Description
DAY 1
Class Location: Borrego Springs, California
This clinic is specifically designed to meet the needs of novice off-highway drivers or someone with a bit of experience who is looking for a more complete understanding. In the class we will cover basic information about 4WD vehicles (just enough to understand what is going on). We will cover a lot of safety and environmental concerns. But the largest part of the class is driving technique to get you through a variety of terrain. A handout of the material covered is provided. Here is a list of items we will cover: Off Road Vehicles, How 4WD Works, Driving Technique, Safety, Pre Run Check, Survival & Peace of Mind Kits, Options & Accessories, Overview of options for getting unstuck, Post Trip maintenance, Trail Etiquette & Tread Lightly.
The class does not address vehicle build-up options and issues. This class is a prerequisite for Getting Started Off-Road Driving – Day 2.
The class will answer these questions and many more questions:
- How do you avoid damage to an expensive vehicle?
- What is the critical difference you need to understand about operation of 4WD systems?
- What do you need to avoid, when descending a steep Hill?
- What impact does an automatic transmission have on off-road driving?
- How can you improve your traction by 250%?
- How deep can you safely cross water?
- What is the most important safety item you can bring?
- What are 10 ways to effect vehicle recovery?
Each vehicle will receive a copy of Jim Allen’s Book “Four-Wheeler’s Bible”. Retail price on this book is $34.99. This 200 plus page book is chock full of color pictures to illustrate how it works, what to do, and what to avoid.
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT: To be prepared for safety and fun during this clinic, you must have at least the following (call us if you need help!):
- A street legal, insured, part-time 4WD vehicle with a two-speed low-range transfer case. (This means there’s an additional shift lever or knob that’s labeled 2H, 4H, 4L or a button labeled Center Differential Lock.)
- High-quality all-terrain (or mud terrain) tires in good condition with a full-size matching spare. (In almost all cases, these will be after-market tires – do your homework before you buy!)
- At least one recovery point (factory hook or welded eye) on the front and one on the rear. (A factory-installed 2″ receiver on the rear is acceptable.)
- Rock sliders are recommended. As a minimum, remove running boards or side steps; they probably won’t survive the day.
All wheel drive vehicles that do not have a 2 speed transfer case are not appropriate for the class. Two examples of vehicles that are not appropriate for the class include Subaru Forester and the Honda Ridgeline.
You can expect some pin stripping on this day.
The class is about 4 hours of classroom and 4 hours of behind the wheel practice. Everyone has a lot of fun. It is a great way to learn about your vehicle and build confidence. The class is limited to 10 vehicles.
DAY 2
Class Location: Borrego Springs, California
Next Step from Basic
This clinic is designed to meet the needs of the novice who has completed the Getting Started Off-Road 4 Wheel Driving Clinic and is looking for more behind-the-wheel 4 Wheel Drive experience. The class is an extension of the last 4 hours of the 4-Wheel Drive Getting Started class to provide more driving experience. The first day of Getting Started Off-Road Driving is a prerequisite for this class.
We will start with a quick refresher on safety followed by a practice session on tire placement and picking lines on the easy terrain. As the day progresses, we will tackle more challenging 4×4 obstacles, working our way up to more difficult obstacles. However, this is intended to be an advanced 4WD clinic for beginners, novices and rookies and not an extreme 4WD challenge. The terrain varies with the clinic Location. We will take advantage of the terrain available in each location.
We will take a break for lunch so bring a picnic lunch and a chair (We will not be near a picnic area with tables when it is lunch time!).
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT: To be prepared for safety and fun during this clinic, you must have at least the following (call us if you need help!):
- A street legal, insured, part-time 4WD vehicle with a two-speed low-range transfer case. (This means there’s an additional shift lever or knob that’s labeled 2H, 4H, 4L or a button labeled “Center Differential Lock.)
- High-quality all-terrain (or mud terrain) tires in good condition with a full-size matching spare. (In almost all cases, these will be after-market tires – do your homework before you buy!)
- At least one recovery point (factory hook or welded eye) on the front and one on the rear. (A factory-installed 2″ receiver on the rear is acceptable.)
- Rock sliders are recommended. As a minimum, remove running boards or side steps; they probably won’t survive the day.
All wheel drive vehicles that do not have a 2 speed transfer case are not appropriate for the class. Two examples of vehicles that are not appropriate for the class include Subaru Forester and the Honda Ridgeline.
You can expect some pin stripping on this day.
It is a great way to learn about your vehicle and build confidence. The class is limited to 10 vehicles.
Feedback:
“Following on the heels of the Basic Clinic, I didn’t know what to expect from the Day 2 Clinic. The day started with exercises to understand visualizing distance and blind spots, followed by an obstacle course of sorts that put our visualization skills to the test. From there we hit the trail and put our newly acquired skills to work in the real world. The trails were challenging at times, and definitely raised the bar about how we thought of trail ratings. With a mix of 4×4’s, and Jeeps of every make and model, our little caravan easily maneuvered the uncertain terrain of the El Paso Mountains thanks to the expert instruction provided by Tom Severin from Badlands Off-road Adventures. It was a great day of fun spent behind the wheel with new friends and fellow off-roaders as we enjoyed a day full of sand, sun, and blue skies. ”
Gary Jesse
“The class was intended as a beginner, Day 2, and it met those objectives completely. You are a superb instructor. Easy going, extremely knowledgeable and experienced, and you never talk down to anyone. You seem to genuinely enjoy helping people learn. You make your classes a very relaxed, enjoyable, and comfortable experience.”
Dave Jones
“Today we went on trails that had rocks, steep parts, narrow parts and hair pin turns right after another. It made me think and react more globally (in relation to off-roading, of course). I felt challenged but relaxed at the same time. Today was very enjoyable! ”
Annie Christmas
Satisfaction Guarantee
If you are not satisfied and do not feel you received good value for your money and time, send us an email explaining why and the full price of the class will be refunded, no questions asked.
You may keep all handouts as our apology.
Pricing
We charge per person including passengers since we feel everyone attending, riding, watching, etc. learns a great deal.
( Badlands Off-Road Adventures Terms & Policies )
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