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Randall Reed Family Owned & Operated Since 1992
Last month, our Planet Ford Dallas public relations director drove to Marble Falls, TX to attend the Ford Bronco Off-Roadeo experience. The all day program, produced by Ford and a talented group of gear heads who revel in the great outdoors, is held at a luxury-style basecamp off Texas Hwy 71 on the west side of Lake LBJ and the Horseshoe Bay Resort. She drove her own Ford Wildtrak Sasquatch to the site, but used the dozens of Bronco loaners available to owners who want to polish their off-road driving skills.
The program is open to most Ford Bronco and Ford Bronco Sport owners (model year and trim levels apply). You can visit https://BroncoOff-Roadeo.com
to see if your model meets the current criteria. More than 11,000 people have participated at the Texas location!
The day begins with check-in, introductions, and an explanation of what to expect the rest of the day. You may also brouse the extensive collection of retail items including branded clothing, Bronco accessories, Bronco drink & cooler ware alongside the displays of iconic Bronco history.
Once gathered outside, the instructors explain the whys and wheres of using different features on the Bronco on progressively more difficult terrain and weather situations. Driving across streams - how deep is too deep? Driving up sheer rocks - how big is too big or too steep? What to do in gravel and hair pin turns ?Much of the time the information is about using driving finesse, the right gears and selecting the right approach angles rather than using the Bronco's brute power. Slow and steady is the mantra. Using the two-pedal approach is the highly encouraged. Right foot on the gas and left foot on the brake - used together in a slow and controlled manner - often solves most off-road challenges.
GOAT Mode and Manual 1 gears are used throughout the day to crawl over large bolders, down steep inclines and around tight trails. Did you know that in Manual 1, you can put the Bronco in Cruise Control at 2 to 2.5 mph and simply steer the vehicle? It will automotically adjust to trail conditions in a slow and steady crawl, each wheel operating independently of the other. And those buttons across the front dash with little axel icons - control the vehicle differential. This can lock tires into position for tightly controlled turns where shimmying and sliding might occur. Use these features for "in the moment" circumstances, then press the button to release the feature before continuing along the trail.
Midway through the day, there is a lunch break. Then 30 mins later you are out on the trails with more variety of off road situations. And, at the end of the day, drivers get to cut loose a bit on a winding flat dirt track where you can get up to 40+ mph. It's as messy and fun as off-roading can get!
Even if you can't get to one of the several Off-Roadeo experiences around the country, you might want to consider joining the nearest chapter of Bronco enthusiasts including the nationally recognized Bronco Nation. This organization represents thousands of Bronco owners around the world who are dedicated to enjoying and protecting the great outdoors including national and state parks. Learn more about Bronco Nation at https://thebronconattion.com
