eldirector
Grandmaster
I'll add a few more:
Know the capabilities and limitations of your vehicle. Practice (in a safe, controlled environment).
Can your car/truck clear a curb? How high? Ever driven off-road? How do you drive out of a ditch? How much space do you need side-to-side? How fast can you safely corner? In the Rain? Snow?
Lots of folks have 4x4s and sport utilities , but just assume that 4WD will magically get them where the need to go. Reality is a tad different. But, a little knowledge and skill can be the difference between abandoning your stuck vehicle and making home.
An aside:
I actually have access to the curriculum for an off-road driving course. It would take me all of 5 minutes to be a "certified instructor" (not only do I have connections, but I'm a professional trainer by trade, and have written some of my own material on this topic). Is there a market for an actual 4WD off-road driving course? What would you pay for 1/2 day classroom and 1/2 day behind the wheel? I've been chewing on this for a couple of years, but just haven't pulled the trigger.
Completely unrelated thought:
I mentioned earlier about keeping your car clean to prevent theft. The same goes for general safety. Keep crap out from under your pedals and from sliding in the seats. You get distracted grabbing for it, and it can be downright dangerous in an accident.
Know the capabilities and limitations of your vehicle. Practice (in a safe, controlled environment).
Can your car/truck clear a curb? How high? Ever driven off-road? How do you drive out of a ditch? How much space do you need side-to-side? How fast can you safely corner? In the Rain? Snow?
Lots of folks have 4x4s and sport utilities , but just assume that 4WD will magically get them where the need to go. Reality is a tad different. But, a little knowledge and skill can be the difference between abandoning your stuck vehicle and making home.
An aside:
I actually have access to the curriculum for an off-road driving course. It would take me all of 5 minutes to be a "certified instructor" (not only do I have connections, but I'm a professional trainer by trade, and have written some of my own material on this topic). Is there a market for an actual 4WD off-road driving course? What would you pay for 1/2 day classroom and 1/2 day behind the wheel? I've been chewing on this for a couple of years, but just haven't pulled the trigger.
Completely unrelated thought:
I mentioned earlier about keeping your car clean to prevent theft. The same goes for general safety. Keep crap out from under your pedals and from sliding in the seats. You get distracted grabbing for it, and it can be downright dangerous in an accident.