Rough terrain is what most trucks are made of: yet they’re not indestructible. Don’t allow advertising and branding to fool you into thinking your vehicle can take on everything. It can’t.
These are the dos and don’ts of driving a truck over rough terrain, and why it matters to be safe.
Do Take It Slow Where Necessary
You may feel like you have to race to get to your destination, but you don’t have to. It’s a better idea to take your time and ensure that you arrive in one piece, with whatever you towed still intact. Slow down if there’s debris on the road, warning signs that tell you to slow down, or construction happening on the road. These may be frustrating, but it’s vital to ensure you get there in one piece.
Don’t Skip Out on Maintenance.
Take care of your vehicle and ensure that every part of it is made to last. For example, if you’re towing something behind your truck, ensure that your swivel pintle hitch is in good condition and that your vehicle’s tires and breaks are capable of handling a beating.
A well-maintained vehicle lasts longer, runs better, and ensures you get to your destination without any trouble. You can take care of this by taking your truck in for its maintenance and checking on it yourself every few hundred thousand miles.
Do Be Clear On Where You’re Going
If you’re making a delivery or traveling somewhere for the first time, be clear on where you’re going. There may be less risky ways to get there or updated routes so that they won’t be as rocky. If no other path exists, pay attention to how you’re getting there, and be ready to turn or stop where you have to, this will save you from any surprises.
Don’t Pass In High-Risk Areas.
If you stayed behind every slow driver on the road, you might find yourself arriving at your destination hours later than expected. Unfortunately, in rocky or unpredictable terrain, it’s a must. If the roads are a mess, or the landscape is hard to handle, don’t pass anyone. Although you may handle the terrain, they may not and could swerve into you or be skittish about you driving past. Instead, hunker down and wait it out.
Don’t Drive If You Don’t Know the Depth.
If you see a large mud puddle or a large amount of water pooled: don’t drive through it if you don’t know how deep it is. Although you may assume that your truck can handle it, if this is a recent sinkhole or some other area where the ground drops off suddenly, you could be risking your life and vehicle. If your truck submerges, it can be difficult to open the doors and result in your death. Please don’t risk it.