your tires will cause them to deform, so it’s best to add air gradually and to check the tire pressure after each addition. Also, remember that a tire can change pressure by 10%-15% when you put weight on it.