When it comes to off-roading, nothing is more extreme than rock crawling. With mountainsides to scale and rocks of all shapes and sizes to conquer, rock crawling offers a rugged off-road experience that pushes a vehicle and its driver to new limits. But what exactly is rock crawling?
In this blog post, we answer this all-important question and provide the vehicle preparation and driving tips you need to succeed during your first rock crawling experience.
Rock crawling – a brief introduction
Rock crawling is an extreme form of off-road driving where drivers use modified vehicles (including trucks, buggies and jeeps) to scale steep, rocky terrain. These obstacle-laden trails offer the ultimate challenge for 4×4 drivers, with rocky verges and mountain routes that can’t be accessed any other way ready and waiting to be explored.
Preparing your vehicle for rock crawling
Some vehicles are better suited to rock crawling than others. Top rock-crawling vehicles include the Ford Super Duty Tremor, Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and Ram 2500HD Power Wagon. Whether opting for a specially designed 4×4 model or planning and building your own overland truck, vehicles have to be upgraded the right way to ensure optimum safety while rock crawling.
Along with rugged, off-road tyres, additional protection should be added to keep sidewalls and other components intact. Upgrading your 4×4’s underbody protection is recommended for rock crawling excursions. Suspension upgrades are also advisable for rock crawling, with the limitations of a production vehicle preventing you from realising its full crawling capabilities. With this in mind, lift kits are great additions to would-be rock crawlers.
Creating a capable, off-road vehicle is the key to taking on rock crawling and coming out the other side unscathed. Essentials like winches, puncture repair kits, boards and ropes should also be added to your vehicle to aid recovery.
Top tips for rock crawling beginners
With attention to detail and precision the aim of the game when rock crawling, you’ll need a very different driving style to conquer this type of off-road driving and the seemingly impassable obstacles found up, down and along rocky trails. Offroad North East shares their advice for those looking to crawl rocks safely and successfully:
“Drive slowly in the lowest gear possible in low range and in 4wd. A crawl over a rock is successful when done at low speeds such as 1 mph. If you drive an automatic, use one foot on the brake and one on the throttle to give your vehicle enough power to move without spinning wheels or stopping… Maintain a low speed as you drive off a rock. As the suspension compresses, it is possible to hit the rock with the rock panels.”
By slowing down your speed, you can prevent damage and keep your vehicle moving even when straddling large rocks and boulders. Too much momentum can increase the risk of your vehicle tipping over as you negotiate this uneven terrain.
When rock crawling, knowing the terrain and course is essential. Plan your route in advance and review it on foot where possible to see exactly what you’ll be dealing with.
Whether indulging in a spot of rock crawling or going on a more traditional off-road adventure, our 4×4 upgrades are your ticket to a vehicle that’s up to the task. Browse our premium 4WD parts and accessories right here.
