Dune bashing for the newbie

Plan to go off-roading? Here's what you need to know - especially if you're a novice

Time flies! We are already in the month of April and it is only a matter of weeks before the blazing summer sun sets in. And these next few weeks can be seen as the last window of opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of the corporate world and seek out moments of solace at the top of a sand dune in remote and, perhaps, unnamed parts of Dubai that you may not be able to locate on a map. For many seasoned adventurers, the desert is a second home and they need little acquaintance with it, but for the overwhelming rest of us - especially first timers - here are some things you need to keep in mind before you venture out into the sand.
Assuming you are licensed to drive and know the general workings of a vehicle, the first thing to do is to equip yourself with the right kind of vehicle. You need a competent off-road vehicle - something more than a generic crossover SUV that earned a badge for elevated ride height but can barely make it through a makeshift parking lot without a scare. We are talking about proper 'Sport-Utility Vehicles', like the very capable Toyota FJ Cruiser and local and international off-road legends like the Nissan Patrol Super Safari and the Jeep Wrangler. These vehicles display true off-road grit like it's a colour they wear every day. Now, if you don't own one and plan to go SUV-shopping: we recommend you get something preferably lightweight, but with a prodigious V6 or a V8 engine under the hood. It should have good ground clearance for obvious reasons; and sufficient approach, departure and ramp angles to help negotiate slopes.
Although the UAE is mostly dry, it's good to know that the car is rated for a wading depth of maybe half a metre or so - this will help you get across a ford or shallow water body with ease. It would also help if the vehicle came equipped with bash plates under the front and rear bumper, so they can take the beating, in case you meet a large stone or seemingly immovable desert bushes on the way. If you have some extra dough lying around, it wouldn't hurt to give it a raised suspension, commonly known as a 'lift kit', but not more than a couple of inches. And replacing those carpeted interiors with rubber mats will also seem like a good idea. It just makes the whole cleanup process so much easier. a lesson learnt usually at the end of the drive.
The next step is to prep the tyres. Now, depending on the vehicle or tyre manufacturer, the recommended pressure rating lies between 30 and 40 PSI for regular road surfaces. But if you go into the dunes as is, the tyres exhibit a tendency of wedging their way into sands rather than floating over them. The trick is to give them greater footprint by deflating the tyres to a certain pressure depending on the terrain. You can do this by using a simple air deflator available at your local hardware store - the three-letter store that starts with an A and ends with E is one example. Typically, you should drop pressure down to 20 or 15 PSI, or even lesser, but that is in case of extremely soft sand only seen in Swaihan and Liwa.
Of course, when you get back onto tarmac, you don't want to be running those pressures for they may cause damage to the tyre structure and may call for an expensive and unnecessary replacement. So, it's recommended you keep a battery-powered air compressor handy so that you can fill those tyres up back to regular pressure and drive home hassle-free. This also helps avoid taking the last painful spot in a long queue at a fuel station.
Speaking of fuel, embark on this journey with a full tank and knowledge of the vehicle's approximate range: the onboard computer usually displays this in the instrument cluster. In case you think your drive may extend beyond the vehicle's range, keep a jerry can filled.
When on the move, you can get across most stuff even with just the front-wheel or rear-wheel drive operational. But true off-road vehicles also come with low range gearing: an extra shift lever usually seen next to the shift lever. When you require more traction, you can switch to '4H', but it is only recommended for hard-packed sand. When even more traction and torque are required, in situations when you encounter soft sand or steep inclines, you can engage '4L'. In such modes, the speeds you achieve are limited and the engine will roar but a steady pace of torque will be delivered, which will help you crawl out of any rut. Also, remember to lock the differentials and switch off traction control to improve vehicle motivation.
Even with all these mechanical systems in place, there is only so much a vehicle can do; after all, most of us are limited to driving regular production vehicles and not all-conquering Baja race machines. and you are bound to be bogged down by the desert sand sometime or the other. In case that happens, whether friend or foe, it is common desert courtesy to help one get out of a rut. But to do that, you need a tow hook - that shiny, chrome receiver ball behind SUVs. If it doesn't come as part of the standard equipment, you should fetch one from the accessories division. And to accompany that or to tug it, you also need tow straps and shackles to secure these straps. These might look like two florescent fabric strips, but they're high-tension nylon straps that can pull a great load. Some are rated up to 10,000 kg; some even more.
Also to be considered is signing up for an advanced desert driving course. It may set you back by a couple of thousand but it's a good way to get acquainted with desert driving.
Moving on, I must state that for being the most evolved organisms on the planets, besides using opposable thumbs on a square tablet, we are of not much use out on our own in the wilderness. The desert landmarks aren't nearly as recognisable as those in the city and it is easy to get lost. Flinching your finger in the air to find the direction of the wind will not get you anywhere either. These days, cars come with a navigation system; Google Maps on smartphones serve you well too. But it is always best to have in possession a working satellite-based navigation, preferably one that shows topography. And call us old school, but find place for a conventional paper map, too.
Before you set off, it would be a good idea to tell your friends and family approximately where you plan on going. whether you are travelling in a group, in twos or solo. Other must-haves include a generic tool kit that contains a shovel, a flashlight, a jack and a first-aid kit that contains a blanket, waterproof tarp, matches etc. These are the bare minimum to be considered for any four-wheeler adventure. Safety should also be a priority, considering you're a few minutes, if not hours, away from the nearest help. It's not necessary to wear a helmet; in fact, you probably shouldn't - considering it muffles the whole experience - but it's good to have a fire extinguisher by your side, just in case.
Also, always keep hydrated! Keep an ample amount of beverages and food, and a durable cool box on hand, especially if your kids are tagging along. Once you've had the taste of gruelling vehicular trails, you'll usually be back for more. Just remember to tick off everything on the checklist and add some more to your list as you go.
And lastly, the desert, plain as it may seem, is a surprisingly clean place. So, let's keep it clean, shall we?
wknd@khaleejtimes.com
CAR Qs
Hi George,
I read your article on the MG in wknd. and thought of writing to you. I am planning to buy a car for my wife, who is a freelance leadership and communications trainer. She does not have a fixed job, hence her travelling is dependent on the projects she takes up. We have seen two Chinese cars - the JAC S3 (Dh40,900 for the 2017 model) and the Haval H2 (Dh54,000 for the 2016 model), and need your advice on which one is a better bet considering the price, economy and safety features.
We liked the Haval H2, as it offers good features, but the JAC S3 is decent too considering the price and the features it offers. This will be our second car, so we don't want to spend much. Do we go for the lower price point compromising on safety or consider shelling additional 10 to 13k on the Haval which offers everything?
- Shimshon Charikar
Without a shadow of doubt, the turbocharged Haval H2 is a better all-round vehicle when compared to the JAC S3. It's quieter, has more comfortable seating, rides and even has a better drivability quotient. But, then again, the retail price for the top-spec S3 undercuts the H2's by almost Dh17,000 - which makes it hard to ignore. So if cost is a priority, go for the S3 - but the 1.6L engine, not the 1.5L - else it's the H2 all the way!
 
I am a KT subscriber and I am planning to purchase a new SUV (7-seater) for family use within a budget of Dh130,000. My options are:
1) Mitsubishi Montero Sport
2) Mitsubishi Pajero
3) Hyundai Sante Fe
4) Chevrolet Captiva
I am confused, so can you please help me? Full options, safety features and resale value are what I am looking for. If there are any other models, please suggest.
Awaiting your early response.
S C Mohan
The Toyota Fortuner with the 4.0L engine - although not in your shortlist - is your best bet. No one does 'quality' and 'reliability' like Toyota does, and it's the segment-leader in terms of resale. Plus, it's a very capable off-roader; the new-generation Fortuner is a looker too!

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