Commercial and
Government Courses

bob.wohlers@discoveroffroading.com

949.872.3022


 

Commercial and
Government Courses
Are Our Specialty
Details...

The target audience for a commercial course is any employee of a company, government, organization or group whose job description requires them to drive off-road. The course goals are as follows:

1. Keep employees safe from physical harm while driving off-road.

2. Teach employees how to avoid damage to company/government vehicles when driving off-road.

3. Allow employees to focus on the mission of their work verses the need to focus on off-road driving to their work site.

4. Team build among employees to get individuals to work together, self-assess to gauge their job effectiveness, improve performance, and think about what is essential for high performing teams. This is a VERY important part of this course. Team building among employees is essential to get them to work and think together. When one employee breaks down or needs help off-road, often another employee will venture out to assist him. Team building helps make this assistance more effective. Plus, the social aspect of the course cannot be minimized. Often, employees that rarely interact attend the course and they learn more about each other. This increases comradary and job effectiveness.

Course Objectives – Knowledge and Attitude Development

By the end of the course, your employees will be able to:

  • List the goals of this course.
  • Describe how to secure items in an off-road vehicle for safe transportation.
  • Associate the proper securing of items in their off-road vehicle with safety in the event of a roll or tip-over.
  • Identify the six mechanical components of an off-road vehicle and describe the function of each.
  • Find the six off-road mechanical components on all vehicles used by employees.
  • Give a thorough description of how a 4WD (four wheel drive) transfer case divides energy between the front and rear axles and explain why some transfer cases have built-in differentials.
  • Successfully shift their vehicle’s transfer case from 2WD to 4WD – both high and low gears (if applicable) without damage to vehicle components.
  • Successfully shift their vehicle’s transfer case from 4WD to 2WD without damage to vehicle components.
  • Describe when to shift a vehicle into 4WD-high gear.
  • Describe when to shift a vehicle into 4WD-low gear.
  • Give a basic, non-technical description of how a vehicle’s differentials work, what job they perform for the vehicle and why performing this job can limit movement of an off-road vehicle.
  • Explain the differences between an open, limited-slip and locking differential, describe how each work and explain how and when each are used off-road.
  • Identify the type of differential found on vehicles used for work.
  • Use open, limited-slip and/or locking differentials appropriately off-road.
  • Locate the differentials on both front and rear axles and explain why knowing their location is important.
  • Identify the type of front suspension used on the vehicles used for work and list it’s strengths and weaknesses.
  • Explain what an Electronic Traction Control (ETC) system is, how it works and when to use it appropriately off-road.
  • Identify the two primary types of 4WD vehicles and recognize the type of 4-Wheel Drive vehicle used by employees, listing its various strengths and weaknesses to understand its limitations.
  • Identify four non-driveline related Traction Aiding Devices used by off-roaders.
  • Identify the two important elements every 4WD vehicle needs to perform off-road.
  • Describe what Approach, Departure and Break-Over angles are and be able to measure these angles on vehicles used by employees.
  • Explain what Axle Articulation is and relate the concept to vehicles used by employees.
  • Explain how to avoid damaging your vehicle’s undercarriage by identifying those components closest to the ground.
  • Compare and contrast axle clearance and frame clearance, explain why knowing the clearance on vehicles used while working is important.
  • Recite the single sentence that sums up the “art” of off-road driving.
  • Adopt a philosophy of safety rather than pride, by knowing when to admit defeat during challenging off-road situations and difficulties.
  • Utilize the three “P’s” of off-roading – “Practice, Patience and Planning.”
  • State the seven basic requirements for environmentally friendly off-road driving.

Course Objectives – Skill Development

By the end of the course, your employees will be able to:

  • Appropriately prepare your vehicle for off-road driving by airing down tires, securing cab items, and completing a pre off-road vehicle safety audit.
  • Perform “mental rehearsal” to pick a proper driving line while initially walking an unfamiliar trail prior to driving.
  • Act as trail spotter and correctly use the five spotter signals to keep a vehicle undamaged and personnel safe.
  • Safely and successfully drive on corrugated (washboard) dirt roads in a 4WD vehicle.
  • Safely and successfully drive on graded dirt roads above 15 mph in a 4WD vehicle.
  • Safely and successfully climb steep slopes in a 4WD vehicle by employing proper gearing and momentum.
  • Safely and successfully recover from a failed climb in 4WD vehicle.
  • Safely and successfully descend steep slopes in a 4WD vehicle by employing proper gearing, engine compression and braking.
  • Safely and successfully traverse slopes (side hills) in a 4WD vehicle.
  • Safely and successfully cross downed logs/trees in a 4WD vehicle.
  • Safely and successfully drive over and in gullies and deep road ruts in a 4WD vehicle.
  • Safely and successfully drive over rocks in a 4WD vehicles.
  • Safely and successfully drive over soft sand in a 4WD vehicle.
  • Safely and successfully drive in mud in a 4WD vehicle.**
  • Safely and successfully across streams in a 4WD vehicle.**
  • Safely and successfully drive over ice and snow in a 4WD vehicle.**
  • Correctly park a vehicle while off-road.
  • Identify when to change or repair a damaged or flat tire using the Safety Seal kit.
  • Appropriately and safely change a tire on 4WD vehicles using a stock jack and HiLift Jack in a variety of off-road scenarios and substrates (sand, mud, snow and rocks).
  • Appropriately get unstuck in sand, mud and snow using a shovel, carpet strips, sand ladders, yank strap, and/or Hi-Lift jack and recognize when to use one Traction Aiding Device over another.
  • Safely and effectively use a Hi-Lift jack as an inexpensive which recovery tool.
  • Safely and effectively use a winch and winch accessories as a recovery tool.
  • Appropriately prepare your vehicle for pavement driving by airing up tires and completing a post-off-road vehicle safety audit.

* Asterisked skills can only be practiced if such conditions exist on trails chosen for skill development, however instructor will provide the knowledge of how to safely drive off-road under these conditions.

Instructional Approach

Knowledge and attitude development will be classroom and field based. Classroom sessions are heavily supported with: 1) PowerPoint presentations that include illustrations, photos and video and, 2) Student handouts. Field knowledge development uses the actual vehicles driven by employees. Classroom location is at the client’s discretion based on proximity to appropriate trails for skill development.

Post-course, follow-up and knowledge review is accessed by students at any time by contacting the contractor. Knowledge development will be substantiated by a post-course exam with copies of student exams and accompanying scores provided to the client.

Skill development will be trail-based and selected based on over all variety and ability to accomplish as many objectives as possible. Skill development is substantiated by completion of objectives.

IMPORTANT NOTES: All instruction to meet course objectives will be taught assuming a “worst case scenario” – that your employees will be driving solo and operating in a “wilderness context.” A “wilderness context” means that drivers cannot communicate and/or be reached by emergency personnel (cell phone or radio). Compare a wilderness context with a “911 context.” A 911 context is defined by the fact that drivers can communicate and/or be reached by emergency personnel.

Bob's clients have included, T-Mobile, Verizon, Motive Energy, BLM and the National Park Service - Department of the Interior. Need references? Just ask - feel free to call the safety managers of these groups about Bob's courses.