Other people driving YOUR vehicle

Submitted: Monday, Mar 28, 2022 at 17:20
ThreadID: 143465 Views:4979 Replies:14 FollowUps:4
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Over the years I have let a number of people drive the Fair Maid (HDJ79R - last of the Toyota 6 cylinder Factory Turbo's). I’ve had it 16 years now and it is still going strong.

I have no real problem letting some of my friends who are known experienced drivers drive it, however I have learned my lesson now on letting others whose skills I am not fully aware of drive it.

On one trip a few years back I let someone drive it (a friend of a friend whilst I was on my quad bike). This person was in a reputable 4WD Club, had many years of experience, had his own 4WD and gave the impression that he knew how to drive one.

He drove it for a few days. He almost completely destroyed the clutch. Although the 4WD would have been due for a new clutch soon anyway (well, by the book) there was nothing wrong with it prior to him taking the wheel. At one stage there was so much smoke coming from under the 4wd I thought it was on fire.

When I got back to the bitumen (I had taken over driving already) I also noticed that he had hit the front diff housing so hard onto a solid object it had blown out all the seals.

I have never said anything to him about it as I consider it my fault for trusting him (and don’t want to rock the boat) – anyway, cost me $$$ but at least I got to upgrade to a heavy duty clutch.

So I guess there’s a few discussion issues.

Do you let others drive your 4wd?

The Hire Car mentality – Do people take less care when they are not driving their own vehicle?

4WD Clubs etc… Do we need to have a certified rating system for 4Wdrivers eg. Level 3 Desert, Level 5 High Country ?? Probably not (because I don't want to do it lol)

Cheers
Alan


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In whatever comes our way.



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Reply By: Member - Core420 - Monday, Mar 28, 2022 at 17:26

Monday, Mar 28, 2022 at 17:26
No. The only exception is when I am in the passenger seat.
AnswerID: 639991

Reply By: Member - WA 1968 - Monday, Mar 28, 2022 at 18:05

Monday, Mar 28, 2022 at 18:05
That's a no from me. I don't even let my grown kids drive it unless I am with them haha.

Only person I trust to drive my 4wd is actually my wife!
AnswerID: 639992

Reply By: Life Member - Duncan W (WA) - Monday, Mar 28, 2022 at 18:25

Monday, Mar 28, 2022 at 18:25
Al, my old Troopy has my mate listed as the other driver on the insurance policy. My wife point blank refuses to drive it or even be a passenger in it, as the height scares the you know what out of her. It's been a good relationship because my mate is retired and he can take it places and get stuff done to it.

Now my MUX nobody but me or the wife will drive that one.
Dunc
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AnswerID: 639994

Reply By: axle - Monday, Mar 28, 2022 at 18:33

Monday, Mar 28, 2022 at 18:33
G/Day Alan, Its a worry as i found out ! My son inlaw borrowedmine for a week end , it came back with a buggered clutch, a tooth off 4th gear, and a few other horrible noises, BUT OF COURSE IT WASN' T HIS FAULT !!!!!!.


Cheers Axle.
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Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Monday, Mar 28, 2022 at 19:03

Monday, Mar 28, 2022 at 19:03
Margaret drives our OKA from time to time, but only in the bush these days.
While we were volunteering in Fiji, I loaned it to a Dutch friend who had never driven a 4WD before. After 1 hour's discussion before departure, they took it for a 6 month trip and had a wonderful time.
No problems.
It was then in the hands of my son for another 6 months. Again no problems.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
AnswerID: 639996

Reply By: Frank P (NSW) - Monday, Mar 28, 2022 at 20:18

Monday, Mar 28, 2022 at 20:18
I will not lend mine to anyone except my son who has the same regard for things mechanical that I do. And Mrs P, though she restricts herself to blacktop.

There are a couple of others I would consider but haven't had the need yet. Both like-minded mechanical persons as myself. But you never know - as per posts above.
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Reply By: Olsen's Tours and Training - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2022 at 07:31

Tuesday, Mar 29, 2022 at 07:31
Great post.

Nobody but me drives mine. Learned the hard way too.

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Reply By: Member - Duncan2H - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2022 at 08:16

Tuesday, Mar 29, 2022 at 08:16
I occasionally let people drive my vehicle for the experience whilst on group trips.

The lack of power steering is a huge shock to people that have never driven a vehicle without it and the noise, dust ingress, and ruggedness of the vehicle usually has them grinning ear to ear.
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Follow Up By: Member - shane r1 - Wednesday, Mar 30, 2022 at 06:02

Wednesday, Mar 30, 2022 at 06:02
Land Rover or chamberlain tractor??
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FollowupID: 919094

Follow Up By: Member - Duncan2H - Wednesday, Mar 30, 2022 at 06:57

Wednesday, Mar 30, 2022 at 06:57
1981 HJ47.. https://photos.app.goo.gl/MutxjTvWYrwYTbPE6

Not quite a tractor, and more respectable than a Landrover :)
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FollowupID: 919096

Follow Up By: Member - Warren H - Wednesday, Mar 30, 2022 at 12:34

Wednesday, Mar 30, 2022 at 12:34
How about the vibration on idle induced cracks to the rh indicator mount and the weld between the mudguard and the running board, or had the motor been updated by 1981? Never owned one but driven a lot as work vehicles.
NT Pajero
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FollowupID: 919098

Reply By: Member - McLaren3030 - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2022 at 09:11

Tuesday, Mar 29, 2022 at 09:11
“Horses for courses”, it all depends on the person. There are a few family members and a close friend that I would let drive my car, but I know them very well, and respect their driving skills.

Macca.
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AnswerID: 640002

Reply By: Phil B (WA) - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2022 at 09:13

Tuesday, Mar 29, 2022 at 09:13
Gee that's rough Alan. For me other drivers only when I'm in the vehicle.

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Reply By: Member - Broodie H3 - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2022 at 11:15

Tuesday, Mar 29, 2022 at 11:15
The only time someone else drives our cruiser is the wife when i need a break from driving and towing the van apart from that my mate when we go off exploring like the canning stock route and other remote places where shared driving is preferable to stopping and swatting flies for an hour or two. not even my son drives the cruiser.
My wife is a very good co pilot, and does a very good job of towing the van.
Broodie H3
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AnswerID: 640005

Reply By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2022 at 12:14

Tuesday, Mar 29, 2022 at 12:14
My first factory clutch lasted 415,000ks with only me driving it and I expect the second current clutch to last the same.. My wife cant drive manual, which is good for me and the wider motoring community. :)) Michael
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Follow Up By: axle - Thursday, Mar 31, 2022 at 16:00

Thursday, Mar 31, 2022 at 16:00
Hope she has not read this one Michael!!....lol;




Cheers Axle.
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Reply By: nickb - Wednesday, Mar 30, 2022 at 21:31

Wednesday, Mar 30, 2022 at 21:31
Not too fussed myself, if I knew/trusted them then why not? Any of my good mates would treat it with respect so they can use it whenever.
Exception is no one under 25 can drive it as per insurance policy.
AnswerID: 640031

Reply By: Richard M29 - Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 20:41

Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 20:41
No no one is allowed to drive my car excluding my wife. I won't even let my daughter drive it, as she is pretty hard on cars. Drive's fast, drive's a lot' in manual mode, and rev's out the motor in each gear. So other than my wife, and one mechanic, I won't let anyone drive my car.
AnswerID: 640706

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