Many drivers believe that the faster the vehicle goes through a rough section, the better not so. If the vehicle builds up too much speed when it hits a deep hole or rock, the resulting loss of control can send the 4×4 bouncing off the trail or wedge the nose or rear tight into a rut. Either way, it’s bad news.
Steffens prefers momentum to speed. “Momentum implies control—because the vehicle moves just 6st enough to overcome an obstacle while remaining in the driver’s complete control. To me, momentum also means staying off the brake as much as possible,” he says.
“Wheel spin [the result of a heavy foot on the throttle usually means that you’re not in control of the situation,” he says. “So slow down. Remember, you want enough momentum to carry you through the sand or over the boulders, but not enough so you can’t control the vehicle. Easy does it.”
Stefitns also advises that you use the engine braking created by low-range four-wheel-drive rather than the brakes to help slow the vehicle during a steep descent. This way you can avoid locking the brakes—which leads to a loss of steering and, ultimately, trouble.
February 08, 2010
