Looking for Offroad Class for my fiance

[Halibrand]

I was hoping someone here might know where I could enroll my fiance into a local offroading class, hopefully with an emphasis on her H3. The dealer said they have Hummer outings and clinics, but we haven't been able to find them online.

I have taken her out to the local offroad parks and various small trails, but we both think a class would be great for her to get her confidence up and also get her well accustomed to her Hummer.

We are in Long Beach, CA and don't mind driving a few hours out to participate.

Any thoughts or information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Sewie]

These guys do clinics at Hungry Valley in Gorman.

http://www.4x4training.com/

[Halibrand]

Awesome. Thats exactly what I was looking for. Thanks, Sewie.

[tower]

I think this is the BEST!


http://www.bb4wa.com/bill/bill.htm

[FiveO Disco]

Originally Posted by tower

I think this is the BEST!


http://www.bb4wa.com/bill/bill.htm

X2 Bill rocks

[jarvisjeep]

What about the school of hard knocks? Heck, on one trail run out here in the woods you would learn more then the basics on winch recovery's, snow extractions, some physics watching the pinball run around full throttle, and have a good old time doing it. Also, read billvistas winching bible.

Isnt going out and getting stuck the fun part of 4x4ing? Learning "how the hell" to get yourself unstuck while out in whatever situation? My fondest memorys of 4x4ing are the first time those little ideas popped into my head. Like using a down tree as a lever to lift the back of a rig up. Or having to use a knife to dig down snow because the shovels flew out a mile back on the trail somehow. Or figuring out if we tied two stuck trucks together and pull on one of them they could help pull each other out(it worked, hasn't worked since!)I dunno, I prefer to teach myself.

If taking classes is your thing, that bill guy looks like a good deal. Are you part of any local 4x4ing clubs? They usually have a few old timers who are a wealth of knowledge that only costs a few cups of coffee.

[FiveO Disco]

I agree experience is a good way to learn. And I did a lot of wheelin before I went to his advanced class. I learned bunch there. As far as listening to old timers thats a double edged sword. Some are good, some just think they know what they are doing. I had the latter teach me and I had to re-learn a lot from my own experience and from people who actually knew what they were doing like Bill Burke.

[jarvisjeep]

Classes are a great way to bring the confidence up a notch or two. That is for sure. I was just wondering if you have also thought about other avenues to learn.

What did Bill Burke cover in his advanced class?

[jeepcj]

The Unted Four Wheel Drive Association will begin offering class to the new Four wheeler this spring see our web page for more info www.ufwda.org

Thanks

Frank McConnell
Public Relations Director
UFWDA

[Bebe]

Thank you Frank.

As for the school of hard knocks, it may be a great way to learn life lessons, but in this day and age with all the trails under threat of being closed, 4x4 classes are the first and best chance we have of teaching tread lightly principles, safety first, and recovery techniques.

I think it's better/smarter these days to take a class.

[geberhard]

What about this place:



On a serious note, I would recommend actual experience, since you mentioned she wants to improve her confidence, and that is one of the best ways to attain. Also, having her as a co-pillot on your rig or spotter when you go wheeling is one of the best ways to get her confortable withg maneuvering on the trail.

That said, a class possibly woudl help, but I would never, ever feel comfortable wheeling with someone that has class and book experience alone. Again, confidence will come the more time she spends behind the wheel.

A better alternative for a class is to contact local club and join for a trail run or verifying with local clubs regarding trail events and class-workshops that sometimes happen on the trail.

[Halibrand]

Those are all great ideas! I have never taken a "class" before and have always learned through experience. Shit, I became a certified welder after welding for 2 months with no classes whatsoever. The 4x clubs sounds like a good avenue to look into. I am not heartset on taking a class, just looking for a way to get some info crammed into our rookie skulls from people who know what the hell they are doing.

Thanks again, ya'all.

[FiveO Disco]

Originally Posted by jarvisjeep

Classes are a great way to bring the confidence up a notch or two. That is for sure. I was just wondering if you have also thought about other avenues to learn.

What did Bill Burke cover in his advanced class?

Yep I go out and get stuck all the time

Bill did a lot of recovery training and winch use. also did a lot of rock obstacles and wheel placement and locker use. In fact a rear locker was a minimum requirement for the class. Also some high lift lessons.

[Pietro]

Step One: joint 4x4 club

Step Two: read your owner's manual (don't be the person to ask, how do I get it into low range?)

Step Three: read the 4x4 mags for basic knowledge (don't read for tech tips because it is commercial fed propaganda)

Step Four: take the end of the key and scratch the passenger door (either you or the first tree you hit will do it so just get it over with. NOTE: Jeep Rubicon owner's skip this step and prefer to wax there shit before hitting the trail making it near impossible for the rest of the fourwheeling community to pass them as they have three winch lines to keep the plastic bumper from hitting any trail debris)

Step Five: have fun and take it slow, don't upgrade your wheeling knowledge buy your credit card (ie. buying a lift kit, big tires, winch, etc. don't mean shit if you can't drive the truck to begin with)

Hope this helps and keep it legal