Winter Off-Roading 101

Off-roading in the winter is an entertaining and much needed distraction, especially if you suffer from “cabin-fever”. As a St. George off-road accessory store, we want to give our loyal customers what they want this winter. Below you’ll find all you need for off-roading this winter, from winter off-road accessories, tips and techniques, and even the best destinations to traverse this winter (like the 2019 Winter 4×4 Jamboree that you don’t want to miss).

Off-Road Accessories For Winter

Tis’ the season to really show what your off-road vehicle is made of. Many 4x4s shine during the winter, but that doesn’t mean truck and jeep owners don’t want to soup up their ride even more! The following off-road parts will make driving your outfit, whether for work or play, a lot more fun:

• Winter or Snow Tires – If you plan on trekking through deep and/or packed snow with your off-road vehicle one of the most essential and maybe more obvious off-road accessories, are snow or winter tires. Snow tires are designed with treads that are perfect for the snow and provide better traction and overall vehicle control during the colder months. Snow tires are created with a stickier and softer rubber compound than regular tires, meaning they are not meant to be driven on dry roads as they will wear down more quickly. Snow tires come in many different sizes and styles, with some brands being more expensive than others. In addition to snow tires, it’s a good idea to always bring along a set of snow chains, just in case.
• Winch – When your off-road rig is armed with a winch you can tackle anything winter roads throw at you. These off-road parts in St. George are perfect for when you find yourself in a jam or need to help out your fellow off-roader. And technology and advances in the auto industry have made winches more durable than ever. You don’t want to explore unknown territories without this handy off-road accessory.
• Snow Plow – For the diehards, a snow plow is one of the best off-road accessories you can equip your vehicle with. In today’s market there are many affordable snow plows that can be fitted to your 4×4. Come see what Red Desert off-road accessory store in St. George has in stock, we even install all of our off-road accessories.
• Off-Road Lights – In winter out west, the days are shorter and it gets darker faster, so make sure you’re always prepared. In the dark terrain of off-road trails, superior off-road lighting can be the difference between you staying on the trail or not. Off-road lighting offered by Red Desert also allow you to see the path in front of you in all types of extreme weather.
• Winter Covers – No matter what type of off-road vehicle your driving, you need to “cover-up” during winter. For trucks tonneau covers are the best option and Red Desert offers a multitude of various types in different material, depending on your truck’s make and model and your preference. For Jeeps, a hard cover is your best bet when choosing a quality hard top to cover Jeep. This will help to keep the snow out and make it easier to keep the interior warm in freezing temperatures.
• Safety Gear – According to FourWheeler Network, putting together a safety/survival kit is easy. Your should include the following, plus anything else you feel is necessary for your safety and survival, “A basic kit should include: a first aid kit, a blanket, a signal mirror, candles, nylon cord, glowsticks, sunblock, lip balm, a whistle, protein bars or MREs, matches, a flashlight, water, a change of clothes, and flares. Other items that should already be in a well-equipped 4×4 are a GPS, a cell phone, a CB radio, a windshield scraper, a tarp, a ham radio (license required), and jumper cables. It’s also worth spending the additional money for a quality first aid kit-a few cheap Band-Aids and a couple aspirin just don’t cut it.”

Techniques For Off-Roading in Winter

When your driving through snow or on ice, there are some various techniques that can get you out of precarious situations. The following information is basic and was gathered from an article directed towards off-roading enthusiasts who are driving 4×4, by DrivingFast.net. These techniques will allow you to enjoy your off-road adventures this winter, without getting stuck (too much):

• High Range is for cruising, Low Range is for control.
• When driving on winter roads, use a higher gear than normal for even more traction.
• Raise the suspension if necessary to avoid grounding down into deep snow.
• Engage drift locks on slippery roads
• Keep your speed down, no need for high-speed driving on winter roads.
• Keep traction control systems on unless they become a hindrance.
• Pay attention to weather forecasts and be prepared for winter storms by packing the right winter off-road truck accessories and safety gear.
• Always leave additional room for braking.

Winter Off-Roading Destinations

There are many destinations for the off-roading enthusiast to enjoy during the winter. One of them being the 2019 Winter 4×4 Jamboree held in Hurricane, Utah (2 hours from Las Vegas). This event showcases world-class rock crawling, alongside spectacular views of Pine Valley Mountain, Zion National Park and more! Online registration for the 2019 Winter 4×4 Jamboree ends January 2, 2019. Sign up or learn more about it here.

Other destinations you may want to checkout this season include:

• Big Horns Mountain, Wyoming – A sister range to the Great Rockies, Big Horns Mountain is located in central Wyoming. During the winter, this range is covered in a thick layer of snow, which is perfect for winter recreational sports. Make sure you have an off-road vehicle with high clearance for this drive.
• Rubicon Trail – Noted as one of the most challenging off-road trails in America, the Rubicon trail which can be accessed via Lake Tahoe, also has some of the heaviest snowfall in the Nation. Tourists and residents alike enjoy winter sports in this area, however the challenging Rubicon Trail can be treacherous for anyone without a four wheel drive off-road vehicle.
• White Mountains, New Hampshire – If you plan on heading back east this winter, the White Mountains of New Hampshire are part of the Appalachian Chain and cover almost a quarter of the state. During the winter months, this mountain range, specifically Mt. Washington has some of the most severe weather in the country. But for off-roaders, the severe weather this mountain range boasts is part of the appeal.
• Wasilla, Alaska – If you want an experience you’ll never forget this season, head up to Wasilla, Alaska. Wasilla is home to Iditarod champions and you can follow the trails as you wish. Plus, you’re close enough to Anchorage to enjoy the city life, while still being able to charter unknown territory out in the wilderness of Alaska.

If you need to get your rig outfitted for your next winter adventure, stop by our off-road accessory store in St. George. We have exactly what you need to hit the open road.