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68 GETTING READY, CHAPTER 3 ____________ |
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Dictating conditions are many. The more obvious ones, dust, rocks and mud need no further discussion. More serious damage comes on hills. That's right, hills. Play follow the leader too closely up a steep one and you may find the guy ahead in your face before either of you know it. Same for going downhill, only this time you find you can't stop as fast as needed when the vehicle ahead slows to handle extra rough. On all steep ups and downs, leave an extra margin of safety between you and the person ahead. On the real tough stuff, I wait until the person ahead is out of sight or gives me the CB radio, "Come on up," before I start my steep ascent or trip down. In general, follow back a ways and experience the wilderness, not recreate commuter chaos. WINDOWS The balance of the "stay-clean" suggestions revolve around how you setup your 4WD. Do you drive with the windows up or down? Did you see the mud coming? Better get the windows up fast! Weaving and powered front tires can throw curve balls. That's right, your 4X can put the nicest little blob of muddy blubber right in your lap before you get to the plate (glass window, that is). If you've gone to offset wheels and larger tires, look out even more. With these aftermarket additions, beware of the straightaways, too. |