Drive-line savvy must precede important pre-expedition off-road training. Equally crucial is knowing what you don’t know: how much tow-rope slack to take up, how deep the river is, has chassis-twist kept all wheels on the ground, if not do you have traction-control, a diff-lock or are the wheels spinning. Recce the potential hazards of a steep descent. Tyre welfare: monitored pressures and clean rims are vital. Image meant to impress, 4-door pickups foster the worst aft-heavy weight distribution. Heavy kit goes midships, light kit aft - strapped down. Tailor the toolkit.