1st time off roading

HI,
Got myself a bog standard Diesel Discovery and wanting to go off roading, I am a total novice to this so 1st question on here:-
What do I need to do to my disco for the 1st couple of times without spending too much money?

Just go drive it and have fun, take a tow rope and attach it befor your stuck, and have good recovery points like a tow bar or jate rings

Rules to remember:

1/. Do not go alone ... EVER!!! Find someone with a bit of experience to accompany you

2/. Make sure that someone knows where you are, and what time to expect you back safe

3/. Take either flasks of hot drinks or a means of making them

4/. Take some energy food, as getting yourself unstuck is very draining on your body reserves

5/. Make sure that your vehicle mechanics and electrics are in top condition

6/. If you don't already have them, fit extended axle breathers

7/. Reduce your tyre pressures to around 16psi and take a pump with you to reinflate them afterwards

8/. Take a comprehensive tool kit, as you will probably need it

9/. Go along to some RTV Trials and see how others manage off road in road trim vehicles

10/. Have fun, and expect to break something!

yeah spend the money on a couple of longish tow straps and suitably rated shackles and a full service and fixing/replacing anything that might break. i.e tired shocks on road might be fine (ish) but they get a hammering off road so might break leaving you stranded.

basically get the vehicle in good mechanical condition, its surprising what a standard vehicle can do, even with road biased tyres.

dont worry about winches or any of that stuff. Your next purchase after doing a few lanes/off road days might be AT tyres and some underbody protection

Went laning the other day and most of us were in standard vehicles with normal tyres and we had no issues.

DO NOT GO LANING ON YOUR OWN.

Oldseadog said:

Rules to remember:


7/. Reduce your tyre pressures to around 16psi and take a pump with you to reinflate them afterwards

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This is a good tip, however some say leave tyres at normal pressure then you can 'emergency air down' if needed. Its just an extra card up your sleeve, if you get stuck with normal pressures airing down will prob get you out in some situations.

Depends on where you're going and what you're hoping to do!

Standard equipment's fine (but the tail's rather long on a Disco, particularly if you've a tow hitch) but road tyres are useless in mud.

Biggest requirement is probably someone who's done it before and has a bit of common sense, their own vehicle and a tow rope.

Some 4x4 centres run instruction days. I had the pleasure of spending a day under Vince Cobley's tutelage when I acquired my first Rover and it was invaluable. There are things you wouldn't consider trying that the car is perfectly capable of delivering, and others that seem, at first glance, to be perfectly doable yet turn out to be really, really stupid/expensive/dangerous.

Keep an eye on the Off Roading - Land Rover Zone and Green Laning - Land Rover Zone sections here, there may be something coming up near you.

Tong's not far from you either - that's a fairly popular pay-and-play site so there may be opportunities there as well.

disco1998 said:

HI,
Got myself a bog standard Diesel Discovery and wanting to go off roading, I am a total novice to this so 1st question on here:-
What do I need to do to my disco for the 1st couple of times without spending too much money?

Click to expand...

What do you mean by "off roading"?

pay and play sites?
green laning?
Sainburys car park?

The requirements are subtely different.

If you've never been before you'll be surprised when you're told to let go of the brakes and clutch in low range

Rangey185 said:

If you've never been before you'll be surprised when you're told to let go of the brakes and clutch in low range

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yeah bit arse twitchy till your used to it, and getting used to engine braking and letting the vehicle drive itself takes a few trips out.

keep your thumbs outside the steering wheel aswell in case it catches something and spins round

dont fight the steering wheel, let the wheels find their own way (to a point)

The Mad Hat Man said:

What do you mean by "off roading"?

pay and play sites?
green laning?
Sainburys car park?

The requirements are subtely different.

Click to expand...

Plan is, pay and play sites and green laning if all goes to plan!

Thanks for some great advice, can't wait to try it. Just got to sort clutch out give it a service and a good check over and get started. So should I get some A/T tyres or not that's the Question!!

what tyres you got on it atm?

Right joing a club. Forget buying ANYTHING especially straps if you must buy something buy 2 rated shackles and a 24mm 8 tonne rope.

if your motor is standard then i suggest you look into Welcome to the Association of Land Rover Clubs

then look for local club most local to you: ALRC Member Clubs

By Far you will do more technical and advanced offroading and with the minimal chance of causing damaging your motor.

Find a local club, email or arrange to meet at their pub meet, or offroad site. It will cost you £20 a year membership and circa £20 for each comp. but they usually let you help out marshalling and this is a free access to the site with experienced guys the day before and then the next day marshalling and a bit of driving. Its by far the best way in. Others may disagree however i put it to them that someone going down this route and after a couple of years becomes a far far better driver than those that just drive play days and greenlanes. The 50+ years experience of offroad driving what works and what shiney stuff is pointless will pay you back in knowledge in the first meeting I assure you!

Good luck any problems give me a shout ATB J

flat said:

what tyres you got on it atm?

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Just had a look and they are Continental contitrac are they any good, there's plenty of tread on them.

for offroading tyres with teeth! Side biters and open tread works for mud

jai_landrover said:

for offroading tyres with teeth! Side biters and open tread works for mud

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whats your thoughts on skinnier tyres Vs wider tyres when in mud? I seem to do okay the other day on my skinny michelin ones

disco1998 said:

Just had a look and they are Continental contitrac are they any good, there's plenty of tread on them.

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not familiar with them myself but the images look very road biased and the description on the continental website says

This is ideal for medium-weight to heavy 4x4 vehicles for use on roads and light terrain. Offset tread blocks and the open outer shoulder area give the tire not only a distinctive offroad look, but also ensure exceptional driving and braking characteristics. Four deep, circumferential grooves widen towards the opening, preventing aquaplaning and ensuring minimal stone retention.

I think they would struggle on anything other than dry lanes with high levels of grip.

to give you an idea of what an off road tread pattern is like I have these but not in that massive size, mine are 7.50
Michelin XZL -- EE -- Expedition Exchange Incorporated

So better start looking for a set of tyres, would it be a good idea to get a used set with wheels then I could swap them over when not off roading, or should I keep well away from s/h ones.

might pick some up for reasonable money, 2 sets of tyres/wheels is a good idea if you are using you land rover everyday

as long as the tyres dont have punctures, big splits etc and not worn then should be ok but dont buy blind off ebay, go and look, or atleast get decent pictures

With thinner tyres dig wide tyres float,

If your doing rtv trials then I'd say 235 wide or 7.5 so you stiller good steering lock.

I have 265 wide with spacers, mine dig in 285 are getting wider, 12.5 that I have seen just float on the mud