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If you want to get off the pavement and onto the sand you need 4 wheel drive, and the tougher, the better. Whatever vehicle you choose to drive out there, make sure it's in good condition, has good trail tires, and pay attention to your vehicle. Your vehicle is your lifeline in and out of the desert.

Driving technique is equally important. There are some basic tips; first is drive slow and easy and watch out for wildlife. If you try to drive too fast, you'll damage tires, break things and miss seeing the natural beauty of the surrounding environment if you try to drive too fast. Second, stay on the top of, not in, the ruts (except in sand, of course; when driving in sand I try to keep the wheels where the sand is best packed from the previous vehicles).

Put your vehicle in 4-wheel drive before you need it, and shift to low range early to reduce the strain on your vehicle. When in sand, keep your speed up and use higher gears, don't spin the tires, and don't stop till you're clear of it. When you're approaching a hill, don't just rush into it blindly - look it over, remember than any hill you go down you may also have to come back up. If you don't think you can come back up it, don't go down unless there is another clear and obvious trail out.

Related Links

• Off-highway driving tips
• What to take along
• Survival suggestions
• BLM land on the Mojave
• links to parks and preserves