There’s a specific kind of silence you can only find when the pavement ends and the cell service drops. For me, off-roading has always been about the places my Ford can take me and the memories made along the way. But I know that for many, regardless of the skill level, transitioning from the highway to the trail can be daunting because every terrain and trail is unique. Knowledge and preparedness are your most important gear.
That’s why I am collaborating with Ford and onX to help bridge that gap and help make it easier for owners to build confidence as they find their way off the beaten path. I’ve spent years learning the nuances of various vehicles and trails across America, and today, I’m breaking down my top tips every off-roader should have in their back pocket to explore further, stay safe, and enjoy the dirt.1
#1: Download the onX Offroad App and Find a Trail
With the onX Offroad app, it’s easy to find trails in your area or across the U.S. via the Discover tab. You can compare different options based on:
- Trail difficulty highlighting if the trail is easy, moderate, or difficult to match your skill level.
- User-submitted photos to show what the trail actually looks like, not just in ideal conditions.
- Trail descriptions show distance, difficulty, and elevation changes, along with photos of the trail from onX Trail Guides.
- Trail Reports let’s you know whether a trail is open or closed and why (e.g., there’s an obstruction).
#2: Before You Go — Download an Offline Map
When you know you will lose Internet connectivity in a remote location, downloading your onX Offroad map to your phone is key.
- Open your onX Offroad app and preview your route.
- Press the “Offline Map” button in the bottom bar.
- The green box means your map is downloaded and can be used offline.
- If your vehicle is equipped, open Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
- All the map information will be available via the in-vehicle screen.
Pro Tip: You can also see cell coverage based on the carrier to know where to prioritize downloading an offline map.
#3: Don’t Forget to Air Down Your Tires
Airing down your tires can transform your off-roading experience. It simply means lowering the air pressure in your tires below what you'd run on the highway. There are three main reasons why you’d want to air down:
- Traction Is King: More rubber touching the trail means more grip on loose surfaces like sand, mud, or uneven rocks.
- Comfort and Control: A softer tire acts like an extra shock absorber, giving you a much smoother ride and better control over rough terrain.
- Protection: A pliable tire is less likely to get punctured or damaged by sharp rocks.
Some important things to keep in mind:
- Don’t air down too low. You risk popping the tire off the rim! A typical air down level is 20-25 PSI, compared to 30-35 PSI on-road; however, always check your owner's manual for recommended tire pressure for driving on pavement.
- Only drive at highway speeds with your vehicle’s recommended tire pressure. If you drive with your tires aired down, it can be dangerous and ruin them. When in doubt, always check your owner’s manual.
- Always carry a compressor to air back up before you hit the pavement, or lower your speed until you can get to a compressor.
#4: Perform a Pre-Trip Inspection
Before any off-road adventure, a quick vehicle check is non-negotiable for peace of mind. Make sure you check:
- Tires: Inspect for any pre-existing damage like cuts, bulges, or punctures. And always remember to have a spare that’s aired up and/or a tire repair kit!
- Fluids: Quickly check all your fluid levels and scan for any leaks under the vehicle.
- Underbody and Recovery: Know your ground clearance as well as approach and departure angles and check for anything loose. Lastly, always know where your tow points are.
#5: The More the Merrier — Ride with a Group!
Out on the trail, things can go sideways fast. It could be a snapped axle, a stuck tire, or something else. That's why I prefer to go off-roading in a group or with a partner.
Having even one other person with you means someone’s always there to winch you out, render aid, or go get help should you find yourself in a bind. It also means you have someone to share adventures and have fun with.
#6: Share Your Location Via the onX Offroad App
When traveling with a partner or group, it’s helpful to know where everyone is. The onX Offroad app’s Location Sharing feature keeps your entire group connected by showing everyone’s location on one live map.
Just tap “Share Location” and select the members in your group. Location Sharing means less time waiting and more time moving, which equals more off-roading fun.
#7: Assess and Maintain Momentum Through Water
When assessing a water fording, start by looking for safe entry and exit points. Observe the depth of the water and current. Once you’ve entered, it’s important to maintain momentum.
Your vehicle should never drive through water that’s higher than the bottom of the front rocker area. You should also always check out your owner’s manual, which will give you max recommended water-wading depth.
A few other things to keep in mind when it comes to crossing water:
- Never drive upstream. Stay on the trails that cross streams and rivers.
- For the best navigation, combine the data in your onX Offroad map with recent Trail Reports and on-the-ground visual cues.
- Lastly, remember to always use common sense!
#8: Momentum Is Your Friend in the Sand
When encountering loose sand, slowing down too much or too quickly is actually the worst thing you can do. That’s because you risk digging in and getting stuck.
Momentum is key when driving through loose sand. Maintain a steady, controlled speed, with no quick starts or stops. Airing down your tires is also a huge help in sand.
#9: Be Aware of Trail Traffic
A lot of traffic on the trail is a good indicator the trail is going to be a good one! That said, it’s important to be mindful of others, practice good etiquette, and allow for others to have the right-of-way, particularly if they are in a smaller vehicle such as a side-by-side.
Most importantly, if you are driving downhill and encounter a vehicle coming up, you must yield and allow them to pass, as the person going uphill always has the right-of-way. Be respectful and everyone can enjoy themselves!
#10: Trail Turn Assist Is your BFF (Bonus tip for Bronco Owners)
For the Bronco owners with automatic transmissions, Trail Turn Assist can be your best friend in tight, technical situations where a standard turn just won't cut it. Think narrow switchbacks, rocky ledges, or any spot where you need to pivot without a lot of room to work with.
Here’s what it does: When activated, Trail Turn Assist applies the inside rear brake, essentially using it as an anchor point so the Bronco can swing around it with a dramatically tighter turning radius than it could manage on its own. The result is a more controlled, confident rotation without the need to back up and try again.
#11: Disconnect the Sway Bar — More Grip, Control, and Better Crawl
The sway bar/stabilizer bar aka the sta-bar, keeps the vehicle stable and flat on the highway. On equipped vehicles, it is engineered specifically for low-speed rock crawling by allowing each tire to move up and down independently for more grip, control and better crawl. Just make sure you are in four-wheel drive high or four-wheel drive low and driving under 20mph.
#12: Look But Don’t Touch — Leave No Trace
Off-roading oftentimes allows you to see historical places and artifacts that aren’t accessible otherwise, such as natural rock formations, ancient petroglyphs or pictographs, and structures from long ago. That said, it’s important to look without touching. The only thing you should take away from the trail are photographs, a selfie, and memories of a great adventure.
Ready to get outdoors? Ford is offering eligible owners one year of complimentary access across the highest tier of all four onX apps.2 Open your Ford app3 or visit onxmaps.com/ford to start your adventure today.
Chase Gentry is a Ford Ambassador and the host of "Chasing Off-Road Confidence."
What to Read Next
1Always consult the Owner’s Manual before off-road driving, know your terrain and trail difficulty, and use appropriate safety gear.
2Offer ends 12/22/2028 and applies to new onX Offroad, Hunt, Backcountry, and Fish Midwest app memberships. Credit card activation is required, and memberships will automatically renew until cancelled. Must be an eligible owner of 2017 and newer Ford vehicles equipped with an activated modem. Customers who had an onX Elite Offroad, Hunt, Backcountry, or Fish Midwest membership in the 12 months prior to activation are not eligible for a complimentary membership on the same onX app. onX Backcountry not available via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. See onX terms for complete offer details.
3Customers need a Ford app login. Ford app, formerly known as the FordPass® app, compatible with select smartphone platforms, is available via a download. Message and data rates may apply. Terms and conditions apply. Visit ford.com for our privacy notice.
Android Auto is a trademark of Google LLC. Apple CarPlay is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U. S. and other countries.
