Aussie blokes knock back a beer as ute becomes flooded in the ocean

Aussie guys have been buying kitted out 4x4s in hopes of exploring the country.

But their adventures in the wild are turning into a nightmare, with many getting stuck on beaches, grasslands and muddy brush surfaces.

Tow truck drivers have been making a fortune rescuing Aussie guys ‘in full gear and clueless’ and have issued a blunt warning to drivers with ‘no skill level’.

Many don’t know how to safely operate these vehicles on surfaces other than asphalt, before they get stuck or break down hundreds of miles from help.

A Queensland company reported 11 stalled vehicle rescues in a single long weekend.

James Stewart, director of Driving Solutions, told Daily Mail Australia that more drivers bought expensive SUVs to travel and see Australia during the coronavirus pandemic while international borders were closed.

Tow truck drivers have been making a fortune rescuing Australian guys ‘in full gear and clueless’

Many of those who have chosen to spend their weekends taking their new 4x4s to the beach, desert or grasslands often don’t know how to safely operate these vehicles on these surfaces before they get stuck or break down.

“There are more people traveling through Australia so the number of stuck vehicles is more visible,” he said.

‘The cars [4WD’s] they are more compatible [with off-road terrain] now and makes drivers feel more comfortable and confident. Eventually, conditions are catching up with people.’

‘They [drivers] then usually you call us and think, ‘Oh crap, I wish I had done this course.’

Stewart’s company offers a specialist 4×4 course that helps Australians develop safer off-road driving skills.

Stewart says he just “wishes” his business could reach new 4×4 drivers before they make their “first mistake.”

“Four-wheel driving is the most dangerous driving,” he continued. ‘Footprints are a living organism and are forever changed by weather conditions.’

“It’s important to understand what your car can do and what the driver can do.”

Queensland towing company Clayton’s Towing reported 11 rescues of stuck vehicles over the Easter long weekend on beaches north of Noosa and along Fraser Island. (In the image: one of the stuck vehicles)

Driving Solutions director James Stewart (pictured) says many new drivers are taking newly purchased 4WDs out onto different terrain for the first time without “any skill level.”

Andrew Boyd of the Toyota Land Cruiser Club of Australia believes that many Australians are buying 4WD without being adequately informed by dealers on how to operate it safely.

‘They [buyers] take them out of the showrooms. The dealers weren’t telling these people the different buttons to push,” Boyd said.

“Then they take them to the beaches and get into all kinds of trouble.”

Boyd recalled a time when he had just bought a new 4WD when he was 20 years old and took it to the beach for the first time.

He soon found himself stuck in the sand, but luckily he was helped by a passing driver who informed Boyd that his tire pressure was the reason he was stuck.

‘Someone came up to me and said, ‘Have you lowered the tires?'” Boyd recounted.

‘When I got home, my brother told me to join this club. He taught me how to drive these vehicles,” he added.

James (pictured) runs Driving Solutions, which offers driving equipment and event services along with extensive driving training courses in Sydney. One of Driving Solutions’ main training courses is 4×4 driving training

Adventure 4WD’s David Wilson agreed with the point that there are more drivers off-roading now than ever after the pandemic, hence a higher number of incidents.

“Post-Covid, there has been a massive increase in interest from Australians wanting to travel the country and many have bought new or second-hand vehicles to do just that,” he said.

Wilson explained that crashing or getting stuck while driving on new terrain can be an “expensive exercise” and that driver training can help mitigate the chances of a breakdown.

‘Budding travelers can refer to many sites that are helpful in providing guidance on vehicle operation and management. That’s good and also the experience gained from a practical course, the kind of thing we do here at Adventure 4WD.’

Many of those who have chosen to spend their weekends taking their new 4WDs out onto different terrains often don’t know how to safely operate these vehicles on new surfaces before they get stuck or break down.