River crossing basics

If you do enough off-roading or travelling off the beaten track, sooner or later you’ll have to get your wheels wet.

But getting your rig safely across to the other side can be risky business – get it wrong, and it can not only be a soggy, but very expensive mistake.

Here are a few things to consider before attempting any water crossing…

Know what you’re dealing with

Before traversing that raging creek or river, you need to work out what you’re dealing with.

What’s underneath the water and how deep is it? How fast is the water flowing? What’s the safest route? How much water protection do I have on my tow vehicle or camper?

Unless you’re dealing with croc-infested waters, walk through and mark any big drop-offs and potholes with a stick, to assess the ground conditions and the flow.

If it’s a raging flood, don’t walk or attempt to drive through it. But if the water seems reasonable and you know what you’re dealing with, prepare for the crossing.

Preparation is everything

If you don’t have a snorkel or RAI (Raised Air Intake) fitted to your rig, it’s best to keep out of any deep water.

Be sure to hook up any recovery gear before hitting the water, including uncoiling the winch cable (if you have one) and sticking it to the bonnet. So if you do get stuck, you won’t have to deep-dive to latch on the straps or unwind the winch cable.

In case you do get stuck in the middle, pick out some suitable tackle points on the other side when you walk the creek.

Know the recommended submersion level of your vehicle; this can vary greatly from model to manufacturer.

Some snorkels come as a two-piece design, meaning they’re great for dust, but aren’t water tight. Ensure yours is water tight, before attempting any submarine-like manoeuvres.

Many 4WD vehicles have air tubes fitted to the diff and drive gear to allow for expansion and contraction as the temperatures shift. The valves on these sometimes sit rather low. They need to be up as high as possible because when you hit the water everything cools down and will suck in air.

If the valve is submerged you could be drawing water into your diff. Big problem, since oil and water don’t mix well.

Electrics aren’t fans of water either, so ensure they’re safe as without them the vehicle will stop dead. Many of them are fully sealed, if not, dowsing them in WD40 may help. For really deep water, fit a waterproof ‘bra’ (available for as little as $150) over the front of your rig.

Alternatively, wrapping a tarp over the front end and grille with an occy-strap or three will help push water around the vehicle instead of straight into the engine bay. It can also also prevent the water from hitting the fan, which can bend it and punch a hole in the radiator.

Going for it

Once you’re ready to go, don’t hit the creek full blast. For automatic vehicles use low range and if possible, chose second gear.

For 4WD vehicles with manual transmissions, use low range and second gear all the way through. Don’t change gears mid-creek as this can open seals and let in water.

Drive about as fast as a brisk walk; just fast enough to push forward against the current and water mass, yet slow enough to be able to react to anything unexpected.

If you do get stuck...

If you do manage to get stuck, stay calm.

With touch downs, ease the vehicle back gently without gushing water up the exhaust pipe until you know it’s free; then get some-one to guide you around the rock or obstacle.

If the wheels dig in and water starts filling the vehicle, turn it off and get the winch cable off the bonnet. Hook up to that anchor point you identified beforehand and winch yourself out.

More tips

When the water is higher than your vehicle’s hub caps, be cautious and check the crossing on foot. Water above the top of the wheels means any large pothole could easily submerge your engine and electrics.

Finally, before you hit any stretch of water consider:

Is this the safest spot to cross?
Is there a better alternative?
Is there a good exit with suitable anchor points?
Can crossing the water be avoided altogether?
Do I feel confident getting rig and crew safely through? If in any doubt - don’t attempt it!

After crossing over

Emerging from a creek will often be on steep ground that’s muddy, slippery, rutted or worn.

Once you’re on solid ground, stop there if it’s safe and let the excess water drain out so it will be easier to drive. Also, check underneath for sticks and debris that might have caught on the undercarriage.

Next, dab the brakes hard a few times or drive with them dragging for a bit just to help them dry off quicker, so they'll work properly when you need them.

Tips supplied by Jase Andrews from All 4 Adventure travel show.