4 - wheeling , Rocks

Driving on rocky terrain can be a fun, mind-challenging experience. It also represents some degree of risk; rocks can damage a car’s delicate underparts and, more seriously, can throw a vehicle off balance to the point of toppling over.
Again the golden rule here is to drive slowly. Progress on rocky ground is measured by meters/hour sometimes.

If you go offroading on rocky terrain often enough, chances are you will come across situations where you have to move more or less large boulders to free a path or to build a ramp.

Never attempt to lift a heavy rock directly off the ground; you don’t want to hear this snapping sound in your backbone, always push a boulder sideways, and never stand downhill from the rock you are moving.
To build a ramp, first place the larger stones as close to each other as possible then fill in gaps with smaller ones.

You want to create a negotiable slope with a more or less even surface on which to drive. Walk and jump on the ramp after you have built it to make sure there are no loose rocks and,
when driving over the ramp have someone standing outside the vehicle giving you directions (never let someone stand downhill from a vehicle in such situations). Put the car in low range and proceed at idle speed.

A common situation in rock crawling is being high-centered, a skid plate or differential is suspended on a large rock,
one or more of the wheels are lifted off the ground and the others are not getting grip.

Lift the car with a jack and remove the obstacle using a long stick or a towrope; NEVER crawl, move rocks or work under a jacked up car. If the rock is unmovable, try pushing the lifted car forward or backward over the obstacle, repeat operation until you have cleared the obstacle or until your jack is ruined!

A small word about jacks: By far, the best type to carry is the high-lift jack, it can raise a car from a few centimeters (inches) all the way to a meter (3 ft) or more. The only disadvantage though is that a high-lift jack lifts a car from the body, wheels in this case do not leave the ground until the whole vehicle is lifted the height of the maximum vertical suspension travel. The sturdiness, simplicity and practicality of the jack largely outweigh this disadvantage.
Next best is the oil-filled telescopic type; it is lightweight and easy to operate but has a relatively short lifting range. This jack can be placed under the car thereby lifting it from the axles, differentials or spring u-bolt plate, this way every centimeter of lift effectively raises the wheels directly off the ground.

Carry two or more to compensate for the short lifting range; after lifting one jack to its maximum height, if you need more lift, place another jack on a large stone or other hard object and lift again.

It is still a mystery why offroad vehicle manufacturers insist on those flimsy, awkward jacks they put as “original equipment” in your car; probably the first thing you should do when acquiring an offroader is to buy yourself three good jacks, one High-lift and two oil-filled ones.

OK back to rock crawling,

a few do's:
- Always think safety.
- Know the geography of your car’s underside thoroughly, you can avoid much damage when straddling rocks if you know where are the areas with most clearance.
- Always carry more than one spare tire, this rule applies in offroading in general but specially when driving on sharp edged rocks.
- Always carry more than one towing rope or preferably nylon strap.

Don’ts:
- Never lose your nerve, this may sound silly but cannot be stressed enough.
- Never drive on a ramp you have built unless you are sure the stones are firmly packed and holding to each other.
- Never use sand plates on rocky terrain, metal slips easily on a rocky surface. Use rocks, sand, pebbles, and even a spare wheel to build a ramp but in most cases sand plates will be more dangerous than useful.

Again rock crawling can be fun but only if you are prepared for some physical exercise and are not in a hurry to get anywhere. The positive side is that rocky areas can be very picturesque and the safe crossing of a difficult pass gives you a wonderful sense of achievement