What if you would like to go overlanding for the first time but you don’t own a 4x4 vehicle? We are here to help you out with our extensive overlanding experience.
Do You Need 4x4 for Overlanding? You don’t need an 4wd for overlanding. Most people don’t engage their 4x4 99% off the time. Invest in some decent All Terrain tires, recovery gear and safety gear. And when in doubt about a stretch of trail, turn around.
So which gear are we talking about and which terrain should you try to avoid. We’ll share some great trips to get you going on your first overland adventure next weekend.
Why you don’t have to invest in a 4x4 when you are just beginning with overlanding
If you want to turn up the adventure level of your camping trips, taking some of those offroad trails to get to the best locations will probably do the trick. The only problem is, you don’t own a 4x4 and you don’t have the budget to buy one. Or maybe you are just not sure if you are going to like it as much as you think you will. So you are wondering if you can take those trails with your current vehicle, which is just a 2wd.
The good news is, yes you can go! There are a few things to take into account, but in general riding offroad with a 2x4 is not a problem. Do you think everyone in Africa has a 4x4 while driving over their dirt roads? Hell no, so you can do it too.
How to prepare for your first overland adventure
First off all, before you go, pack you common sense. Going on an adventure is going to be fun but risking your life is stupid. So when you are doubting about a stretch of trail, turn around because most of the time it is only going to get worse
Take an honest look at your vehicle. Have you done the maintenance, is it in good technical shape? I don’t care about scratches or dents, but the engine, breaks and gearbox should be in good condition. You will be relying on your vehicle so give it some love before you leave.
How high of the ground is the bottom of your car? Aka, how much clearance does your vehicle have? More is better, especially when things get rocky or sandy.
Prepare your route and pick trails that are marked as easy. Build up your confidence slowly and get to know the limits of your car step by step. Stick to the more traveled trails in the beginning so that in case you get stuck, there is a big chance of someone passing by to help you out.
Lastly, if this is your first time you might want to consider going with a friend. Even when it is just the two of you in the same car. Having two brains making decisions is always better than one.
Can you go offroad with a 2wd?
Most overlanding in the USA lower 48 and Europe will involve lots of driving on well packed dirt or gravel roads. This type of offroad is perfectly fine for a 2wd vehicle. Most 4wd drivers admit not engaging their 4x4 99% off the time.
It gets a bit more tricky when you try to drive up or downhill. Keep your car rolling as your 2wd won’t have enough torque to keep the wheels turning at low speeds compared to a 4wd. Find trails that are easy to moderate without too steep of an incline.
If you go looking for trouble you will be able to find it. Don’t plan your first trip to be an extreme expedition through Moab. Don’t be bummed if you have to turn around, it is all part of the learning curve.
The types of terrain that 2wd are really bad at, try and avoid these types of terrain at all cost.
- Deep sand
- Mud
- Ice
Which equipment and upgrades should I get to turn my 2wd car into an offroad vehicle?
1. The difference a good set of tires can make
Ask any overlander what would be the first upgrade to your 2wd vehicle and all will mention that getting a proper All Terrain (AT) tire will make a world of a difference.
As their name implies, they are good for any type of terrain. Made out of a different type of rubber then your ordinary street tire and a different tread design. Engineered to be able to have traction both on and offroad. The open-tread design gives better grip on rocks and mud. The gaps between the blocks are bigger compared to your normal tire.
The sidewalls of an AT tire are also reinforced, so you are better protected from punctures and are able to lower the tire pressure to increase the traction of the tire.
2. Recovery gear you should get
Besides your camping gear, there are a few things you should get before heading out into the wilderness. Getting stuck might be your worst case scenario right now, but with the right tools and techniques you will be able to get yourself out again.
We recommend getting the following list of gear
- Setting up proper recovery points front and rear
- Snatch strap
- Maxtrax or Treds
- Shovel
- Axe
- Gloves
Not knowing where to attach the snatch strap, the heavy duty strap, can seriously damage your vehicle and get you into more trouble you were already in. Do your research before heading into the woods. Second, bring that snatch strap to let passing by stranger drag you out of your muddy situation.
Your best investment will be to get a set of Maxtrax or Treds. They are lightweight recovery boards with studs that you put under your wheels when stuck. They provide grip by spreading the weight over a bigger surface and allow your wheels to grip and move forward. You only need 2 since you only have 2wd.
The shovel, axe and gloves are there to be used when you get stuck in the sand or on a branch. The gloves are there to protect your hands.
3. Upgrades you do not need to get
If you already have the winch that's good but if you don't have one then skip it. Many people never seem to use if for themselves, only to get friends of unlucky others out of peculiar situations. Most of the time, all the winch can do is drag you deeper into whatever shit you're stuck in. Also, they are not cheap.
An even more expensive upgrade you might have heard about is a locker or a locking rear differential. This piece of technology will make both wheels in the back spin at the same time. People who have one claim it enables them to go anywhere a 4x4 can go. I don’t want to put money onto that claim, but the thing we can all agree on that it is a very expensive upgrade to get. If you are willing to invest this kind of money in your car, you might as well be looking at a real 4wd.
4. Safety gear you should invest in
Now that you got your recovery gear packed, there are a few last items that are essential on any adventure.
- First aid kit.
- 2 way satellite communicator
- Puncture repair kit + air compressor
Offroading will take you into remote places that might not have cell service. Being able to communicate is key to keeping you safe. I highly recommend getting a 2 way satellite communicator. They are reasonably affordable, even more so second hand, it will allow you to keep your family informed and alert the authorities when you really get into trouble. I personally use the Garmin Inreach with which you can send sms over the satellite network.
Don’t forget to bring a puncture repair kit and a small air compressor. The advantage of having an air compressor with you is that you can lower the tire pressure on the trickier sections to increase the grip of the tires. As soon as you hit the road make sure to put the air back in or risk getting a puncture.
Enjoy your first adventure.
Now throw your camping gear in your car, maybe your friend, kids or wife, your newly bought recovery and safety gear and off you go. I hope you fall in love with overlanding like we did. Let me know in the comments below how your first trip went!