Tips and techniques for new wheelers

[sixstringsteve]

The more I thought about the new member run that's coming up, the more I realized it'd help to have some basic techniques outlined for new wheelers. While I'd like to eventually make this an instructional youtube video, I need to collect my thoughts and plan it out. Any input or help you may have would be appreciated. I intend for this to be a sticky eventually, so I'm going to continually update it. It's a draft for now.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Before you go off road


[YOUTUBE]N5Z9_k4SJkE[/YOUTUBE]



Preparation:

[YOUTUBE]7JZf4XqF04A[/YOUTUBE]

http://4wheeldrive.about.com/cs/offroadingtips/a/aa020401a_2.htm



your first time wheeling:

http://4wheeldrive.about.com/cs/offroadingtips/a/aa020401a.htm


safety
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/cs/offroadingtips/a/aa020401f.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_4493499_stay-safe-off-road-trip.html

fires
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/gi/dyn...eldrive&zu=http://www.4x4road.com/tipsvf.html

 

[sixstringsteve]

Getting off road
airing down
locking hubs

abs
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/gi/dyn...=http://www.worldoffroad.com/begin/begabs.asp

sway bars
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/gi/dyn...p://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/antisway.htm

stowing loose items

what is 4x4 and how does it work?
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/cs/offroadingtips/a/aa021203a.htm
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/od/offroadatvbasics/ss/4wd-2wd-difference-between-4x4-4x2.htm

Engaging 4wd
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/gi/dyn...drive&zu=http://www.cfsja.org/trails/4wd.html



[YOUTUBE]JFKJz4xf3JE[/YOUTUBE]

Gravel roads
[YOUTUBE]ytehDG29Bxc[/YOUTUBE]


Intro to Rock crawling
[YOUTUBE]xVOTjlaoppk[/YOUTUBE]


Hills
[YOUTUBE]IDkXC7HeGws[/YOUTUBE]


4wd
sidekhills


climbing
http://www.motortrend.com/features/112_0104_off_roading_tips/index.html

ruts

http://4wheeldrive.about.com/gi/dyn...http://www.eco4wd.com/trail_tips/DeepVees.htm

 

[sixstringsteve]

winter wheeling

snow
ice
frozen dirt


mud
[YOUTUBE]rY7S0gQfhbs[/YOUTUBE]

 

[sixstringsteve]

Descending

why not to leave your clutch pedal in while you descend.
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/gi/dyn...p://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/coasting.htm

Reverse


braking

engine braking
e-brake
pedal brake

 

[sixstringsteve]

picking the right line

spotting
When spotting, refer to directions as "forward, reverse, passenger side, driver's side." If you use "left" and "right" commands, you'll be confusing either yourself or your driver. They won't know if you're talking about your left or their left. Passenger is always on the passenger side, from everyone's point of view.

Ruts/cracks
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/gi/dyn...http://www.eco4wd.com/trail_tips/DeepVees.htm



tire placement

 

[sixstringsteve]

recovery

Billavista's Recovery Bible



winching
strapping

getting un-stuck
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/cs/offroadingtips/a/aa020401a_5.htm


using a jack
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/gi/dyn...ders.com/info/tech-corner/reading/jacking.htm

 

[sixstringsteve]

trail courtesy
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/od/brandnew4x4wdrivers/a/OffRoadEtiquett.htm



break-downs
right of way

 

[sixstringsteve]

"bumping" it over an obstacle

speed/power vs crawling

 

[sixstringsteve]

Land-use

tread lightly
[YOUTUBE]IOFkdPZcxI0[/YOUTUBE]

http://www.ehow.com/how_5125336_respect-environment-driving-offroad.html

http://4wheeldrive.about.com/gi/dyn...us/r6/wenatchee/cle-elum-orv/video/index.html


how to keep our trails open
how to behave on the trails

 

[sixstringsteve]

Lessons learned

4x4 quiz
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/gi/dyn...=http://www.eco4wd.com/Xbook_preview/Quiz.htm

what not to do:
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/gi/dyn...//www.4x4abc.com/ten_stupid_things/index.html


Crashes, rolls.


What to do if you roll
- shut off engine
- pull plugs and clear cylinders out



Videos of other people rolling. Try and figure out what went wrong.

[YOUTUBE]5KV9jXqyf3g[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]ouWJa6FC7-E[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]v7cbsvXEu_Y[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]aWyGiYdqoTk[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]5gpg_ZvhXks[/YOUTUBE]

 

[SAMI]

Dear Lord....

 

[sixstringsteve]

feel free to submit any helpful videos/links you may have to add to the collection.

 

[TJDukit]

Dear Lord....

Steve has been busy. Maybe on the April/May run we can do some videos. I should have all the body armor and a locker by then so I'd love to be an "example" of either what to do or not to do.

 

[sixstringsteve]

yeah, i was hoping of taking a video of the right and wrong way to tackle obstacles.

What can I say, I can't turn the instructional designer in me off.

 

[iamsparticus]

Best tip, steady throttle and tire placement. There is a place and time to gas it but most of the time a steady low to medium throttle will keep you moving on a obstacle even if you dont have lockers. Always place your tire on top of a rock in steady of wedged in between, you want to stradle cracks not ride in them and be on top of stuff not trying to go over it.

I dont know if this helps steve but my wife learned alot by me telling her this

 

[sixstringsteve]

i totally agree. I'll make sure there's a section on throttle control, and another on tire placement.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I'll also be adding a section with crashing videos so noobs can see what went wrong. I know i've learned a TON by watching youtube videos of rollovers and analyzing what happened.

 

[TJDukit]

Billavista's Recovery Bible

http://pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Recovery/index.html

It's a long read but some amazing information in there.

 

[sixstringsteve]

thanks tj, hadn't seen that before.