| Rock crawling is a highly technical category | | | | Oversized, low-pressure, knobby mud-terrain |
| of off roading. Vehicles are typically | | | | tyres are frequently used for this reason |
| modified with larger than stock tires, | | | | also. Likewise, most vehicles have a |
| suspension components that allow greater axle | | | | low-geared transfer case to make the most |
| articulation, and changes in the differential | | | | power in the low speeds used for rock |
| (mechanics) gear ratio in order to provide | | | | crawling. Suspension-wise, rock crawling |
| the ideal high torque/low speed operation for | | | | vehicles often have after-market lift-kits |
| rock crawling to traverse obstacles. It is | | | | installed, raising the chassis and increasing |
| quite common for a rock crawler to have a | | | | suspension flex, making it easier to drive |
| spotter - an assistant who will go on foot | | | | over larger obstacles without risk of damage |
| alongside or in front of the vehicle to | | | | to the vehicle. Most suspensions are made to |
| provide information to the driver on | | | | be highly flexible, allowing for the maximum |
| obstacles or areas of terrain that the driver | | | | amount of tire area to contact the ground in |
| may be unable to see. | | | | any adverse situation found. Due to the |
| | | | conflicting nature of the dynamics and needs |
| The goal of rock crawling is to overcome the | | | | of rock-crawling and highway-driving |
| largest, most difficult obstacles using any | | | | vehicles, it is not unusual to modify a |
| four wheeled vehicle. These obstacles can be | | | | vehicle solely for offroad recreational |
| anything from a collection of boulders to | | | | usage. |
| steep cliff faces. Vehicles can range from | | | | |
| stock trucks right off the assembly line to | | | | Once a vehicle is deemed "offroad only" ie. |
| custom hand made machines made specifically | | | | not driven on the street and trailered to |
| for off road terrain. | | | | trails or OHV parks (Off-Highway Vehicle), |
| | | | then the limits are sky high. |
| The vehicles | | | | |
| | | | On the extreme side, those with more |
| In order to successfully rock crawl, a | | | | financial resources can build their own rock |
| capable vehicle is required. Most commonly a | | | | crawler to suit their needs. There are many |
| brand name truck or four wheeled vehicle will | | | | benefits to this method. The biggest is that |
| be outfitted with custom parts to make it as | | | | the owner has complete control over what |
| powerful and maneuverable as possible. These | | | | their vehicle is capable of. Each part of the |
| custom parts can include: | | | | vehicle can be custom designed to |
| | | | specifically suit their needs. In this way a |
| locking differentials | | | | vehicle can be optimized to only have the |
| | | | parts that are required. Also, they do not |
| taller off road tires | | | | have to be limited by the vehicles exterior |
| | | | and can design anything they want with no |
| upgraded suspension | | | | restrictions. The downside is that doing this |
| | | | is a much larger investment of both finances |
| four wheel steering | | | | and time. Acquiring sponsors can help to |
| | | | cover some of these costs. |
| roll cage for driver protection | | | | |
| | | | The terrain |
| engine modifications for increased | | | | |
| performance, mostly torque | | | | The terrain used for rock crawling can vary |
| | | | just as much as the vehicles. Most commonly, |
| lowered gearing in either or all of the | | | | rock crawling will occur where there are |
| transmission, transfercase, or axle | | | | plenty of rocks, but any other steep or |
| differentials | | | | abnormal surface will do. Other obstacles may |
| | | | include mud, sand, water, brush, large hills, |
| winches | | | | and even trees. Preferably one should have |
| | | | enough good terrain to make a path with |
| body armour (rocker panels, fenders, etc.) | | | | plenty of variation among the obstacles. The |
| | | | more difficult the path the better, but one |
| These additions can turn any vehicle into a | | | | must also take into account safety and the |
| respectable rock crawling machine. | | | | likelihood that they might not be able to |
| | | | make it. While a challenge is good, it is not |
| Generally speaking, these vehicles always | | | | good to blindly take on any challenge even if |
| have 4x4 transmissions in order to gain the | | | | it means impending damage. |
| most traction in difficult conditions. | | | | |