Does your partner drive your Patrol?

[Cuppa]

Thought I’d ask.

I’ve just spent the last couple of Saturdays being passengered around some of the local 4wd forest tracks in my car, driven by my wife. She is doing a beginners basic proficiency course with the local 4wd club in a couple more weeks time, something she had planned to do last year, but a couple of knee operations put paid to that. So with the course coming up we decided that she should at least familiarise herself with the car, it being much larger & with totally different driving characteristics to her little buzz bomb go cart (Mitsubishi Mirage). That way there’s a much better chance I’ll get my car back from the course in one piece!

She was anxious to start with, understandable but not helpful. Pulling off the bitumen was up a greasy, off camber clay track with a couple of washed out ruts to straddle, all the more daunting because one of them was deeper than our 2” lifted Patrol would manage. Failure to line herself up adequately saw the inevitable result of the back end slewing around into the deep rut. No harm done though & I was able to back the car out, albeit with a bit of wheelspin. Not the most auspicious of starts, & with hindsight not the best spot for me to take a total newbie to 4wd’ing first up.

But I stayed calm & reassuring & from then on it was onward & upward. Her confidence grew with each new obstacle conquered. We stopped & discussed lines to take each time. I’m sure what she managed might be considered easy by many here, but if I were driving they would be at around 7/10th’s for me. She did stall & key starts, both forward & reverse & we followed any number of tracks on a variety of surfaces many of which were tight necessitating good vehicle placement to avoid damage, plus a number of steep & washed out hills, & sitting water needing checking for depth before entering.
I reckon she managed it all like a champ, but when I told her that her response was to congratulate me on the courage I’d shown sitting in the car whilst she was doing it. Ha ha.

Today we tried a few of the same tracks in light rain & many others new to both of us. Only twice did we need to turn back, once when a track turned into a motorcycle only track & once when the way forward was seriously hardcore (as in if we try that we’ll wreck the car, ourselves or both).

The aim is preparation for our future travels into remote areas by ourselves where it obviously makes sense that we are both able to drive. I have no doubt that she will pass the proficiency course, she’s already managed more than the course will throw at her. (I did it 18 months ago). Previously we had thought that she would be my ‘backup’ in remote areas in case I became incapacitated & couldn’t drive, but both hers & my confidence has grown quickly seeing how she has adapted to the vehicle size & picked up a few skills & I’m now looking forward to sharing the driving with her on a regular basis when we get away. Unfortunately she has reminded me that if/when this happens it means I’ll also have to share the cooking. :)

[Woof]

Way to go Mrs Tea 69173

[Winnie]

Nah, Amy has never learned to drive a manual and I have tried to teach her a few times but I think she gets way too nervous because the car is so big and precious to me haha.
She does okay and could drive it in an emergency but she just lacks the confidence to drive it.

[mudski]

My wife will drive my Patrol on the streets or on a dirt road but wont do any 4by tracks. No matter how many times i ask her if she wants to have a drive. She says no.
Kinda wish she would though. She has her full bike licence and used to come out on some high country tracks with me back in the day.

Sent from my GT-N7105T using Tapatalk

[Bacho86]

The patrol is my wife's daily driver, so she's more than happy punting around on a few easier local tracks, but doesn't love the real steep stuff


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[nissannewby]

Yes quite a lot.

But when it comes to the hardcore stuff she prefers to drive her patrol (yes she owns one she had it when I met her). She is great to take out as she will give anything a go which has resulted in a few of my male friends realise the potential of their own patrol as the girl did it first do they kind have to give it a shot now.

[BigRAWesty]

My partner owns the dam thing

[Hodge]

My wife would love to drive the Patrol but she just isn't comfortable with the manual.

[MudRunnerTD]

Naomi drives the GUIV as her daily! She hates it!! But I do heap more Kms so I drive the SantaFe as its7lt/100kms for the win!! Saving a fortune.

[jack]

I wish she would, but I don't see it happening in my lifetime.

[jay see]

Over the years I've always encouraged my wife to drive whatever car I've owned and she has. Even got her towing our wind up van when we had it. Still trying to get her on the tracks. She keeps on saying that she isn't scared to drive, but scared that she will do the wrong thing and brake something.
Maybe we should organise a woman drive day???

Sent from my XT1068 using Tapatalk

[Skitzyrex]

My missus drives the patrol as her daily. Doesn't like 4wdriving though so ain't too keen on driving it off-road. [emoji23]

[Bush Ranger]

GF doesn`t like driving the wagon, too big she reckons and yet I`m expected to drive her buzz box. Mind you, a hundred Ks an hour feels much faster in her vehicle than mine.

[Plasnart]

My partner wont drive anything bigger than a Mazda 2 and doesnt like hard core camping. Plenty of other things in her life that earn my respect though. She also refuses to drive an auto, thinks they're for wussies! Haha tough and tame at the same time.

[Clunk]

The missus didnt mind driving the old clunker as was an auto, wouldn't drive offroad though. .... she hates driving the present one though, manual and slow. ........ she likes manuals, just not mine

[Bigcol]

SWMBO is a complete nut job on the beach - to the point I dont like to let her drive - she drives it like she stole it

but

she is not keen on gravel roads or tracks (she rolled a car once years ago on a gravel track near dwellingup)

and

she wont tow the Van - end of conversation................

[TPC]

My wife uses ours as her daily drive as I have a company car, I have tried to convince her that we should get a small car to take to work but she likes the patrol as she can see ahead in the traffic. I hate being a passenger with her as she is to hard on the clutch and when I tell her that I get in the shit.
Have tried to get her to try driving on some 4wd tracks but she refuses. She also hated towing the camper which makes it hard to share the driving on long trips.

[BigRAWesty]

My wife uses ours as her daily drive as I have a company car, I have tried to convince her that we should get a small car to take to work but she likes the patrol as she can see ahead in the traffic. I hate being a passenger with her as she is to hard on the clutch and when I tell her that I get in the shit.
Have tried to get her to try driving on some 4wd tracks but she refuses. She also hated towing the camper which makes it hard to share the driving on long trips.

I know that feeling..
I miss the Jesus bar when nissa is driving lol..
She was always on about a reversing camera when we got it.. But now she's comfortable even reverse parking it.
I'm still going to add the camera, a good safety feature and will aid with hooking up. . I'm glad though she hasn't become reliant on it though to park it and it'll be an aid when it's in..

[Avo]

Yes i love driving her patrol

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

[garett]

ha, well she will drive it on a highway, not into town and refuses to park it and complains its a truck/tractor. rides the clutch and holds it on a hill with the clutch...... complains the steering is to light. the cars to big but would be happy with a gu (which is bigger) yeah i'm confused.

[GeeYou8]

She does not have a license, panicked every time she went for the test.
The 10 year old boy would love to give it a crack, he drives his Hyundai Excel worse than if it was stolen, the rev limiter is there to tell you when to change gears and you can go from second to reverse at 60 km/hr just to see how much gravel you can throw out the front.
Graham

[Touses]

Over the years I've always encouraged my wife to drive whatever car I've owned and she has. Even got her towing our wind up van when we had it. Still trying to get her on the tracks. She keeps on saying that she isn't scared to drive, but scared that she will do the wrong thing and brake something.
Maybe we should organise a woman drive day???

Sent from my XT1068 using Tapatalk

Woman drive day, not a bad idea, but does Club 4X4 do husband insurance?
Can you imagine some of the radio chatter?
HE:-Left, left further fcukin LEFT!
HER:- I am LEFT and if you use that tone of voice again you will be TOO!

[Ben-e-boy]

Well. I have to hold the steering with my hands. So my answer to the original question, currently, would be yes :D

[DX grunt]

I don't let my wife drive my Patrol unless it's on the way home from a few drinks. lol

[katwoman]

Not any more. There's proof on this forum somewhere as to why. Besides he's got two of his own.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Rossco]

Not any more. There's proof on this forum somewhere as to why. Besides he's got two of his own.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
He's got more than that doesn't he, thought he had a paddock full . . . [emoji6]

[katwoman]

He's got more than that doesn't he, thought he had a paddock full . . . [emoji6]

I only mentioned the registered ones. The others aren't really driveable.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[threedogs]

If the manual is troubling for Mrs T knees an Auto conversion would make any kind of driving
reativly pain free , only down side is engine breaking. A few here drive an auto just for this reason.
No idea when you plan to go away but get out there every time you can and practice ,,,practice,, practice
you can never do enough practice IMHO

My missus can drive the Patrol, but never off road,, never

[mudnut]

Mrs mudsane would drive it if she could start it. With a manual choke and a tendency to flood, even I have trouble starting the bloody thing.

[Maxhead]

Drunk=wife driving, otherwise never-life's too short





….................... On the move

[taslucas]

Drunk=wife driving, otherwise never-life's too short





….................... On the move
So do YOU ever get to drive it?

>>>tappin from tassie

[Maxhead]

So do YOU ever get to drive it?

>>>tappin from tassie

Drive it!! I don't even know what it looks like:)





….................... On the move

[taslucas]

Too drunk when you're clambering in?

>>>tappin from tassie

[jay see]

Too drunk when you're clambering in?

>>>tappin from tassie
Nah, he can't remember that part, too drunk falling out, ouch.

Sent from my XT1068 using Tapatalk

[threedogs]

Some here may know of Paul Hudson or Huddie as most call him.
He drives the Narva Blue GQ winch challenge truck, a few years
back he entered the Cruiser Kharna anyway long story short his girl friend
entered as well, some may know her some not her Name was
Vanessa Amorossi anyway she is a great singer

[Andy76]

Yep my wife drives my patrol infact she was the first to do a river crossing in it although i was a bit nervous she killed it even though she took the wrong route out and hit soft mud she didnt panic kept the patrol moving and got through it i congratulated her and all she could say was cant believe you let me do it ha ha

[BigRAWesty]

Maybe not after today..
She's reversed into a car.......

[MarionCohrs]

Its awesome to see girls or wives that drive any patrol cars. My girlfriend is comfortable in auto.

[lucus30]

Yeah my Mrs drives my Patrol as much as i do.
Loves the manual

[Avo]

Maybe not after today..
She's reversed into a car.......

lucky it's her's hey

[BigRAWesty]

lucky it's her's hey
And last night she added 130L of premium unleaded!!!
Now up at 4.30 to wave her off to Hong Kong before heading to the farm...
What a night!!!

[Rossco]

And last night she added 130L of premium unleaded!!!
Now up at 4.30 to wave her off to Hong Kong before heading to the farm...
What a night!!!
Ouch that's a fair bit, premium too!! haha. . . Guess I've been guilty of that one before. How'd you very rid of it, drain it yourself or mechanic? Or its still in there. ?

[BigRAWesty]

Ouch that's a fair bit, premium too!! haha. . . Guess I've been guilty of that one before. How'd you very rid of it, drain it yourself or mechanic? Or its still in there. ?
Um yea.. I've got a few years of lawn mower fuel that's for sure..
Syphond it all out..
Have filled main again with 400mls of 2 stroke and have double checked the sub this morning..

[Rossco]

Um yea.. I've got a few years of lawn mower fuel that's for sure..
Syphond it all out..
Have filled main again with 400mls of 2 stroke and have double checked the sub this morning..
Yeah that's what i did with the stuff i drained from the work car, made up some 2 stroke and put some in the motor bike. . . They were pretty smokey and smelt like a diesel bit they kept going haha. Nearly used it all up, didn't like the thought of wasting it . .

[BigRAWesty]

Yeah that's what i did with the stuff i drained from the work car, made up some 2 stroke and put some in the motor bike. . . They were pretty smokey and smelt like a diesel bit they kept going haha. Nearly used it all up, didn't like the thought of wasting it . .
It only had about 20L of deisel in it so it is quite thin.
And seeing it's premium I may run it threw the falcon blended half tank at a time..
Even then it's like 2 months of fuel lol..
Not really fond of 120L of premium in the shed lol..

[TPC]

It only had about 20L of deisel in it so it is quite thin.
And seeing it's premium I may run it threw the falcon blended half tank at a time..
Even then it's like 2 months of fuel lol..
Not really fond of 120L of premium in the shed lol..

Did you have that many Jerry cans to use?

[Cuppa]

Took MrsTea out for her final practice before her course with the 4wd club next weekend today ............. & tested the strength of the pod! Backed into a tree (doh) & mangled one of the drop down spare wheel holders. I was not a happy chappy. And yep it was ME who did it. Thought I’d just turn the car around where we stopped for lunch out in the pines, believed I was on the track, & somehow had an 80 foot tall pine tree jump out in my way. Despite mangling the tyre holder there is no distortion or damage to the pod, & I’ve since been able to remove the tyre holder & with a vice, lots of leverage , a 4lb club hammer & my little stick welder have it almost as good as new again.

Was really pissed at myself, but what was worse was when I told MrsTea she should’ve been looking our for me .... she laughed. Guess I deserved that though! All things considered I got off very lightly .... it could’ve been *much* worse if the pod itself had been damaged & it says a lot for the robustness ofthe ex-Telstra Rosscos made Pods.

[BigRAWesty]

Took MrsTea out for her final practice before her course with the 4wd club next weekend today ............. & tested the strength of the pod! Backed into a tree (doh) & mangled one of the drop down spare wheel holders. I was not a happy chappy. And yep it was ME who did it. Thought I’d just turn the car around where we stopped for lunch out in the pines, believed I was on the track, & somehow had an 80 foot tall pine tree jump out in my way. Despite mangling the tyre holder there is no distortion or damage to the pod, & I’ve since been able to remove the tyre holder & with a vice, lots of leverage , a 4lb club hammer & my little stick welder have it almost as good as new again.

Was really pissed at myself, but what was worse was when I told MrsTea she should’ve been looking our for me .... she laughed. Guess I deserved that though! All things considered I got off very lightly .... it could’ve been *much* worse if the pod itself had been damaged & it says a lot for the robustness ofthe ex-Telstra Rosscos made Pods.

Bugger..
Them dam trees jumping out behind you

[Clunk]

Took MrsTea out for her final practice before her course with the 4wd club next weekend today ............. & tested the strength of the pod! Backed into a tree (doh) & mangled one of the drop down spare wheel holders. I was not a happy chappy. And yep it was ME who did it. Thought I’d just turn the car around where we stopped for lunch out in the pines, believed I was on the track, & somehow had an 80 foot tall pine tree jump out in my way. Despite mangling the tyre holder there is no distortion or damage to the pod, & I’ve since been able to remove the tyre holder & with a vice, lots of leverage , a 4lb club hammer & my little stick welder have it almost as good as new again.

Was really pissed at myself, but what was worse was when I told MrsTea she should’ve been looking our for me .... she laughed. Guess I deserved that though! All things considered I got off very lightly .... it could’ve been *much* worse if the pod itself had been damaged & it says a lot for the robustness ofthe ex-Telstra Rosscos made Pods.
Nice one George

[TPC]

Took MrsTea out for her final practice before her course with the 4wd club next weekend today ............. & tested the strength of the pod! Backed into a tree (doh) & mangled one of the drop down spare wheel holders. I was not a happy chappy. And yep it was ME who did it. Thought I’d just turn the car around where we stopped for lunch out in the pines, believed I was on the track, & somehow had an 80 foot tall pine tree jump out in my way. Despite mangling the tyre holder there is no distortion or damage to the pod, & I’ve since been able to remove the tyre holder & with a vice, lots of leverage , a 4lb club hammer & my little stick welder have it almost as good as new again.

Was really pissed at myself, but what was worse was when I told MrsTea she should’ve been looking our for me .... she laughed. Guess I deserved that though! All things considered I got off very lightly .... it could’ve been *much* worse if the pod itself had been damaged & it says a lot for the robustness ofthe ex-Telstra Rosscos made Pods.

I reversed into a tree on Fraser Island a couple of years ago, the tree was not there when I pulled in and someone must have planted it when I was not looking.
My excuse was sun-glare and a hangover. My wife was helpful, she yelled out to stop after I had hit it.

69363

[Wine_maker]

Because we have only one car in family, my wife drives our shorty as everyday vehicle, in light offroad also.

[Hardyards]

Mrs HYs has done advanced 4wd driving course same as myself, and does a little off road driving but prefers to passenger. We tend to tow the camper trailer most times,and whilst happy going forward, not a fan of reversing. She can handle the manual fine, but IMO, brakes later then I like considering we are about 4T all up. Too used to her zippy SUV. My wife is pretty impressive though, moterbike licence, Airline pilot licence, loves remote camping and is happy to fish croc infested creeks with me in our little tinne.
We are both self sufficient enough to enable return to civilisation if the other becomes incapacitated while remote. I applaud you Cuppa for having the forethought to prepare for the worst, not enough people do this before heading out alone to the greatest parts of this awesome country.

[Sprock]

My missus drives 'our' Patrol daily , & since I put the tigged intercooler on it & pulled the 44gallon drum sized muffler out from underneath it it makes a huge whoosh noise when you give it a boot full & back off so she does that A LOT 😝

[Cuppa]

MrsTea completed the course yesterday & returned home feeling very pleased with herself that she had passed. I was confident she would. It's only a basic course, but it (& the practice leading up to it) has served the purpose... to give her the necessary confidence to drive the Patrol. S'pose I'll have to give her a go with the Tvan hooked up now.

[pearcey]

Great stuff Mrs Tea, more girls should get behind the wheel. There is always a chance that a problem may arise where you may need even basic skills to help solve a bad situation. My wife knew where the little stick was and how to use it, hi and low range, plus how to put the hubs in. So if a situation arose where she had to drive, ie , me being anable to drive or a bad medical situation she had the skills to help out.Alittle knowledge can save someones life and the more we know the better, Well done,