4WD training, whats safe, looks after the vehicle & is FUN

Submitted: Friday, Nov 22, 2013 at 22:56

ThreadID: 105229 Views:2500 Replies:11 FollowUps:5

This Thread has been Archived

Scott O

Hi All,
Last week I bought a 2014 Grand Cherokee Lorado 4x4 Diesel last week, in one word "Bloody Brilliant" (OK 2 words).
Just want to get the knowledge and experience behind me to utilise the vehicle I have. Any suggestions on the best way to get to know the capabilities of my Jeep, what's safe and doesn't knock the vehicle around too much but at the other end of the scale doesn't play too safe!
Cheers & thank's......

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator Share

Reply By: mikehzz - Friday, Nov 22, 2013 at 23:57

Friday, Nov 22, 2013 at 23:57

The best way is to join a recognised 4wd club. Choose one that takes all sorts of vehicles not just heavily modded rock crawlers. They hold driver training days around 4 times a year, camping trips every month and usually a few touring trips a year as well. The training is included in membership fees, we had a new GC on a training day last year, the driver was a novice but had a great day and the car went very well. We couldn't remove the front skirt though...it's supposed to come off for off road work. Cheers.

AnswerID: 521949

Reply By: Dave(NSW) - Saturday, Nov 23, 2013 at 01:57

Saturday, Nov 23, 2013 at 01:57

A bit more info on what part of the country you're in might get a lot more local options.
Cheers Dave

GU RULES!!

Lifetime Member
My Profile My Blog Send Message

AnswerID: 521950

Reply By: Ross M - Saturday, Nov 23, 2013 at 07:23

Saturday, Nov 23, 2013 at 07:23

LARADO?

For resale, any vehicle purchased in 2013 is a 2013 although in 2014 you may be able to buy both. Compliance plate can't have 2014 on it!

AnswerID: 521955

Follow Up By: KevinE - Saturday, Nov 23, 2013 at 10:42

Saturday, Nov 23, 2013 at 10:42

Hi Ross,

Thanks for the lesson on compliance plates!

But........... the question was;

"4WD training, whats safe, looks after the vehicle & is FUN"

Do you have any ideas on that particular question Ross?

;=)

FollowupID: 802835

Follow Up By: Steve M1 (NSW) - Sunday, Nov 24, 2013 at 12:01

Sunday, Nov 24, 2013 at 12:01

ans = a German Shepherd Dog?

FollowupID: 802915

Reply By: Slow one - Saturday, Nov 23, 2013 at 07:36

Saturday, Nov 23, 2013 at 07:36

Scott,
4wd training would be a great start to learning the capabilities of the vehicle and yourself.

On thing I learnt a long time ago, is to sit on my hands and don't do anything impulsively, get out and have a look is always the number one consideration. Most times steady, steady wins the race. Also you go and enjoy your 2014 JEEP: Remember never make a slight mistake on a forum or you maybe hauled out at dawn and shot. LOL.

AnswerID: 521956

Follow Up By: mikehzz - Saturday, Nov 23, 2013 at 07:56

Saturday, Nov 23, 2013 at 07:56

Isn't it LAREDO?? Take both those guys out and shoot them... :-)

FollowupID: 802826

Follow Up By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Sunday, Nov 24, 2013 at 07:32

Sunday, Nov 24, 2013 at 07:32

Hey Slow One you lost the letter "e" in "On thing". You asked for that one!!

Phil

FollowupID: 802901

Reply By: Robin Miller - Saturday, Nov 23, 2013 at 08:35

Saturday, Nov 23, 2013 at 08:35

Bogged Again

Playing on sandhills is a fun safe way to go and can keep you fit at the same time.

Robin Miller

Member
My Profile Send Message

AnswerID: 521962

Reply By: cookie1 - Saturday, Nov 23, 2013 at 12:03

Saturday, Nov 23, 2013 at 12:03

It is good if you know someone responsible that can take you out somewhere easy at first just to get to know the vehicle and the dials & levers / gears. Then progressivles hit the harder stuff but only do what you feel safe doing

cheers

AnswerID: 521973

Reply By: 515 - Saturday, Nov 23, 2013 at 18:01

Saturday, Nov 23, 2013 at 18:01

Scott O

4WD Clubs are a great source for training and most train to the nationally recognised SISODRV302A standards, Some clubs can arrange for training and assessment which includes certification as well.
Clubs memberships varies from $60 to $180 depending on location and the style of club

There are many training organisation who can also provide this training to SIS10 standards or to the resource industry (Mines, environmental, Forestry etc) RIIVEH305A standards. Both courses are very similar and mirror the same course material in most cases. These courses can cost between $330 - $440 and either be a one or two day course, again depending on who you chose and the location.

Either way in my view its better to be trained correctly than to learn by your own or others mistakes. Go enjoy the Jeep.

AnswerID: 521984

Reply By: Scott O - Saturday, Nov 23, 2013 at 19:08

Saturday, Nov 23, 2013 at 19:08

Thanks all for the prompt responses,
I am in Wodonga in North East Victoria and there is a local 4WD club that I aim to join for the very reasons mentioned.
My wife and I and kidlings went out on day 2 of owning our Jeep and visited some great little tracks near Yackandah, some fire tracks, logging tracks and even a small water crossing (OK just 1 foot deep) but that's not bad for day 2.
Tomorrow we are exploring East of the Hume Weir and a BBQ - now that's what I'm talking about!
I am also looking to do some training at the local TAFE but may just see what the local 4WD club provide first.
I'm sure most of you out there have been 4WD for a long time but for us last week the start of something really fun.
Cheers for now.

AnswerID: 521987

Reply By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Saturday, Nov 23, 2013 at 20:46

Saturday, Nov 23, 2013 at 20:46

Scott,

As others have said, join a club.

Ours has professional 4WD driving instructors as members and run all the clubs driving and recovery courses. We have excellent courses from basic stuff (obligatory to go on club trips) through sand and water courses up to extreme and challenging ones. And we even have a skid pan course.

Phil

AnswerID: 521991

Follow Up By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Sunday, Nov 24, 2013 at 07:49

Sunday, Nov 24, 2013 at 07:49

Did the club's refresher sand driving course recently. Without dropping tyre pressures and still in 2WD they said drive into that soft sand and see how far you get. They had to call me back with the radio. It just wouldn't bog. I was supposed to bog down after just a few feet into the sand.

A gentle foot, auto box, and someone who has done it before helps. So they dug a hole and put me in it. Still 40PSI. Got all four down at last. Finally had car resting on the side steps. And we went through the actions. Drop pressures, dig a bit and use Maxtracks etc, rocking back and forth without spinning tyres for a while to partly "fill" the hole until you can drive out. All good but the newer car with wide tyres, auto box and the drivers mental attitude certainly helped. No snatching and we just discussed winching and "buried" tyres as anchors. Not too keen on digging a big hole to bury the tyre. Mainly a self recovery course but it was worth it even for a stubborn bloke like me.

Last car I bogged like that was an old Army long wheelbase landrover in the 70'2. Amazing what newer technology, a few years maturity and an auto box does.

But a refresher didn't hurt. And it's a day out with mates anyway.

Phil

FollowupID: 802902