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home/Knowledge Base/Boondocking and Off-Road Vehicles/Do I Need Four-Wheel Drive for Boondocking?
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Do I Need Four-Wheel Drive for Boondocking?

1734 views 3 April 23, 2019 Updated on July 5, 2020

No, but it helps.

There are still lots of open, public land where a two wheel drive tow vehicle can easily pull a trailer into. However, it’s true that many dirt roads leading into canyons, hills, mountains, and other out of the way places will require four wheel drive. Most of these places are not so much muddy or sandy, but have steep rises that will cause a two wheel drive truck, van, or motorhome to lose traction.

Moreover, many of these roads may not be wide enough to turn around in, thus requiring you to drive out of the road, and hence may force you into softer dirt or sand.

Here are tips to boondocking with a two-wheel drive tow vehicle or RV…

  1. Before venturing further down a dirt road, find a place where you can unhook your trailer or toad, then explore further to see if the road will be passable.
  2. Use Google Maps Satellite View to find places where washes spill across dirt roads. This is usually a sign of soft sand in the road way.
  3. If you feel the road becoming soft, do not slow down, and DO NOT stop. Maintain your momentum and keep moving even though it’s getting rough and bumpy.
  4. Try to camp in places that have received a lot of online reviews. These are places that are easier to get into.

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