I did a LROCV proficiency course over the weekend. Thought it would be a great idea to get an idea of the capabilities of my D3..and learn what all the electronic aids will and will not do.
All I can say is wow! I will chicken out well before the capabilities of the car come into question.
Although there was one hill that seemed to me as 60 degrees that I just could not get up. I needed the guidance of an instructor to tell me to not hold back with the throttle to get up!
Well worth the time and money to get into a safe environment with people who know how the car works and its capabilities. I can recommend these courses to anyone.
Now to convince LROCV to run a similar course specific to towing offroad capable trailers in same conditions.
I did the course a couple of years ago in my D2 and it was fantastic confidence builder. I recall sitting at the bottom of those test hills wondering just how far I'd get before the road tyres lost all traction. It's probably of most benefit to those who don't have much off road experience (I count myself in that category) in that it gives you a good foundation of skills. And as you say it makes you realise that you are the limitation not the vehicle.
The intermediate course LROCV run at Cobaw is also well worth doing too if you feel you want to push your boundaries in 12-18months time. There was one exercise that we did that I was convinced I wouldn't make it up without doing damage to the Disco, but after a bit of discussion and guiding from other course members I made it up without even a hint of wheelspin let alone risk of damage. It was another stark reminder that the Drivers skill level is the limiting factor in most cases.
I agree that it was well worth it to get an idea what these phenomenal vehicles can do - and how little a novice knows about 4WDing.
Is this the hill you referred to Jim?
I stepped it up a notch and did the LROCV intermediate course with Rob Pepper and Shaun. A couple of D4's, my D3 and Toppa's D2. What another great day. Spent the day navigating various obstacles in Cobaw State forest.
I finished up smashing the rear mudflaps, but I hear that is really normal when navigating large rocks.
I have decided I need some modifications to the car to allow me to self recover and more easily clear obstacles.
I will look into LLAMS and a winch.
Seems Rob runs off road towing courses, but requires people to complete the on road version before venturing off road. He mentioned he may be put on a course sometime this year for LROCV members, if the interest is there.
Yeh the black one is mine. Slowly getting it to the tourer I want. Don't be too sad about getting rid of the D2, looks like you've moved up a peg or two in refinement. From what I saw from the D3's and 4's during the training, they're a wonderfully capable vehicle with a fair splash of luxury thrown in.
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