Mobility can sometimes be the single most important aspect to getting a job done…..or saving a life.  Good judgment and quick decisions make all the difference when mobility is paramount.  While these skills are innate and can not be taught, they can be developed to the highest degree here at The 4x4 Center.

• Build Confidence
• Understanding Techniques
• Recovery Options
• Vehicle Preservation
• Equipment Choice

Security and Tactical driving courses are tailored to those working in the field under the most demanding conditions and situations all over the world.  Because of the demands placed on your equipment in these situations, we specialize in vehicle recovery and vehicle preservation…..If you get hopelessly stuck or break a critical part of your vehicle it can seriously compromise the task at hand.  We will show you how to preserve a vehicle under harsh conditions so when the time comes to ask that little bit extra of it, you will know that it is there in reserve!

Our program allows for the many different driving styles you may have to use in the field.  We can show you how to get an unprepared and under equipped vehicle through some very difficult terrain, when damage is not an option.  We can also show you some valuable driving techniques for those times when push comes to shove and getting out of a situation NOW is of the utmost importance.  By covering all of the bases, you can draw your own conclusions as to what kind of driving you will need and when.

We can provide your team with a comprehensive program that has been endorsed by various private, municipal and government entities.  Courses include lodging, vehicles and approximately 3000 acres of extremely challenging and varied terrain.  We train in Land Rovers, Toyota light trucks and a variety of other useful and versatile vehicles.  By the end of the program you will be able to negotiate the most challenging terrain and be experienced in the usage of the most basic, to the most advanced recovery equipment.  Whatever the terrain, however suitable your vehicle, we’ll teach you how to make the most of it!

We also specialize in tire technology and performance due to some of our work with a major manufacturer of tires.  Tires are extremely important to vehicle mobility and yet are so easily damaged.  We take advantage of this knowledge to show you how to assess what tire will work best where, and what to do when a selection is not available.

Security and Tactical courses are three days in duration.  Starting at 8am and finishing at 5pm.  Night driving is available on request.  Each day begins with either a class room or technical session for 1 hour before hands-on driving and recovery.  All aspects of driving are covered: mud, rock, sand and during the winter months snow courses can be tailored to your specific requirements and conducted at the location of your choice.

Did you know…The 4x4 Center is constantly revising vehicle recovery techniques to make the process for saving a stuck vehicle both faster and safer!  In addition we can advise you on vehicle preparation and recovery equipment to ensure your success in the field.

Snow Driving and Special Conditions

Four wheel drive itself is not the magic solution for vehicle control in slippery conditions, sound driving skills are.  Here at The 4x4 Center, we recognize that a capable vehicle is only as good as the driver at the wheel, and considering a four wheel drive vehicle is typically heavier than a standard automobile, the physics at work often take unprepared drivers by surprise. With this in mind, we start our training by familiarizing participants with evaluating changing conditions and taking proactive measures to avoid driving hazards and difficulties.  Topics such as proper use of 4WD, tire selection, ABS and associated systems and brake and throttle control are all discussed and practiced extensively.

Special considerations must be made for driving off road in the snow.  While good, safe driving is of paramount concern; the snow does not have to limit your mobility.

Based on years of exploring New England year round, the staff at The 4x4 Center has logged countless hours of battling some of the most difficult winter conditions imaginable.  Whether it be scaling the Mt. Washington Auto Road using ground anchors and snow chains or breaking up ice to ford a swollen creek, we have the equipment and the knowledge to get there!  It is very common in fact for our winter courses to be very recovery oriented, as the terrain becomes even more challenging in the snow and ice.  We view these challenges as learning opportunities and use each one as a chance to hone efficient and safe recovery skills.

More advanced training, covering topics such as higher speed rough road driving and control techniques such as trail braking is also available for those groups who require more in depth training on the full breadth of a four wheel drive’s capabilities.

ATV Courses and Convoys with 4WD

All terrain vehicles are becoming a large part of mobile teams in operations    around the world.  While extremely flexible and versatile, ATVs can also present their own challenges.  At The 4x4 Center, we regularly use ATVs as a means of supporting our various off road courses.  In doing so we have learned how to extract the maximum capability and performance from these vehicles. 

We also use ATVs to vastly improve the efficiency of our convoy efforts as we move through difficult terrain.  When the going gets extremely difficult, the use of ATVs to support larger vehicles can cut travel time by almost half!  Please call for more information as our courses including ATVs are always changing!

Contact us for more information.

4x4 Center, 63 Ethan Allen Drive, South Burlington, Vermont  05403 
802-864-8565