Just curious thought I would ask and see

[FORD*DIEHARD]

So I know everyone has their own opinions some VERY STRONG...... I thought I would start this thread to get other people's thoughts/opinions that could help others that may just be thinking about starting out to newbies, people with some experience and maybe even a couple that have been WHEELIN' for years.

When I first started out offroading I never knew how much was involved. I thought, you buy a rig find some dirt/rocks and have fun.

Well I have learned there is A LOT MORE INVOLVED, I'm talking about going through "TECHNICAL TRAILS".

To keep this post "short" assume all the basic safety stuff is done (reliable rig, safety equipment/recovery equipment)

The question is (% wise- out of 100) how would you break down these (03) factors while going through a "TECHNICAL OBSTACLE "

BREKING IT DOWN, HOW MUCH IS IT;

RIG- (%)
DRIVER- (%)
SPOTTER- (%)

Not trying to TIP the polls in anyway but man I have seen some people get in some bad spots/position s because of a SPOTTER and I have seen and also personally got out of some COMPROMISING spots/positions because of having an AWESOME SPOTTER!

Some pictures would be nice to see as well.

Thanks for reading and look forward to seeing your opinion/pictures

Sonny

 

[ared77]

I'm not a big off-road guy, I just love the look of an early Bronco...but I'd guess a good spotter can help get a lesser rig and/or driver through a lot of situations!

 

[Eoth]

ha ha ha!! Trick question! All three are a sliding scale... Any one factor can compensate for a deficiency in the other. A good spotter can get a rookie through anything (if he is willing to listen)... An awesome rig can make an average driver look like a rock crawling God. I've seen good drivers do things with stock vehicles that I wouldn't dream of.

 

[Scoop]

What @Eoth said ^^^

It's very hard to put percentages on this. On average, it's probably 33.3%/33.3%/33.3% and in some situations any of them - rig, driver, or spotter - can be 100%!

 

[Sendero]

Hmmm, I am an experienced off roader but not a lot of experience in my EB. I am going to say 50% driver, 30% Rig, and 20% Spotter. People can say what they want but I believe a good driver in a mediocre rig can out wheel the nicest rigs with the best spotters if the drive isn't up to par.

 

[m_m70]

ha ha ha!! Trick question! All three are a sliding scale... Any one factor can compensate for a deficiency in the other. A good spotter can get a rookie through anything (if he is willing to listen)... An awesome rig can make an average driver look like a rock crawling God. I've seen good drivers do things with stock vehicles that I wouldn't dream of.

This^^^^

 

[Yeller]

@Eoth is correct. It’s all a sliding scale. A great spotter can take a mediocre driver with a mediocre vehicle and do amazing things. A great vehicle can make up a lot and if you get a great diver, great spotter and a great vehicle cliffs can be climbed.

For instance this is me riding shot gun spotting a 1st time Offroad driver up Hells Gate in my Bronco, I do this regularly anytime we are there I do my best to get wives, girl friends and kids to drive up this. It’s mentally intimidating and there are a lot of roll overs. Only once has anyone made me nervous, had to make them stop and discuss and start again and all was good.

So in no particular order 10%, 50%, 80%. Every circumstance is changed everything.

 

[Yeller]

And for cliffs…. Great driver, great vehicle and great conditions this is the devils hot tub, easiest I’ve ever seen it climbed.

A quick snip of me in Mickey’s hot tub, good spotter helps a lot and a bad one puts you on your lid, as does the wrong vehicle or the wrong driver.

 

[FordBronc]

Well I feel that it is definitely a constant sliding scale, always changing terrain, and conditions seem to affect a lot. Rig with ability or not. New driver, new place wheeling. I like to go places I know.

I have personally watched ol Yeller AKA "Steve" spot for a inexperienced driver and he helped him make it up the simplest of obstacles. The best part was it really built his confidence in himself and his rig. Thanks again for that Steve, from way back at Disney that day with my son in law and his Jeep.

I have seen a rig with lots of ability take care of a novice driver. I have seen a experienced driver take a stock rig and do awesome things. And I have seen a built rig, driven by a experienced driver do some things that I could not of even been the copilot on.

Notice the passenger side tire is almost NOT in contact with the ground.

And now it is as we drop in.

No spotter, she got out to take a pic.....

I am looking at my spotter. I am not sure it he was giving me steering directions or making hand puppets fist fight. To get a idea on is it steep, look at the trees growing straight up.

No spotter, no copilot, I went for it. I did not make it, but I got close.

Steve doing his spotting/helping thing for my SIL to get up there. Confidence booster for sure.

Then he goes and show us what a well built rig and experienced driver can do.

30%30/30%, 10% luck and the Lord. If you are a mudder here you go.

 

[tasker]

listen to spotters!!! ask me!!

 

[HoosierDaddy]

For a second I thought, "Oh wow, another shot of my drowning!"

 

[sprdv1]

listen to spotters!!! ask me!!

View attachment 926979

HAHA

 

[Eoth]

listen to spotters!!! ask me!!

View attachment 926979

As one of the people in attendance of your attempt, I believe that most people were cheering you on and only a small minority was warning you not to do it!!