Having the confidence to tackle a steep, sandy and rutted hill is one thing, but backing this up with the correct and (more importantly) safe operating techniques of your vehicle as well as understanding your own abilities is something which takes a long time to learn.
Even then, years of experience doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll make it to the top of that hill unscathed. What if you need a recovery? Which recovery technique is most suitable? What difference will tyre pressures make? Should you leave your traction control on or off? Under what circumstances should you use your winch and what about maintaining and re-spooling your winch properly after you have used it?
I’m often amazed at the number of people who are willing to spend upwards of 50 or 60 thousand dollars on a new 4×4, then thousands more kitting it out with winches and recovery gear, but not even consider forking out a few hundred dollars to learn how to use it and maintain it properly.
Understanding you and your vehicles abilities when touring can make all the difference to your trip and P7 Offroad Driver Training have recently joined forces with TJM Stores in offering their wide range of Offroad Driving courses through the TJM dealership network.
Dave Darmody and the team from P7 offer everything from individual introductory 4wd and All Wheel Drive courses through to Advanced Recovery and Sand Driving as well as nationally recognised and accredited professional courses for industry and government.
P7 Offroad courses are run in 13 purpose built 4wd training centres in key locations across the East Coast of Australia. So, whether you’re new to four wheel driving or in the process of planning your next big trip and have a new (or new to you) or old 4wd, we strongly recommend you consider learning the right way to handle your vehicle through an accredited training course.
This way, you can plan your next trip knowing how to assess the terrain you’re faced with and be confident in the abilities that you and your vehicle posses.
For a great Christmas present idea or more information, head to www.p7offroad.com.au or visit your nearest TJM store and pick up a voucher.
