First I’d like to thank, on behalf of everyone in attendance, Keith and Phil for making the 12 hour trip up from Maryland. Also, I would like to give a big thanks to Stephen and his family for once again opening the homestead to our club and providing great food ( in both taste and quantity) at a very reasonable price.
The day started early with a great breakfast. In attendance was Stephen, Don, Tim, Nate, Dan, his son and myself. We settled into the living room and began the course with the basics of the UFWDA 4WD Safety Awareness Program. The manual was very thorough and covered all aspects of off-highway driving ( the new PC term for off-road).
Topics covered were: ( yes I copied the list from Stephens post..why re-invent the wheel)
- - What is 4 wheel drive
- - Wheel base
- - Vehicle clearance
- - Approach angle
- - Break over angle
- - Departure angle
- - Transmissions (auto/manual)
- - Transfer case
- - Four-Wheel Drive Systems (part time, full time, permanent)
- - Vehicle modifications:
- - Tires for terrain HT, AT, MT etc.
- - Suspension modifications:
- - Suspension lifts
- - Body lifts
- - Skid plates
- - Accessories
- - Tow hooks
- - Off Highway driving skills
- - Spotters
- - Off highway challenge course
- - Gear selection
- - Over steer
- - Under steer
- - Winter driving snow and ice
- - Preparedness and recommended vehicle needs
- - Driving in the mud
- - Water crossings
- - Driving in sand
- - Rock crawling
- - Driving through ruts
- - Driving through v-gullies
- - Driving through ditches
- - Off camber and side tilts
- - High centering
- - Articulation
- - Hill climbs and accents
- - Hill descents
- - Right of way on hills
- - Vehicle recovery and what to do
- - Recovery straps
- - Chains
- - Winches
- - Hand signals for spotting and winching
- - Hi-lift jack and come-a-long
- - Basic vehicle maintenance
- - Automotive systems and how they function
- - Engine components
- - Drive train system
- - Braking system
- - Communications
Once all this was covered we moved on to how to teach the class. Things like dealing with different personalities and keep the group focused on the topic (we went off on several tangents…..some included the safety of you car during lightning storms, and how to signal for an aerial rescue).
The UFWDA can provide us with videos and materials to aid in teaching the course. We also discussed the possibility of using NEWJO videos.
We broke for lunch about midday and were treated to excellent lunch. After we stuffed our faces we headed out for the local Class VI roads for some practical application of what we learned. Keith pointed out several spots on the trail that would be good examples to use when teaching the class.
Back at Stephens we decide to try out the back yard. I rode with Stephen since my steering box was still leaking. The trails proved to be their usual challenge but all the rigs made it through mostly unscathed. (Okay Dan learned the value of having rocker protection but otherwise unscathed)
Everyone made out safely just in time to enjoy a great Bar-B-Q served up by Stephens family (did I mention they did a great job? Well they did..)
That wrapped up the day. We all received certificates stating we completed the UFWDA 4WD Safety Awareness Program; Stephen also received a Chief Instructor certificate since he was the only one with CPR and First Aid. Once the rest of us get CPR and First Aid certificates we will also become Chief Instructors.
I hope as a club we use the ability to host the courses in the future, I think it will be good PR, possible income and a membership generating activity.
