If you're looking to head for an off-road adventure, it can be easy to think that you just need to throw what you think you'll need into the back of your truck and that'll do it! And while this is one way to do it, it's also a way which is likely to end in drama before you have even had a chance to get out of the city!

Getting Ready for a Great Off-Road Adventure

Below is a post from Ed Welliver with a few helpful tips to not only get you on the right path (pardon the pun) but also help you to stay out of trouble.

Where to Start?

Like all good lists, this one starts at the start - with a quick note on how to pack your vehicle. Take a step back at all of the items you’re going to pack and identify your heaviest items. Why? Because these are the items that you will want to pack first. The reason? Because where and how you pack these items will determine your vehicle’s center of gravity. As you can imagine, or as you have likely experienced, the higher these items sit in your vehicle, the easier it’s going to be to tip over. Something nobody enjoys and always ends in asking for a tow (a 4x4 drivers nightmare!). Additionally, packing these items low to the ground also helps even out your suspension and works to give you a smoother ride. So be sure to keep your heavy items as low in your vehicle as you can which is likely to be first and on the floor of your truck.

Now to the Top

Once you have your heavy items sorted it’s time to look at the opposite - the lighter stuff. As you can likely guess, these are the items which you are going to pack high on your truck - most likely the roof. If you don’t have a cargo rack to keep them secure, now is the time to change that and pick up a high-quality rack from your favorite outdoor adventure store. The reason why it is so important to keep these items secured on your roof isn’t just so that they don’t fall off, it’s also to help balance your ride and keep your center of gravity low as you maneuver your truck into positions which seem to defy the laws of gravity. For example, unsecured items on your cargo rack and lean over to the side as your car drives at an angle, doing only one thing - tipping you over. Click here to buy Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil and keep your vehicle in great condition and ready for adventure! To find out more, check out the online store or speak with an expert at  Ed Welliver by calling (956) 458-9399.

Keep Your Truck in Good Shape

While it may seem basic, the above two techniques are going to do wonders when it comes to where you can get your vehicle safely. However, as low as your center of gravity is, nothing is going to help if your vehicle breaks down mid-adventure. With this in mind, before you head out, take your truck to your local mechanic or even give it a once-over yourself to make sure it’s in great condition and there are no safety issues. Even something as small as a broken or about-to-go headlamp can cause serious safety issues if driving at night or even at dusk. If you find anything that isn’t right, be sure to fix it before you head out.

Travel in Groups

Taking your truck off-road is often the best way to find isolated and serene places where you can enjoy the space to yourself. However, if you are planning to head far out of your comfort zone, consider joining a group or creating one yourself. Why? Because if you do get stuck, you’re going to need help getting out, whether that means your vehicle or you! When it comes to any type of adventure, the success of your trip is depends on the condition of your vehicle. Be sure yours is up to the task with a synthetic oil change in Mission, TX. Speak with an expert at Ed Welliver by calling (956) 458-9399 to make sure that you get the right product for your vehicle. Remember that Ed Welliver stock a wide range of high-quality products suitable for all vehicle types, including any boats or ATVs you may be towing to your destination.