A few weeks back while scouting for a Summer DirtRoadTrip Camp Out location, I decided to hit the trails alone in order to be able to cover more ground and maintain a relatively flexible schedule. Remarkably, halfway through the trip I realized that I could count the amount of times I'd ventured solo into the back country on one hand. Then once I started thinking about it, I … [Read more...]
Learning from a 4×4 Master: Bill Burke
For as much off-roading as Alex and I have done, we still have a ton to learn. That was no more obvious than when we spent a few days with renowned 4WD trainer Bill Burke last month. You see, Bill has easily forgotten twice as much about off-road driving as I've learned over the past 6 years. As (among other things) a Camel Trophy Veteran, trainer to enthusiasts, government … [Read more...]
Mid-Atlantic I4WDTA Certified Trainers
Most of the people we meet out on the trail usually have a winch, shackles, recovery ropes, and all sorts of other fancy recovery equipment. The total dollar amount of all this equipment starts in the hundreds and can easily reach into the thousands, but most people don't even read the instruction manual that comes with all their fancy gear. Off-road driving is inherently … [Read more...]
Packing Your Rig for Success in Any Situation
All You Need is a Tow Strap! So really, how many times have we all heard that one? Far too many, and usually, from the guy that needs a heck of a lot more gear than a tow strap to recover! So, what recovery gear do you pack in your rig for all of your trips? But let's not limit the discussion, forget recovery gear, what gear do you bring along? It's always a fine line … [Read more...]
I4WDTA – TFC Day 3
The previous 2 days of the International 4-Wheel Drive Trainers Association (I4WDTA), Training for Certification (TFC) had been nothing short of a whirlwind. The periods of classroom instruction covered dozens of topics at a breakneck pace, and the practical portion had pushed all of the candidates far outside of their comfort zone. Needless to say, everyone was ready for the … [Read more...]
