I attended the Uwharrie Off Road Training Center 101 course this weekend with a friend (not a mud member, but he's good people - drives a '14 4Runner Trail) and had a great time. I would highly recommend the course to anyone without a lot of 4wd driving experience or without a good understanding of how 4wd works.
My course was taught primarily by Scott Fields, a young guy named Mike (didn't catch his last name; owns Two Guys Metal Fabrication), and Darin (aka: @krzyabncanuck ) of Canuck Cruisers.
Started the morning at one of the driving sites and had a chance to talk to the instructors and check out some very well loved LHD Hilux's, 80's, and some other Overland Expert vehicles that were on site.
Moved to the classroom and received a few hours of instruction on TREAD lightly, vehicle systems critical for off-road driving (i.e., transmission, transfer case, etc.). Moved into a rather lengthy discussion on how differentials work and closed out with some discussion of two-foot driving through obstacles and some general rules for driving in different conditions (mud, snow, sand, etc).
Moved back to the driving site and started the practical instruction portion. We talked about and drove of a variety of obstacles like above and below ground moguls, hill climb/descent, logs, off-camber driving, basic winching/recovery.
During lunch we had a nice demo of the hi-lift and some recovery gear. Later in the day we moved the trucks to a second property managed by UORTC for a group trail ride that provide an opportunity to practice failed hill climbs, descents, crossing ditches, etc.
I had a great time and learned a lot about how to safely operate my vehicle. I have a lot of confidence in the old girl and am proud to say that I was part of the biggest groups of toyota's they've had in a single class (my 62, my friend's 4Runner, one of the nicest 100's I've ever seen, and a nice FJ cruiser).
It's a little far for us, but I think the UORTC grounds would make for a great club ride weekend; plus we'd be right at the start of Uwharrie.
Let me know if any one has questions. Pics to follow.
My course was taught primarily by Scott Fields, a young guy named Mike (didn't catch his last name; owns Two Guys Metal Fabrication), and Darin (aka: @krzyabncanuck ) of Canuck Cruisers.
Started the morning at one of the driving sites and had a chance to talk to the instructors and check out some very well loved LHD Hilux's, 80's, and some other Overland Expert vehicles that were on site.
Moved to the classroom and received a few hours of instruction on TREAD lightly, vehicle systems critical for off-road driving (i.e., transmission, transfer case, etc.). Moved into a rather lengthy discussion on how differentials work and closed out with some discussion of two-foot driving through obstacles and some general rules for driving in different conditions (mud, snow, sand, etc).
Moved back to the driving site and started the practical instruction portion. We talked about and drove of a variety of obstacles like above and below ground moguls, hill climb/descent, logs, off-camber driving, basic winching/recovery.
During lunch we had a nice demo of the hi-lift and some recovery gear. Later in the day we moved the trucks to a second property managed by UORTC for a group trail ride that provide an opportunity to practice failed hill climbs, descents, crossing ditches, etc.
I had a great time and learned a lot about how to safely operate my vehicle. I have a lot of confidence in the old girl and am proud to say that I was part of the biggest groups of toyota's they've had in a single class (my 62, my friend's 4Runner, one of the nicest 100's I've ever seen, and a nice FJ cruiser).
It's a little far for us, but I think the UORTC grounds would make for a great club ride weekend; plus we'd be right at the start of Uwharrie.
Let me know if any one has questions. Pics to follow.
