Whether it’s spending a day off-roading on the dunes, relieving stress by bounding over a few rocks, or getting dirty in a mudhole, there’s nothing more satisfying than hitting the trail.

There’s no wrong answer … but there are definitely strong opinions in each camp. Sand has the challenge of its texture, while mud can be extremely unpredictable. As for rock crawling, well, that brings its own set complications.

To travel across sand, you need a low gear and steady momentum. Consider lowering your tire pressure (15psi minimum) to create a greater surface area. While it feels unnatural at times, keeping your wheels straight is also critical. A turned wheel will act as a snowplow, building up sand in front of your wheels and hampering forward movement

The temptation with driving in mud is to floor it, spin the tires, maybe slide the vehicle around a bit. While this is certainly fun, it is also risky business. Once your vehicle starts sliding, it won’t stop until it wants to (or hits something). You have essentially forfeited all control and are merely a passenger. Get it right, though, and mud is a very fun surface.

Rocks? Well, they take patience. Pick your line and be patient. Know your own limitations and know the limitations of your gear. Tires and suspension are certainly important but with rock crawling, gearing is critical. Generally, the higher your rig’s crawl ratio, the more low end torque you’ll have. This means more power to hurdle over large obstacles. Murphy’s Law is in full effect during any type of off-roading, which is why it’s critical that you never wheel alone.

Which do you think is best? Vote in the poll below and let us know in the comments the type of rig you wheel.