I just wanted to post up and let those in the club that are new to 4wheeling that there is an off-road class coming up. NCCX has nothing to do with this class, but a number of our members have attended and gotten great advice on how to handle their trucks in off-road situations.

More info can be found here:
http://www.espritdefour.com
May 19th & 20th, September 15th & 16th 2007 in Hollister, CA

Is anyone planning to go?

This is a great opportunity for noobs to familiarize themselves with the capabilities of a stock vehicle in a safe environment.

I'm considering going just to see what the curriculum is like.

Thanks for the heads-up! This looks like a great opportunity to learn a lot

sound like fun

I just signed up for Sunday, May 20.

So, I attended that Safety Clinic sponsored by Esprit De Four 4x4 club, and I have to say that it was a very well-organized, informative and useful course. Being able to host the class at Hollister is a bonus, because there is such a variety of terrain, from easy to insane, to practice on.

They covered just about all aspects of 4-wheeling, including recovery equipment and techniques, picking the right line, how to cross obstacles such as downed trees, ravines, and water crossings, why you should air down, knowing your vehicle's capabilities, when, why, and how to use a spotter, and more.

I consider myself a pretty seasoned 'wheeler, so much of what I learned wasn't new to me, but it was nice to know that the practices and techniques I use on the trail are the ones being taught.

There was even a trail breakdown in our group. One student's Tacoma got a flat when she scuffed the sidewall on a rock, just barely breaking the bead. We had an opportunity to actually apply our teaching. We used a hi-lift, a hi-lift wheel adapter, a jack stand, a powertank, and a ratchet strap to reseat the bead and inflate tire.

I would stongly encourage anyone who would like to know more about operating their 4x4 to take the class.

Photos of the Sunday class have been posted by the Esprit de Four club at this link . The Saturday class, which had over 40 vehicles in attendance ( click for a slow-loading page of hundreds of thumbnails ), even had some Xterras in it. I wonder where they are?

What's going on here Dean?

His truck is too heavy in the front to get the front tires off the ground. lol

Isn't it considered dangerous to have people hanging off of the truck when it is off-camber? Not that Dean was in risk of rolling there, but it seems like a good opportunity for them to teach people to tie ropes to the top of the truck so it can be stabilized from a distance. But what do I know. Perhaps there are so many lights on the rack they couldn't find somewhere to attach a rope?

- Matt

I wasn't really off-camber. It just looks that way because of the IFS. I was just really twisted up, and they were trying to see if the extra weight on the rear would get the front tire to lift for a poseur shot.

I am going to sign up for the class in Sept. Sounds like I can learn quite a bit.

Oh yeah, you will DEFINITELY learn a lot! I highly recommend it!

Good idea..... no....GREAT idea!