Things to Look for in an Off-Road Vehicle

If you ever want to leave the pavement in the rearview mirror and kick up dust on the trails, then you can always count on Jeep and RAM for serious off-road performance. You can also find those rugged off-road models for sale in Hugo, Oklahoma, as we have them ready to go at Jay Hodge Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM. Here at our dealership, we want to connect you with the off-roading gear you need to brave the wilderness, and we’d love to show you exactly how these tools and specs make your vehicle ready to rumble.

All-Terrain Tires

While your everyday all-season tires are great for getting around town or highway travel, you’ll need something particularly durable when you exit the roadways. Off-road or all-terrain tires are designed exactly for that purpose, and they offer enhanced traction and durability to help you maintain your footing in mud, snow, and other treacherous terrains.

Four- or All-Wheel Drive

Your wheels get their power from the drivetrain, which directs its energy from the engine. Many vehicles feature either front- or rear-wheel drive, but when you go off-road and need torque sent to each wheel individually, then four- or all-wheel drive would be the way to go.

Off-Road Protection

Trails and uneven landscapes can hide logs, rocks, and other hazards that could harm your vehicle. That’s why it’s smart to equip your off-road vehicle with protective precautions like body cladding, reinforced bumpers, and even skid plates to armor the intricate machinery on the underside.

Locking Differentials

When all your wheels turn at the same speed, you can optimize your traction. That’s why locking differentials are designed to preserve proper traction by decreasing the risk that they’ll get stuck while you’re traversing uneven terrain.

Off-Road Suspension

The suspension system keeps your ride smooth by dissipating bumps in the road before they jostle your cabin. When you hit rough trails and jagged landscapes, you’ll need specialized suspension to soak up the more drastic turbulence your vehicle could encounter.

Approach, Break-Over, and Departure Angles

Respectively, these angles show the degree to which your vehicle can scale an incline, climb over a hillcrest, and descend the other side without scraping the ground or ending up stuck.

Ground Clearance

Trails and wild landscapes are prone to hiding hazards and obstacles, so traversing that terrain with a higher ground clearance makes it easier to protect your vehicle from damage since there’s more space between your vehicle’s underbelly and the terrain below.

Water Fording Depth

Some off-road vehicles sport water-fording capabilities, allowing them to cross shallow depths like streams or mud pools. It’s important to check your owner’s manual or manufacturer specs before attempting any fording, though, just to be sure you know what your particular model is capable of. A vehicle’s fording potential is determined by several factors – the position of its air intake, the proper sealing and protection of electrical and mechanical parts, and its ground clearance.

Find Your Off-Roading Gear in Hugo, OK

Here at Jay Hodge Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM, our team is standing by to connect you with the off-road machine you’ve been waiting for. We’ll help you find the model and gear you need to explore the wild with surefooted traction and power, and we’ll help you save with our latest deals and offers. Come see what we have on the lot for you at 2505 E Jackson Street, Hugo, Oklahoma, 74743.