Drivers in the UAE splurge as much as Dh80,000 on performance enhancements for their vehicles in preparation for winter desert expeditions.
Preparing for Desert Adventures: Off-Road Modifications Gaining Popularity in the UAE
As the winter season approaches in the United Arab Emirates, off-road enthusiasts are gearing up for their desert safaris, and vehicle modifications are becoming increasingly popular. Here's a look at some common modifications made to vehicles for off-roading during the winter months.
Improving Ground Clearance and Handling
One of the most common modifications is lifting the suspension, which enhances ground clearance and handling on dunes and rocky landscapes. Off-road tires are also installed to provide better traction on sand and gravel.
Ensuring Vehicle Recovery
Winches are another essential modification, assisting in vehicle recovery if stuck in sand or mud. Snorkels help the engine breathe cleaner air above sand and dust, ensuring the vehicle can continue its journey.
Increasing Power and Durability
Engine tuning and reinforced axles are added to increase power and durability for challenging climbs. Protective underbody plates shield the vehicle’s undercarriage from damage.
Facilitating Overnight Stays
For extended desert trips, enthusiasts invest in rooftop tents and kitchen setups, enabling overnight stays during off-road adventures.
The cost of these upgrades can range from AED 10,000 for basic setups to over AED 80,000 for high-end, fully transformed off-road vehicles. Drivers also commonly reduce tire pressure before heading into the desert to improve traction on soft sand.
Preparing for the Winter Off-Roading Season
These modifications prepare vehicles specifically for the winter months when temperatures are cooler, making desert safaris and off-roading more popular and enjoyable in the UAE. Bobby's Jeep is ready for the desert and is used for off-roading during the winter months.
Mujeeb, set to launch his own brand of suspension systems, Piranha Off-Road Products, sees a growing demand for reliable performance parts made for the UAE’s terrain. Bobby Tom Puthenveetil spent more than Dh200,000 on modifications for his Jeep Wrangler, including shocks, lights, tyres, lift kits, suspension upgrades, and recovery equipment.
As the peak off-roading season approaches, garages across the UAE are working overtime with customers rushing to get their vehicles ready. Thousands of off-roaders in the UAE treat summer as the season to prepare for winter adventures. For UAE residents who have caught the off-roading bug, winter weekends are considered sacred.
Legal Considerations
However, it is essential to note that some vehicle modifications are prohibited under UAE traffic laws. Motorists found with illegal modifications can face hefty fines, black points, and even vehicle confiscation. Off-roaders in the UAE often go beyond cosmetic modifications and focus on serious performance upgrades like suspension components, heavy-duty bushings, upgraded engines, and reinforced underbodies with armour.
Off-Roading as a Therapeutic Experience
Off-roading is considered therapeutic and a stress-buster by some enthusiasts. Despite the punishing heat, some off-road enthusiasts still venture into the dunes during the summer months. Some off-road vehicles in the UAE are fitted with additional amenities like fridges, built-in air compressors, and coffee stations.
For more information and modifications, Mohammed Mujeeb, an off-road enthusiast and off-road automobile expert, runs Off Road Motors Garage in Dubai. Salem Al Ali, a 37-year-old Emirati adventurer, owns a Nissan Patrol VTC and spends his winters off-roading in the Liwa dunes or the rocky terrains of Ras Al Khaimah.
- In the UAE, news of off-road modifications gaining popularity for desert safaris is circulating among enthusiasts as the winter season approaches.
- Some lifestyle modifications for off-roading vehicles include installing rooftop tents and kitchen setups for overnight stays during desert trips.
- Travelers who indulge in off-roading find it therapeutic and rewarding, often viewing winter weekends as sacred for the activity.
- Fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts may find some off-road vehicles fitted with additional amenities likebuilt-in air compressors, coffee stations, and even fridges.
- In the food-and-drink scene, off-roading adventures can also extend to enjoying meals prepared on-site during extended trips.
- Home-and-garden hobbyists might take interest in vehicles with reinforced underbodies and armor for protecting the undercarriage during off-roading.
