I had the good fortune to meet professional 4WD Trainer Tom Severin from Badlands Off-Road Adventures this year. When I found out there was a school for people to learn how to become better off-road drivers, I signed up and was on my way to 4x4 U.

Tom is a former Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer with over 40 years of 4WD experience. If that wasn’t enough, a long list of off-road certifications follows his professional background: International 4-Wheel Drive Trainers Association, Wilderness First Responder (WFR), CA4WDC 4WD instructor. So in other words, this guy knows his stuff.

Some of the classes available at Badlands Off-Road Adventures are:

• Beginner Clinics
• Ruts and Ridges (Picking Lines)
• Sand Off-Road Driving
• Advanced Winching
• Field Repair
• Rock Driving
• Rubicon Preparation

You can find a complete list and schedule at the Badlands Off-Road Adventures web site http://www.4x4training.com

Since I plan on doing the Rubicon trail someday, I thought it would be good for me to see what Badlands Off-Road Adventures’ Rock Driving Clinic was all about. The formal training probably wouldn’t hurt either.

SCHOOL IS IN SESSION

We met on a Saturday morning in Lucerne Valley, CA just outside of the Johnson Valley OHV area. This area is in close proximity to cougar buttes, where the famed “King of The Hammers” rock race takes place.

The rocky terrain with inviting obstacles was the perfect place to get some real life rock training. Surrounded by big boulders and blue skies, the desert floor was by far one of the most impressive classrooms I had ever been in.

We had a total of 6 vehicles show up for training. There were some Jeep Wranglers, Rubicon’s and Tom’s tricked out FZJ80 Toyota Land Cruiser. Tom likes to keep his classes to a 10 vehicle maximum. The small class size gives the students a lot of one-on-one time with the instructor and more driving time on the trails.

Tom starts the class on some small rocks as a warm up and to gauge the skill level of the driver. We learned about wheel placement and picking lines; some basic hand signals so the driver can read the spotter guiding them. After a few hours of instruction, practicing approach and descents on rocks it was time to take on the Bull Frog trail in Johnson Valley, CA.

BULLFROG TRAIL

The trail itself is rated 5 on a 7 scale. The trail is covered with big granite rocks, off-camber obstacle and deep ruts that can surely damage your vehicle if you don’t know what you’re doing. This exciting trail is well marked and visited by many local clubs and rock heads.

To make sure we got everyone through the trail in one piece, Tom used hand signals to carefully guide us through technical rocks and over unforgiving V-notches with metal bending potential. He would often recon and study the obstacle before attempting. To share this important skill, Tom encouraged the students to study each obstacle with him and discuss wheel placement and lines of attack as well.


Tom Severin from Badlands Off-Road Adventure guides rock crawler through the trail with true finesse

We practiced doing the entire trail with no lockers, only aired down tires and 4-Lo. This exercise was designed to help us learn the skills of control. Tom taught us about using our left foot braking while accelerating whenever we lost rear traction. This technique is also known as the “poor man’s locker”.


Compression braking was a technique we used on the trail when descending from steep rocks.

BREAKER! BREAKER!

Tom uses CB Radio to communicate with the group while moving on the trail. Students were able to ask questions and it even proved to be a lifesaver when one of the Jeeps in the group popped a bead and needed help fixing their tire. Using a CB Radio during an organized run really gives a sense of teamwork and helps build camaraderie.


Tom Severin from Badlands Off-Road Adventure teaches students how to fix a tire on the trail when you blow the wheel bead.

Tom suggests students take advance classes, like the Rock Crawling Clinic, more than once. This will allow students to do similar trails several times and increase their off-road driving skills. They can also try different vehicle set-ups and use this time as a “shake down”. Tom can make suggestions on vehicle set-up and equipment needed by discussing each students 4x4 needs.

If you’re new to the 4WD world or don’t own one yet, don’t let that stop you from going to school and joining the fun. Badlands Off-Road Adventures has a Jeep Wrangler that’s lifted on 35’s that can be rented for classes. It can even be rented to go on off-road adventures—like the famed Mojave Road.

FINAL TOUGHTS

Eduardo is a seasoned 4x4 Driver from Puerto Rico who brought some different perspectives to our class.

The Rock Crawling Clinic by Badlands Off-Road Adventures is a must for anybody thinking of doing the Rubicon trail, Moab or any advance trail running. Tom has the knowledge and can teach you all the right techniques that will get you through the trail safely and make it fun. He can also help you decide what equipment your vehicle may need to be trail worthy.

Having a professional 4x4 instructor to guide and answer questions was great. It helped strengthen our off-road driving skills and really build confidence on the rocks. Tom helped by giving pointers on what you need to look for and work on to do better on the trail. This really puts things in perspective at the end of the day. I can tell I need more practice and my rig will need some additional work before we can conquer the Rubicon.

After successfully completing the Rock Crawling Clinic, students are awarded a certificate of completion. Mom will love hanging it on the fridge.

The cost of the classes is affordable and a great value when you consider all the body damage you will avoid by having Tom’s 4x4 Training. It will also boost your confidence behind the wheel of your 4 Wheel Drive. Not to mention the nice group of students that come these classes. Off-Roaders rock!

Give Badlands Off-Road Adventures a call--you’ll be glad you invested in yourself and your sport.

SOURCE:

Badlands Off-Road Adventures
4x4Training.com

Tom Severin
Tom@4x4training.com
310-374-8047
Redondo Beach, CA