How to Improve your Off-Road Driving Comfort
Everyone knows just how important driving comfort is. It’s something that should be the focus of every driver, especially a person who really enjoys driving off-road. Driving for extended periods of time while uncomfortable can have negative side effects, including medical ones, so making sure you’re as comfortable as possible when driving off-road is a must. Just make sure that when you’re driving off-road, you’re also equipped to avoid getting stuck somewhere in rough terrain. With that said, there definitely are multiple things you can do to increase your off-road driving comfort. It does take a bit of effort, but it’s definitely worth it since you’ll be able to drive for longer times without feeling discomfort or fatigue.
Insulation
Car insulation is without a doubt an extremely important factor when it comes to off-road driving comfort. Not only that, but it can also play a key role in other factors as well, such as fuel economy, reliability, and vehicle longevity, which is especially true when it comes to automotive thermal insulation. When you’re driving off-road, chances are you’ll not only feel the bumps, but you’ll also hear them. That can get very grating very quickly, so making sure your vehicle is sound deadened is also recommended. Thermal insulation will not only regulate the temperature in the vehicle which can be a godsend when traversing off-road at night, but also regulates heat accumulation and generation, and allows your vehicle to cool and heat properly, depending on which is needed. Getting both automotive insulation and sound deadening is something you should definitely consider, as you’re bound to see their benefits sooner, rather than later. Automotive insulation and sound deadening often go hand in hand, and there are companies that can install both.
Suspension
This is often the first thing people think about when it comes to off-road. Suspension undeniably plays an enormous role in off-road driving, which is why it’s so crucial when it comes to driving comfort. Without good suspension in any vehicle, you’re not going to feel comfortable, period. Most spring and hardware setups are only tested for street and urban usage, so you’ll rarely find stock suspension that the manufacturer tested for off-road use. Aftermarket upgrades are definitely the way to go, as they’ll not only increase your overall driving comfort when off-road but also improve your vehicle’s off-road capabilities. When you’re getting a new suspension system, one of the first things you should look for is a package that focuses on key reinforcement areas and good-quality peripherals as those are key to making your off-road experience even more refined.
Tyres
It should go without saying that tyres are quite important for off-road driving. They’re not only essential for performance and comfort, but they can also enhance your vehicle’s look. Like with suspension, most manufacturers don’t really focus on off-road tyres in their stock offering, which is why getting new tyres afterwards isn’t uncommon. Off-road tyres will improve your traction on all types of surfaces, which can improve your vehicle’s climbing capability. Almost all off-road tyres have a drastically higher rubber quality, a factor that plays an enormous role in reducing tyre failure rates mid-trip, which in turn means better driving comfort, partially due to ease of mind.
Bull bars
Something that a lot of off-road drivers tend to neglect is getting a bull bar. They’re often regarded as brush bars, meaning they protect the front of your vehicle from things like grass, foliage, brush, and practically anything else that might stand in the way. While not a deal-breaker for most, it’s always smart to have something that doesn’t allow your car to swipe at something in front or underneath. You won’t feel anything as you’re driving, even though you’ll most likely be ploughing through obstacles. On top of that, bull bars protect your car from serious damage as well. Nothing ruins a good off-road trip like seeing a dent in a place where there shouldn’t be one, especially when knowing full well that you could have easily prevented it.
Lighting
Stock lights for cars are often underwhelming, especially when you’re driving off-road. Most people tend to completely forget that you can install custom lighting on your car, and they’re surprised when they see that you can find some great products on offer. During off-road sessions, you most likely want more than the baseline illumination. Without good lights, it can be quite difficult navigating the wilds, because at night you’ll most likely be far away from civilisation and any light pollution. If you can’t see, you just increase your chances of damaging your car, which a good lighting solution will certainly prevent.
Clean the Filters
Air filters have a tendency to clog very easily. Things like dust, pollen, smog, and a plethora of other contaminants can easily clog them, which means your driving cabin will get contaminated as well. It’s easy to understand why this might be such a big deal when off-roading. If you notice odours coming from the vents, strange noise coming from the fan, or if you feel like the airflow is reduced, then the vents might be due to cleaning. Cleaning the filters a few times with a damp cloth before replacing them is smart, but you’ll have to get them replaced at some point.
Lumbar Support
Last but certainly not least, lumbar support is extremely important in any given situation when you’re sitting for extended periods of time. That goes even more so for off-road driving, as you’re never going to sit still during driving. Good lumbar support will prevent any chronic and acute pain from backaches, muscle aches, arthritis, herniated disks, and much more. Lumbar support plays an enormous role in how long you can drive without feeling discomfort, and it should be the very first thing you take care of when getting a new vehicle.
Off-road driving is extremely pleasant. It’s something you can do for the thrill of an adventure, to just let your mind wander while you’re ploughing through the wilds, or even to just escape civilisation for a while. Off-road driving comfort is something you should absolutely look towards when planning your next trip because it might make or break the trip, especially if you’ve been feeling discomfort in the past.