There’s much more to off-roading than rock crawling or hitting the trails. Off-roading is a lifestyle and this becomes apparent as you join an off-roading group or club.
While you can go off-roading on your own, you’ll quickly find out that it’s not a good idea. Any number of things could go wrong – you could get lost, you could get into an accident or you could end up stranded in a remote area if your vehicle broke down. That’s why it’s advisable to always go wheeling as part of a group, especially if you’re new to the whole off-roading thing.
There are several benefits to joining an off-roading group including:
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Meeting cool people who share your interests. Off-roading groups attract avid off-roaders who all share a love for the lifestyle. These groups are a great place to interact with others who have a passion for the outdoors and their 4×4 vehicles.
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Learning new off-roading skills. If you’re new at off-roading the best way to get better is by joining an off-roading group. Through interacting with others you’ll quickly learn more about off-roading as well as more about custom rigs and the right upgrades or custom modifications for your Jeep, truck or other 4WD. Off-roading groups also normally organize trail running events where you can work on your off-roading skills while learning from more experienced drivers.
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Being part of something larger than yourself. Off-roading isn’t just about trails and vehicles but also about protecting the environment and improving the community. Joining one of these groups makes you part of a tightly-knit community that looks out for each other while being involved in many worthy causes.
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Having fun. Off-roading groups organize various events throughout the year including trail runs, fundraisers, educational events, dinners and competitions among others. While some of these events are aimed at improving the community, others are a way for group members to have fun.
What to Know Before Joining an Off-roading Group
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Look for a well-organized group. When looking for an off-roading group to join, go for one that’s well organized. This means that the group has a clear leadership structure with clearly defined roles. When it comes to organizing trail running events, the group should do enough pre-planning including a pre-run of the trail and should also give group members a description of the trail difficulty plus the vehicle requirements they need to have. All other events the group organizes should also be well-planned.
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Look for an off-roading group that promotes treading lightly. A great off-roading group will prioritize promoting safe and responsible wheeling practices. This involves educating members about the environment as well as how to care for it.
They’ll also remind members to pack out whatever they left in, keep to designated trails, respect other trail users and other responsible off-roading practices. You want a group that understands protecting the environment by being a responsible off-roader so that future off-roaders can enjoy it too.
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Find one that suits your off-roading interests. There are many off-roading groups out there catering to different off-roading niches. Some may only focus on rock crawling while others may be specifically for Jeep or truck owners. Others may prioritize trail runs only while others take a more rounded approach by also organizing activities that help the community or educate members about off-roading e.g., organizing expos with different 4X4 manufacturers.
With a little research, you can find one near your area that specializes in your off-roading interests, giving you a chance to interact with like-minded off-roading enthusiasts.
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Learn about your vehicle and its limitations. Before joining an off-roading group, you should familiarize yourself with how your vehicle works and its limitations. This is important because if you’ll be wheeling as part of a group, you need to be aware of how your actions will affect others on the trail. Not knowing your vehicle can jeopardize people’s safety. Additionally, you want to be a useful member of the group because you don’t know when you’ll need to help someone fix their tires or winch them to safety.
Come Talk to Us
Whether you’re looking for an off-roading group to join or just want to discuss how to modify your 4WD, Dixie 4 Wheel Drive is up to the task. We have years of experience designing and crafting custom 4×4 builds and will be happy to answer any questions you have.
We’ll also be happy to do some pre- or post-trail service and repair on your rig before or after an off-roading adventure. Contact us today and we’ll be glad to help you.
