Sink or Swim: Off-Road Water Crossings

The need to successfully cross water can appear on nearly any trail, in any setting. In addition to actual bodies of water that can be in your path, melting snow, heavy rain, or flooded creeks may all necessitate some off-road water crossings. And sure, you might be well-rounded in the setting of getting wet, but is this as simple as hammering on and scoring a free cleaning for your undercarriage and wheels? (Spoiler alert: It’s not.)

Whether you’re a newbie looking for some water-crossing advice, or a seasoned vet with your technique down pat, it never hurts to get a little fresh insight on something that—if handled poorly—can cause some serious damage to your ride. That’s why we reached out to Cody Sisson of TrailChasers, an online network and awesome podcast that shares stories, tips, tricks, advice, and trail recommendations for everyday off-road enthusiasts. (Click here to listen or download wherever you get your podcasts!)

Off-Road Water Crossings Shouldn’t Be Taken Lightly

This goes without saying, but we’re gonna say it anyway. Blasting through a stream or puddle may be tempting, especially if you’re traveling along with buddies or a number you’re trying to impress, but it can REALLY backfire.

Using your head, taking it slow, and generally not being a show-off is going to be your best bet every time. Smashing into the wrong body of water is a great way to not only ruin your ride, but also put you and your passengers at risk.

Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, let’s get wet!

Gauging Water Depth

One important step you should take before any off-road water crossings, is accurately gauging the depth of said water. It’s unsettling how something that looks like a big puddle can turn out to be something much worse. Water levels are critical!

“My advice? Let someone else go first!” jokes Sisson. “If that’s not an option, do the same thing you would do if you were hiking. Get out of the vehicle and survey the crossing. Then throw a rock in the water or stick something long in there to get an idea of how deep it is. And if you can walk along the bank of the water crossing (assuming you are traveling somewhat parallel to the water flow) and gauge the depth there, stay to that side rather than driving down the middle,” he advises.

Water depth is but one contributing factor, though. Your vehicle is another. How do you know whether or not you’re actually ready to tackle some off-road water crossings? Well, how water-tight is your setup?

Sisson advises getting to know your rig before you hit the trail. And, lucky for you, he breaks down exactly how to do that with a handy checklist of questions.

Know Before You Go

Do you have differential breather tubes? If so, where are they mounted?

“One of the easiest things to do is extend the length of those breather tubes to a higher spot or up in to the engine bay to decrease the likelihood of water infiltrating the differential housing,” advises Sisson.

ARB is a good name to turn to here. The company’s Differential Breather Kit is designed to provide a high-flow, zero back pressure, zero vacuum breather system to keep your drivetrain free of water. Unique to this kit is its larger tubing (8mm compared to most other companies’ 6mm.)

• Where is your air intake located? Do you know how high the water level can get on the outside of your vehicle before you need to be concerned about water getting in to the engine through the air filter?
• Where are your critical electrical components located?
• Did you properly seal the wiring connection on those cool new fog lights you installed last weekend?
• Does your vehicle have drain plugs?

“If so, for Pete’s sake, put them in!” says Sisson. “I’ve seen people make their way through a fairly shallow crossing, only to take water in to the cab from the floorboards because they didn’t install the drain plugs. I guarantee this will wreck your interior, create some new electrical gremlins, and probably make your lunch really soggy.”

Do you have extra fuses?

“On our 2018 Mojave Trail trip, my co-host and brother-in-law took my sister’s Jeep Renegade through a significant water crossing at the tail end of the trip,” says Sisson. “He made it through the crossing, but lost his 4-wheel drive and his dash indicators lit up like a Christmas tree. A single fuse got wet and it created all those problems. So, always carry extra fuses!”

Mind the Current

Current and water depth play hand-in-hand as a barrier to keep you away during off-road water crossings. Therefore, when you leave your vehicle to scout ahead, you will be looking for more than the difference between a nice swimming hole and a safe route.

“This is tough,” says Sisson. “You should always err on the side of caution—especially if you think the current is strong. If the current is strong enough that you wouldn’t walk through it, maybe consider going around if you can. Going around a tough crossing could add several hours to your trip, but that just means you get to wheel longer.”

Mind the Terrain

Coming up on the water and focusing on the depth, current, and your vehicle’s standings can be a lot to take in at once. However, our list of considerations hasn’t come to an end just yet. Minding the terrain around and under the water are just as critical as finding your line of passage.

Mud is obviously a common obstacle around water. And while you should be mindful of it in the surrounding area, you should also expect to find it beneath the water as well. If the mud is deep and you don’t think your vehicle is up to snuff, find an alternate route. Like Sisson said, think of it as free bonus wheeling.

Move With Caution

If the current and the terrain are something you can manage, the next thing to do is pick your line and proceed. “Don’t dive in to the river with your vehicle like you did at the public pool in high school,” says Sisson. “If you hit the water hard enough to ‘make a splash,’ you better have the check book to cover it. Pick your line, ease in, and stay steady.”

Don’t forget to bring along the proper recovery equipment as well, like winches and straps. “If you’re traveling in a group, it doesn’t hurt to connect a line to the back end of the first vehicle going through the crossing,” explains Sisson. “Just make sure there is enough length for the ‘anchor vehicle’ to stay on dry land and allow the ‘guinea pig’ vehicle to make it all the way through. If the first vehicle makes it with no problems, then you’re good to go. However, if the guinea pig starts to float away, you can reel him back in.”

Maintain a slow-but-steady speed through the water and don’t stop. “And remember to pull far enough ahead when you exit the water, so the rest of the group can make it,” adds Sisson. “Once you’re out and traveling again, pump the brakes a bit, shift in-and-out of 4-wheel drive if possible, and just do a minor systems’ check before you hit the next obstacle.”

Stay Cool If Things Get Hairy

Understanding the water, gauging your vehicle’s capabilities along with approach, crossing, and departure are all well and good on paper. But the real world doesn’t always operate so smoothly. What do you do if you begin to lose traction and are at risk of becoming stuck? As always, sudden movements and panic are only going to make things worse. Go in prepared, think quick on your feet, and stay calm. Sisson outlines his three steps for recovering a vehicle that’s stuck in the water.

“First, is always the safety of the people in the vehicle. If it’s a warm day and they are cooling off while you throw them a line, it’s probably just funny. But if the water is cold, the current is heavy, or the vehicle is continuing to sink, put down the cell phone and act fast.

Second—if you have stalled in water depth above your air intake and/or there is any chance water has made it in to the engine while you are waiting for rescue from the U.S.S.—Good Buddy, DO NOT TRY TO TURN YOUR ENGINE OVER! If you get water in your cylinders and you try to run the vehicle, it will hydrolock and create a lot of damage. Get the vehicle out and start Googling all the ways you need to drain the water out of your engine before you start driving again.

Third, if you didn’t take my advice and connect a line before you entered the water, someone is going to have to get wet to connect the recovery strap.”

Prepare for the Worst-Case Scenario

But what if it’s already too late and you find yourself dead in the water—so to speak? What’s the protocol to staying safe?

“Every situation is different, but ultimately, you and your passengers are first priority,” advises Sisson. “Get out and get safe. If you have to abandon the vehicle to save yourself, then do it. Besides, you probably wanted to upgrade to a new model off-road rig and start your build from scratch anyway.” #amirite

Remember, if the water is too treacherous for your vehicle to make it—your body may not do much better. Always travel with an off-road buddy so a helping hand is nearby when you need it. There’s no reason you can’t tackle mild off-road water crossings by yourself. But when faced with the possibilities, why take the chance? Besides, wheeling with friends is always more fun.

Taking on Water

The last bit of advice I can leave you with is to be prepared to get your butt wet. Deep water loves to get into your vehicle through any path it can—whether it be bad seals or natural openings. Don’t let this aggravate you. Just remember: bugs in your teeth, mud on your nose, and water in your crack are all part of the fun!