For nearly two years I’ve written and spoken about the automotive world, with a major focus on the off-road industry. I’ve ridden in capable rigs across the United States with skilled drivers, but my first time behind the wheel was thanks to Off-Road Place. I joined them for Overland Expo Mountain West, followed by a bucket-list trip to Moab, Utah—often called the off-roading capital of the world.
On that trip I drove ORP’s 3rd Gen Tacoma shop truck and their new 6th Gen 4Runner build. I tackled well-known trails like Chicken Corners, a scenic route that winds along narrow ledges with 100-foot drop-offs, and Fins & Things, widely considered the proving grounds of Moab. More recently, I joined the team at Merus Adventure Park outside Amarillo, Texas for Toyota Takeover 5. That meant a day on intermediate trails with the group, plus a full day of piloting the Tacoma myself on beginner runs.
Here are the five lessons I took away from my first time truly wheeling my own rig.
1. Stop and Try Again
The single most powerful thing I learned is, as cliché as it sounds, that off-roading is not a race. Nobody is forcing you to speed through an obstacle. While steady throttle is sometimes needed to push through, you don’t have to make an immediate decision the second you pull up. Take a moment, breathe, and think about it. Work with your spotter to study the line and pick the best approach.
If you get stuck, back up and try again from a different angle. Off-roading is more like solving a puzzle than charging through a course. If one way doesn’t work, attempt another—whether that means repositioning, using traction aids, or adjusting your technique. Stopping and resetting not only keeps you safe, it builds your confidence for the next challenge.
2. Know Your Limits
As one of ORP’s technicians, Fuzzy, reminded me: in order to grow, you’ll need to get uncomfortable. But there’s a line between growth and danger. If you’re not sure, trust the more experienced spotters and drivers around you. Pride doesn’t belong on the trail. If it’s your first time, there’s no shame in joining a beginner trail ride group.
As much as I’d like to say “when in doubt, throttle out,” the truth is that mindset will only get you so far, especially in a stock rig. More power doesn’t always mean more progress, and forcing it can cause more damage than success. Learning when to back off is just as important as pushing forward.
3. You're Only as Good as Your Spotter
A good spotter can turn an impossible obstacle into a manageable one. Having someone outside the cab helping you pick your line, telling you when to give throttle, and when to brake, can be the difference between success and failure. Learning to trust your spotter is part of learning to wheel.
4. Be Ready to Break Stuff
Even “green-rated” trails can leave their mark. You might scratch your paint on a tree branch, scuff your wheels on a rock, or, in worse cases, break an axle. If you want to keep your vehicle in showroom condition, this hobby might not be for you. The real question is: do you have a plan if something breaks? Can you fix it? Do you have tools, spare parts, or friends with a trailer? Off-roading is as much about preparation as it is about adventure.
5. You Can Go Further Than You Think With Less Than What You Think
I drove ORP’s Tacoma shop truck, a rig with 35-inch tires, a 6-inch lift, bumpers, sliders, aftermarket lockers, and more. Truth be told, it was way more truck than my skill level needed. But here’s what I learned: you don’t need a heavily modified rig to start.
Moab’s Chicken Corners can be run in a stock 4WD, and we even saw a Subaru Crosstrek ahead of us before we aired down. Fins & Things, typically rated a 4–5 out of 10, could be completed in a stock rig with a skilled driver. At Merus, I watched first-timers in stock vehicles navigate green and blue trails with no trouble.
Don’t let a lack of modifications hold you back from getting started. The trail will teach you what upgrades you really need, and you’ll learn more about both your rig and yourself along the way.
Off-roading is humbling, challenging, and rewarding all at once. My first experiences behind the wheel taught me that skill and mindset matter just as much as equipment. Whether you’re in a fully built truck or a stock SUV, the important part is to get out there, learn, and enjoy the adventure.
