User:AKJHONSOM11/sandbox

Off-roading is the activity of driving or riding a vehicle on unsurfaced roads or tracks, made of materials such as sand, gravel, riverbeds, mud, snow, rocks, and other natural terrain. Types of off-roading range in intensity, from leisure drives with unmodified vehicles to competitions with customized vehicles and professional drivers. Off-roaders have been met with criticism for the environmental damage caused by their vehicles. There have also been extensive debates over the role of government in regulating the sport, including a Supreme Court case brought against the Bureau of Land Management in the United States.

Contents 1	Off-road vehicle 2	Recreational off-roading 2.1	Dune bashing 2.2	Off-road racing 2.3	Cross-country 2.4	Raid 2.5	Green laning 2.6	Mudding and mud plugging 2.7	Rock crawling 2.8	Competitive trials 2.9	Winch events 3	Off-roading events 4	Off-roading organizations 5	Vehicle modification 5.1	Vehicle lifts 5.2	Traction 5.3	Differentials 5.4	Tires 5.5	Dangers of vehicle lifting 5.6	Vehicle protection 6	Criticism of ORV use 6.1	Environmental impact 6.2	Mojave desert controversy 6.3	Roadless area conservation 6.4	Public statements 7	See also 8	Further reading 9	References 9.1	Notes 9.2	Bibliography 10	External links Off-road vehicle

One example of an off-road SUV, in this case a Jeep Grand Cherokee, in action Main article: Off-road vehicle Travelling over difficult terrain requires vehicles capable of off-road driving such as ATVs. These vehicles have features designed specifically for use in off-road conditions such as: extended ground clearance, off-road tires and a strengthened drive-train. Some manufacturers offer vehicles specifically designed for off-road use.[1][2]

Recreational off-roading Some examples of recreational off-roading include the following:

Dune bashing

Ford Bronco dune bashing

Organized desert safari dune bashing in Dubai Dune bashing is a form of off-roading on sand dunes.

A large sport utility vehicle such as the Toyota Land Cruiser is used (however, light weight vehicles often fare better in the extremely soft sand found on sand dunes)[citation needed]. Vehicles driven on dunes may be equipped with a roll cage in case of an overturn; Similar to auto-racing, experience and skill is required to maneuver the car and prevent accidents. Before entering the desert in an everyday-use SUV or pickup, it is essential to reduce the tire pressure. This is done to gain more traction by increasing the footprint of the tire and, therefore, reducing the ground pressure of the vehicle on the sand as there is a greater surface area (much like a person wearing snowshoes can walk on a soft surface without sinking, but a person without them cannot). For example, tires with a recommended pressure of 35 psi would be reduced to approximately 12-15 psi.

A common modification is to fit beadlock rims, which allow tire pressure to be lowered even further, without risking tire and rim separation. Upon entering the desert, it is common to meet with a pack of vehicles and a group leader before proceeding. The group leader then leads the pack through the stunts in single file. The main reason for this technique is to prevent vehicles from losing track of direction and getting lost.

Off-road racing Main article: Off-road racing Desert racing High-speed racing in the open desert includes chases and racing on a rough desert terrain with numerous pots and bumps at the maximum speed. Drivers mostly use RWD and 4WD trucks with long-travel suspension, wide stance on the front and large tires (typically 33”- 39”) which allows maintaining optimal stability at the high speed. This type of trucks is often called Prerunner.[3]

Rock racing Rock Racing is very similar to rock crawling in the fact that the vehicles are driven over rocks, the difference is that there are no penalties for hitting cones, backing up or winching as is done in rock crawling. Rock racing also involves a degree of high-speed racing not seen in typical rock crawling.[citation needed]

Cross-country Unlike stationary dune bashing that tends to revolve around a single star dune or one obstacle, cross-country off-roading is an activity that lasts several days on routes with desert or other terrains. Routes in Africa generally have obstacles in largely uninhabited and uncharted terrain.[citation needed] These circuit routes are over 50 km and usually around 300 km long[citation needed]

Raid This is a type of travel undertaken with a 4x4 that mostly goes over tracks and contains some bits of off-roading. Traditionally these trips are going through relatively uninhabited areas. Popular are the deserts in Tunisia, Morocco and other North African countries, continent crossing trips through Africa, trips through Mongolia or Northern Scandinavia. Typical modifications to vehicles for this kind of travel are the addition of extra fuel tanks, roof rack tents, and elaborate storage systems in the back for food, water/drinking, spare parts, tools and other cargo. Due to the extra weight the suspension is often reinforced with stronger springs, shock absorbers etc...[citation needed]

Green laning