Hilux on Its Side: Real-World 4WD Recovery – Watagans Gone Technical

This episode, Kurt and I take on some of the Watagans’ most technical 4WD tracks. What starts out as a solid run turns real when my Hilux ends up on its side—first time I’ve had two wheels off the ground in 15 years. We walk through every step of the recovery, the damage, and the aftermath. You’ll see: Full technical recovery, step by step Rock crawling up John John’s Hill—no shortcuts Real talk on damaging your rig, what actually breaks, and lessons learned The reality of pushing both driver and vehicle limits Kurt’s “buy a Nissan” karma moment (and yes, he cops it back when it counts) Down-to-earth encounters: A young bloke’s Patrol in trouble at Five Ways Honest assessment—no staged drama, no skipping the tough bits Why it matters: This is technical 4WD for real drivers who care about skill, not hero shots. Gear featured: Hilux, Nissan Patrol 4.2. Location: Watagans, NSW. Doing it responsible: No hooning. No rubbish. Never drive sensitive tracks when wet. Mods fully engineered, road-legal only. Technical driving isn’t just “sitting in a car.” It’s teamwork, bushcraft, fitness, and respect for the environment—with the blunt truth about good and bad habits in our scene. Australia needs better enforcement, not blanket bans. Support the channel: MemoryMaps for All – get 10% off a Hema 4WD map set with this link: [ https://w2.memory-map.com/cgi-bin/lic... ]. Helps fund more honest content—with zero strings attached. Subscribe for more unvarnished 4WD action, technical driving, and gear that’s actually used, not just advertised. My Position on Technical 4WD Driving Technical driving, or rock crawling, is four-wheel driving over challenging terrain—not reckless driving or hooning. There's a crucial difference that's often misunderstood. For me, technical driving isn't just about being behind the wheel; it's deeply connected to being in nature. This experience plays a significant role in many people's physical and mental well-being. It's not simply sitting in a car—we spot, run up and down hills, and evaluate terrain. The camaraderie and friendships that develop are vital for both individuals and our community. I understand that technical driving isn't everyone's cup of tea. But there are many sports and activities that aren't my preference either. I don't blame people for enjoying things I don't, and I believe we should respect each other's preferences and chosen activities, even when they differ from our own. A diverse society accommodates various interests. I firmly believe all off-road activities should be carried out responsibly: • No littering • Avoiding unnecessary damage • Not driving tracks in rain or immediately after heavy rainfall Generally vehicles featured in my technical driving videos are properly engineered and road legal. I don't condone driving non-road legal vehicles on public land or tracks. Modified vehicles should always comply with relevant regulations unless being used exclusively on private property. A track is a track. Once created, it impacts nature like everything else on Earth. But we need perspective—the overall land affected by 4WD tracks is minimal compared to areas impacted by storms, bushfires, and floods. Nature constantly changes through erosion, fallen trees, and other forces; it also heals itself, especially from minor impacts like those from responsible technical driving. Many technical tracks have existed for generations. The USA shows how this can be managed effectively, with gatekeepers ensuring only properly equipped vehicles access technical trails—keeping unsuitable vehicles off tracks and reducing rescue needs. I acknowledge some 4WD drivers do the wrong thing, and I thoroughly condemn this behavior. But closing access to everyone because of a few irresponsible individuals isn't the solution. We need better enforcement against those doing wrong while allowing responsible enthusiasts to continue enjoying our remarkable landscapes. Australia seems to be losing its balance between responsibility and access. Rather than teaching good stewardship and holding individuals accountable, we're increasingly taking the easy way out through prohibition—which solves nothing and only concentrates impact elsewhere. I'll always speak up about what I believe is right. People often lump all four-wheel driving together, but I love touring, care deeply for the bush, and also enjoy technical driving as a hobby. These things can coexist without the destruction some might imagine. What we need is smarter management, not less access.