Driver training - Essential or a waste

[Milti 1974 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Milti 1974]

Hi,
Does anyone have an opinion on the effectiveness and neccessity of 4wd driver training or is it best to just learn on the job??
New to the offroad world, have done a few small day trips in sand and bush now but the wife is a little reluctant to come along, scared shitless.
Any recommendations for 1 or 2 day courses covering training and recovery, found plenty of websites but enjoy customer feedback
Jason!

[tassie tiger Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close tassie tiger]

Re: Driver training - Essential or a waste

Do one. I had off roaded self taught for years and then was put through a course at work. Really opened my eyes and learnt some great tips.

Some clubs run courses when you join.

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Re: Driver training - Essential or a waste

I would say essential, however their is a few ways to do it, pay for a pro to train u, join a 4wd club and train in the club, or do some training with pp memebers or other 4wders, but offroading is an under estimated skill, especially when u r driving 60k plus worth of vehicle.

[DSzuke Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DSzuke]

Re: Driver training - Essential or a waste

In my opinion you'd be crazy to not do a course.

There is so much that can go wrong with potentially lethal consequences. With the expeience of some quality training you will be in a better position to recognize these situations before they are a problem.

As for where, there are plenty of comercial operations available but all 4wd clubs provide some level of training as well.


Some sort of formal training will give both you and your wife confidence which in turn should mean more driving for you. :wink:


This is only my humble opinion, I expect you will get many others that disagree.

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: Driver training - Essential or a waste

Join a 4wd club and do their driving training course and go on some club trips. Quickest way to learn. However you do need to ignore some of the club politics a bit like this place.

[samo Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close samo]

Re: Driver training - Essential or a waste

However you do need to ignore some of the club politics a bit like this place. what do ya mean here D4D?

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Re: Driver training - Essential or a waste

Yep definately do some training. As others have suggested join a 4wd club, they should provide both formal training and you will learn heaps from just travelling with experienced folks. When you do go out on your own don't push your limits, take it easy until you build up some confidence. The first 4wd track i ever took the wife on, when we were both green, I had her in tears literaly. We both did a 4wd course together and now she is happy to come with me anywhere, infact I am the one that has to pull the handbrake when things get serious. I think it is good for your wife to have some experience as well, you never know, she might have to drive one day if you get injured or sick, not the time to start learning.

Cheers Andrew

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: Driver training - Essential or a waste

Agreed get the wife trained too, this is my wife getting some air and side angle on her driver training :shock:

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: Driver training - Essential or a waste

However you do need to ignore some of the club politics a bit like this place. what do ya mean here D4D?

Pretty obvious really

[LaoK User account deleted at own request. Find all posts View Profile Close LaoK]

Re: Driver training - Essential or a waste

Would someone care to draw on that last photo where they think the centre of gravity is?

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: Driver training - Essential or a waste

From memory it is a 30-35 degree side slope and there is no way she is going over, that's the whole point of the exercise. It feels really really uncomfortable and you will bail out before the vehicle does.

[LaoK User account deleted at own request. Find all posts View Profile Close LaoK]

Re: Driver training - Essential or a waste

I did a three-day 4WD Recovery Course, compliments of my employer, and I was on a high for weeks after it. I learned so much and enjoyed every moment even though we were digging cars out on Day 3 in 41C heat. Who wouldn't enjoy when they are using the employer's vehicles and being paid to have fun?

Just knowing what to do and SAFELY is very comforting.

[two+four Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close two+four]

Re: Driver training - Essential or a waste

Couldn't recommend driver training enough, especially if you don't have much experience. Definatly a plus to get the missus doing it as well.

However you do need to ignore some of the club politics a bit like this place. what do ya mean here D4D?

Pretty obvious really

I for one have no idea what you are on about D4D but this is the second time I have seen you say something strange about Pradopoint in the last week, once on another forum. IMHO it is pretty poor form to bag another forum, but each to their own. If you do have an issue with what is 'going on' here please bring it up with the mods and/or admins or even start a topic about it.

Neil

[JoshF Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close JoshF]

Re: Driver training - Essential or a waste

If you are joining a club to participate in Driver training, make sure you check the actual course they teach. I have been told some do a full blown version and some do basicially nothing.

I would be ensuring they follow some code of practice ie http://www.4wdqld.com.au/training/51-dr ... -unit.html relevant for your state and member affiliated clubs. I would expect commercial operators t odelvier the same content if you go that route.

a relation with many years of experience had to complete a course recently as part of his job, he learnt new things through the course so sounds like it is highly recommended to do one

[Ozpat Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ozpat]

Re: Driver training - Essential or a waste

However you do need to ignore some of the club politics a bit like this place. what do ya mean here D4D

I don't have an attitude problem. You have a perception problem.

Hmmm.