4WD Safety Clinic

4X4 How to Clinic 4WD Safety Clinic (September 29, 2002)
by Genny Paauwe
photos by Bob & Genny Paauwe

Bob finally got his present more than a month after his birthday. I bought he and I spaces in the California Association of Four Wheel Drive Club's Safety Clinic for his birthday gift. I was so happy he was excited about it! Lined up for Tech Inspection

The safety clinic was staged at Prairie City SVRA Park, where the Capital City Mountain Goat Club showed our group the ropes of four-wheeling. There were many makes and models of 4WD vehicles, including Jeep Wranglers, Saharas and Cherokees, Toyota Sequoias and a 4Runner, Mitsubishi Montero, a full-sized Chevy truck and a Suburban, and a Ford Explorer. Everyone made it through!

The day started out with a caffeine and sugar rush (coffee and donuts), a slide show with both an overview of techniques and equipment as well as "how-to" photos. Some of the photos were "how-not-to" do things, too. We got to see this first hand later in the day! Airing down!

The instructors made the course fun without much pressure, tire pressure, that is. All the vehicles had their tire pressure brought down to 15 psi for the ride on the trails and training course.

Genny climbs the hill We started by learning where to place the tires by running over wooden blocks, then finished the first section by backing up using only side mirrors. It looks easier than it is! Those orange cones (aka redwood trees) were hard to negotiate through using only side mirrors and a lot of luck. Noel and Cheryl on the Stair Steps

Next we went to the hill and did three courses: one was negotiating a rutted uphill climb, stopping at the top; the second was driving to the top of the hill, turning the vehicle off and restarting (more of a test for those with manual transmissions); and finally, the Stair Steps where each driver had to negotiate between or over rocks on the way up. On the Stair Steps, some scratching and banging could be heard at times, as well as a bit of cussing under a few participants' breath!

Twisting the frame! Last, the class went through the ever-popular Frame Twister. It was fun to watch, but when Bob thought he broke something under the Cherokee, we were a bit worried. All was fine, so we continued through unscathed. It really showed us up when the granddaughter of one of the instructors negotiated the entire course like a breeze. Until she hung up on a boulder, anyway. Is this right, Grandpa?

The last thing we did before returning to the Goat House was watch the experts drive over the Mini Rubicon. As they say on TV, "Do not try this at home, folks!" Well, not until you have a modified rig and a few hours behind the wheel first. The Mini-Rubicon

Bailing out! The big excitement came when one instructor, JP, got his Jeep tipped dangerously to one side. He told his granddaughter to get out just before the rig tipped onto its rocker panel and the front wheel went airborne. Check out the photos! This falls into the category of "how-not-to!" He was saved by his friends and a tow strap. Don't try this at home.

Back at the Goat House, we enjoyed hamburgers and some talk about our day. We received our dash plaques and certificates of completion for the course, then aired our tires back up for the drive home. Back safe and sound

We recommend the safety clinic to any 4WD owner. If more people would take a course like this, we're sure there would be more respect for responsible SUV drivers. The Goat

Our thanks to the Goats and the Association!

Genny prepars for the Stair Steps Genny at bottom of Stair Steps Genny negotiates the Stair Steps Bob backs down the hill Zooming over the crest Noel and Cheryl Starting from engine off on the hill Bob prepares for the Stair Steps Starting up the Stair Steps Bob negotiates the Stair Steps Bob powers over the final step Airing back up Bob and Jeep Genny conquered the trail Bob and Genny Bob and Genny