Excellent 4x4 training weekend !
Hi everyone,
i just felt that I should share the fantastic training course the wife and i have been on this weekend. We decided to get some proper tuition after help from this forum in choosing our first 4x4 in Australia after moving here last year.In May we bought a new Patrol ST and after looking at many informative videos asking advice on forums and reading various magazines we could not wait to get started.I researched different training organisations and found " AUSTRALIAN 4WD and ADVANCED DRIVER TRAINING " .We decided on 2 courses running on 2 consecutive days (SAT/SUN).
The first day was on private land in Kurwongbah and is a "NATIONALLY RECOGNISED TRAINING" course which i can use on some of the sites i work on and there for claim the cost back on my tax. There were only 8 vehicles allowed which gave a good sized group and they encouraged partners to have ago.The course covered all the technical aspects of all the 4x4 systems with a stripped away working model to make it easy for any one to understand how it all works including Hi/Low Range,Transfer Box,Diffs,Hubs etc. We also learnt about safe recovery methods preforming Maxtrax and Snatch Recoveries, Recovery Equipment and Techniques, Safety, Pre Starts, Vehicle Preparation, and Driving Techniques. We started off with some easy tracks and they got more challenging through out the day culminating in a 45 degree decent on loose ground with a tight right hand turn at the bottom with a left side slope and an immediate 45 degree accent. Only three of us tried it and they asked if i would go first having the most capable vehicle which again confirmed i made the right decision with the Patrol. We managed it No Problem.We had a 19 question assessment which was easy and every one gained there certification.The day was a full day from 07:45 until 16:30.
Day two was a sand driving course which is not accredited, this was on Bribie Island which started at 07:15 until 13:00 and only has 6 vehicles. It started off with going through the use of high and low ratio gears and entering and exiting the beech then we went onto the beech were we drove on hard sand and soft sand, some of which had a course of cones laid out. After that we went into detail on Self Recovery, Practicals on using Matrax and Safe methods of Snatch Recovery, rocking the vehicle and tyre pressures, After then we let some air out and found what a difference it made. There were plenty of opportunities for the wife to drive as well and after that we came back via the inland track which was challenging, especially in a convoy as most of the other vehicles were not as capable as the Patrol and got stuck a couple of times.
Both days cost a total of $505 and we thought it was a fantastic investment in protecting something that has cost us a lot of money. We thoroughly enjoyed the two days and the Instructors were excellent and very helpful and friendly. We are in no way connected or affiliated with this organisation but just wish to share there fantastic training.
Hope this can help some one.
Web Site : WWW.australian4wd.com.au
Phone : 07 3264 1877
Courses : 4WD BUSH COURSE & 4WD SAND COURSE.
