A thrilling method to practice social distance is purchasing an off-road vehicle and venturing into the wilderness. First, pick an SUV or truck that can handle the adventure you're after. Autoblog writer and off-road YouTuber Dan Edmunds says, "you know there will be problems, but you don't precisely know what they'll be."

The followings are the three distinct categories of off-roading and the equipment recommended by experts for each.

Exploring by car on unpaved roads is Step 1.

Perhaps you are a mountain biker who must ascend a dirt road to reach the trailhead, or you enjoy taking long walks along fire service routes. A vehicle with greater ground clearance must securely travel unpaved roads with a high center crown or over infrequent rocky stretches.

It's likely that many stock SUVs and crossovers, even those with only two-wheel drive, can manage most dirt roads. If you want to err on the side of caution, Dan Edmunds says that all-wheel drive is the way to go for the best traction on unexpectedly steep inclines and wet, slick surfaces.

Step 2: Exploring the Open Road

This is the case when you must go to far-flung places and bring supplies for multiple days of camping. For several days, According to Edmunds, one option is to travel to a place with no cell phone service, such as a "ghost town" or "abandoned mine."

According to Edmunds, you'll need a four-wheel drive car with low range to tackle inclines and plow through mud and rocks. Upgraded shock absorbers may be required to accommodate the additional mass.

Crawling over rocks (level 3)

According to Edmunds, this extreme style of off-roading is to seek out the most difficult driving conditions. Spotters are often stationed outside a rock crawler to help the driver navigate the obstacles in the path.

Low-range four-wheel drive and more ground clearance are required to navigate these circumstances safely. You should also equip your vehicle with a locking rear differential to improve grip in slippery conditions. Additionally, a front-mounted winch can be attached to a tree or another vehicle to help pull the car free if it becomes stuck.

Wanting to Buy a Four-Wheeler

While you may buy a car specifically designed for off-roading from the factory, many enthusiasts buy a used car and do the necessary modifications (such as installing larger tires, beefier shocks, and "lift kits") themselves. Hot rodding has been replaced, according to Edmunds.

To avoid flats caused by jagged pebbles, you can get all-terrain tires for as little as $200 per. A set of huge wheels and tires for use in rock scrambling, mud, or sandy beaches can cost several thousand dollars.

Free auto classifieds

When looking for an off-road vehicle, dependability was Sadlier's top priority. From his research on car message boards, he knew the Toyota Land Cruiser's V-8 was among the best in the industry. In the middle of nowhere, with no way to get help, you need to know that your automobile will always start.

Online automotive classifieds like Craigslist and Autotrader might help you find that one-of-a-kind ride you've been looking for. To find a Land Cruiser, "cast a wide net," as Sadlier puts it. He eventually tracked one down in the San Francisco region with only 94,000 miles on it, and he purchased it for $16,000. He upgraded to all-terrain tires, removed the grill guard and the running boards, and set off for the wilderness.

A check should be double-checked before it's written.

To help you choose the best off-road vehicle, experts provide the following guidelines:

To find out which vehicles can handle the terrain you intend to traverse, read up on off-roading forums. Check out some YouTube videos of the cars in question to get a feel for their potential.

Since the cost of the new equipment is not factored into pricing guides, purchasing a secondhand vehicle with modifications can save money.

Make sure any aftermarket additions to a secondhand car are from a respected brand and were made correctly.

Service Technician For A Checkup

It's uncommon to be able to put a vehicle through its paces in an off-road environment during a test drive. However, you should test the suspension by driving over railroad tracks or uneven roads. Compared to shifting a manual transmission, driving with an automatic is far less of a hassle in the city and on rough terrain. To ensure that any new machinery or alterations you make are protected in the event of theft or damage, you may need to add "riders" to your current insurance policy.