This comprehensive two-day residential course requires no prior knowledge at the start, but compared with various industry standards, brings you to an advanced level at its conclusion. It can involve soft-roaders to 4WD trucks. Standard vehicles with standard tyres are acceptable, but modified vehicles with extensive recovery equipment can also be taken to their limits in controlled situations.

This popular course involves entertaining presentations of four wheel drive vehicle operation and recovery techniques. The course comprises classroom theory and practical exercises, with detailed notes, and a quiz and attainment certificate at the end. Telling funny stories about real things that have happened is a great way to learn, and with over 50 years' experience we have plenty of stories available! But discussions are two-way, with lots of opportunities for questions and sharing of ideas.

Theory sessions give an understanding of the engineering technology involved in modern 4WD vehicles and recovery equipment. Discussion sessions are based around real-life experiences (including stories of accidents and rescues) imparting knowledge on coping with challenging situations. Driving sessions allow participants to practice particular techniques taught in the course, taking vehicles to their limits, safely. Learning how to look after your vehicle (and the environment) is important to us.

This course is run as a residential weekend at our training facility at Rawson (self-cater motel style accommodation) with field exercises on steep, rugged tracks nearby, and simulated desert conditions on the second day. Terrain includes one of the biggest river crossings in Victoria and some big sand hills to get stuck on, plus a quarry with some winching challenges and an equipment 'show and tell'. 

Enjoy a relaxing weekend away by arriving Friday night at Mountain Rivers Tourist Park and avoid the hassle of rushing to site on Saturday morning. We encourage people to bring partners/families. Normally accommodation is in a motel room with our classroom nearby in the motel lounge. Although not designed as a camping weekend, other accommodation options (such as a cabin for families or a campsite cubby for singles) are available. Saturday morning start time is 9am and we aim to finish by about 4:30pm Sunday afternoon at a location south of Traralgon. Saturday night we normally have a pub meal together. Occasional mid-week courses are available too.

Don't have your own 4WD? An option may be to hire one of our fully equipped Land Rover Defenders.

Detailed notes are provided, with topics covered including:

• low range and ground clearance
• AWD performance
• suspension systems
• part-time and full-time 4WD
• differentials and locks
• ABS brakes, stability and traction control
• auto transmissions and smart diffs
• free wheel hubs
• tyre patterns, sizes and pressures
• traction fundamentals
• simple mechanical checks and spares
• petrol, diesel, LPG and turbo engine characteristics
• 4WD maintainability
• snatch strap safety and tow point integrity
• winches, snatch blocks and recovery loads
• vehicle jacks
• wheel chains
• CB radios, GPS and satellite communications
• roof racks and trailers.

• mountain climbing and signs of trouble
• washaways, rock ledges and boulders
• forward and reverse hill starts
• slippery descents
• fording rivers
• silt protection
• rocks, holes and slippery banks
• engine fans and ignition
• snorkels and waterproofing
• deep water recoveries
• oil seals and breathers
• wet brakes
• mud and snow
• momentum and gravity
• ruts and bog holes
• south side of the mountain
• black ice and alpine parking
• sand: power, gears and tyre pressures
• salt water and beach hazards
• fallen trees
• avoiding duco scratches and stone chips
• potholes and suspension
• reverse gear risks
• environment
• tents, camping gear and fridges
• packing, luggage and water.Saturday night pub meal together is .