4WD Training

I like to think I am fairly knowledgeable with 4WDing. However all this fancy TC stuff is somewhat hard to fathom especially in a LR. Recently I went on a LR experience day. As all the vehicles were discovery 4's (except for the leader Defender and TEC with a Disco sport) I learnt so much about how to best use the TC stuff. Lots of things they mentioned I already knew but things like using the sport feature of your gearbox in 4wd and what is then does was something I just dont think you would get unless you joined a dedicated 4WD club which has a Disco register or go on one of the GOE courses. Dont get me wrong I am not advertising for the GOE, but as it is very D3/4 specific, I think you would get a lot of tips and tricks that would otherwise be missed on a general 4WD orientation day.

It is never too much to learn, but at the the cost you can afford! I had been on 4WD for two years, had been club training, GOE training. Some of training might repeat itself, but reinforces what you learnt in the past. Even though had attended many trainings, I still made simple mistakes, such no dropping Tyre pressure in sand as others didn't do it, turn DSC off, snatching procedure. The last mistake cost me dearly when trying to snatch recovery out of sand with trailer, another "experienced" mate stop me to put on the winch Dampener. Things went wrong, the strap broken and smashed on the another mate's D4. It smashed the back glass and panel, luckily no one got hurt; but I had to cop the expensive bill. Bloody embarrassing and painful. That means knowledge doesn't always become the skill that will save you in urgent circumstances, more trips with experienced group will help you to covert into skill, but watch out some of them might not have adequate knowledge and skill. Proper training gave you better foundation, then practice.

Club training is more basic, not vehicle base even Land Rover club; GOE is more how Land Rover can handle the tough terrain, it shows no such most capable vehicle but most capable driver; Gordon is one of them. I felt still have much to learn or practice what I learnt, make sure your pocket doesn't get hurt; otherwise, club subsidies the training is the way to begin then GOE training later on. It will give you more confidence after all, otherwise, price to pay later on. Good luck!

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Originally Posted by DIS4

Club training is more basic, not vehicle base even Land Rover club;..

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That is very much a comment on your club - not true of the Range Rover Club of NSW. For starters, you have to own a Land Rover to be a member - while other "Land Rover" clubs don't seem to mind if you wander from the marque. Over 50% of our member cars are D3/D4 and then add RRS and FFRR with TR, the vast majority have it. Our club training gives guidance for TR use. We also hold separate sand, introductory and recovery training days -catering specifically for vehicles with TR, but also give guidance for Deefers, Evoques, RRC, and any other LR that attends.

Disclaimer: I am the training and education director at the Range Rover Club of NSW.

Cheers,
Rob

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Originally Posted by jonesy63

I am the training and education director at the Range Rover Club of NSW.

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Rob,

Good to know.

I also have a liking for the Citroen CX. I was previously a member of the NSW Citroen Car Club. These types of clubs do tend to be city centric with big distances to travel to meets/functions for us non city folks. Though, I don't have far to go for good tracks and camping [emoji3].

I will contact you after the weekend as decision time is very soon.

All the best

Laurie

I did Gordon's course a few weekends ago in Victoria. IMO if you are a complete novice it would be best to do a basic course first as you will cover a wider range of situations on most of them including recovery techniques. Gordon's course is like the icing on the cake to understand the specifics and capabilities of the Land Rover.

It's a bit tough being in Armidale to get anything LR specific locally. Despite Rob's best efforts [wink11], the Range Rover Club's training is very good and I would recommend them as a club to join. They're a fairly mature, decent bunch of people with mostly standard(ish) 4wds and their trips are not the testosterone fuelled ****ing competitions you get in some clubs.

In fact now they've seen the error of their ways and realised they should have Defenders in the club after all, I'm even considering rejoining. [biggrin]

If you prefer a commercial operation, Getabout know Land Rovers very well.
Getabout Training Services -Driver Training for Outdoors
They are also Sydney based though.

Cheers,
Jon

Well I have done some training. I might add that I will be joining a 4wd club that is Land Rover focused in the future.

I did my course with GOE and was mainly happy. I suppose like all courses I would have liked more but with only a small class it was more personal and shorter. No complaints about the tuition or content - just wanted more more more. Gordon was very willing to share his knowledge and experiences.

I managed to bottom out on some logs (APT sliders work) and now know about extended and emergency heights. As a novice I know that I have to practice knowing where my wheels are. Great fun and learning. Very impressed on what these cars can do on road tyres - I cheated with my AT's though they slip a lot when over inflated. Love the trust exercises of not putting your foot in the brakes going down slopes. Very hard to come to terms with it.

My wife thought doing a LR only course might have been a bit snobby but came away understanding how these cars are unique and that you would only get the knowledge imparted on a LR only course.

Anyway, Norm, Michael, Peter, Judy, Pauline & Gordon thanks for a good 2 days. Enjoy the planned trips.

All the best

Laurie

I hear you Laurie,, it'd be very easy to spend a week with him and it still not be enough. I guess for me, having a brand new car and electronics,, a first really for me,, I had a bad case of information overload,, but practice gains experience and self confidence, so best be getting out there some more [biggrin]