How to Become a Rock Crawler
Rock crawling is a popular outdoor sport among four-wheel drive enthusiasts. Utilizing highly modified pickups and sport utility vehicles, drivers use the ability of their vehicle combined with driving expertise to navigate obstacles made up by large rocks. The individuals that drive these monster machines are referred to as "Rock Crawlers." Throughout the United States there are thousands of rock crawlers competing at both amateur and professional levels, while even more folks prefer to take on the sport as a leisure hobby. To become a rock crawler, you simply need the skill and the rig to take on trails.
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Instructions
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Purchase the base vehicle that will be used to build the rock crawler rig. Essentially, any four-wheel drive vehicle will work, however some of the most popular makes and models include Toyota pickups and Jeep Wranglers. Select a vehicle in good working condition to avoid having to spend extra money on basic repairs.
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Outline a budget for building the rock-crawler vehicle. Move forward with the build if the financial resources are available, or create a plan to purchase and install parts over time as the funds are available. Minimal retrofits, such as the installation of aftermarket suspension components and larger tires may cost an estimated $2,000, while building a vehicle dedicated solely to rock crawling can easily cost over $20,000 in parts and labor for the complete build.
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Begin making modifications to the vehicle in order to make it more capable of overcoming the types of obstacles found in rock crawling. Install locking differentials to send power to all four wheels, equip the vehicle with tires featuring a tread that grips well and select suspension components that allow the rig to flex over rocks. Modify the undercarriage of the vehicle to feature skid plates that will protect vital components from scraping against rocks, while also installing a winch to help move the vehicle when it becomes stuck.
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Take the vehicle out rock crawling as often as possible so that you become comfortable with the handling of the vehicle, as well as your own driving capabilities. Join a local four-wheel club dedicated to rock crawling and be open to taking advice from veteran rock crawlers.Visit the Meetup website and perform a search in your zip code for rock crawling to find other enthusiasts. Practice your driving around experienced individuals in order to pull from their knowledge and improve your skills. Build confidence over time and never be afraid to avoid an obstacle based on the limitations of you or your rig.
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Sign up to participate in a rock crawling competition. Amateur, semi-professional and professional events are held throughout the United States, most commonly during the dry summer months. Use competitions as a platform to refine and test your skill while networking with other rock crawlers.
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Seek sponsorships from off-road manufacturing companies if you have begun competing at multiple events and would like to continue doing so. Although hobbyists will not typically gain sponsorship, competitors with an attractive selling point may be able to help fund their rock crawling through sponsor money and parts donations. Outline the benefits that the business will receive by sponsoring you and begin contacting potential sponsors via a letter or phone call. Potential sponsor benefits may include placing their business logo on the rig to be recognized at competitions, mention on your personal website or recognition in magazine features for high-level rock crawlers.
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Tips & Warnings
Rock crawling is an activity that requires a certain amount of expertise, and should be attempted only by individuals in sound health due to the risk of injury from vehicle rollover.
Equip rock crawler rigs with a tube frame cage to help protect the driver and/or passengers in the case of an accident on the trail.
Helmets should be worn by the driver and any passengers in extreme rock crawling conditions.
References
- Photo Credit jeep rouge 2 image by Jerome Dancette from Fotolia.com
