WHERE TO START IN THE 4WD WORLD (FROM SOMEONE WHO HAD NO IDEA EITHER)

If you’ve ever thought, “Where the hell do I start?” trust me, I’ve been there.

When I first got into 4WDing, I had absolutely no clue what I was doing. I didn’t grow up in a family of mechanics or spend weekends pulling cars apart, I just knew I loved adventure and wanted the freedom to go wherever my curiosity took me.

I remember when I first got my Jimny it was my dream car, but also the start of a very humbling learning curve. Everything felt foreign at first: tyre pressures, recovery gear, even just knowing what to pack. I used to overthink everything, wondering if I was doing it “right.” Spoiler: there’s no right way. The best way to learn is by doing.

MY FIRST TRIPS

When I first started exploring, I stuck to beaches and tracks I’d seen others drive. I’d watch, learn, and then eventually give it a go myself. Every trip taught me something how my car handled, how to stay calm when I got bogged, and how to laugh at myself instead of stressing over small mistakes.

There were moments I questioned if I belonged in this space. You don’t always see a lot of women behind the wheel, especially solo, and that can feel intimidating. But the more I got out there, the more I realised the 4WD scene doesn’t belong to anyone. You just have to claim your spot in it.

That’s what pushed me to create Her Trax a space that celebrates women who love getting out there, learning as they go, and backing themselves on and off the tracks.

WHAT I LEARNED ALONG THE WAY

1. Don’t wait to know everything — just start.

You don’t need to understand every part of your vehicle or have the perfect setup before you go exploring. I learned so much just from driving, asking questions, and observing how my car responded to different tracks. The best teacher is experience.

2. Surround yourself with the right people.

The 4WD community is full of legends. Finding supportive people (especially other women) makes a massive difference. That’s why I started the Her Trax Co Facebook group to give women a safe, judgment-free space to ask questions, share wins, and build confidence together. Also check upcoming events near you here! 

3. Confidence comes from doing things scared.

I used to be so nervous about making mistakes or getting stuck. Now, I see it differently every time something goes wrong, it’s a chance to learn. The only way to become confident off-road is to give things a go.

4. Your car will teach you 

Whether you drive a brand-new 4WD or something stock, the lessons are the same. Every track, bogging, and recovery teaches you how your vehicle moves, what it’s capable of, and how to stay calm when things don’t go to plan.

5. You don’t need the biggest build to have the best adventures.

There’s a lot of noise online about needing all the gear, all the mods, and the flashiest setups but that’s not what it’s about. I started simple and built as I went. What matters most is getting out there and creating memories, not comparing your rig to someone else’s.

STOCK OR MODIFIED — WHICH IS BETTER?

I get asked this question all the time and honestly, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

There’s a reason they make stock 4WDs the way they do. They’re built to be capable straight off the showroom floor — ready to take on all the basic tracks, beaches, and weekend adventures without needing a single mod. Every 4WD comes designed to handle more than people often realise.

But the beauty of a 4WD is that it’s also meant to be personalised. That’s half the fun modifying it to suit your lifestyle, passions, and the kind of adventures you want to chase.

If you’re just starting out, a stock setup is perfect. It teaches you how your vehicle moves, grips, and performs in different conditions all while building your confidence from the ground up.

And once you start figuring out your goals, your driving style, and the kind of places you love exploring, that’s when modifications really open up a whole new world. Whether it’s upgrading suspension, adding lights, or setting up your dream canopy it’s all about creating a rig that works for you.

The key is knowing your vehicle. Understand how it drives, how to recover it safely, and how to maintain it once you’ve nailed that, everything else just adds to the adventure.

A FEW THINGS THAT HELPED ME START

If you’re just getting into 4WDing, here’s what I recommend:

• A UHF radio - for comms and safety (especially if you’re solo).

• Tyre deflator & compressor - essential for off-roading.

• Recovery Boards (first thing especially beach driving), Snatch strap, shackles, and recovery points – trust me, you’ll need them eventually.

• Basic lighting & power setup - a good torch or work light goes a long way.

• Confidence - even if you don’t feel ready, go anyway.
  
  

WHY I STARTED HER TRAX

Her Trax was born from wanting more women to feel confident in the 4WD space. I remember how lost I felt when I first started - I didn’t have anyone to ask for help, and half the time, I didn’t even know what questions to ask. 

Now, Her Trax is a community where women can show up exactly as they are whether you’re just thinking about getting your first 4WD, or you’re already exploring tracks across the country. It’s a reminder that you don’t have to do this alone, and that your journey is powerful just as it is.

So, if you’ve been sitting on the fence about getting into 4WDing this is your sign to start. You’ll learn, you’ll make mistakes, you’ll grow and you’ll probably fall in love with the feeling of freedom that comes with it.

See you on the trax 💗