(no subject)
Today was 4WD training.
I have driven a Landcruiser troop carrier up and down very steep hills. I have learned how to change a wheel. We checked many things under the bonnet. I may even remember some.
I have been given lots of stats about driving in the Territory. Apparently seat belts haven't caught on up here yet. And on newer vehicles that beep at you to make you wear them, the trick is to cut them off and put the buckle through the latch. Eeep! This accounts the ENORMOUS territory road toll. Well, that and speed and alcohol.
How do we feel about wheel nuts? A story was told about being waved down by some blokes with a car up on a jack. "Got a wheel nut mate?"
"Well no, not giving away wheel nuts, they are holding my wheels on. Why don't you take a nut of one of your other wheels?" So he looked. Each wheel had only one wheel nut holding them onto the car.
We went through the usual driving hazards - time of day, fatigue etc. accompanied by the usual AV slides from some Road Safety organisation. Instructor asked, what hazard have they missed? Audience response? Animals. Much discussion about animals. Birds through windscreens, Brahman cows, kangaroos. Apparently the worst thing to hit are camels.
Tomorrow we do lots of driving in dirt; and skids and recovery. Apparently we deliberately get bogged. Our instructor looked at us with the Troopie and said "Youse guys will be fine, eh?" then he smirked at the blokes in the Ford Ranger "Youse blokes'll have fun."
I have driven a Landcruiser troop carrier up and down very steep hills. I have learned how to change a wheel. We checked many things under the bonnet. I may even remember some.
I have been given lots of stats about driving in the Territory. Apparently seat belts haven't caught on up here yet. And on newer vehicles that beep at you to make you wear them, the trick is to cut them off and put the buckle through the latch. Eeep! This accounts the ENORMOUS territory road toll. Well, that and speed and alcohol.
How do we feel about wheel nuts? A story was told about being waved down by some blokes with a car up on a jack. "Got a wheel nut mate?"
"Well no, not giving away wheel nuts, they are holding my wheels on. Why don't you take a nut of one of your other wheels?" So he looked. Each wheel had only one wheel nut holding them onto the car.
We went through the usual driving hazards - time of day, fatigue etc. accompanied by the usual AV slides from some Road Safety organisation. Instructor asked, what hazard have they missed? Audience response? Animals. Much discussion about animals. Birds through windscreens, Brahman cows, kangaroos. Apparently the worst thing to hit are camels.
Tomorrow we do lots of driving in dirt; and skids and recovery. Apparently we deliberately get bogged. Our instructor looked at us with the Troopie and said "Youse guys will be fine, eh?" then he smirked at the blokes in the Ford Ranger "Youse blokes'll have fun."