Category: 4WD Training

Barlow Adventures > Nena’s Blog > 4WD Training

3-Day Rubicon Trip: 7/19/22 – 7/21/22

Posted on by Barlow Adventures Media Team

3-Day Rubicon Trip: 7/19/22 - 7/21/22

Location: Georgetown, CA

Date: Tuesday, July 19 to Thursday, July 21, 2022

Description: Enjoy three days wheeling and two nights camping on the famous Rubicon Trail. Gorgeous High Sierra scenery, entertaining history, and demanding 4-wheeling make this a bucket-list trip for any serious Jeeper. We keep these trips to five vehicles or less to ensure personal attention and an enjoyable pace, led by the friendly and experienced guidance of “Mr. Rubicon” Nick Cimmarusti. Nick is an internationally certified 4wd trainer and grew up working on The Rubicon Trail, with 9 years as a commercial guide and trainer for Barlow Adventures. Children must be 12 years of age or older. No pets. Departs from and returns to Georgetown, CA. Meals are provided on the trail. Camping equipment is available by advanced request. 

Vehicle requirements (INCLUDE capability, tire size, armor, etc.): Jeep Wrangler or similarly capable rig with minimum 35-inch tires, 4L, at least one locker, recovery points front and rear, sliders strongly recommended. Factory skid plates ok. No RTTs.

Course Requirements: Register in advance. Participants must be 18 or older. Work gloves, etc.

Course length: 3 day, 2 nights

Use your vehicle: $2,650 with your own pre-approved 4x4 (1-2 people, additional charge for 3 or more)

Use a Barlow Jeep: $4,750 with a Barlow Jeep (1-2 people, additional charge for 3 or more)

Cancellation Policy: Full payment is required to book a trip. Cancellation policy: 60 days or more notice is a 75% refund. 30 days or more notice is a 50% refund. Less than 30 days notice extends no refund. No refunds for unused portions of the trip. Please consider buying trip insurance, or booking with a credit card that provides you this service.

Contact us for booking information

Events@Barlows.US
928-282-8700   press option 3

3-Day Rubicon Trip: 6/21/22 – 6/23/22

Posted on by Barlow Adventures Media Team

3-Day Rubicon Trip: 6/21/22 - 6/23/22

Location: Georgetown, CA

Date: Tuesday, June 21 to Thursday, June 23, 2022

Description: Enjoy three days wheeling and two nights camping on the famous Rubicon Trail. Gorgeous High Sierra scenery, entertaining history, and demanding 4-wheeling make this a bucket-list trip for any serious Jeeper. We keep these trips to five vehicles or less to ensure personal attention and an enjoyable pace, led by the friendly and experienced guidance of “Mr. Rubicon” Nick Cimmarusti. Nick is an internationally certified 4wd trainer and grew up working on The Rubicon Trail, with 9 years as a commercial guide and trainer for Barlow Adventures. Children must be 12 years of age or older. No pets. Departs from and returns to Georgetown, CA. Meals are provided on the trail. Camping equipment is available by advanced request. 

Vehicle requirements (INCLUDE capability, tire size, armor, etc.): Jeep Wrangler or similarly capable rig with minimum 35-inch tires, 4L, at least one locker, recovery points front and rear, sliders strongly recommended. Factory skid plates ok. No RTTs.

Course Requirements: Register in advance. Participants must be 18 or older. Work gloves, etc.

Course length: 3 day, 2 nights

Use your vehicle: $2,650 with your own pre-approved 4x4 (1-2 people, additional charge for 3 or more)

Use a Barlow Jeep: $4,750 with a Barlow Jeep (1-2 people, additional charge for 3 or more)

Cancellation Policy: Full payment is required to book a trip. Cancellation policy: 60 days or more notice is a 75% refund. 30 days or more notice is a 50% refund. Less than 30 days notice extends no refund. No refunds for unused portions of the trip. Please consider buying trip insurance, or booking with a credit card that provides you this service.

Contact us for booking information

Events@Barlows.US
928-282-8700   press option 3

Moab: Lockhart Basin Guided Trip 5/7/22-5/922

Posted on by Barlow Adventures Media Team

Lockhart Basin 3-day Expedition

Location: Moab, Utah

Date: Saturday, May 7 to Monday, May 9, 2022

Description: The Lockhart Basin Expedition is a training trip for the off-roader looking for a deep backcountry experience. Travel through some of the most remote and stunningly beautiful red rock desert in North America as you learn everything from proper driving techniques to manifold cooking to navigational skills and vehicle recovery.

This combination exploring/training trip includes the following:

  • Three days and two nights in Utah's rugged backcountry
  • Expert 4wd training through a variety of terrains
  • Navigation training
  • Vehicle recovery (getting unstuck)
  • Vehicle readiness
  • Manifold cooking and meal preparation

Vehicle requirements: Jeep Wrangler or similarly capable high-clearance rig with minimum 33″ tires, 4L, recovery points front and rear. Factory skid plates ok. 

Course Requirements: Register in advance. Participants must be 18 or older. Work gloves, etc.

Course length: 3-days

Use your vehicle: $1295 per vehicle, 1-2 people (an instructor will talk to you about your rig), price includes taxes.

Additional guests: $95 (3rd guest + in same vehicle)

Cancellation Policy: 14 days notice 50% refund, Less than 14 days non-refundable

Contact us for booking information

Events@Barlows.US
928-282-8700   press option 3

4WD Recovery Course: Prairie City, CA 4/10/22

Posted on by Barlow Adventures Media Team

Prairie City CA - 4WD Recovery Course

Location: Prairie City, CA

Date: Sunday, April 10, 2022

Description: 4wd Recovery Course with hands-on training for safe and effective use of the most common recovery gear in the most common stuck situations. Includes winching, Hi-lift, and various ropes and straps. Bring your own gear or practice with ours. Perfect for the outdoor recreation-oriented driver who wants to use 4wd to explore and enjoy the backcountry responsibly.

Vehicle requirements: Any 4wd. 

Course Requirements: Register in advance. Participants must be 18 or older. Work gloves, etc.

Course length: 6-7 hours

Use your vehicle: $350 per vehicle

Additional guests: $95

Cancellation Policy: 14 days notice 50% refund, Less than 14 days non-refundable

Quantity available for registration: 8 vehicles (6 private, 2 rental)

Note: You might also be interested in the Explorers Course on the preceding day, Saturday, April 9th.

Contact us for booking information

Events@Barlows.US
928-282-8700   press option 3

4WD Explorers Course: Prairie City, CA 4/9/22

Posted on by Barlow Adventures Media Team

Prairie City CA - 4WD Explorers Course

Location: Prairie City, CA

Date: Saturday, April 9, 2022

Description: This comprehensive hands-on lesson includes basic preparation, 4wd driving techniques, trail etiquette, and basic recovery procedures in a variety of terrain and obstacle types. Learn how to read trails and analyze obstacles. Learn how to anticipate how your vehicle is going to react in different circumstances. Perfect for the outdoor recreation-oriented driver who wants to use 4wd to explore and enjoy the backcountry responsibly.

Vehicle requirements: Jeep Wrangler or similarly capable rig with minimum 31″ tires, 4L, recovery points front and rear. Factory skid plates ok. Stock vehicles welcome. 

Course Requirements: Register in advance. Participants must be 18 or older. Work gloves, etc.

Course length: 6-7 hours

Use your vehicle: $350 per vehicle

Additional guests: $95

Cancellation Policy: 14 days notice 50% refund, Less than 14 days non-refundable

Contact us for booking information

Events@Barlows.US
928-282-8700   press option 3

Sedona Sustainable 4WD Day

Posted on by Barlow Adventures Media Team

Earth Day, Thursday, April 22, 2021

Apply to be one of eight people selected to join us for a special Earth Day 4wd course! We are looking to train a few people who can be ambassadors to help us spread education and awareness of responsible 4wd techniques that preserve trails, respect multiple access, engage other users in a positive way, and do our part every time we are on trails. Spend the day with Nena Barlow on some rugged 4wd backroads of the gorgeous Sedona area.

This hands-on course will cover 4wd driving techniques, trail etiquette and basic recovery procedures that respect the terrain, as well as look at the interests of other users, like UTV’s, non-motorized bikers and hikers, campers, and ranchers.

Perfect for the outdoor recreation-oriented driver who wants to use 4wd to explore and enjoy the backcountry responsibly, and help raise awareness of sustainable practices for all users.

How to apply:

  1. Meet the vehicle and course requirements listed below
  2. Apply by emailing events@barlows.us no later than March 19, 2021. Tell us:
    a) Your name and phone number (your info will NOT be shared)
    b) Your vehicle description, and photo of it
    c) The reason you want to take this course
  3. Post this on your Facebook, Instagram or Twitter feed, using the hashtag #Sustainable4WD

Chosen applications will be announced on Tuesday, March 22.

Vehicle requirements:

1. Jeep Wrangler or similarly capable rig with minimum 31″ tires, 4L, recovery points front and rear. Factory skid plates ok. Stock vehicles welcome.
2. Must be registered and insured as a street legal automobile.

Course Requirements:

1. Participants must be 18 or older, with valid drivers license and insurance.
2. No children or pets.
3. Additional guests must be approved and registered in advance.
4. Participants must be in physical condition capable of walking up and down steep hills in loose terrain, standing or walking for 20-30 minutes, and operating outdoors in dust,  heat or cold, wind or possible rain for 8 hours.

Recommended gear: Work gloves, long pants and tough closed-toe shoes, lunch and water. Arrive with a nearly full tank of gas, and a functioning spare tire.

Course length: 7-8 hours

Fee: None! This is a free course to those who are selected.

Cancellation Policy: 14 days notice is urgently requested.

Itinerary: 9 am meet time near Sedona AZ. (Location will be disclosed to registered participants). Finish approximately 4 pm.

The Secret to Good Trail Teamwork

Posted on by Barlow Adventures Media Team

By Nena Barlow

This article originally appeared on fourwheeler.com.

When Ken Brubaker of Four Wheeler magazine, Jp’s sister publication, asked me to guide the first Overland Adventure, one of my biggest concerns was how to bring together a group that was going to be far more diverse than the usual all-Jeep run. With everything from rock crawling Wranglers to overland monsters like John Marshall’s U-600 Unimog, and a smattering of various off-road trailers, the vehicles and the experience of the participants were vastly different. We planned to travel from Wickenburg to Prescott and onward to Overland Expo in Flagstaff—via 260 miles of backroads over three days. What came of this eclectic event was a lesson in teamwork and camaraderie unparalleled in any other large groups I have led.

Continue reading “The Secret to Good Trail Teamwork” →

How to Be a Good Trail Leader

Posted on by Barlow Adventures Media Team

By Nena Barlow

This article originally appeared on fourwheeler.com.

When people think about what is required to be a good trail leader, they often think of spotting skills; however, it’s much more than that. Trail leaders don’t just know how to drive their own rigs through some tough terrain—they also help others drive their rigs through it. And, most importantly, they properly prepare for the trip in advance with information, comfort concerns, and safety logistics to help the group enjoy the whole day from start to finish.

Good trail leading means starting with a plan. Beyond the date and time you are inviting the group to meet, provide information about the intended route, itinerary, pace for the trip, weather forecasts along the route, whether the group needs to bring lunch on the trail, if there are bathroom facilities or the participants need to plan otherwise, and any other special considerations people should be prepared for, like permit or entrance fees, gas stops and fuel range expectation, and if pets and children are recommended or permitted in the areas you are visiting.

Continue reading “How to Be a Good Trail Leader” →

Take Your Dog on the Trail!

Posted on by Barlow Adventures Media Team

By Nena Barlow

This article originally appeared on fourwheeler.com.

Thinking of taking Fido with you on the Jeep run or backcountry vacation? Many of us consider our dogs as our children and travel everywhere with them. However, there are some special considerations for Jeeping or overlanding with pets.

Aside from the usual concerns about plenty of nature stops, food, and water, having a safe and secure place to ride in the vehicle is of special concern on rough and steep terrain. Many people recognize that all human occupants in the vehicle should be wearing seatbelts, but consider what happens to Fido when you start down a steep descent or bounce over a rocky crossing. We have seen dogs get launched off the back seat and actually crack the front dash components on impact—extremely unpleasant for the dog, I am sure. And since many of us like to take our top and doors off, it adds an extra level of danger to your fur baby. Consider the dynamics, but also consider your dog’s behavior. I had a dog who would launch himself out of the Jeep if he saw a rabbit, whether we were moving at 5 or 50 mph. We learned to travel with the windows on with him. Pet experts recommend that if you don’t travel with your dog in a crate, large dogs should be restrained in a doggy seatbelt harness, while doggy car seats are ideal for small- to medium-sized dogs.

Continue reading “Take Your Dog on the Trail!” →

Winch Fairlead Myths Debunked

Posted on by Barlow Adventures Media Team

By Nena Barlow

This article originally appeared on fourwheeler.com.

When you purchase a new winch, it usually comes packaged with a fairlead. A winch with wire rope comes with a roller fairlead, and a winch with synthetic rope will have a hawse fairlead. We’ve talked before about good winching practices and winch rope care, but let’s talk about the pros and cons of your fairlead choices, and why you may want to switch fairleads.

Continue reading “Winch Fairlead Myths Debunked” →