You probably do a good job of inspecting your vehicle before each 4WD outing. After all, you’re concerned about possible breakdowns while on the trails. But does your vehicle get the same level of attention at the end of the trip? Drivers often are anxious to leave. They figure they’ll… Continue reading
Last month I impressed upon you the importance of storing the winch controller near the driver’s seat. (Read the article here.) This month I offer an even more important reminder: Buy at least two additional copies of the ignition key. Carry an extra copy when you’re out. Whether four-wheeling or… Continue reading
Over the years of off-road instructing, I have heard many concerns “ indeed, fears “ from newer drivers. (Even experienced four-wheelers have doubts from time to time.) The dozens of thoughts expressed by my students can be grouped into seven categories. Here are those top seven concerns, and how you… Continue reading
Tires are generally your number one problem driving off-road. Tires, by their nature, take a lot of abuse while off road. Trails are anything but smooth. Stuff happens! A stick jams into the sidewall; a rock that is ideal to skip across a lake slices the sidewall like butter; or… Continue reading
It’s a challenge every four-wheeler faces at some point: Should you hold onto the current vehicle or replace it? If you’re like most four wheelers you’ll hang on as long as possible. Something breaks, and you replace it. Another part snaps, and you head to the store. Or you take… Continue reading
Off-road vehicles aren’t exactly sports cars. In fact, just the opposite. We can’t safely drive then the same way as our family car. They take longer to stop, are less stable in fast turns, and sometimes have poor visibility. Poor drivers (the bottom 25%, or 1 in 4) don’t… Continue reading
With the growth in off-road recreation there is an increasing demand for quality 4WD training. There is a huge difference in driving a 4WD off-road and driving a passenger car on the street. A great deal of skill is needed and many intuitive reactions need to be re-learned so they… Continue reading
As Trail Leader, you should plan for issues and problems. Some plans are generic since you cannot predict the exact situation. You apply your skills, tools, and techniques to the problem. A first aid kit is a good example. For some issues you can speculate what might happen and develop… Continue reading
Four wheeling, especially when multiple vehicles are involved, requires teamwork to be successful. Everyone must be on the same page for the trip to come off without a hitch”or as flawlessly as possible. Something as basic as vehicle spacing can affect parts of a trip. They were strung out in… Continue reading
It was a beautiful day in the San Bernardino Mountains. Clear blue sky, light breeze, warm temperature. A perfect day for four-wheeling on the 2N17X trail. This is a tough one”it’s rated black diamond. We were nearing the end of a long day of four-wheeling. We had encountered a lot… Continue reading
I vividly recall a beautiful morning in the sand dunes drinking my first cup of coffee while watching the sun poke its nose over the bank of clouds behind a 60 foot dune. An early four-wheeler was testing his new injection system nearby. As he went up a razorback, I… Continue reading
I often get asked, particularly by those new to 4WD, which vehicle to buy. Meaning, of course, which brand and model. I don’t like to recommend particular brands and models. As you’ll see, there are too many personal variables that affect the buying process. But I can help you with… Continue reading
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