Off-Road Specs – Which Ones Matter?

Which Vehicle Specs Matter When Picking Your Vehicle?

Living an outdoor, weekend-adventurer lifestyle requires a vehicle that can take you where you want to go. But how do you know which vehicle is built for the rocky, muddy, obstacle-riddled roads you travel? I mean, do massive tires really matter when you’re hitting the trails? Kind of. What really matters is traction and high ground clearance. And a truck or SUV sitting on big beefy all-terrain tires like the ones equipped on the Hyundai Palisade XRT will give you both.

Off-roading can be an exciting and thrilling adventure, but you need the right equipment to handle the rugged terrain. Here are some key specs you should know about.

Underbody Protection

Underbody protection is like armor for the bottom of your vehicle. It shields the delicate parts of your car from rocks, branches, and rough ground and can improve the overall aerodynamics of your vehicle. Things like skid plates, rock sliders, and sump guards can protect your engine when you travel over the roughest terrain.

Tires & Traction

So tires do matter, not just because they’re big, but because they have better traction.

Traction is how well your vehicle's tires can grip the road. Good traction is key for off-roading. Think of it as your car's ability to hold onto the ground tightly.

Going off-road means veering off the pavement to take on surfaces that are hard to traverse, like snow, sand, mud, or gravel. These roads are so difficult for less-equipped vehicles because they’re harder for tires to grip. Off-road tires have deep treads and are made of tough rubber to grip slippery and uneven surfaces. Bigger and wider tires will give your vehicle more stability on challenging terrains.

Axle Articulation

Think of this as how well your car's wheels can move up and down separately. Good axle articulation helps all the wheels stay on the ground when driving over rocks and obstacles. It's like your car can stretch its legs to walk over big rocks. For instance, if one wheel drops down into a big hole, your axle articulation determines whether or not your other wheel can maintain contact with the surface. Axle articulation is measured by RTI.

Ramp Travel Index (RTI)

If you ever see a group of off-road fanatics traveling up a ramp with just one wheel, they haven’t gone mad. They’re measuring their RTI. This is the number that tells you how well a vehicle can handle steep ramps. The higher the RTI, the better your vehicle is at climbing. Imagine it as a rating of how well your car can climb a steep hill.

Drivetrain

The drivetrain is the system that sends power to the wheels. Some drivetrains send power to only the front wheels (expressed as front-wheel drive or FWD). Some send power to the rear wheels (expressed as the rear-wheel drive of RWD). And some drivetrains send power to all four wheels (all-wheel drive, AWD, or 4WD). You can guess which one you’ll need for rock crawling and mud riding – AWD.

Ground Clearance

Ground clearance is how high the bottom of your vehicle is from the ground. Higher clearance lets you drive over bigger obstacles without getting stuck. Imagine driving over a big rock and not having to worry about it hitting the bottom of your car. This is usually expressed in inches or millimeters.

Water Fording Depth

Water fording is the ability of your vehicle to drive through water without damaging the engine or other critical parts. It's like your car's ability to wade through a river or big puddle. But be careful! Know the limits of your vehicle so you don't get stuck in deep water. Water fording or water wading depth is the deepest your car can go through a body of water without damaging the vehicle.

Departure Angle

The departure angle is the steepest hill or obstacle you can drive off without the back of your vehicle hitting the ground. Imagine it like the back end of your car saying goodbye to the hill as you drive off. A larger departure angle means you can handle steeper drops.

Break-Over Angle

This angle helps you understand the steepest hill or obstacle your vehicle can drive over without getting stuck at the midpoint. Think of it as your car's ability to break over the top of a hill without getting hung up on the belly. A bigger break-over angle means your vehicle can handle sharper hills or bumps.

Approach Angle

The approach angle tells you the steepest hill or obstacle you can drive onto without the front of your vehicle hitting the ground. Imagine it as your car's ability to approach a steep hill head-on without scratching the front bumper. A larger approach angle helps you tackle steep inclines without any trouble.

Shop Off-Road Vehicles at Red McCombs Hyundai

Understanding these off-road specs will help you know what your vehicle can handle, making off-roading safer and more fun. With these specs in mind, visit Red McCombs Hyundai to find a vehicle that will match your adventurous lifestyle so you can explore new trails and adventures with confidence.