Offroad driving training at Terranger Offroad- und Reisetechnik | more mud & stones

"CEEP CALM AND GO OFFROAD"

Terranger Offroad Driving Training

This weekend, the headline "Terranger, more mud & stones" is more than justified. Because there was plenty of mud & stones at the Terranger off-road training.

Ten years ago, an essay appeared in GEO magazine: More mud! - Kinder brauchen Natur - The author, Dr. Andreas Weber, received the German Reporter Award 2010 in the essay category for it. In 2011, the matching book "More mud!" was published.

Neidenstein

Since we have resolved to listen more to our inner child, "more mud" is also the motto of this weekend. Terranger, the specialist for off-road and travel technology, has invited us to the Rhine-Neckar district, more precisely to Neidenstein. The village of just under 1750 souls is not only home to Neidenstein Castle, but also houses the headquarters of the Terranger company. Terranger is next to Seikel the specialist for off-road conversions of VW T5 and T6 buses. Recently, the T6.1 is also part of the program. The exciting thing is that these two market competitors have a friendly relationship. Otherwise, there seems to be no real competition. As always in life, there are a few Copyists. But copying does not mean understanding.

Off-road tires, vehicle raising or, as in our case, the installation of a VB air suspension in conjunction with an increase in fording depth, as well as an underride guard, reinforced towing lugs are all part of Terranger's daily routine.

But not only Volkswagen friends are served here. The market companion Mercedes-Benz, i.e. Vito and V-Class, is also served. 

Species appropriate husbandry

But here and now it's not about a conversion, but about species-appropriate husbandry. Terranger has invited to an off-road driving training. Not only children, but also our SpaceCamper, nickname BUTCH, likes some nature. As you know, Torgit and I also like to be out in the fresh air. But no one could have guessed that Terranger would pull all the trumps. When we arrive in Neidenstein the day before, it is already raining cats and dogs. And it is supposed to stay that way. 

We find our night's lodging on a meadow at the edge of the forest, a bit outside the village. Pears and apples are "delivered" to us here free of charge. When we look for the way back to the road in the morning, it is already clear that our off-road driving training will be demanding. Is this really what we want? A mud bath? We are not quite sure. But the Terranger company certifies that we have ideal conditions. 

With us eight VW buses are at the start. Also with us is Maxwhom we got to know on Instagram, and visited a week before in Berlin. Otherwise, we meet a colorful mix. All individualists with a common passion, the wilderness.

Theory & Technology 

But first we get down to the theory. On site at the workshop, we get an explanation of the technology and what we need to bear in mind when driving off the road. We learn various technical terms and what one or the other of the car's switches is used for. It quickly becomes clear that expert training cannot be replaced by a look at the on-board manual. Rarely have we seen such attentive "students".

What makes the whole thing particularly exciting for us is that it is not about general off-road tips, but about many VW Bus specific topics. Among other things, it is about air pressure, the all-wheel drive, called 4Motion at VW, the effect of the electronic differential lock XDS, and why we use it only in exceptions. And why we switch off ESP, the Electronic Stability Program, completely when driving off-road. In addition, the specific effects of slope angle, ground clearance, fording depth and the topic of cargo are discussed.

Offroad mode

I found it particularly exciting that the off-road mode of our VB air suspension is only used in exceptional cases, since greater articulation is possible in normal mode. The off-road mode is only used to gain more ground clearance in partial passages, for example to drive over individual stones. Before going off-road, the theory is completed with the topic of recovery.

If you think that sounds like a lot of theory, you're absolutely right. Much more information was provided here than I expected. But these are absolutely valuable. Thanks to a tasty lunch, we go, or rather drive, well strengthened into the field. Terranger uses the site of an old quarry for its training sessions. Here we find ideal conditions. In the heavily wooded terrain we encounter the corresponding challenges, steep climbs as well as descents, inclined positions, rutted paths. Thanks to the rains, so to speak on top mud, a lot of mud, large puddles and even more mud. 

But there are also many sharp stones in the way. That commands respect, and that's a good thing.

Mud & Stones

Despite the rain and cold, the mood is good, because now we get to play like children. Soon we are only reminiscent of muddy children. The car is full of mud on the outside and inside. We are thrilled by what the vehicle can do despite or because of its heavy weight. Andre (Szebrowski), one of the two managing directors, provides the appropriate instructions and gives us the necessary security.

The co-pilots are quickly briefed and have to prove themselves as trackers from now on. Forming one's own opinion here is a challenge. The various participants' suggestions for improvement are too varied. But Torgit proves himself as the world's best copilot, copilot. Along the way, there is enough motivation that lifts BUTCH and me over the one or other stone. (Note from Torgit: In the video I often look more than serious or simply perplexed, because I was often simply overwhelmed to read the track. Sometimes I wondered who had the harder job, Marc or me).

Time flies by. But that's just the way it is when children play. In the evening, we sit around the campfire under the protection of a tarp. A spicy chili con carne also warms us from the inside. The next day we are allowed to gather more experiences. It quickly becomes clear that the limits are determined less by the vehicle than by the driver. The well-known motto "In peace lies strength" is also applied here.

Downhill

But sometimes a stout-heartedness is demanded of you that quickly takes you to your limits. Take downhill driving, for example. BUTCH and a few other participants were equipped with hill descent assist. Volkswagen writes: "Fully loaded downhill: the hill descent assistant ensures controlled and safe downhill driving by reducing the engine speed and, if necessary, intervening with the brakes."

So much for the glossy brochure. But who uses such a thing in everyday life? And who tells you in advance what it means to give up control of a vehicle when an abyss opens up in front of you that is no longer visible over the hood? Leaving your feet off the brake at such a moment is much more than just a queasy feeling. The hard men agreed afterwards, a crappy feeling.

But I learned something else for myself from it. I will only use the assistant on a long downhill run. Apparently, I still have enough feeling in my foot to approach the downhill stretch even more carefully. But maybe it's simply because I want to bring our living room home in one piece, i.e. to the next beach.

Salvage exercise

But despite my caution, it happens after lunch. Together we have to conquer a section of trail that contains everything. Water holes, rutted ruts, pointed, sharp stones, sloping, in combination with washouts. Doesn't it mean going ahead? So I bravely go ahead. Just when I get the hint that I am almost overcautious, the rear of the vehicle slips away, directly into the washout. The shock is followed by an unplanned recovery exercise.

So spade out and already is shoveled. This is easier said than done in the rocky soil. Next, a start-up attempt under guidance. But it quickly becomes clear that only the winch can help.

From what feels like safe terrain to nothing works anymore is a flowing, in this case a slipping, process. We are all the happier when BUTCH is stable and safe again at the end. Suddenly, no one wants to pass this section anymore. Everyone is more than shocked. For me it was good to see what and how the winch helps in an emergency. We don't have our own rope winch on board, but we do have a rope hoist with a ratchet. That would have been hard work.

Reconditioning

In the end, it's clear to everyone that these extremes are rarely ridden. And certainly not alone on tour. But the event gives us one thing above all: security! If we take it easy, we can get anywhere we want to go with BUTCH. It was clear from the start that BUTCH is not a Land Rover Defender. But I was absolutely unaware of how close it comes to its capabilities.

Then it goes with the Kärcher to the mud package. In total, I clean BUTCH from the outside and partly even from the inside for almost two hours. I could never have imagined where so much mud comes from. Again and again it flows out of hidden cavities. Fortunately, I remembered a few neuralgic spots from theory. The next morning, BUTCH goes in for a follow-up inspection. The undercoating looks good. There are only light scratches. Still, we find a shovelful of dirt. And our delta4x4 personal protection bar has suffered a bit. There it fits nevertheless well that they lie on the way to Munich, at the wayside. (Note from Torgit: Yes, read correctly: Marc has butch also inside gekärchert, no joke. The driver's footwell could not be cleaned any other way, and neither could the steps on either side).

Conclusion

When we leave Neidenstein, we are not only happy, but also richer in experience. Until now, SpaceCamper has left the market for off-road buses to market companions like TerraCamper. I hope this will change after reading this post. My tip: if you're going to shell out the money for an underbody guard, you should also invest in the proper training. It gave us joy, safety and respect. Many thanks to Andre, his wife Martina and his great team. Top motivated and always ready to help. And very important for me, the catering was also more than right. For whom this sounds like advertising, yes, I like to advertise. Free of charge and with pleasure.

PS: Here you can find our SpaceCampers Equipment details, our SpaceCamper Expansion, the SpaceCamper Detail equipment "Last Call, as well as SpaceCamper Insider tips.

Here our TERRANGER Offroad modifications, info about the topics Energy management, DIY Water tanks, DIY Rear carrier system, Vehicle Security & Anti-Theft, pit stop at delta4x4, Sand sheets, Vehicle foiling and Ceramic sealing.

To round off the topic Product piracy with offroad tuners.

The topics Packing list, Tips & Tricks, BUTCH & Friends, Home port, the Travel blogs, the subject HAPPINESS MUSCLE as well as About us we have dedicated separate sections. You can contact us here.

And last but not least here is our link overview "Follow the Sun". So you know where you can still follow us. 

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