Testing the Wildtrak's off-road capabilities

OUR long-term Ford Ranger Wildtrak Supercab isn’t a hardcore off-road beast, but then neither are most bakkies that have a low range and a rear differential lock.

- Willem van de Putte [e-mail]

And like many owners, not every weekend is spent off the beaten track, but if you’re an off-road enthusiast like me, I'll take every opportunity I get to lift a wheel.

I've been doing it for a long time, and it’s a wonderful way to be outdoors, enjoying the sun and dust testing yourself and the car with a group of friends and occasionally a newcomer.

There’s normally a regular group of us who go out to “paw-by-paw”, and over the years we've dented body panels, broken side shafts, dinged a chassis or two and exploded diffs.

We've also witnessed some really stupid and irresponsible behaviour by people who don’t appreciate that a heavy 4x4 can be a lethal weapon over a tough technical track, recovery procedures require careful planning and that a tow bar is not an anchor point.

Often, it’s the “hold my drink, watch this move” brigade that gives 4x4 owners a bad reputation.

I always tell people whom I haven’t driven with before that the first drink they open while driving, either I leave or they leave.

Be safe

So what’s my point?