Off-road driving courses (beginner)

[XB70]

We are now into week 3 of ownership of the USS Iowa...sorry, Toyota Seqouia. Apart from the eye-watering fuel consumption (and this coming from someone who has run V12s) I am pretty happy with it. Wife and kids love it though.

There seems to be a drummmming (like a half-cracked window) when driving that I cannot figure out and wonder if it due to the large square cabin meaning a resonance builds up. Also needs a wheel balance.

Anyways, I am keen to do some off-roading (only basic stuff) but wanted to learn how to do it before I end up with a crumpled wreck.

Any recommendations? Equally, if anyone else is thinking about it, let me know.

Cheers

[Mansells Tash]

I don't think you need lessons, go with friends or join a facebook group that does run outs. That is what I did. They'll give you tips and hints and they'll know the area which can be invaluable.

Before you ever turn a wheel off road go out and get a tire deflator, proper snatch strap and some rated shackles so when you do get stuck your mates can get you out.

[shirt]

A colleague did this one, said it was decent:

http://www.desertrangers.com/Safaris/desertdriving...

Teaching you to suck eggs here but does your behemoth have 4wd? It's not standard equipment on the sequoia.

[XB70]

Hi

Thanks for the comments. Have already been looking at forums for recommendations on compressors and straps (I tend to over-resource on that side of things so would some proper gear - ARB?) so last thing I want is some cheapy strap snap.

Shirt - yep, has the 4wd.

Switchable 'turn button' on the dash rather than a separate gear level. Has 2wd, 4h and 4l and a diff lock switch. I know that not the 4wd witchcraft of a Discovery etc but I won't be doing anything 'full on' in it, partly since there are limits to what the barge can do (the more extreme tours won't take them as they are too big and wheelbase is too long apparently) and also will have wife and kids in it :-)

[shirt]

Stick to tracks to begin with then, fossil rock trail is a good starter. For that you won't even have to change pressures, just stick it into 4H, lock in gear and gun it.

[CRB14]

Yeah agreed. Wouldn't waste money on a course if you're not wanting to go full on bashing. Fossil rock is good trail. Maybe join one of the online forums / 4x4 groups too. I used to be on one of them which I think was Dubai offroaders. They usually run noob trips weekly with a decent number of cars and there's always some very experienced bashers that go that will know trails you'd never even think of.

I'm far away from being experienced but as advised - just gun it

[CRB14]

Also, I can definitely say that some of the wadi trails are really good (not difficult more scenic) and if you got into camping the mussandam mountains are good - or used to be 6 years ago.

[XB70]

thanks - been looking at the Dubai Offroaders website but having trouble registering

It sounds like some beginner trips are the way to for the moment and then will aim for this in 12 months:



:-)

if there are any PHers planning an easy trip, I am all ears.

Cheers

[CRB14]

I'll be buying something in summer so when it cools down will definitely be up for a run out

[h_____]

Hi,

Just done a weekend of trails at Wadi Showka, easy driving at gentle pace, very family friendly, very scenic. Lots of great areas.

I originally did the Dubai transport desert driving course, which is a 1 day course with a bit of tutorial and then a practical out near fossil rock. Was really good and would recommend it. It teaches all the basics of driving on Sand and how to recover. Worth doing, although the clubs may teach you the same thing.

I agree the ARB kit is pretty good, I've upgraded from an ACE (bushranger) compressor to an ARB, and the ARB is a much nicer piece of kit. Also, got their snatch strap. I'd advise getting soft shackles (in case they fail, wont break your windscreen. Also get a deflator and some spare valves.

Recently been doing more trails than sand as family prefer that with camping. Its just started to get hot but keen to do more after summer.

[IanUAE]

As Phil (Shirt) said Al Awir to Fossil rock is mostly tracks. UAE Off Road book has tracks etc and gives the basics on tools etc. Get a good compressor as it can take a while to re-inflate tyres when you have dropped down to 10 psi.

I have been off-roading in these cars in the past...



Which sadly ended up like this:


And rallied in this in Saudi:

[XB70]

Thanks all! Looks like a bit of prep work to do and supplies to be bought.

By the cooler months, we should be all set for a PH Friday Service UAE style :-)

Cheers

[shirt]

Interested. Not sure why the need to wait though it's mid 30s in the heat of the day, if doing an easy trip like fossil rock you'll be home by then and the only equipment you need is a snatch rope. If it comes to letting tyres down there's a petrol station right at the end of the trail where you pop back out onto the road. Last time I went up there (admittedly a while ago) it was with a boggo basic fortuner and a p38 Rangerover, both of which needed no air removing or recovery.

[h_____]

Phil, I've forgotton, have you got a car for this stuff at the moment?

Maybe a fossil rock early morning, for a couple hours trip could be on. I'd come and bring the cayenn.

EDIT: just read other thread, you've got an LR3. Then we are on!

Edited by h_ on Tuesday 25th April 04:13

[shirt]

Yes mate, hopefully collecting weds or thurs so would be a nice extended test drive! Hoping to do a lot more outdoors stuff so do let me know when you are planning an adventure.

[Fats25]

I've driven with the Almost4x4 club here in UAE.

Only managed a couple of days though (and is all desert rather than Wadi type driving) on the beginners days, as I always seem to have something else on when they are running. Is a good setup there, but I just struggle with the dates, and it is busy so you have to be quick to sign up to the drive outs.

Ironically now it is getting hotter, I am looking to get out more. Is a lot cooler in an AC car, than it is on the bike or on the golf course. So if anyone is heading out and about, I'm interested in coming along. Have all the gear and no idea!

[shirt]

Have you still got the raptor?

[Fats25]

shirt said:

Have you still got the raptor?

Yep - so can bring some luggage as well

[Mansells Tash]

I spent the last couple of years (almost every weekend) smashing around the desert in my Raptor with friends in theirs.

The single biggest Raptor tip I can give you is to air down to 12psi and it'll be more or less unstoppable in 4 hi with the rear diff locked, in offroad mode, and with all the other electronics turned off.

I never used to air down that low in it unless we were trying something difficult or new but the difference between 12 and 15 psi even makes a difference, between 15 and 20 makes a huge difference!

• don't try doing donuts or aggressive drifts at 12psi as you run the risk of pulling the tire off the rim.

[shirt]

Then you need hardly anything. Those things are utter machines off-road! I have a video we made on the desert challenge of us being towed (in a dead patrol pickup) at over 80kph by one through the desert. 100-120 easily done through gatch tracks without even worrying it and tows a trailer like there's nothing there. Awesome cars,l and extremely confidence inspiring, was hard not to man maths my way into one after that week!