{"id":14355,"date":"2022-09-15T12:53:16","date_gmt":"2022-09-15T19:53:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.4x4training.com\/w\/?p=14355"},"modified":"2022-09-16T14:36:46","modified_gmt":"2022-09-16T21:36:46","slug":"four-wheeling-requires-commitment-and-sound-judgement-decision-making","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.4x4training.com\/w\/four-wheeling-requires-commitment-and-sound-judgement-decision-making\/","title":{"rendered":"Four-Wheeling Requires Commitment and Sound Judgment Decision Making"},"content":{"rendered":"

Four-wheeling entails constant alertness and decision-making. Even easier courses require the driver to be focused at all times. Any sort of obstacle increases the decision-making process exponentially.<\/p>\n

Certain situations require knowing when to throttle up and when to back off to try again. Every instance is unique and requires sound judgment and strategy. Not only do you determine the best route, but also for possible effects on tires, drive train, and other parts.<\/p>\n

From spinning tires to broken axle<\/strong><\/p>\n

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U-joint destroyed<\/p><\/div>\n

Several years ago, I was with a group driving at 10,000 feet in Coyote flats. At one point we struggled to get through a snow drift. One driver turned on his lockers in an attempt to claw through the snow. He was mostly just spinning his tires when at one point he hit a dry spot. One wheel stopped suddenly, and an axle snapped. Normally, a dry surface would be welcome. In this case, it spelled disaster for an axle.<\/p>\n

A similar issue can occur on a rocky course such as Cougar Buttes in Johnson Valley. While climbing over an obstacle, one wheel may come off the ground. Because the engine is under power, that wheel is spinning. As the front-end drops, the wheel suddenly grabs on rock. That 70\u201380-pound object throws a tremendous amount of torque into the drive train. All that energy gets transferred inward, and something has to break.<\/p>\n

Know what to do before encountering that situation, then act decisively.<\/p>\n

Commit, then follow through<\/strong><\/p>\n

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View it as steps!<\/p><\/div>\n

There are times when you need to keep going; get through the challenge.<\/p>\n

But don\u2019t just jump on the accelerator. Instead, take a slow, methodical approach. And once committed to a strategy, stay with it.<\/p>\n

Negotiating rocks and boulders, in particular, requires a good strategy. Approach carefully, pick your line, and commit to the attack. You may need to rethink the situation partway through, but once started, stay the course.<\/p>\n

Hesitating can cause the vehicle to lose traction and get stuck. (Hesitating to me is letting off the throttle, then trying some power to see what happens.) It\u2019s better to maintain steady power.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re tentative and don\u2019t have enough throttle to begin with, adding throttle at the wrong time can put the vehicle in a perilous situation. One or more wheels could be spinning.<\/p>\n

Easing off the power may necessitate a lot more power to get going. You might end up just sitting there spinning your tires. Be aggressive, and commit to the strategy. Apply some throttle, and stay on it until they get on top.<\/p>\n

What causes this hesitation? Fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of big boulders and the trail ahead when it can\u2019t be seen. A good spotter will help you through, however.<\/p>\n

What to do if stuck<\/strong><\/p>\n

Being stuck \u2013 or nearly stuck \u2013 isn\u2019t pleasant. A natural inclination is to hit the gas. Just kick the accelerator, the thinking goes, and the vehicle will zip out.<\/p>\n

If only it were that simple.<\/p>\n

Throttling up in a situation like that often merely results in spinning tires. And if those tires suddenly bite on dry land or come down on a hard surface, something is likely to break.<\/p>\n

True, sometimes punching the accelerator does work. And that just adds to a driver\u2019s confidence, as misplaced as it is. It\u2019s not a great strategy, though. More often than not, bad things happen.<\/p>\n

Patience is a virtue, as the old saying goes, and it\u2019s invaluable off-road.<\/p>\n

When stuck, try backing out to a previous portion of the trail, get out and look. Change the angle of approach, either left or right. Gently move forward to overcome the issue.<\/p>\n

If the vehicle is still stuck, engage the lockers and repeat the above steps. Gently!<\/p>\n

If that doesn\u2019t work, get a strap, and have someone pull you out. There is no shame. It is a sign of maturity.<\/p>\n

No need to strut your stuff<\/strong><\/p>\n

Four-wheeling \u2013 at least the kind I promote \u2013 isn\u2019t a contest. We\u2019re not out to see who\u2019s the \u201cbaddest dude\u201d out there. When encountering a difficult section, think it through. That usually entails picking an easier line or strategy. Drivers don\u2019t get extra points for choosing the most challenging route or trying to power out on their own. There\u2019s no shame in picking a better line or asking for help. The trail is hard enough. Don\u2019t add unnecessary burden.<\/p>\n

Always use a seat belt<\/strong><\/p>\n

Safety is paramount throughout a four-wheeling expedition. Most people understand that. Yet something as basic as using seat belts can be ignored. Certain drivers feel seat belts aren\u2019t as relevant considering the speeds used on most trails. Seat belts save lives \u2013 on the trails, too. Buckle up before you move!<\/p>\n

After driving the Rubicon one day, a vehicle pulled into a campsite. Not fully satisfied with their location, the occupants decided to reposition their vehicle. While backing up in the dark, the driver misjudged the distance to the\u00a0 edge, and went rolling down the cliff. One occupant was belted in. He survived. The other was not, and died at the scene.<\/p>\n

Bottom line: Make sure your seat belt is fastened when the vehicle is in motion.<\/p>\n

It’s all about strategy and commitment<\/strong><\/p>\n

Successful four-wheeling entails a host of skills. Those can be learned over time. One of the more important skills is a sense of judgment: Knowing what to do in a particular situation. But once a decision is made, it\u2019s crucial to commit and follow through. Holding back or being tentative can cause a vehicle to get stuck (or worse) when it might not otherwise have done so.<\/p>\n

Go four-wheeling as often as you can, and take on challenging courses. Those are great training and proving grounds.<\/p>\n

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#\u00a0\u00a0 #\u00a0\u00a0 #<\/p>\n

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Did you miss the previous articles?<\/p>\n

2022<\/p>\n