How To Protect Your Vehicle From Damage When Travelling Off-Road

The nature of off-road and remote travel in Australia means you are naturally putting your vehicle at risk of damage. Thankfully, there are things you can do to ensure your vehicle can withstand the elements of the outback. As a trusted vehicle parts supplier and 4WD aftermarket products seller, we know some of the most important protects to help safeguard your vehicle investment.

1. Get a 4WD suspension lift kit.

Suspension lift kits, like the Dobinson’s range, are one of the most essential and important ways to protect your vehicle and prepare for off-road travel. A suspension lift will help to protect the underside of your vehicle because the 4WD body will be raised higher from the ground. This means you can navigate adverse terrain without rocks or bumps scraping against the underside of your car.

Not getting a suspension lift kit can be detrimental. For example, if the underside of your vehicle hits a rock or sharp bump, an important vehicle part could be damaged. If it’s your petrol tank that gets damaged or pierced, you might lose all your fuel and be stuck in a remote destination without any means to get home.

A suspension lift will also be benefit for protecting your vehicle if you plan on towing a trailer or caravan. Essentially, a suspension lift increases the weight that can be towed by your vehicle and prevents drooping at the rear-end of the car. Without a suspension lift, this rear drooping can cause damage to your tyres.

2. Install a 4WD snorkel.

When travelling off-road, you are likely to come across creek crossings and river crossings. To protect your vehicle’s engine, you should install a 4WD snorkel. This means your car can still access fresh air via the snorkel, rather than relying on air throughout vents that could theoretically be covered in water during a river crossing.

3. Take some time to understand your vehicle’s capability.

It’s important that you get to know your 4WD by taking it out on some easy tracks. Once you understand your vehicle’s clearance and power, you will know what is an isn’t realistic when travelling off-road. We recommend testing out your vehicle with a fleet or company so you can have help if things get hairy.

4. Purchase a nudge bar or bull bar.

All savvy 4WD owners will purchase and install a nudge bar or bull bar as soon as they purchase their vehicle. These bars will protect your vehicle if you are unfortunate enough to hit an animal or have a collision on the road. A quality bar could be the difference between your vehicle being a write-off and your vehicle being a-okay to carry on after a collision. Both nudge bars and bull bars are essential 4WD aftermarket products, and while nudge bars are often more cost-effective, bull bars will generally offer greater protection for your vehicle.