You don’t look at that rugged terrain as a problem; you see it as a challenge and an opportunity. Your truck is up to the challenge and so are you. Well, hopefully, your truck is up to the challenge and, hopefully, your off-road suspension is up to the challenge, too.

Off-roading isn’t for the faint of heart, whether we’re talking about the driver or the truck (or even a car modified for off-road use). Highways and roads beat the heck out of cars. This time of year, it’s a good idea for most people to start thinking about having their steering and suspension checked, considering all the potholes and such they’ve driven through all winter. But, if we’re talking about an off-road vehicle, the abuse is 10 fold and that off-road suspension better be tough.

What that means is that, before you hit the undeveloped landscape for some serious off-roading, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle is up to the challenge. That starts with the off-road suspension of your vehicle.

An off-road vehicle’s steering and suspension are the front line of defense against the abuse of negotiating hills, rocks, rivers and lunar-like landscapes. If the off-road suspension isn't up to the task, even if the engine is in the peak of performance, you’re liable to find yourself stuck in a ditch.

Nothing spoils the fun as fast as twisting a tie-rod end while going over a log, or breaking a spring when you’re trying to bounce it over a rocky ridge. Getting a tow from off-road is, shall we say, inconvenient.

So, this time of year, as you consider hitting the open off-road, take a good look at your truck, or other off-road vehicle, and make sure everything is ship-shape. The same holds true if you’re preparing a vehicle for its first off-road experience. This isn’t the time for shortcuts.

As an article in Road & Track magazine points out, “Suspension: Don't make the common mistake of getting a cheap body lift kit.” There are simply some areas in life where you can’t skimp. Fixing a vehicle for off-road adventures is one of those areas. Do the job right, using the right equipment – quality equipment – and you’ll have an off-road adventure that is less likely marred by breakdowns and problems.