Guest: Driver or Non-Driver

[JBlanco]

I just booked the TN Off-Roadeo for my wife, in October. I bought her the Bronco and would like for her to at least drive it once like it was designed to do and to understand all the buttons and features in a practical environment.
I'm booking myself as a guest, I've off-roaded a Wrangler I previously owned multiple times and took it through all the trails in Uwharrie and other trails.
I have little interest in being an active participant in the Off-Roadeo, I'll be there just to take pictures, because I want her to learn the most from the experience.

The question is, should I book myself as a driving or non driving guest. I know it's just a $100 difference, so the cost is not the issue. I saw it's a 10 hours experience so will she be too tired to drive and give up mid day?

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[RagnarKon]

Can't really answer the question since I obviously don't know your wife, but just give you an overview of the day:

The first quarter (or so) of the day is "outside classroom" instruction. Just demonstrations on how the vehicle works, the basics of off-roading, how to spot someone, etc. They'll ask for volunteers to help them demonstrate, but the vast majority of the group isn't actually driving, it's basically a classroom setting.

The rest of the day is actually driving. You'll be split up into groups of 6-8 Broncos with an instructor (or two), and you'll go off and start driving. You aren't driving the entire time though, there are lots of small breaks throughout the day. For example, if the group approaches a difficult obstacle, the instructor will ask everyone leave their Broncos and gather around the lead Bronco so he/she can explain the best way to approach the obstacle. Or... if a Bronco happens to get stuck they'll ask everyone to gather around so they can explain the basics of off-road recovery.

So it isn't like the driver will be stuck inside the Bronco the entire day. And there is also a lunch break halfway through the day (unless you go on a Sunday, which does lunch before the day starts rather than halfway through the day).

 

[Brian_B]

I can't speak for all the guides, but during our run - they didn't actually care who was signed up as driver or guest. They were asking why I wasn't letting my 16 year old (without a driver's license) drive for some of the easier parts.

There were lots of opportunities to swap drivers, stop and take pictures, get out and stretch/pee/whatever.

For the Moab run, it was about an hour in the showroom at the base camp, and around 6 hours behind the wheel - with a short 30 minute break for some sandwiches for lunch on the trail. Dinner was provided when we got back to base camp.

They had a professional photographer there as well taking shots as you went over the obstacles, and about a week later they had the photos for sale if you wanted to purchase them.

 

[userdude]

Personally, my answer would be let her do it and just support her, if you don't think it'll be too stressful. I went to Texas and it wasn't that challenging, but there were a couple spots where someone with driving anxiety might balk. I don't know what happens if you're a "non-driver" and she wants to stop driving while you're out. For us when we went out, they weren't really paying attention AFAICT.

Texas does have the little race course, which you could skip. I don't really care for that kind of driving, so I let my brother do it, plus a couple obstacles. Of course he was Hummer qualified, so no biggee, but I had more fun in the passenger seat on the race course than driving, I think.

Also, ten hours probably includes the pre-ride discussions/demos and post-ride festivities (Texas had a bonfire, a band and food for about three hours). We were only on the trail maybe 4.5-5 hours? We went out last, maybe around 10:30, and were back by 3:30. Fivish hours?

 

[JBlanco]

Thanks for all the answers, I'll leave it as is then. She has been off-roading with me and the local group but has never driven off-road. Our Wrangler had a manual transmission, I don't think that was the reason, but it sure made it more challenging. I booked a Monday thinking it would be a slow day for everyone.

 

[604Bronco]

I'd leave it to her to make a decision, since it's her Bronco. However even if you wanted to try it out for 20 minutes you wouldn't be able to without being listed as a driver.

 

[userdude]

Thanks for all the answers, I'll leave it as is then. She has been off-roading with me and the local group but has never driven off-road. Our Wrangler had a manual transmission, I don't think that was the reason, but it sure made it more challenging. I booked a Monday thinking it would be a slow day for everyone.

One thing, show up early and see if you can get in the first group if there's more than one. A Monday might be fine (depends on it being new and nice time of year to be out), good choice. For me went on a Saturday, wanted a 2dr BL but got a 4dr WT because I was in the last group and the 2drs were all gone by then.

The facility should be nice and have coffee etc.

 

[BigBend530]

Did Offroadeo in Moab May 2023. Signed girlfriend up as the primary driver. She had never driven offroad and only driven our Honda SxS on gravel roads. I signed up as a driving guest in case there was something she didn't feel comfortable doing.

Let's just say I never got to drive during the Offroadeo. Even after she was up on 3 wheels numerous times with the first hour of the trail portion. She would ask me if I wanted to drive, smile and laugh, and keep driving.

Of course, I had to go back and run most of what was done in Offroadeo with our own Bronco the next day.

 

[Oldhippie]

When we did moab there were only two couples in two broncos and the guild encouraged everyone to drive (my wife did not)…I have no idea who was signed up as “driver”…

 

[Scoop]

If $100 is not an issue, sign up as a driving guest. Keep that option on the table! My guest was my B-I-L and we swapped driving. It was fun to drive some and to watch some.

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