| Author | Message | ||
     Peter Clemares (Waterbrat) New Member Username: Waterbrat Post Number: 5 Registered: 08-2002 |
I am tired of getting stuck off-road. What is the best way to learn off-road skills? Joining a club or paying for classes at one of those off-road schools? Has anyone taken courses? Are they worth the bucks? Some offer trips..Has anyone been on a trip? My experience with local clubs is that there two class of members..the know it all group (read sobs) - and the rest of us... Help. | ||
| Roland Kutasi (Disco1) Member Username: Disco1 Post Number: 240 Registered: 10-2002 |
Even the most experienced off-roaders get stuck from time to time. It's not so great at the time, but later on it makes for great camp fire conversation. This is all part of the thrill where you are constantly pitting you ever expanding knowledge and skills, gained by previous experiences against new off-road situations. Just think of it; the dry mouth, the butterflies, the adrenelin rush, the wife turning white and either screaming or speechless (I prefer the latter). It does help however, to read up on and have a good understanding of the basics in any case. It is usually a good idea to learn some skills by joining a club and partaking in their driver training coarses, and after that, if you do not like the members that much, just leave. Your observation regarding the club groups is on the ball, but you will usually find this to be the case in all types of clubs. Happy off-roading! | ||
| Will Bobbitt (Rkores) Senior Member Username: Rkores Post Number: 300 Registered: 09-2002 |
Pete, Where are you from? Will | ||
| Brian Friend (Brianfriend) Senior Member Username: Brianfriend Post Number: 950 Registered: 09-2002 |
I have never taken a course but I think it would be valuable. To me the most important thing is to wheel with someone you trust and someone that knows more than you. It may take lots of outings but eventually you will find one and then you you can learn in a fun environment. The things that irritate me are the mass quantity of spotters. I like to only have one and frequently, I will tell others not to spot me. You will probably find that the most knolegable person may be the most quiet. They don't need to feed their ego with constant spotting and often will back away if someone else jumps in. That is why it is so important to call for one spotter. Use that spotter as much as possible and talk about the situation afterwards. Ask for his/her opinion as to why you got in that situation and what you could have done differently. Most important...you must trust your spotter completely. Do what he says exactly. There is no need to look anywhere else but at the spotter. At this point all you are doing is following orders. This may be one of the hardest parts of wheeling, it is a tremendous trust factor and in some situations it could be the difference between a successful obstical and a disaster. Remember...it will take some time for you to develop this trust and it will take lots of time but it is critical if you want the most out of wheeling. I wheel a lot. I think last year I ran probably about 75 or more days and most of those trips had one thing in common. My spotter was with me. Ever notice that in competition wheeling it is really a team event? There is the driver and the spotter. It really is a team sport, lots of comrodery and challanges. Another important aspect to wheeling. You are always responsible. You make the decisions to take the obsticle and it is never your spotters fault if you damage something. His task is to help you accomplish the goal and damage my occure, but remember you made the decision. Same thing occurs when in recovery mode. If you choose to be recovered by a vehicle, that is your choice and the damage that may occur is on you. And when recovering someone elses vehicle the same applies. The damage is yours. Most important, use common sence. Understand the consequences of the obstical and if you are ok with that go ahead. If you are going to be upset by something going wrong, better go around. There are usually bypasses. Whew....that was a long post. | ||
| Nicholas Tan (Codynt) New Member Username: Codynt Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2003 |
definitely listen/look at the spotter; for me that's been probably the most helpful thing. I'm still quite the newbie (judge from my post count if you want to  ), with my experience limited to a dealer event out on the east coast, some snow-driving experience on the east coast, and maybe 5+ times at Hollister. Nevertheless, I've found the most valuable thing to be watching other people and following the advice of others in the group. I haven't gotten stuck (yet) and every trip out there is a massive learning experience, but I'm finding that as I get more experience I'm able to concentrate a lot more on having fun | ||
| max garcia (Max_n_erica) New Member Username: Max_n_erica Post Number: 12 Registered: 02-2003 |
Peter I have to agree with Brian. You are responsible for what you choose to do and who you listen to on the trail. I am new to this and have a spotter that I trust. That said I have come close to smashing my door in and have made big errors that had good endings all the while my spotter yelling "what the fuck". Listen and talk about what went wrong and what went right. Look in the trail section for group outings in your area and let them know your level. Good luk and have fun. max | ||
| Peter Clemares (Waterbrat) New Member Username: Waterbrat Post Number: 6 Registered: 08-2002 |
Thank you for the information. Has anyone take a class with bill burke? I know he is the best. P.S. I live in Atlanta | ||
| Max Thomason (Lrmax) Member Username: Lrmax Post Number: 173 Registered: 11-2002 |
I think some sort of class would be very good. On the other hand, it depends on how much skill you have aquired up until this point. A class will most likely start at the basics, with how the truck works, how diffs work, suspension, angles, etc. If you have figured all of this out, then this would be frustrating and a waste of your time and money. On the other hand, one-on-one training is always good. Something like what Bill Burke runs seems to be good and someone like that would be a great help. Lastly, and what most people have done (doesn't mean you have to too) is get in the truck and go out there. There is nothing wrong with this, its just that you have to learn many things right then and there. The learning curve is kinda steep. I am too pretty much a novice (about 2 years of experience) and I always ask advice from others. Often, I will ask for a spotter even when a lesser vehicle (i.e. stock truck) has made it through an obstacle with no trouble. One last thing, if you are new, avoid night runs! Every time I venture out into the dark, it seems like I destroy some important part of my truck (alternator, gear shift lever, etc). You might want to consider riding along with others (especially at night). Once again, you can absorb from others. Don't be afraid to get stuck! Stuck happens and you bought that fancy tow strap (you did right? LOL) to be used, right? I hate to hold up others whenever my POS rig gets stuck. On the other hand, others tend to enjoy watching the recovery so it isn't too bad. About the thing with spotters, check out this website as it give good advice for spotters. http://www.off-road.com/jeep/technique/spotting.htm (I know it says jeep, but don't worry, its all good) Max T. | ||
| Robert Sublett (Rubisco98) Senior Member Username: Rubisco98 Post Number: 900 Registered: 04-2002 |
Peter, definitely get acquanted with SOLAROS if you are in ATL. Very nice and knowledgable people, .. Chris Schram, Will Roeder, etc.. Too many to name. We are having an outing up here in TN on June 28th at Windrock OHV, in Oliver Springs, TN. You would be more than welcome to come along and learn as ya go. | ||
| Brian Friend (Brianfriend) Senior Member Username: Brianfriend Post Number: 965 Registered: 09-2002 |
EXCELENT article. that should be required reading before hitting any trail. | ||
| Peter Clemares (Waterbrat) New Member Username: Waterbrat Post Number: 7 Registered: 08-2002 |
Thanks for the advice. Guess experience is the best teacher.... (tell that to my wife, I got stuck on mothers day!). Peter | ||
| John Kruger (Johnnyk) Member Username: Johnnyk Post Number: 215 Registered: 02-2002 |
Please remember, you can get good and BAD advice from fellow club members. I have seen near death experiences because of it. Just because someone doesn't get stuck does not mean they are good teachers, or drivers for that manner. I suggest you look into taking a class. If you want to get a sample of the value you can get out of proper training, try to hook up with one of Bill Burke's On the Road Events. If you feel there is more to learn after that, I am certain Bill, myself or others would be able to accommodate your needs. John www.teampb.com |
