Khwela 4×4 Driver Training

Your 4×4 Has a Mind of Its Own. Here’s How to Work With It.

Picture this. You’re crossing a stretch of soft sand, and the vehicle starts to bog down. You give it more throttle and nothing happens. The revs drop and one wheel seems to be braking on its own.

Nothing is broken. Your vehicle’s electronics are doing exactly what they were designed to do, and in sand that can be the wrong thing.

Modern 4x4s read yaw, steering angle, braking and throttle input all the time, and they step in when they think you’re losing control. On tar that’s helpful. In sand or mud, those same systems can cut engine power or brake individual wheels. Unless you know when to switch them off, they can work against you.

That’s the gap Bernie Williams closes at Khwela 4×4 Adventures. He has more than 25 years of experience, trains on every brand of 4×4, and teaches all his courses at the De Wildt 4×4 Trail near Brits. If you live in Gauteng or the North West, it’s an easy drive.

You don’t have to be a beginner (or an expert)

Some people buy a 4×4 for work and never think about what it can do. Others have owned several, been on plenty of trips, and still can’t say exactly what the traction control button does. Both are common, and both are welcome.

You might recognise yourself here:

• You’ve driven 4x4s for years but never had proper instruction
• Your newer vehicle has more electronics than your last one
• You carry recovery gear but have never used it
• You and your partner travel together, and you’d both like to know what to do if something goes wrong
• You’re planning a longer overland trip and want to be confident before you go

You don’t need any previous skill, and you don’t need to be young or fit. You just need a 4×4.

First, bring your own 4×4

All Khwela training is done in your own vehicle, which means you learn on the one you’ll actually be driving. Bernie doesn’t offer his personal vehicle for training because of insurance restrictions. If you don’t own a 4×4, you can arrange a suitable rental yourself. Either way, it needs low range.

Three ways to train

Introduction to 4×4 Techniques: the full-day foundation

This is the one to start with if you want to understand your vehicle properly. Safety comes first. Everything happens in a controlled environment, you stay on existing tracks, and an instructor is always close by. Questions are welcome, because the more people ask, the more everyone learns.

The morning is theory, and it’s the part most owners say they wish they’d had years ago:

• How your 4WD system works, and when to use high range and low range
• What the transfer case actually does
• Traction control, diff locks, Hill Descent Control and stability control, and when to switch them off
• ABS, and automatic versus manual use off-road
• Tyres and tyre pressures
• Approach, crossover and departure angles
• Safety features off-road, from seating position and seatbelts to airbags, loose cargo and open or closed windows

Then you put it into practice:

• Hand signals and steering technique
• Ascents and descents, including gear selection and crawl mode
• What to do after a stalled start or a failed hill climb
• Water crossings, before and after
• Traction control versus diff lock, and when each one wins
• Axle articulation, side inclines, ditch crossings and rock driving

The day runs from 08:30 to 17:00. It finishes with certification and a chance to relax and chat with the other participants.

Recovery Techniques & Gear: know your kit before you need it

Most people who carry recovery gear have never used it. Then something goes wrong, on a bad track with no signal, and they’re reading the instructions for the first time.

This course changes that. You learn to identify each piece of equipment, understand what it’s for, and use it safely:

• Steel versus soft shackles
• Attaching snatch straps and kinetic ropes to the correct recovery points
• Air jacks and hi-lift jacks
• Sand tracks
• Winches, including the differences between steel cable and synthetic rope

Then you split into groups and use the equipment yourselves. Changing a flat tyre counts as a basic recovery skill here, and you’ll practise that too. Bring your own 4×4, because you’ll be working with your own vehicle and its recovery points.

One thing Bernie is upfront about: he can’t teach you how to do a recovery, because every situation is different. What he can teach you is the correct and safe way to use the equipment. That distinction matters, because badly used recovery gear is a real danger.

One-on-One 4×4 Training: your vehicle, your pace

If you’d rather not learn in a group, or you want to focus on your own vehicle, this is for you. It takes about 3 to 4 hours, and Bernie’s attention is entirely on you.

It starts with around an hour of theory: your vehicle, suspension, differentials, traction aids, the transfer case, tyres and vehicle dynamics. It also covers sand, mud, water crossings and convoy driving. Then you drive. Bernie starts you off gently and moves to more technical terrain as your confidence grows.

Two practical points:

• Trail entry is charged separately by the De Wildt 4×4 Trail, per vehicle, and is paid by you. Check the current rate on the course page when you enquire.
• Bring your own 4×4. Bernie can’t supply a vehicle because of insurance restrictions. A suitable rental you arrange yourself is fine.

Not sure where to start?

Many owners do the Introduction course first and add Recovery afterwards.

Questions people ask

Where does the training take place?
At the De Wildt 4×4 Trail near Brits.

Do I need off-road experience?
No. The Introduction course is aimed at beginners and needs no previous skill.

What vehicle do I need?
A 4×4 with low range, which you bring yourself.

Can I use Bernie’s vehicle?
No. Bernie doesn’t offer his personal vehicle for training because of insurance restrictions. Bring your own 4×4, or arrange a suitable rental.

Will my vehicle be damaged?
Training is in a controlled environment. If you stay on existing tracks and follow your instructor, damage shouldn’t happen.

Can my partner join me?
Yes. The Introduction course is open to couples, groups and individuals.

How much does it cost?
Current prices are on each course page.

How do I book?
Use the enquiry form on the course page or WhatsApp +27 78 630 2853.

Ready to get to know your 4×4?

Pick the course that suits you and get in touch. Bernie is happy to answer questions before you book.

• Introduction to 4×4 Techniques
• Recovery Techniques & Gear
• One-on-One 4×4 Training
• All driver training