About the 4WD Handbook
Why this book exists
This book explains how 4WDs work and all the offroad driving techniques you'll need. It assumes no prior knowledge whatsoever so is accessible to novice offroaders, but has sufficient depth to be an expert offroad reference manual.
"No book is a substitute for practical experience, but I've pretty much read the 4WD Handbook cover to cover and am better for it, picking up useful points and having my memory jogged about others. It was like having a 4WD refresher course without having to go off-road or even sit in a vehicle."
-- Phil Hanson, 4WD Newz
"This book is a must for everyone, from someone who is thinking about buying their first four wheel drive to the experienced four wheel drive instructor."
-- 4WD Victoria, Trackwatch magazine
Just finished reading The 4WD Handbook. The offroad bible would be better. In my opinion it is the best off road book I have read and will be recommending it to all my clients. The common sense approach to everything is brilliant. This book should have been over here years ago. All we normally get is someone bigging themselves up. Really enjoyed. Very good effort.
Australian 4WD Training Standard
Australia's national 4WD training standard is competency unit SISDRVO302A "Drive & Recover a 4WD Vehicle".
The primary student guide was revised in 2012 and now relies on content from The 4WD Handbook. The author also reviewed the guide before publication.
The 4WD Handbook to is sold by several Australian driver training organisations who offer this national training, as the book covers everything in the standard and much more.
What's in the 4WD Handbook: a complete 4WD reference and guide
The 4WD Handbook has been meticulously researched and illustrated in full colour to cover everything a driver needs to know about 4WD. Some topics covered are listed below, and you can also see the full table of contents.
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Environment Every driving technique chapter has a section on the environment to supplement a dedicated chapter on the subject. |
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How 4WDs work What a driver need to know. Differentials, gearing, suspension, power, torque and more. |
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Wheels and tyres for offroaders Detailed discussion of tyres, rims, how to choose, low-profile vs high-profile tyres, how tyres work. |
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Modern vehicles and electronic aids New vehicles have ETC, ESP, HDC, EBA, EBD, terrain-adaptive settings, torque-vectoring differentials and many more electronic driving aids. All are explained in a specialised chapter and referred to throughout the book. |
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Softroaders A softroader is an offroader without low range. There's a dedicated chapter on softroaders, and each chapter accounts for techniques without low range. |
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The usual 4WD driving techniques Mud, rocks, sand, hills and snow are fully described with a chapter apiece. |
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More 4WD driving techniques Dedicated chapters on night, long-distance, bitumen, economy, sideslopes, grass, car control, dirt roads. |
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4WD Recovery techniques How to plan a recovery, then how to carry one out with snatch straps, jacks and other recovery gear like traction mats. |
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4WD Recovery loads Comprehensive discussion of what loads are involved in recovery using both theory and the results of real-world tests. |
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Winching Detailed description of winching physics, forces involved, how to winch, types of winches. |
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4WD Accessories and modifications A comprehensive list of modifications and accessories for a touring offroader with notes on why you'd need it, what to look for, and how it works. |
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Offroad navigation with and without GPS Using content from GPS Vehicle Navigation in Australia navigation is demystifed -- UTM, GPS, lat/long, topographic maps and more. |
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Communication: UHF, distress beacons, satphones How UHF radio works, how to use it. What distress beacons are and how they work. How satphones work and real-world advice for use in the field. |
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How-tos: fit chains, repair tyres, splice rope Illustrated, step-by-step guides. |
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700-term automotive and 4X4 glossary Just about every 4WD term is defined and cross-referenced. Available online only. |
Book information
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