4WD Training - Sand Driving Recreational Off-Road Course

We decided to join a group of FJCC members and attend Adventure Offroad Training sand driving course. We thought it would be great to check out what FJ Cruiser can do on sand in a controlled environment. Catching up with the club folks and refreshing recovery skills were bonuses.

The course content included:

• Pre-departure vehicle checks
• 4WD vehicle features and equipment selection
• Gear and range selection
• Tyre pressure 
• Sand tracks
• Sand dune ascents and descents
• Beach and tide assessment
• Beach driving
• Beach exits
• Recovery (including self-recovery)

The action took place on Perth's the closest and most popular sand dune area in Wilbinga.
After a short drive we stopped on the beach for a recovery technique demo.

A FJ Cruiser was bogged for the purpose.

The second part of the course was dune ascent and descent. We started with few smaller ones.

Getting tyre pressure right was absolutely critical. Mickey Thompson STZ being an E rated tyre (10 ply) needed to be aired down to 9 PSI to get light FJ Cruiser floating on top of the sand.

As everyone's confidence build up we moved to some bigger and steeper dunes.

It was a great day out and a good opportunity to learn how great FJ Cruiser is to drive on sand once the tyre pressure get mastered. The car was simply unstoppable and so fun to drive.