Driving off-road with 4x4 trucks? Review the following tips to be prepared.

• Try to keep all four wheels on the most solid area of the trail.
• Avoid reducing tire pressure. Instead, shift to a lower gear and drive steadily through the terrain.
  Shift to a low gear and maintain steady pressure on the accelerator. This will help prevent spinning the wheels while maintaining sufficient momentum to keep the vehicle from bogging down. Tires, chains also help.
• Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you are driving in mud. Even 4x4 trucks can lose traction in slick mud. If the vehicle does start to slide, steer in the direction of the slide until you regain control of the vehicle. A little practice and your skills with 4x4 trucks should be up to speed.
• After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts and tires.
• Excess mud caked on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an imbalance that could damage vehicle components. They may also prove to be quite costly and cause factory warranties to be null & void if you do not maintain and clean rotating components.

Before driving through water with 4x4 trucks:

• Determine the depth.
• Avoid water higher than the bottom of the wheel hubs.
• Avoid splashing ­– if the ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
• Once through the water safely, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. You can dry the brakes faster by driving the vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.

How do I know what I can tow?

If you are selecting a vehicle that will be used to tow (commercial and/or leisure purposes), you need to determine the approximate weight of the trailer you intend to tow, including the weight of any additional cargo you will be towing. Before heading out on a trip, be sure to have your fully loaded vehicle and trailer weighed so as not to exceed critical weight limits. Depending on what you are towing and where you are going, it is recommended that you use a separate functional brake system to be used on any towed vehicle/trailer, etc.

When towing, remember to use the following:

• Trailer lamps ­
  Make sure the trailer is equipped with lights that conform to all applicable provincial and federal governmental regulations. Do not connect a trailer lighting system directly to the lighting system of the vehicle. You can contact truck specialists or recreational vehicle/trailer dealers for correct wiring and relays for the trailer and heavy-duty flashers.
• Safety chains
  Always use safety chains when towing. Safety chains are used to retain connection between the vehicle and the trailer you are towing. In the event of separation of the trailer coupling or ball, cross chains under the trailer tongue but remember to allow enough slack for turning corners. When using a frame-mounted trailer hitch, attach the safety chains to the frame-mounted hitch using the recommendations supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
• Trailer wiring harness
  Vehicles equipped with a factory-installed trailer towing package will more than likely include a trailer wiring harness and wiring kit.
• Automatic transmission with overdrive
  In hilly areas and with heavy loads, it is recommended you lock the transmission "out" of overdrive to prevent excessive gear shifting. Overdrive can be locked out to promote engine braking on downgrades. Use overdrive with lighter loads and in flat terrain to increase fuel efficiency.

Trailering Safety Tips

Trailer towing is a unique driving situation that places extra demands on your driving skills. Here are a few tips to help you feel comfortable and safe when heading out on a road trip:

• Keep tow load light.
• Never overload.
• Keep load balanced side-to-side.
• Make sure all lights work.
• Make sure your tow mirrors meet legal requirements.
• Safety chains are attached properly.
• Check your brakes.