Wheeling- Force or Finesse?

[FirstTimer]

I know this isn't a mechanically technical question, but its still technical as far as the technique you use when wheelin!

So my question is to you, when do you use force (pedal to the metal) and when do you you finesse (crawling approach)?

I've been out to the trail once or twice and there were a couple of situations where I would have liked to know some basic rules of thumb for what type of approach I should have used.  I'm hoping that acquiring further knowledge of this topic will help prevent breakages in the near future as I look to increase my time on the trail.

I assume there will be much debate regarding this topic so have at er!

Ding Ding Round 1!

[Bnine]

Its a simple matter of the right technique for the right situation.

Most people lean more one then the other, but at the end of the day, its experience that makes the difference over sheer technique and equipment.

[The Machinist]

That's an easy one, force for everything!  Hot dawgger!

[JENSSEN]

I think there is a fine line between the two but it all really is determined by the situation.

[w squared]

Its a simple matter of the right technique for the right situation.

Most people lean more one then the other, but at the end of the day, its experience that makes the difference over sheer technique and equipment.

Quoted for truth. Finesse is a great thing to watch, but the best driver is the one that can blend finesse and line selection with the understanding of just how much speed to carry and how hard to "bump" at the tight spot.

[silverfox]

Hmmmmm

My thoughts are this...........I think finesse is the key.  Right line, understanding where all of your vehicle is, what the terrain is and how it will react.

However, when stuff goes wrong I want to make sure I can force it.

On the finesse side of things its more about knowing what will happen in a given situation.  Take my little rub on Cabin Creek a few weeks ago.  I watched the rig in front of me maneuver around the hump.........I knew that I didn't have the same clearance so I couldn't maneuver it in the same manner.  In the end what I was hoping to do didn't quite work out, funnily enough what I thought would happen did and I scrubbed my door and fender,  what I hoped would happen didn't bear out.  In that case a little more experience would have told me that I should have went with my thought and understanding of how my rig would react rather than trust my ego to drive

Same run we had a rather large uphill to do.  I did not know what to expect, the hill was south facing and there was a risk of ice under the snow.  But in this case rather than working the finesse angle I chose forth.  4 Low, Locked up, Disconnected, 5th gear and hold on.  In the end more force than was needed but my lack of experience in winter wheeling didn't allow for the "finesse" approach  so it was nice to know that the force was there to use.

So as your experience grows (both with wheeling and specifically your own rig) I think finesse can be used more and more......................but sometimes force can just be plain fun             BAJA!!!

Just my relative newb thoughts on it all.





BTW did I mention that I LOVE WHEELING 

[tubby]

That's an easy one, force for everything!  Hot dawgger!

Use this approach and you'll be fixing things you've broken on your Jeep a LOT !

There are some How To video's and books in regards to offroading techniques available out there that you can gleen some information from, but it's best to get out and get some seat time.

[morerpmfred]

Just enough force so you do not break anything to early.   

[Spinalguy]

Depends on your rig.
locked front and rear will be different than open/open.

Deep mudholes vs erosion hill climbs.

Experience is the key.

[cLAY]

If you got stuck, you didn't use enough force, if you broke you used too much. 

Type of rig demands a differing approach. Full size rigs have to rely on force whereas smaller/lighter rigs can finesse their way through.

Ususally I approach an obstacle carefully(slowly) and feel it out and then take a second run at it with more force as needed. However this has lead to me being stuck on occasion from not having momentum. Icy hills are one time when I'll lay on more force than I think I need to. Spinning out on an icy hill and having to back up is scary dangerous. Way too much speed though can kick you sideways and and be just as bad.

Knowing your rig in relation to the one in front of you can give a good idea of what to do. When first going out I tried to follow people with similar rigs to mine, especially in the lift/wheelbase dept.

I will say that having the extra power of a V8 on tap is sure nice for those times when you get surprised and need to pour it on at a moments notice!

[hps4evr]

ive always liked the feeling of using as little throttle as possible to get over or through and obstacle. bump the throttle just enough to get up and over. thats why low gears and bottom end torque is nice. i like this quote...

"as slow as possible, as fast as necessary"

[w squared]

I will say that having the extra power of a V8 on tap is sure nice for those times when you get surprised and need to pour it on at a moments notice!

You ZJ guys. Always rubbing it in.   


























 

[Pinchy]

Thanks for the great discussion.  I'm pretty green at the whole offroad driving scene and I love reading what those with years of experience can impart.  I've managed to pick up some great knowledge just by following the guy in front and watching what does or doesn't work for him.  Of course it's tough when I'm driving a stock 2011 JKU and the guy in front of me is driving a heavily modified rig on 37" tires....

[lsm]

I first compare my JKU in size to the guy with 37's and then look how deep he ends up in the mud, then panic...

I try and watch everyone in front of me to see what lines are being taken.  Everyone is slightly different and rely on spotter experience to force it or not.  Then sometimes you just break something on the same line as everyone else.

[Saraha4X4]

As said experience is key. Fall back in the pack and keep your eyes open, put someone with experience in front of you and a simular rig as you have. watch and learn and test youself.