Suggestion for a new Forum

[gords]

Would it be worth having a forum for "techniques" possibly updateable only by admins?

I'm thinking of stuff like "What's difflock and when to use it", "How to recover a stuck 4x4" and so on.

All this stuff gets discussed in various places, but for beginners like myself, it would be handy to have a place to find this sort of stuff. Other forums I've been on have such read-only sections where key topics get added to if they have a long lasting general interest.

What do people think?

[strapping young lad]

good point.

a training day will teach you more than a forum ever will :)
iive seen some clubs organise training days....

[Wanderer]

Perhaps a training day at Whaddon in March or an hour or so before the start for those that want it.

Ed

[gords]

good point.

a training day will teach you more than a forum ever will :)
iive seen some clubs organise training days....

I agree, a training session is better than reading about it ... and doing it for real is even better :)  But, it seems like a good idea to be able to save or group the key discussions that go on here.

Obviously, it would need to be fairly tightly controlled otherwise it would just turn into yet another discussion forum.

[muddyweb]

I have a load of notes from when I used to do driving and recovery courses for an ex-club.  I'll see if I can dig them out and put them online in a printable / downloadable format.

[Vam]

I like the sound of both of those,

I've found the  'How to's' here really useful, so a reference place would be excellent, rather than trying to find the thread at a later date.

Training on the play would also be invaluable, I did a 'one to one' day course last year, and though did well at the time, feel too rusty to just go for it, so an hours brush up would be ideal.

Helen

[iianorthants]

just make sure you cover yourself by stating it's your Opinion, and not always the best way etc etc.
 cuss you don't want to end up in trouble when someones has an accident and blames it on you  

[Wanderer]

I don't think there'd be a problem with anyone shouting up to be taken around a course.
I'd have thought that getting a get together just for training purposes would be harder to do because we all live at different ends of the country so it might be better tagged on to something that's already happening.

It's another arrow to the club's bow for want of a good paraphrase.

Ed

[Vam]

Instead of 'training' you could always say 'guidance' can be given ...

TBH I'd rather learn techniques from people who have always driven Landrovers - on road and off road
Rather than some one with  the apriopriate government required 'qualifications'

Helen

[turtle]

This is something that MK4x4 do on a regular basic a Trianing Day or Training weekend, normal held at the Whaddon site, as it has its own dirt bike track which is very good for first timers.

I will enquire if we can use it on the Whaddon weekend in March. Maybe incourage more to attend  :D

[Mace]

There are so many 4x4 owners out there who have no idea of what basic  equipment is needed or what to do with it when you get stuck. Personally, I think there should be a minumum requirement set out for all vehicles BEFORE they venture onto the slippy stuff at Pay n Play days. I also think this should apply to our MC events too, including the up and coming Wicked Weekend at Whaddon in March.

We could roll out a "training" session for the MC March Weekend at Whaddon. There's plenty of space and I think it would be warmly welcomed by some. I've attended these type of sessions before but I must state they were very well instructed, it wasn't just a case of this is how I do it. It works well in small groups.

Do we have any very experienced members who would be willing to put some time into a session or 2 at Whaddon, covering basic recovery techniques & equipment requirements ????

Does anyone agree with me regarding stating what the miniumum equipment level should be ?? I'm talking about shackles, recovery points, ropes etc not 35" simex and 2" lifts.

Who remembers DaveLandys huge effort to recover a certain Jeep from the pond at Tixover as an example ?

[muddyweb]

members who would be willing to put some time into a session or 2 at Whaddon, covering basic recovery techniques & equipment requirements

More than happy to... as I said, I used to run courses for another club.  (Plus I have rigging qualifications, so I can wave a piece of paper to look impessive ;-) )

[Thrasher]

I am willing to go through basic checks, vehicle controls etc for Discovery owners.

[muddyweb]

I am willing to go through basic checks, vehicle controls etc for Discovery owners.

...fluid recognition by taste, gearbox changing techniques, sticker application...  that sort of thing ;-)

[Thrasher]

That's the one...oh and reversing techniques ;-)

[Mace]

ho hum  :oops:

and for turnaround techniques ....

[Guy90]

I can help with this as well. Have worked with Pro Trax and Vince Cobley on and off for a few years including instruction etc.

Guy

[Mace]

I've just noticed I'm a beginner again !!! I was a Space Cadet last week with over 200 posts....who's nicked me post's then ??

[Vam]

More than happy to... as I said, I used to run courses for another club.  (Plus I have rigging qualifications, so I can wave a piece of paper to look impessive ;-) )

 :oops: Back peddling furiously here - as I dont want to offend any one (honest!)

HWMBO has to do safety update courses for part of his job... fire protection etc.  The last couple of training courses he has attended have been out of date with the current legistation -he has actually 'updated' the tutors etc. They are in the 'field' but just know how to train, and what is required to .... getting into more hot water here :oops:

Ive done a few courses where it's obvious the person has never had 'hands on experience' they are just qualied to teach'...
 
Ohhh [!Expletive Deleted!] it , what Im 'trying' to say is just cos someones read a few manuals, has qualified by passing a paper exam, it doesn't mean they can.

Thats why I'd rather learn from someone who lives and breaths landys rather than someone with the papers.

(though if they have both, thats a bonus  O:) :lol: )

Helen

[Wanderer]

We understand Helen,
honest.....
 :lol:
When I get like that I usually delete the message and come back later when hopefully it doesn't look like I am digging a bigger hole.

We need a stop digging smiley!

Ed

[Vam]

Thanks Ed :oops:

I do unfortunatly have a knack for  'presenting my opinions at a 90 degree angle'  or simply 'putting my foot in it.'

And typing/writing seems to make it alot worse!

 I usually get HWMBO to prof read first, but he's not always availiable  :)  

Helen

[davidlandy]

I can help with this as well. Have worked with Pro Trax and Vince Cobley on and off for a few years including instruction etc.

Guy

thats if he can stop laughing!

I would help but I think that my techniques are a little unorthodox at times and are probably not in line with best practise!

[iianorthants]

what's that dave ....... "just stick it in 4th gear and floor it"   :lol:  :lol:  :lol:
                                 "just go for it, there's enough people to drag you out"

not exact quote's but close  :)

[davidlandy]

Sssshhh!
lol, good advice eh?

 :oops:

[Guy90]

[/quote]

thats if he can stop laughing!

I would help but I think that my techniques are a little unorthodox at times and are probably not in line with best practise![/quote]

Very true :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Guy

[muddyweb]

Ive done a few courses where it's obvious the person has never had 'hands on experience' they are just qualied to teach'...
 
Ohhh !Expletive Deleted! it , what Im 'trying' to say is just cos someones read a few manuals, has qualified by passing a paper exam, it doesn't mean they can.

I'm not normally one for this sort of thing, but :

Driving, building and competing in Land Rovers since I was <cough> years old
Qualified rigger with <cough> years of experience designing and rigging touring lighting rigs
MSA Trained Marshal
Read lots of manuals 8)


Hope that puts your mind to rest...  and don't worry.. I know exactly what you mean about people qualified to teach.

At the end of the day, anything offered will be done in the spirit of assistance and advice.  I don't think anyone will be charging for the service ;-)

If anyone isn't happy to take the above advice... that's fine too

[V8MoneyPit]

The other club I am a member of (Suffolk LROC) has it's own off road site and runs a minimum vehicle spec before anyone is allowed out to play. It is not over zealous preaching or anything, just basic common sense things. The main areas are basic vehicle condition and proper recovery points. After all, if they let someone get stuck without them, how are they supposed to extract them?

There was also a case of poorly retained batteries.... like no strap at all! Now that is just stupid, even on a road, let alone bouncing around an off road course!

Things that affect personal safety should be the responsibility of the individual. But, unfortunately, the individual doesn't always recognise what could be dangerous. As for recovery points, it's just a matter of keeping the traffic flowing and not pulling pieces off the stuck vehicle  :lol:

[Andy the Landy]

My other club (Series 3 Club) ran an excellent driver training day at Carsington. First ALL the vehicles were scrutinised and had to have a current MOT Cert.
Spent all morning learning basic techniques such as failed ascents etc and then played all afternoon. I'd be more than happy to gain more experience from the more experienced in an advisory sort of way.... If that makes sense :?

[Pete5844]

I think it would be a mistake to insist that people have recovery points etc before their allowed to enter a site.Yes these are things they will need and should get but most people start going off road in standard road going 4x4's,you start paying for the extras as you start going regularly. :)

[Topple]

Gordon,

Sent you a pm

Paul