kmroloff wrote:No touching the moffie knoppies
I think this "moffieknoppie" term is an invention of Herman's, the implication being something along the lines of "real men don't use axle diff locks". I know it is said in jest, but I am not sure that I subscribe to that school of thought.
Different vehicles achieve their levels of mobility in different ways using different approaches and different technological solutions. The Pajeros are known to have suspension systems that work very well on tar, but are at a bit of a disadvantage compared to some others when it comes to keeping the wheels planted when the terrain is undulating. For this reason Mitsubishi has offered rear differential locks for a long time (even when many competitors did not) and more recently has fitted traction control or a rear diff lock and traction control in some cases.
Now in my mind it is ridiculous to call someone names because he correctly applies the technology available to him; if a Pajero driver is a "moffie" because he uses his rear diff lock, does that mean that a Defender driver (or indeed Herman in his Safari
) is also a "moffie" because his supple suspension managed to keep all four wheels planted through an axle twister?
It is of course true that an axle diff lock can often get one through a difficult situation even when using a poor line; after all, adding axle diff locks generally improves the mobility of a vehicle much more than improving suspension suppleness. This means that one can often learn more by trying out different lines without the axle lock engaged. In a similar vein, one probably learns to be a better driver if one uses a vehicle with less supple suspension as a learning tool than when using one with superb flex.
The bottom line is that a training course should ideally focus on learning the basics as well as the correct application of all the technologies available to the driver, taking account of aspects such as environmental damage, vehicle damage and also safety.
). But it was all in good spirit.
)