Its not too Early to Plan 2008 4WD Trips

Badlands Off-Road has some exciting new trips planned for next year. In 2008, we will ratchet up the difficulty level with trips to Moab and the Rubicon Trail. Be sure and sign up for the Rubicon Preparation Seminar and plan to get plenty of practice by taking the Rocks Clinics! We highly recommend you sign up for the Vehicle Inspection clinic before the trip, also. You will learn a lot more by looking under the hood and inside your vehicle.

Gain advance skills with our Winch & Recovery or Sand Driving clinics. Driving on the sand is really different. The Ruts & Ridges clinic is all about picking lines. The Ruts & Ridges Clinic is the perfect next step after the basic clinic. Of course if you are ready for more, the Rocks Clinic is one level up in difficulty of picking the correct lines and getting over the big rocks.

For pure fun we have our new Peach Cobbler Trail in mid January. And in July, join us for the Wine Safari.
Check out the scenic adventures we are leading to Death Valley and the Mojave Road in the spring and fall. Or try the 7 day Mojave Expedition in October which will take you from the south end of the Mojave Desert to the north end of Death Valley.

This 2008 Badlands Off-Road Adventures Schedule is organized chronologically for ease of review. The link under each event will take you to a short description of the event and if you click on the heading about the description, you will get the full description. All the events are posted on the web site.

I suggest you put the events you would like to attend on your 2008 calendar right now and let me know of your interest. I would be happy to remind you in advance of each event.


Badlands Off-Road Adventures
2008 Schedule of Events
At all times, plan and itinerary is subject to change due to weather and unforeseen events.

Quarter 1 (January, February, March)

JANUARY
January 04: “Tread Lightly Tread Trainer Clinic #1.” Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Treaddesc

January 05: “Tread Lightly Tread Trainer Clinic #2.” Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Treaddesc

January 06: “Rocks Skills Clinic.” Calico near Barstow, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Rockdesc

January 12: “Beginning Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Basicdesc

January 13: “4WD Sand Driving Clinic.” Oceano Dunes near Pismo, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Sanddesc

January 14 & 15: “Getting Started Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” HV SVRA near Gorman, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Gettingstarteddesc

January 19 & 20: “Peach Cobbler Trail” at Johnson Valley near Lucerne, CA,
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Peachdesc

January 21: “Ruts & Ridges.” 1 Day near Wrightwood, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#RRRdesc


FEBRUARY
February 02: “Rocks Skills Clinic.” Calico near Barstow, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Rockdesc

February 08: “Winching Clinic” 1 Day Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman, CA,
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Winchdesc

February 09: “Beginning Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Basicdesc

February 11 & 12: “Getting Started Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” HV SVRA near Gorman, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Gettingstarteddesc

February 23: “Ruts & Ridges.” 1 Day near Wrightwood, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#RRRdesc

February 24: “Vehicle Inspection Clinic.” Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Inspectiondesc

MARCH
March 10 & 11: “Getting Started Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” HV SVRA near Gorman, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Gettingstarteddesc

March 17 to 21: “Easter Safari for First Timers.” Moab, Utah
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#EJSdesc

March 29: “Beginning Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Basicdesc


Quarter 2 (April, May, June)

APRIL
April 05 to 07: “Mojave Road Adventure.” 3 days 4WD Needles to Barstow, CA, 2 nights primitive camping.
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Mojaveroaddesc

April 12: “Beginning Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Basicdesc

April 14 & 15: “Getting Started Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” HV SVRA near Gorman, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Gettingstarteddesc

April 18 – 21 “Death Valley Adventure” 4 days 4WD tour of Death Valley & Saline Valley. 3 nights primitive camping.
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Deathvalleydesc

April 26: “Ruts & Ridges.” 1 Day near Wrightwood, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#RRRdesc

April 27: “Rocks Skills Clinic.” Calico near Barstow, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Rockdesc

MAY
May 03: “Rubicon Trail Preparation Clinic.” Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Prepdesc

May 04: “Vehicle Inspection Clinic.” Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Inspectiondesc

May 08: “Winching & Recovery Clinic” 1 Day Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman, CA,
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Winchdesc

May 10: “Beginning Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Basicdesc

May 12 &13: “Getting Started Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” HV SVRA near Gorman, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Gettingstarteddesc

JUNE
June 07: “Beginning Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Basicdesc

June 09 &10: “Getting Started Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” HV SVRA near Gorman, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Gettingstarteddesc

June 14: “4WD Sand Driving Clinic.” Oceano Dunes near Pismo, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Sanddesc

Quarter 3 (July, August, September)

JULY
July 12: “Beginning Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Basicdesc

July 14 & 15: “Getting Started Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Gettingstarteddesc

July 19-20: “Wine Safari” San Bernardino Mountains – Big Bear ,CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Winedesc

AUGUST
August 07 & 08: “Getting Started Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Gettingstarteddesc

August 09: “Beginning Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Basicdesc

August 12 to 15: “Rubicon Road Trip & Adventure.” Rubicon Trail near Lake Tahoe, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Rubicondesc

August 23: “Ruts & Ridges – Picking lines.” 1 Day near Wrightwood, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#RRRdesc

August 24: “Rocks Skills Clinic.” San Bernardino Mountains near Big Bear, CA.
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Rockdesc

September
September 6 & 7: “Rocks Skills Clinic.” San Bernardino Mountains near Big Bear, CA.
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Rockdesc

September 12: “Winching Clinic” 1 Day Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman, CA,
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Winchdesc

September 13: “Beginning Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Basicdesc

September 15 & 16: “Getting Started Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” HVSVRA near Gorman
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Gettingstarteddesc

September 20: “4WD Sand Driving Clinic.” Oceano Dunes near Pismo, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Sanddesc

Quarter 4 (October, November, December)

OCTOBER
October 04: “Rocks Skills Clinic.” Calico Mountains near Barstow, CA.
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Rockdesc

October 05: “Ruts & Ridges – Picking lines.” 1 Day near Wrightwood, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#RRRdesc

October 09-15: “Mojave Desert Expedition.” 7 days 4WD Needles to Big Pine, CA, 5 nights primitive camping.
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#MojaveDesertdesc

October 09 -11: “Mojave Road Adventure.” 3 days 4WD Needles to Barstow, CA, 2 nights primitive camping.
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Mojaveroaddesc

October 12 – 15 “Death Valley Adventure” 4 days 4WD tour of Death Valley & Saline Valley. 3 nights primitive camping.
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Deathvalleydesc

October 18: “Beginning Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman, CA,
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Basicdesc

October 20 & 21: “Getting Started Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” HV SVRA near Gorman, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Gettingstarteddesc

NOVEMBER
November 15: “Beginning Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman,
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Basicdesc

November 17 & 18: “Getting Started Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” HVSVRA near Gorman
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Gettingstarteddesc

November 22: “4WD Sand Driving Clinic.” Oceano Dunes near Pismo, CA
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Sanddesc

DECEMBER
December 05: “Winching & Recovery Clinic” 1 Day Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman, CA,
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Winchdesc

December 06: “Beginning Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” Hungry Valley SVRA near Gorman
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Basicdesc

December 08 & 09: “Getting Started Off-Road 4x4 Skills Clinic.” HV SVRA near Gorman,
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Gettingstarteddesc

December 13: “Rocks Skills Clinic.” Calico Mountains near Barstow, CA.
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Rockdesc

At all times, plan and itinerary is subject to change due to weather and unforeseen events

4-Wheelers Clear the Air About Air Tanks

Anyone who said 4-wheelers aren’t passionate about their sport doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Wow. Within hours of sending my message on Thursday, Oct. 25, my inbox was loaded with replies.

All of you provided some very valuable information on the vendors you use to fill tanks, which will be on my Web site soon - watch for that. In the meantime, I’d like to share some comments that arrived.

This is a compilation of feedback and tips received from CO2 Tanks users. There is some repetition of some ideas but it paints a strong picture.

Co2 Tank Use -Tips

• CO2 is popular because more cubic volume can be compressed in the tank. The downside is condensation inside the rims and freezing of the regulator under heavy use.


• Nitrogen does not provide as much cubic volume and hence you must carry a larger tank. Upside is that there is no condensation; the gas is not subject to as much change under heat so pressures stay relatively the same when the tire is cold or hot. Regulator does not freeze up under heavy usage.
  
  

Filling Up

• I call before hand to find out when they are filling CO2. If I schedule my time to match theirs, they fill while I wait, if not it stays overnight
  


• They have always been very careful with my tank (when filling it). They use adjustable wrenches. Bring your own if you are worried about marking.
  


• You cannot reliably fill CO2 unless the tank is empty. They do properly fill the tank though, this is key. That is they start with an empty tank, put it on the scale to get its tare weight, and then fill it up with 10lbs of CO2 by weight.
  


• Knowing the weight of your tank empty and full is vital. So is knowing how many tires it can fill per pound or half
  


• I weighed the tank to determine how much CO2 was left but I had trouble visualizing the result. I used a permanent marker to mark a scale on the side of the tank showing Full, 3/4 Full, 1/2 Full, 1/4 Full, and Empty. Alongside each of the five marks I wrote the tank's weight at that capacity. Now when I weigh the tank, I just look at the scale and it's easy to visualize how much is left.
  
  Calculation: You measure the Full weight and Empty weight. Subtract the Empty weight from the Full weight and divide the result by four to get the "number". Add this number to the Empty weight to get the 1/4-Full weight. Then add this number to the 1/4-Full weight to get the 1/2-Full weight. Finally, add this number to the 1/2-Full weight to get the 3/4-Full weight. If you did your math correctly, you should be able to add this number to the 3/4-Full weight and get the Full weight.
  

Safety

• It’s heavy, even empty, so it needs to be properly secured. You cannot operate it in the horizontal configuration, so if you want to use it without removing it from the vehicle you need to mount it (carrying bracket) in a vertical orientation.
  


• Have a damn solid bracket or strap…otherwise you have a potentially explosive missile in the back of your rig.
  


• Get a bracket for the tank, they are available anywhere and not only make transportation of the tank a good deal safer they also make it a lot more convenient.
  


• Their cylinders are made of aluminum, which eliminates my corrosion and cracking concerns.
  


• I did a lot of research on the safety of having a tank in an auto; the worst that can happen is getting hit by the tank. If the top were to ever break there isn’t enough pressure there to turn it into a missile like some people think (only has about 600-700 PSI).
  


• Always transport with the regulator removed.
  

Equipment

• Don’t skimp on the coil up hose, a cheap hose can get brittle and break under prolonged use such as performing repairs with an impact gun.
  


• Don’t run on the trail w/ the cheap $20 air hose kit from Pep Boys hooked up to the tank. It bleeds too much.
  


• Make sure you get a hose that is rated for 600-700 PSI. Stay away from the yellow nylon hoses they become brittle and will break
  


• It’s good to have nice heavy duty air line for the line from the tank to the air chuck. I have had two of those cheap yellow plastic self-coiling air lines (purchased at Wal-mart and Kragen) rupture when leaving the tank in the hot sun with the valve open. I use higher quality hose now, but still immediately shut the valve off as soon as I am done actively filling tires. This takes pressure off the hose.
  


• CO2 is cold and will freeze the line and fittings, so use good hardware.
  


• Gauges are nice but I have never felt it important to know tank pressure because it’s my understanding that tank pressure is not an indication of fill level--the tank provides max pressure right up to the end.
  


• Some people get the regulator with a gauge on it. I decided not to for reasons: the tank is under constant pressure, its liquid co2 but it holds vapor inside which keeps the tank pressurized – thus the gauge will read full, until it is empty. You can check it by weight – weigh the tank when it’s empty and then when it’s full – when close to the empty weight go fill it.
  

In Use

• Set the regulator for about 90psi, this will help control icing and is perfectly adequate for filling tires quickly, you can always crank the regulator up higher if you need to get particularly stubborn bolts off with impact (and I have).
  


• Also when using impact you will notice the tool dying out after a short period of use, this is normal, just release the trigger and let the CO2 "spool up" again. Quick bursts are your friend here.
  


• Power Tanks can only be used when they are in an upright position. The bracket holds the Power Tank upright and accessible so I can fill my tires without having to remove the Power Tank from my car.
  


• I can usually do 3 tires before my line freezes and I have to wait a bit to let it thaw, that’s when I reconnect my anti-sway bar, then finish the last tire, not a big deal. Because it is cold air, you will need to top off your tires the next day, mine usually goes down about 5-7psi overnight,
  


• During cold conditions it works slower.
  


• Several of my trail buddies even use it to frost their beer mugs at the end of the day in camp, just like the bars and restaurants do.
  

Backup

• I have a portable air compressor (Pepboys $50) and it works great as a back-up.
  Liked using my large tank so much I found I wanted a second smaller tank; it’s great for taking on road trips in the car or when I go out wheeling/motorcycle riding/mtb riding/etc…with friends without their own tanks.
  I keep the small bottle just in case I use up my large bottle out on the trail using tools or seating tires…
  


• Keep it inside the vehicle, use it wisely, and don't share it, nice guys finish with three wheels full and happy friends. CO2 is not free air like compressed like an expensive Kilby or York.)
  

I’m still compiling the information, but one thing is strikingly clear: You prefer to use air compressors. (In fact, only about 30% said they used air tanks. However of the tank user, they overwhelmingly prefer CO2 instead of nitrogen.)

A common sentiment for non tank users was expressed by this comment I received.

“I chose not to go with a CO2 version because when you run out, you’re out. Also, they have a limit to the number of tires they can fill up on one tank. When I’m out on the trail, I want to know that there will always be plenty of air for myself, my buddies and anyone else on the trail that may need my help. Having to ration my CO2 just doesn't make sense to me.”

Thanks, again, to everyone for responding to my survey. Regardless of whether you use tanks or compressors, your feedback will help make our sport more enjoyable for all.

I’ll see you on the trails!

Regards,

Tom Severin, President
Badlands Off-Road Adventures, Inc
310-374-8047
www.4x4training.com
Make it Fun. Make it Safe.


P.S. If you are interested in becoming a Tread Lightly! Trainer, I will be holding a Tread Trainer Certification Clinic the first weekend of January. Sign up early, since we will be notifying CA4WDC membership in early December. And check out the new event - Peach Cobbler Trail scheduled for January 2008!


_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

More on America's Hidden Treasures TV Show

I am writing this from a hotel in Denver where I am staying tonight at the courtesy of one of the airlines. I guess break downs and mechanical problems happen whether you are an airline or on the trail with your favorite 4-wheel drive vehicle. The key in both situations is to keep a positive mental attitude.

I am on the way to the annual Share Holders meeting of Badlands Off-road Adventures, Inc. in North Dakota. Badlands ORA is a North Dakota corporation. All the Share Holders and our advisors are meeting in a remote section of the Badlands of North Dakota in a small cabin looking down about 100 feet into the Little Missouri River. We will have to ford the river to get to the cabin. Oh and there is a nice green and natural brown colored outhouse in the back.

I received the email below from my friend and producer Ben Benedetti. This is a great potential show that spotlights 4-wheeling in a positive way. If you are on MySpace, log in and vote for it. Otherwise, join MySpace and vote for it.

Soon, I will share with you all the feedback we received about using air tanks. It is quite amazing.

Regards,
Tom Severin, President
Badlands Off Road Adventures, Inc
310-374-8047
http://www.4x4training.com/
Make it Fun. Make it Safe.


From: Ben BenedettiSent: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 11:56 PMSubject: America's Hidden Treasure and the Producer's Guild and Fox "Story Teller's Challenge"...

Dear Friends and Family:

I am excited to let you know that I have entered my TV pilot "America's Hidden Treasures" (AHT) in a contest the Producer's Guild of America and Fox are putting on at MySpace called "The Storyteller Challenge". Check out the official website at: www.myspace.com/storytellerchallenge - there are hundreds of great videos to watch. Check some of them out. The grand prize is $25,000 and a development deal at Fox!

The version I had to submit to the contest could only be seven minutes long and had to have new music added that I licensed specifically for this version as you can't break any copyright laws in the contest. The new music is very cool.

Please follow this link to watch the video at MySpace and VOTE for AHT and leave some comments if you are so inclined!
http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=21637895

As many of you know, AHT is a project I created and produced with the amazing love and support of a many dear friends of mine last year (too many too list here). It's message is very important to me and is something I am very passionate about. It has been an incredible experience. If you want to know more about the show and see lots of other clips and webisodes, please go to the official AHT website at: http://www.americashiddentreasure.com/

Please pass this on to your friends and thank you so much for you continued love and support.

B e n B e n e d e t t i

_________________________________________________________________

Can You Help With An Important Project?

Over the years I’ve noticed an increase in the use of air tanks (“Power Tanks”) to air up tires on a 4WD vehicle after a day of wheeling. A key to a useful tank is managing the contents of the tank and keeping it filled up. I recently heard a good analogy that it is much like making sure you have gas in your vehicle.

Since this is a unique process and not available everywhere like propane tank refill stations, I am preparing a new section on my Web site detailing where wheelers can go to get their tanks refilled. Your help in answering the following questions will allow me to provide some very valuable information to drivers throughout the southwest.

Please take a few moments to answer these questions. I will compile all the responses in a handy listing that will be available on my Web site, www.4x4training.com. The list will include the name and address of the business, its charges, and any other useful information.

Even if you don’t own an air tank, I’m interested in your reasons why. Feel free to offer your thoughts.

There are a couple ways you may respond. Hit “reply,” and type your answers right after each question, or create a new e-mail, and send that to me at tom@4x4training.com.

Do you own and use an air tank? (What brand and size)
Where do you get it filled? (business name and address, and hours they’re open, if you recall)
How much does the firm charge?
Will they top off tanks or do they bleed off no mater how much is left? If so, how much do they charge? Any other restrictions imposed by the shop – such as requirement to leave overnight?
Do you fill with other then Co2?
Any tips or suggestions for the proper use and transporting of the tank?
Any other tips, complaints, or suggestions?

Watch for this new listing in the coming weeks. Thanks for helping everyone enjoy the sport of four-wheeling more.

Regards,
Tom Severin,
PresidentBadlands Off-Road Adventures, Inc
310-374-8047
www.4x4training.com
Make it Fun. Make it Safe.