Four-by-four Driving
Off-roader Driving
Tom Sheppard(Author)
Desert Winds Publishing
3rd Edition
Published on 15. August 2006
Book
Hardback
216 pages
978-0-9532324-3-7 (ISBN)
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Description
"Four-By-Four Driving" is an all-new book - now well-established - based around the sell-out editions of "Off-Roader Driving" and "The Land Rover Experience". The new title reflects a slight change in target readership to include the 'busy mum' 'soft-roader' drivers and those needing advice on what to look for when buying a 4X4. It addresses the often unnecessary bells and whistles with which they are equipped, the obfuscating brand naming and plethora of TLAs (three letter acronyms).There is clarification of the multiplicity of 4X4 systems -'...the most important Section in the whole book...' - even for those who never go off road. The book pulls no punches in its examination of current design foibles, poor ergonomics, technophobic journalists, marketing, and sales people.It includes a uniquely incisive and straightforward analysis of the dynamics of trailer towing - a role for which many 4X4s are purchased.A large proportion of the book is devoted to a step-by-step look at all aspects of using a 4X4 off-road - safely and non-damagingly. For novices, it takes the mystique out of off-roading not only with its content and diagram but with its comprehensive glossary.
For professionals it offers valuable techniques and rarely seen advice. The book has been selected by Land Rover for The Land Rover Experience driving school in the UK and the US.Recent bulk purchasers include a US distributor and the Royal Geographical Society.It has an Expedition Basics section with invaluable information on tyres, fuels, oils, loading and water filtration.
For professionals it offers valuable techniques and rarely seen advice. The book has been selected by Land Rover for The Land Rover Experience driving school in the UK and the US.Recent bulk purchasers include a US distributor and the Royal Geographical Society.It has an Expedition Basics section with invaluable information on tyres, fuels, oils, loading and water filtration.
Reviews / Votes
"'His writing is superb. The most complex subjects are explained with striking clarity and simplicity supported with summary side notes and... hundreds of attractive drawings and pictures. Most surprising is the quality of the excellent all-colour photography, which combines high information content with stunning locations and artistic merit.' (Daily Telegraph, UK) '... an inspired result... unusual distinction of being well written (clear but not condescending)... thoughtfully designed and beautifully illustrated. The quality of photographic images, sketches and diagrams is exceptionally high...' (Land Rover Owner International magazine, UK) '... one of the most comprehensive collections of 4X4 information we have ever seen packed in one place. Everything from the basic driving techniques to advanced winching in the elegantly laid out hardback. Beautifully scenic color artwork and 3D illustrations simplify concepts and communicate the ideas and theories.... Packed with technical information, we recommend this as required reading for anyone interested in 4X4s' (Four Wheeler, USA) '... the supplement to this book looks at new technologies such as Land Rover's Terrain Response and evaluates them against real-world criteria... Sheppard applies a seasoned cynic's view... and some of his conclusions can have you grinning and nodding in agreement.' (Land Rover Enthusiast, UK '... We are big fans of Tom Sheppard, here at LRM... a must-have for anyone contemplating taking their vehicle off road... packed with no-nonsense tips and very practical advice gleaned from over 30 years of 4X4 ownership... the accompanying supplement takes us through the seeming myriad of 4X4 systems, not just those of Land Rover, and cuts away the marketing-speak to reveal the truth.... this upgrade gives you the opportunity to get one of the finest 4X4 books yet written.' (Land Rover Monthly, UK) 'Serious off-road drivers will not want to be without this... typically thorough... Read this book and you'll know more than many an expert.' (Autocar, UK) '... an elegantly written, crystal clear guide to the machinery and its use.... writes with humour as well as clarity... some beautiful photographs.' (Evening Leader, UK) '... a section on towing which ought to be required reading for anyone thinking of hitching up a trailer... Thoughtfully laid out... written with a sense of humour. This really is a brilliant book to buy for anyone who drives a 4X4...' (Distance Rider, UK) '... a must... one of the finest 4X4 books yet written.' (Land Rover Monthly, UK)"More details
Edition
3rd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Hertfordshire
United Kingdom
Edition type
Revised edition
Dimensions
Height: 252 mm
Width: 196 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-9532324-3-7 (9780953232437)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions

Tom Sheppard | Tom Sheppard
Four-by-four Driving
Book
10/2011
2nd Edition
Desert Winds Publishing
€47.28
Article is exhausted; no reprint
Person
During TOM SHEPPARD'S career in the Royal Air Force as a pilot and test pilot he planned, led and trained teams for numerous expeditions and operations - among them the first coast-to-coast crossing of the Sahara through the Mauritanian Empty Quarter for which he received the Royal Geographical Society's Ness Award. He has now totalled well over 100,000 overland miles on four and two wheels and has been a 4X4 owner for over 30 years. Between expeditions, he has worked for British Aerospace and been 4X4 consultant to a major international manufacturer. On this, the logistics and planning of expeditions he admits he is unlikely to ever stop learning.
Content
SEC 1: 4X4 INGREDIENTS; The appeal; The compromises; Why four-wheel drive; Traction - 4X4 and low range; SEC 2: FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEMS; Types of four-wheel drive; Applications; Controls - levers, buttons, diffs; Controls - hubs, axles, handbrake; Low box - when and how; Automatic transmission; SEC 3: PRELIMINARIES; Mind-set; Gentle right foot; Geometric limitations; Look before you leap; SEC 4: TECHNIQUES; Towing - on-road; Driving on tracks; Ridges and ditches; Climbing steep slopes; Descending steep slopes; Traversing slopes; Weak ground; Sand; Rocks, stones, corrugations; Wading; Ice and snow; SEC 5: RECOVERY; Self recovery; Towing out; Snatch towing; Winching; SEC 6: ADVANCED DRIVING; Non-synchro gearboxes; Range change, moving - manual; Range change, moving - auto; Down slopes; Towing off-road; SEC 7: EXPEDITION BASICS; Call of the wild; Training for the trip; Vehicle preparation; Equipment; Logistics, vehicle choice; Fuels, engine oils, water; SEC 8: LOADING, TYRES; Loading; Typres; SEC 9: REFERENCE; Glossary/ Index. Index; END.