Off-road driving courses (beginner)

[Rich_AR]

Fats25 said:

I've driven with the Almost4x4 club here in UAE.

Only managed a couple of days though (and is all desert rather than Wadi type driving) on the beginners days, as I always seem to have something else on when they are running. Is a good setup there, but I just struggle with the dates, and it is busy so you have to be quick to sign up to the drive outs.

Ironically now it is getting hotter, I am looking to get out more. Is a lot cooler in an AC car, than it is on the bike or on the golf course. So if anyone is heading out and about, I'm interested in coming along. Have all the gear and no idea!

Man up. You've only ridden that bike like twice over winter! All the gear and too lazy to get up early more like

[XB70]

Nearly got stuck in a track down at Palace Beach after watching a stock Patrol go through - may have left the shift to 4l too late but managed to get through...bit of a heart in mouth moment!

Am off to Ace to look at compressors and I too will join the ranks of all gear/no idea!

Seems like there is a few of us here that can get something going in the coming weeks. Friday mornings are good for me so would be great to hear of anything.

Cheers

[Fats25]

Mansells Tash said:

The single biggest Raptor tip I can give you is to air down to 12psi and it'll be more or less unstoppable in 4 hi with the rear diff locked, in offroad mode, and with all the other electronics turned off.

I run mine at 9/10 and have never got stuck doing that. I have beached it a few times though when not going quick enough, you need to be quite aggressive to clear the tops of the dunes. Interestingly when out with the OffRoad club, they don't rate the Raptor at all (or any truck), the tool of choice seems to be either the Wrangler, or the FJ cruiser.

Rich_AR said:

Man up. You've only ridden that bike like twice over winter! All the gear and too lazy to get up early more like

At least I know how to quote properly!

[Mansells Tash]

Fats25 said:

I run mine at 9/10 and have never got stuck doing that. I have beached it a few times though when not going quick enough, you need to be quite aggressive to clear the tops of the dunes. Interestingly when out with the OffRoad club, they don't rate the Raptor at all (or any truck), the tool of choice seems to be either the Wrangler, or the FJ cruiser.

The Raptor is better than both the FJ and Jeep at a lot of things, and visa versa applies. Outspoken people who will openly slate your car regardless of the actual brand are spanners and best avoided.

Go have fun in it!

[h_____]

Agree with the above. SWB vehicles good at technical stuff, like straight cresting dunes, LWB better at more flowing areas.

Agree that people will always back one brand / model over others. It depends how much you want to do and how serious and technical you want to be.

I manage fairly gentle trips in the Cayenne, clearly not the best tool for the job, but keep in limits plenty of fun to be had. I dont side crest in it, mainly due to the air bags, that limits what I'll be able to do, and means I get stuck straight cresting as I'm not so good at that.

All good fun, and keen to explore trails more.

PH trip has to be on the cards!!! LR3, Raptor, Cayenne, Sequoia ....what else?

[Harrai]

Hi All.

I'll join in my Raptor

[CRB14]

Mazda 6 rental. Sign me up. I'll definitely be in once I've bought something but that's a few months off yet.

[shirt]

Would there be any interest in a trip out next Friday (12th)? I'm going exploring in Oman the week after so it would be good to have an off-road shakedown before I go.

Maybe something simple to start such as fossil rock area trails. Early start aiming to be back in Dubai for midday and a fibbers full English.

Thoughts?

[h_____]

Shirt - I'm away next weekend......but I've got a mate coming to Dubai weekend of the 20th, who wants to go into the desert.....how are people fixed over next couple of weekends? Maybe we can do something both weekends?

Where are you going in Oman Shirt?

Edited by h_ on Saturday 6th May 09:45

[Fats25]

shirt said:

Would there be any interest in a trip out next Friday (12th)? I'm going exploring in Oman the week after so it would be good to have an off-road shakedown before I go.

Maybe something simple to start such as fossil rock area trails. Early start aiming to be back in Dubai for midday and a fibbers full English.

Thoughts?

I've got a pass Friday morning this week (12th).

I did want to take the bike out this weekend, but I am not sure anyone is around, so I could be interested.

[CRB14]

Right then......Wranglers. specifically new ones. Can somebody talk me into (or out of) one? I'm looking at an unlimited but I really want one one of the jacked up big tyre looking ones. Most likely new as I should get some discount and their 5 year service / warranty packs and 20% dealer deposit deals seem really good.

Major concerns would be road handling and noise and the measly 285bhp. Clear positives are cool looks and go anywhere ability (although my offroading trips wouldn't be every week maybe once a month).

I'm just really struggling to find much around the 150 mark. Perhaps going cheaper is the option for now.

[XB70]

Fats25 said:

I've got a pass Friday morning this week (12th).

I did want to take the bike out this weekend, but I am not sure anyone is around, so I could be interested.

Will check with the boss whether any kids birthday parties or other stuff that I have not been told about but that sounds good

Early start works for me too

I have zero experience of driving in sand though and not yet bought any of the gear (ropes, compressor etc etc). Is it manageable for a complete novice?

Cheers

[Emanresu]

Search for a club called carnity.com they run drives every Friday catering for all abilities. Totally decent bunch of guys with no hang ups and know the UAE scene inside out

[Fats25]

XB70 said:

I have zero experience of driving in sand though and not yet bought any of the gear (ropes, compressor etc etc). Is it manageable for a complete novice?

I have little experience, but do have compressor, ropes, shovel etc. Think of it like an adventure. Just an expensive one if it goes wrong!

[shirt]

CRB14 said:

Right then......Wranglers. specifically new ones. Can somebody talk me into (or out of) one? I'm looking at an unlimited but I really want one one of the jacked up big tyre looking ones. Most likely new as I should get some discount and their 5 year service / warranty packs and 20% dealer deposit deals seem really good.

Major concerns would be road handling and noise and the measly 285bhp. Clear positives are cool looks and go anywhere ability (although my offroading trips wouldn't be every week maybe once a month).

I'm just really struggling to find much around the 150 mark. Perhaps going cheaper is the option for now.

My first car here was a lifted tj on really big tyres. Great fun for a bit then they get tiring quickly. Great again if you drive it infrequently (basically a big Tonka toy) but terrible as a daily proposition. I also made a poor tyre choice and you could hear me coming about 10miles away.

Wranglers are great off-road because they are (relatively) light, have minimal overhangs and a lot of low end torque. Simple and strong mechanicals and big lumps of steel on the bits which might take a bashing. They're tough basically, and hard to kill.

However 150k on one is a sign of madness. 30k gets a decent tj and a jk for not much more. I've seen turbod jk's go for under 60 if you want more power. Use it as a desert toy and buy something else for daily duties. You will not lose any money on the jeep.

[shirt]

Fats25 said:

I have little experience, but do have compressor, ropes, shovel etc. Think of it like an adventure. Just an expensive one if it goes wrong!

I can bring basic tools and a rattle gun. All that's needed is ability to change/inflate tyres and recovery. Between us we have that covered. Fossil rock area is predominantly trails with only a couple of steep sections and nothing which puts the car on a bank. Lots of small dunes to each side of the track to play on if you wish, very little soft sand which is the stuff that gets you stuck quickly.

A colleague is interested (pajero) and a couple of others are checking plans (fortuner and lr4) so could be a defent mornings fun.

[XB70]

Agggh!

Just found out that the kids have a party and a play on Friday so won't be able to go.

Have fun and post up some photos!

Edited by XB70 on Sunday 7th May 17:10

[CRB14]

shirt said:

CRB14 said:

Right then......Wranglers. specifically new ones. Can somebody talk me into (or out of) one? I'm looking at an unlimited but I really want one one of the jacked up big tyre looking ones. Most likely new as I should get some discount and their 5 year service / warranty packs and 20% dealer deposit deals seem really good.

Major concerns would be road handling and noise and the measly 285bhp. Clear positives are cool looks and go anywhere ability (although my offroading trips wouldn't be every week maybe once a month).

I'm just really struggling to find much around the 150 mark. Perhaps going cheaper is the option for now.

My first car here was a lifted tj on really big tyres. Great fun for a bit then they get tiring quickly. Great again if you drive it infrequently (basically a big Tonka toy) but terrible as a daily proposition. I also made a poor tyre choice and you could hear me coming about 10miles away.

Wranglers are great off-road because they are (relatively) light, have minimal overhangs and a lot of low end torque. Simple and strong mechanicals and big lumps of steel on the bits which might take a bashing. They're tough basically, and hard to kill.

However 150k on one is a sign of madness. 30k gets a decent tj and a jk for not much more. I've seen turbod jk's go for under 60 if you want more power. Use it as a desert toy and buy something else for daily duties. You will not lose any money on the jeep.

Thanks for the advice. This will be our only car for now though so two cars isn't really an option. I guess I could always look for a 2 year old Rubicon or something a little less extreme (tyres and lift kit wise).

I've seen a few of them with the uber tyres and they do sound noisy. Rubicons look like the business though especially with a little lift.

[shirt]

Hugh - how did you find driving on sand with your old R19 wheels? A concern has just hit me that with 255/50 r19 I have bugger all sidewall to allow me to air down and get out of trouble. I realise at some point I will have to find some R18s but that ain't gonna happen in the next few days!

[Stylus]

I've got zero experience but would be happy to come try Fossil Rock on Friday, assuming someone with more ability can come pull me free when I inevitably get stuck.