Opinions about off road training courses

Another thread I just saw recommended taking some actual organized, expert conducted off road driving/training courses. I did some google-fu and found at least one seemingly decent company in the general Sierra / northern California area - Off Road Experience, located near Reno, NV. I live near Placerville, so this location is quite appealing to me, as it's only a 3 hour distance from my house.

Anyone have any experience with this outfit, or have any others reasonably close to the Sacramento/Tahoe/Reno area that you might recommend?

I grew up hunting in the southern California Mojave desert with my dad (Barstow, Kelso, Ivanpah areas), and many trips big game hunting in Arizona, Colorado, Utah... so I have reasonable experience driving on logging and fire service type roads going to and from camp sites, etc., but thought it would be greatly beneficial, and fun, to learn some solid techniques to help keep me from getting in over my head when going out with just me and my wife at some point.

Would prefer to use my Taco in such courses, since that would also help me gain experience and confidence with my own truck.

Many thanks.

 

Personally, I'd just check the Northern California forum for some group runs.

 

I've never attended a course, but I feel like it's not needed. I just watched a bunch of youtube videos on different recovery techniques and general off-road stuff, and then went wheeling with experienced people. That's the best way to learn IMO. I'm sure there are some local TW people willing to wheel with you.

 

Have you seen this?

Skills day at Prairie City OHV part this weekend (April 21). Not sure if spots are still available, but check it out...

https://www.metalcloak.com/

I know, I know, they're a bunch of Jeepers, but a buddy of mine with a jeep (we were friends before he had the jeep, lol) was interested in it. I'm camping with the fam this weekend so I can't make it. It's right around the corner from you, too...

 

Never done one. Seriously thought about doing one though. The one in PA showed some really good wheeling and recovery tips. That was Rousch creek though.

 

Best advise. Go out with folks that know what they're doing a few times to learn hands on and let them know exactly what your skills are and what you want to accomplish. They'll take care of you and show you what you need and who know, you may get some new friends out of it and join them long term.

 

Thanks jbrandt, that's 15 miles from home. Unfortunately, I have a ton of other things scheduled for the remaining weekends in April. But I'll keep Prairie City OHV in mind. Never been out there, actually.

 

I usually ride dirt bikes out there, but haven't spent much time on the 4x4 course.

I've never done a course like this before either, I think they're having another course in October, might sign up for that one.

One the one hand, nothing beats just going out and driving, but having experienced drivers guide you through, help spot, etc... is IMO worth it's weight in gold.

They usually go through recovery tips, too. A hi-lift and winch can be extremely dangerous if not used properly.

 

There’s always something great to see and do at Overland Expo! The recovery training and BF Goodrich driving course are a great place to work on fundamentals, get some expert training and experience different conditions (albeit man made) in one place that you might only come across in very different areas. Like jungle vs desert.

Cool rigs and many .....many vendors. It’s a bit of a hike from your location and the full experience package is already sold out for west 2018 ...but East is in NC and both East and West are annual events. There are two or three training companies who staff and support the Expo too so you can meet them in person and talk about the courses they offer outside of the Expo.

https://www.overlandexpo.com/updates/

 

Thanks for the additional link.

 

A quality class with a quality instructor will be worth it. The problem with learning from people that “know” is that you don’t really know what they know. Videos are great, but there’s nothing like having an instructor sitting next to you.

I know a bit about chainsaws and using them. Went to a training weekend recently with a few qualified instructors and solidified my technique and learned a few new things. Totally worth it.

 

The people who typically recommend off road training classes are the ones teaching off road classes, IMO. Maybe I've been lucky, but all my "training" has been OJT, if you will, via 'wheeling with knowledgeable, skilled drivers. That said, I don't see any harm in improving skills through any means available. If you take one of the courses, I think we'd all welcome your feedback.

 

I've never taught, or taken a training class. I speak from inexperience (of the classes): I definitely recommend them.

I was a rock climbing guide for several years back in college, and every time I taught a class or lead a group, I learned something either about my expectations, an individual's limitations, or (most importantly) how different people soak up knowledge differently, and gained the ability to teach the same thing 20 different ways, and was able to judge very quickly what each person's learning style was and how to best instruct them.

Get some driving tips from Joe Schmoe 4x4 Guy, and you're only really getting HIS techniques, which don't always translate well, work for other people's driving styles, or their rigs capabilities.

OJT is great, and quite frankly what I've done the most. Just go out and drive. The problem is that this way you always learn how to get yourself into trouble (driving progressively harder trails, etc...), but you never really learn how to get yourself OUT of trouble until it's too late.

 

Thanks everyone, solid advice, and greatly appreciated.

 

I don't disagree, but some of the most talented drivers I've ever 'wheeled with are completely self taught. You have to have good enough judgement to recognize that type of person and learn from them. If you let the average Joe Schmoe teach you the wrong way to do things, that's as much your fault as theirs.

 

How is the average noob driver supposed to know a good driver from an unsafe one? If you are able to tell if Joe Schmoe is teaching you the "right" way, you probably don't need to be taught much.

At least with a formal class, you can (more) safely assume what they are telling you is correct.

 

I was a noob at one time too. Somehow I found the right people to learn from. It's not impossible, people generally aren't idiots.

I'm not arguing against training classes, but somehow there's a lot of us out there who know our shit and never attended one.

 

I know you're not arguing against them, just as I'm not arguing against OJT (it's certainly all the experience I have, maybe with some University of Youtube sprinkled in there).

There are definitely a lot of people who know their shit for sure, but I've also seen plenty of goobers, too. To a noob, it's pretty hard to tell the difference sometimes - as it's not always about who gets to the top. In a lot of what we do, the difference between doing it safely and unsafely can be as simple as moving 2 feet to the left when winching, or where you put your fingers on a hi-lift.

So yeah, definitely go out and drive and just put the miles in and you'll learn a lot.

But I certainly wouldn't avoid a class if there's one nearby. There's really no downside to taking a class.

 

If it makes you feel more comfortable I'd say go for it. Traveling is the only way to learn, brother!

 

I’ve been off-roading for 25 years and i still think I’d get something out of a training course. I’ve never take one but I’m sure I would enjoy it and learn something new. If you like wheeling, never stop learning and do it every chance you get.