Freewheelin' - A Quadratec Channel Exclusive
Welcome to Freewheelin’, a question and answer session appearing every other Friday on the Quadratec Channel and featuring a person somehow involved with Jeep and its aftermarket/off-road/entertainment/lifestyle.
If you have any suggestions or ideas about someone you feel would make a great Freewheelin’ addition, hit us up at [email protected].
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by Matt Konkle
Quadratec Channel Editor
So when I was a kid, and probably for most of you as well, the outdoors was our Nintendo or PlayStation 4. And handheld didn’t mean some electronic box the size of a postcard. It meant a shovel to help dig out a fort. Or hedge clippers to clear out brush, so everyone could run deeper into the woods. The whole thing just felt special – kind of like it was our home.
Kyle Buchter knows a bit about that. A lot about that, actually. He’s probably spent more time outdoors than Bigfoot and has definitely seen more trails. He also knows a lot about vehicles; especially off-road vehicles.
Peanut butter meet chocolate.
Buchter combined his outdoor and vehicle love about 15 years ago, and became a certified off-road driving instructor by the International Four Wheel Drive Trainers Association (I4WDTA) and Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA). He then started teaching off-road driving techniques to those in the automotive industry, military, border patrol, dealership reps, and to folks just like you and me.
A veritable Johnny Appleseed, Buchter is, but instead of passing along apple-growing techniques, he preaches safety, vehicle knowledge and a better understanding of just exactly what these off-road vehicles – like Jeeps - can do. All so we can better enjoy our day outdoors. Just like he does – everyday.
Along the way his students, many of whom were first-time off-roaders when they started, have called him the ‘Yoda’ of off-road. Students like Ryan Revilla, who shared this on Facebook following an epic trip to Moab:
Kyle Buchter this post is dedicated to you. Thank you for your patience and belief in me. I use your instruction every time I am off pavement. You have nurtured my technical ability and confidence to be a better driver. It has helped me navigate through some of the most harrowing trails calmly and safely. More importantly vehicle intact! For this my wife and I give you our gratitude. Now your student is walking in the footsteps of the wheeling Gods in Moab!
But there’s more. Buchter now helps run Off-Road Consulting, a company in Southeastern Pennsylvania that offers guided trail rides, 101-, 201-, and 301-level off road instruction, winching and recovery classes, overland training, skill training for corporate employees who must work offroad, trail repair classes and well as product testing.
Buchter won’t physically drive you over any trail obstacles, but he definitely has the experience and knowledge to help you safely figure out the line and gain the kind of confidence that will keep you coming back.
So for all the off-roaders out there who love having a great time outdoors, as well as everyone who is looking to start, we present this week's Freewheelin' with Kyle Buchter.
Kyle, show us the way.
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Quadratec: So here’s the thing, we were out to dinner a few weeks ago with someone in the Jeep industry. And he said he was talking to you about becoming a trail guide because it sounded like a fun thing to do, this is a guy very familiar with Jeeps, and he said he was somewhat floored when you told him that trail guiding is serious business because if you mess up then people can get hurt or worse. Tell us what it is about trail guiding that makes it so important and what are some of the biggest responsibilities?
Kyle Buchter: It all depends on the type of guiding. If you are just taking friends out it is one thing. If you are taking new drivers or customers it is a totally different thing. What a lot of trail guides don’t realize is it is not about them. They are there to provide a service to the people behind them. They are trusting the guide to show them where to go and put a lot of trust into the guide to get them through it. Contrary to what most believe, the majority of people do not want to damage their vehicle. What they want is an experienced guide who will show them trails that they can handle and show them a good time. Where guides can get into predicaments is in areas where they put the person in a spot for potential damage. A good guide shows the participant a good time and keeps them in one piece. New drivers are like lemmings. If the guide drives over a cliff they will follow. A good versatile guide is hard to find. They need to be personable to the group, be able to read the group to determine trail level to fit driving styles, make sure everyone is having a good time, have knowledge or the right phone-a-friends to help with random vehicle mechanical issues, be able to deal with situations, and lastly know a good route. If the day is easy and no one breaks it is still a good day. If one vehicle breaks at any point in the day it can become a bad day quick.
Quad: Your bio says, among other things, that you’ve helped train those in the automobile manufacturing industry, military, border patrol, dealerships, and Department of Defense to understand what off-road driving is like. That sounds like a pretty big deal and a good way to show them the importance of off-roading. What was that like, and were you able to take away some good lessons yourself that influence the way you teach today?
Kyle Buchter: I am always trying to learn more. One of the first paid guided rides I guided was a group of hummers. The one driver approached and told me they wanted to do the hardest rock trails that I felt comfortable taking them on. Ok, that wasn’t a problem till he said by the way my wheels cost over $1000 each and I don’t want to scratch any of them. I honed my spotting skills that day. Jeep came out years ago and had a Rubicon TJ with $100,000 in sensors on it. We couldn’t get any of them wet or damaged but had to increase trail severity as we went to test torque and other stresses. Imagine going through an off-road park but not getting any of the wheels or suspension wet. Then do a blue trail and not touch anything but rubber on the rocks. The military likes to practice what they had learned, but look for a unique twist on what they have done before. It comes down to learning what the company is looking for and being able to modify curriculum to fit. There is always something new to learn on both ends - it is being open minded enough to do it. Experience is learned and earned. It takes time and diversity.
Quad: What prompted you to open your own business ‘Off-Road Consulting?’ Was there one stand out moment where you said ‘this is what I’m going to do’ or did it kind of evolve over time? How would you describe your typical day?
Kyle Buchter: I always enjoyed teaching others about the sport. I continuously have an interest in learning new techniques and product uses. This led to others wanting to learn from me. The main thing that really made me want to do this more often was seeing vehicles almost weekly leave an off road facility on a tow truck. Now this is very common but seeing the ones with less than 10,000 miles is a shame. It comes from people getting in with the wrong groups and picking up bad habits. This sport can be driven hard and with disregard but also with finesse and care. It is all in what someone is shown. I love seeing customers come back with other groups and not have any damage. All from being smart, careful, and driving their way. That is what it is about. Showing them how to enjoy this sport and not break the bank on repairs.
Quad: Over the years, we’ve talked with countless people who believe that taking their Jeep off-road is only possible with a huge lift kit, larger tires, winch, stronger axles – you know the drill. How do you respond when you hear that and, in your opinion, what equipment really makes up the best off-road vehicle?
Kyle Buchter: I hear all the time about how someone went to a shop and they told them they had to do all these modifications before even considering taking the vehicle off road. I always tell them try it with the vehicle as is. Learn what it can do in stock form. Most vehicles are very capable but you have to match the trail to the vehicle's abilities. Then build it to fit your lifestyle. You learn to appreciate it more. Build appropriate to what they want from the vehicle. Is it a daily driver, is it a toy, how long is the commute to work, how often do you plan on going off road, these are all questions asked. The reason for this is to make it fit your needs. Imagine commuting an hour to work each day in a Jeep with 40” tires with a family of four. This just to only go off-roading once a year. That is not very practical. Usually a small lift 2-5” with a 35” +/- tire is a great start. Then bumpers and skid plates with possibly a winch. This is a great start and with driving skills will take you far.
Quad: One of the larger headline tags on your business website reads ‘helping you understand your vehicle and what it can do.’ Why do you feel that information is so important to someone who owns a Jeep – and is it something people should learn whether they plan on off-roading or not?
Kyle Buchter: At some point when off-roading you are at a point where you need to know your vehicle well to get through a situation. This can be an obstacle or a predicament. One great feature of newer vehicles is traction control and similar electronic systems. Learning how to use them to better control the vehicle is a huge asset. This can get the driver through a situation smoother and easier. Less throttle and more finesse. Understanding the full dimensions of the vehicle but also how it shifts, drives, leans, twists, flexes, and every way the vehicle reacts to the terrain is important. Another example is the hill decent control. It is a great feature that will help control the vehicle in 4 Low.
Quad: If you had your choice of Moab or the Rubicon Trail for a week – where are you headed and why? Would it be something you’d love to trail guide, or just drive for the week?
Kyle Buchter: I would love to hit the Rubicon just because of the beauty of it. I have driven a lot of challenging terrain but lately it is the scenery and the overall experience that I love more than the hard obstacles. Doesn’t matter if guiding or participating, it is about being there and the experience.
Quad: As someone who is out on the trails virtually every day, what has been the wildest thing you’ve ever seen while on a ride and, conversely, what is the wildest thing that’s happened to you.
Kyle Buchter: Well wildest things I have ever seen range from vehicles completing impossible obstacles, but what always comes to mind are the mistakes. I have seen some major injuries and carnage over the years from people doing things wrong. Those stick with you. Wildest that has happened to me is a tough one. From driving hard obstacles to driving off-road race cars, it is all wild. There has been crazy recoveries, tough rescues, I honestly can not say one thing over others. I have stories that go on forever.
Quad: When I was growing up, we were always taught to be outside everyday as much as possible, whether taking a weekend camping trip or just playing out in the woods. You’ve seen the kids today always playing their video games or phones. Sometimes it feels like pulling teeth to get them to go outside. Do you agree/disagree? Do you see that age disparity in your trail rides or training classes – with classes containing mainly older riders like 30-, 40-, and 50-somethings vs. younger ones?
Kyle Buchter: I grew up the same way. We were told to be outside as much as possible. Part of that was because we would destroy the house also. My childhood was incredible. We went camping and to our family cabin all the time. I learned how to explore the mountains and find my way back when I was in the single digits. My parents would let me wander miles of forest with no one knowing where I was or having any type of cell phone or gps. I just figured it out. That honed my trail abilities to be able to remember trails and figure out where they lead. People today get lost easy. Technology is everyone’s friend but also a crutch. I get people in all age brackets coming out. It seems to be more people in newer vehicles though. They need that chance to get out and discover.
Quad: What is the state of off-roading today in your opinion? Is it growing, shrinking? Have you seen more and more governmental interference in recent years regarding trail use and is it all necessarily a good or bad thing?
Kyle Buchter: It is growing. It will always be a hobby of disposable income though. If times are good so is the sport and the opposite is true also. When people have a place to go then there is more in the sport. When places are taken away the numbers drop. DOT regulations are always making things tough to have a driver and an off roader in one vehicle but they are trying to keep everyone safe. We need to do our part also and help keep as many places open as possible to ensure a future in this sport/hobby. Land taken away is everyone’s black eye.
Quad: Out at SEMA this year, one of the key trends we noticed was a heavy focus on combining Overlanding with the Jeep brand. Many display vehicles had tents attached while camping gear seemed heavily integrated with the vehicle as well. How does Overlanding tie in with off-roading, and why is this something that should interest anyone who drives a Jeep?
Kyle Buchter: The trend is a good one in my opinion. It is camping, hiking, exploring, off-roading, and more all-in-one. It shows people want to get out and explore the world and it is a great trend. Overlanding is what you make it. You do not have to be a tent camper or an extreme off-roader. You can hotel it and take a Jeep Compass. It is getting out there to see things and explore. Having it contained in a vehicle makes it easier than towing a huge camper.
Quad: Say I show up at your door with a new 2016 JK Wrangler and am looking to take the 101 Driving Instruction Class. What are some of the things I can learn? Why does your terminology say that this is not the typical 101-type class?
Kyle Buchter: What we show you is how to understand the vehicle and different terrain types. Most 101-type classes are very classroom based or on a groomed course. There is the real world perspective of being on trails that changes with weather conditions and understanding how to adapt. Being comfortable with your vehicle is key also. The more seat time you have and the more obstacle practice, the more comfortable you become. Off-roading is a hands on learning experience. Best way to do that is behind the wheel in those situations. So we put you off camber, up and down hills, through water, over rocks, in the mud, and much more. All this while using the features of the vehicle to assist, but on the trail.
Freewheelin’ Express:
Quad: Automatic or manual for trail riding?
Kyle Buchter: I have always loved driving a manual transmission off road. It is personal preference though. I loved being in tune with the vehicle and the extra gear control that a manual provides. My latest Jeep is an automatic though. Reason for that is because more people can drive it and can relate to how it handles.
Quadratec: M. Night Shyamalan comes to you and says ‘I want to make a movie about crazy stuff happening to people off-roading in the wilderness – can you help?’ What do you tell him?
Kyle Buchter: We could make a movie that has a broad spectrum of users. From the 'watch this' crowd that can do some stupid things, to the 'top in the sport' that can tackle obstacles that look impossible. It would be cool to make a bug out movie. Imagine an earthquake that destroyed roads and buildings. You need to drive rough terrain and your vehicle is your home. Driving through rough terrain is needed to survive. Mark Wahlberg could play my role – LOL.
Quad: Is there such a thing as a great trail ride music playlist?
Kyle Buchter: Depends on you and what you like. I like it quiet when tackling obstacles, but on general trail rides I like music that keeps me calm.
Quad: Name someone who has had the biggest influence on you?
Kyle Buchter: There have been a lot of influences over the years. They have had parts of what I am and what I know. Like individual bricks in a wall - they are all important to the overall structure. I have my way of doing things though and driving in any facet is as individual as the person.
Quad: List these in order of your preference: rocks, mud, sand, pavement, snow, rain
Kyle Buchter: Rocks, pavement, sand, snow, rain, mud if I had to pick just from that list, but add logging roads, moderate trails, water, hills and others then it totally changes.
