Episode 1022 – Jeep EVs With ICE Option?
Landslide, after the party
Wendy, on our last flagship episode Bill and I talked about a Black Bear Pass video where a man and his wife were traveling down the mountain and they were met with sleet, rain, and some rock slides.
It just dawned on me today that you live off-road in the mountains. What would you do if the trail was covered in rocks?
New EVs may come with internal combustion motors?
Both the upcoming Wagoneer S and Recon—set to be the brand’s first EVs—could get internal combustion variants, according to Jeep’s new CEO
Other alternative fuels we have been promised, Compressed air, Hydrogen and unicorn farts, and pixy dust. Do you want to really do something? Fit a nuclear reactor in my Jeep…. Hmm, this is starting to sound like Fall Out the new series.
We told you so!
Newbie Nuggets with Wendy
Part 3- Using a Spotter
Last two weeks we discussed using a spotter, their role, and verbal commands along with some do’s and don’ts on your part. This week I continue with non-verbal commands in spotting, also referred to as hand signals.
These tend to help the driver keep their eyes on the spotter and pay attention vs only listening and looking out their driver’s window. The commands should be easy to understand and obvious. In other words, make the hand gestures simple but large and not obscured by clothing/gloves. I learned that on a cold day, the gloves I had on were black, my jacket was black and the driver couldn’t see my hand signals as easily. Once I removed the gloves and got my hands away from my body, no problem.
Some common non-verbal hand signals;
Point left: use your finger pointed left for the driver to turn right.
Point right: use your finger pointed right for the driver to turn left.
Come forward: hand up with palms facing the spotter and a come forward motion
Go back: palms facing the driver held out with a pushing motion indicate to go back or reverse.
Climbing up/down a rock: The spotter will point to the tire and use their open palm in a rising palm up or lowering palm down motion to indicate that the tire is about to climb up a rock or come down off the rock.
STOP: With a closed fist: Means STOP. A closed fist signifies that the driver MUST NOT move. This means don’t turn the wheel and DON’T let your foot off the brake, don’t put it in park or set the parking brake. The Jeep might move and pinch or trap someone’s fingers, or worse. This is really important if a Jeep is stuck and people are helping to move rocks under the Jeep, etc.
Now these commands may vary between spotters so if you aren’t sure what something means, ask them. The only time I would use verbal commands while using non-verbal cues was if I needed to explain or talk to the driver. I would talk to them quietly at their window while they were stopped. Of course, if there is something that could happen and the driver is not stopping I am not afraid to yell STOP. Again, doesn’t happen very often but every once in a while excitement overcomes a driver and the brain isn’t watching me. I really love non-verbal because it’s calm, and quiet and when we roll up to an obstacle and there are other jeepers, we watch. And when it’s our turn we simply guide each Jeep up and over obstacles with no yelling, no confusion and the drivers have a great time. The looks on other jeepers faces is priceless (that’s my favorite part LOL). Being able to get a Jeep through with no verbal commands.
My absolute favorite way to spot non-verbally is when I have the driver mirror what I am doing. I learned this technique from Don Alexander with Trails 411. The spotter holds their hands up as if they were holding the driver’s steering wheel with their hands in the 2 o’clock and 10 o’clock position. I move my hands (as if turning their steering wheel) in the direction I want the driver to turn. The driver sees this and applies the same motion. It’s amazing to watch this actually work and takes some time to get used to (if you are a spotter). The best thing I can say is this mirror image can show small or large movements. Compare that to someone saying “driver”. Does that mean a tiny turn or a full lock turn? With the mirror image, the spotter is showing you how much to turn. If they move a tiny bit, you move the steering wheel a tiny bit, if it needs to go full lock, then you go full lock. Visually it’s the best, in my opinion. If you are being spotted by non-verbal commands and they use this mirror image, it’s important to mirror the exact movement the spotter is asking of you. If it’s tiny, move a tiny bit and stay there. I see this sometimes; after directing a driver to turn the wheel, we have to “let go” of the wheel, straighten our hands and give them the “move forward” motion with our fingers or hands. The driver typically straightens the wheel and puts the wheel back where they started. It’s normal to want to “return” to the starting point. We then explain that they need to leave the wheel where we left them until we give them another “steering direction.” We’re just trying to get them to move forward with the steering wheel in the position we left them in. Once the driver feels comfortable with what I am asking/showing, it’s seamless.
The visibility of the spotter is also very important. It’s vital for the driver to see the spotter clearly at all times and for the spotter to clearly see the driver. The spotter may need to adjust their position so that you can see them. If you can’t see them, speak up. Sometimes the Jeep may be in a climbing position and the spotter needs to get to a higher position so you can see them or coming down off an obstacle, the spotter may need to adjust lower down so you can see each other. When you are driving, if you can’t see your spotter, ask for them to move so you can see them.
As a newbie driver, I am always suggesting you get out and look at the obstacle for yourself before driving through it. Watch other Jeeps go through and watch how that spotter is getting them through. You will also note if they are using verbal vs non-verbal commands. If you watch others and you aren’t quite sure what form the spotter is using, please ask. Don’t be afraid to get some clarification. This is your chance to learn and experience what your Jeep can do over obstacles. Once you start driving over obstacles, you will love the exhilaration of accomplishing that obstacle. Using a spotter, in the beginning, is beneficial to learning what your Jeep is capable of and how it feels.
BTW using a spotter is a badge of honor. It means you tackled a tough obstacle (whether it’s your first time or you are an experienced driver). Having an extra set of eyes is so powerful. Don’t be afraid to use a spotter – that goes for all you experienced drivers too!
Next week I will finish this series with how to pick a line.
(https://www.youtube.com/user/backcountrydriver)
Overlanding Vehicle Builder’s Guide
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