We did a 4WD course today!

[LucyJ]

We had the best day! We did a 4wd course today in the Barossa, we had a theory session on Wednesday night to cover the basics and then all day in the field.

Having done only a little 4wd-ing and none in our 'new' landcruiser. I was really impressed with our car and how it handled it and also how our confidence and skills improved.

My favourite part of the day was when I was getting stuck in the sand and the leader came over and said "ok, I'm going to say something you might like. Wind down the window fully so if you need to you can punch me." "You're driving like a girl! There is a new way of driving that you take on... Drive it like you stole it!" I didn't hit him but I had something to prove, I drove it like I stole and didn't get stuck again!

Can't wait to get out there again!

[cruisindub]

Awesome. Well done.
No doubt learnt alot. You'll probably have a much better experience having taken on the course not to mention the ço fidence you will have now.

Aweeome, keep up the excitement.

[Jeepers Creepers]

My favourite part of the day was when I was getting stuck in the sand...

I got all my tuition on Inskip in that regard.

[Hairs]

We had the best day!
Can't wait to get out there again!

Awesome stuff 
Nothing better than spending the day driving tracks & trails through country you have never seen.
And sometimes it's only a stones throw away.
We love our day trips into the scrub 
You'll have to write reports on your adventures, look forward to reading them(With heaps of pictures too) 
 

[flamingo]

  Well done sounds like a good time!

[firecracker]

Well done LucyJ, in your own motor as well, :cheers:I did a Land Rover day at Snowdonia in Wales, i got 1 to 1 training for the day in a new Disco3 G4. with all the bells and whistles (in the days  before the D4 came out) i was'nt bothered about trashing their 4x4.

[shrek4]

We had the best day! We did a 4wd course today in the Barossa, we had a theory session on Wednesday night to cover the basics and then all day in the field.

Sounds great. I've been thinking to do a course since getting our new Pajero. May I ask where do did it and $$?

Sounds like you had a blast!

[LucyJ]

The company is called Adventure 4wd and is run by David Wilson, he offers private and commercial courses in 4wd and ATVs. The course includes a week night theory session from 7.30 to 10.30 at their office in Collinswood and then 9.30 - 4.30 on their property near Lyndoch.
It is a very well run operation and they guys David and Laurie were fantastically friendly and extremely knowledgeable. Also very skilled at giving instructions on the radio while taking multiple photos of your maneuvers. It is $430 per vehicle which includes 2 drivers. You get 10% off being an RAA member.

I highly recommend it and honestly can't imagine going off road without that good grounding.

[shrek4]

I highly recommend it and honestly can't imagine going off road without that good grounding.

Totally agree, might be a great thing for Mrs Shrek and I to do together. Now just need to farm out the kids!

[POD]

Totally agree, might be a great thing for Mrs Shrek and I to do together. Now just need to farm out the kids!

How much do you want for them? Just enough to cover the 4WD course?

[speewa158]

At our recent Kelly Country catchup  we went ror a few drives to dust off the low range . Some had done it before some were scared beyond tears , with time direction & saftey of numbers all traveled up the Monument Track to Craig Hut  in Vic high country . All learned a bit as this track is never the same twice , our newbys gained the confidance to try other things . Courses are really a great way of learning the corect way to go 

[Symon]

"You're driving like a girl! There is a new way of driving that you take on... Drive it like you stole it!" I didn't hit him but I had something to prove, I drove it like I stole and didn't get stuck again!

Not sure if I like that advice.  Sure you need to maintain momentum on sand, but in a controlled manner.  Driving like you stole it increases the risk of rollovers etc.

[dazzler]

Not sure if I like that advice.  Sure you need to maintain momentum on sand, but in a controlled manner.  Driving like you stole it increases the risk of rollovers etc.

I would hazard to guess that Lucy was in fact driving like a girl....LOL.

Sometimes a driver needs a push to get out of their comfort zone and then the instructor may need to bring them back a little once there.

[britts]

Not sure if I like that advice.  Sure you need to maintain momentum on sand, but in a controlled manner.  Driving like you stole it increases the risk of rollovers etc.

X 2
Look at joining a local 4wd club there are lots to choose from not all of them require 6" lifts, look around to find one that suits you best, most affiliated clubs offer driver training and accreditation , not sure on Victorias association website but the NSW site is 4wdnow, these will show a list of affiliated clubs in your area.


Cheers Matt

[LucyJ]

Not sure if I like that advice.  Sure you need to maintain momentum on sand, but in a controlled manner.  Driving like you stole it increases the risk of rollovers etc.

It was basically just getting me to put my foot down to ensure I kept momentum, don't worry it was very controlled. I just wasn't giving it enough juice to keep it moving. Promise 

[LucyJ]

I would hazard to guess that Lucy was in fact driving like a girl....LOL.

Sometimes a driver needs a push to get out of their comfort zone and then the instructor may need to bring them back a little once there.

Dazzler you were exactly right... I was driving like a girl!  We went from being slow and steady on the dips and moguls over to the sand... it was just to change that mind set. He got a fire in my belly... and I didn't get stuck after that!

[speewa158]

Dazzler you were exactly right... I was driving like a girl!  We went from being slow and steady on the dips and moguls over to the sand... it was just to change that mind set. He got a fire in my belly... and I didn't get stuck after that!

Thats the Stuff   

[Bird]

Most people would be shocked how much a 4b can do compared to their driving skills.

[dazzler]

Most people would be shocked how much a 4b can do compared to their driving skills.

Spot on.  I had done a lot of 4wding as a young fella and on the farm.  I went and did a 4wd course with the cops and the instructor took us straight over to a drop into a gully and all i could think was 'you have got to be kidding me!'.........

I learnt so much and had a ball.  A few years later they had trained me and I was training others.  Heap of fun!

[WilSurf]

On a recent trip with our 4wd club my wife drove down a rutted track in the Surf.
She followed the Patrol in front of her, but realised very quickly that the Patrol is a little wider than the Surf.
So she ended up at a very nice angle. She learned that the car could handle much more then the driver. 

[GGV8Cruza]

I have done all my levels now and found the courses to be great, its amazing to stand at the top or bottom of a hill and go "no f%*^'ing way am i getiing on that slope" and by the end its easy as

GG

[LucyJ]

Yeah when we walked the track we also stood at the top of the big dip, our mouth hung open and few of the older women were almost refusing to do it but once you did it once, it was just amazing to see what the car could do. Over the moguls the guy was yelling at me "you should see where your tyres are" as they'd dropped all the way in the hole  or hanging in the air but from the drivers seat it felt like nothing!
Both my hubby and I both dreamed about 4wding that night... I woke up and didn't feel very rested, dreams were too exciting!

[bussoboy]

we have booked a 4WD & camper trailer course for early next year with Great Divide Tours, i'm really looking forward to seeing how much further i can push my "Colly" and my much better 1/2 is very eager to get down & dirty