I guess I will start this off.

First of all, keep the Tread Lightly rules in mind at all times. There is a pretty big environmental lobby out there and they really want us to get shut down.

I suppose before I start in on the baisics, it would be a good idea to remind folks why this is important. Most of the time the violators i see are punks who have put a 200 dollar lift on their truck, and some crap 33's, as well as folks with a completely stock truck, taking their new 4x4 out for the first time. The problem is that, for some of us, this is a very real passion, a very expensive hobby. I have put thousands into mine. I know people who have a $2k truck with $40k into it. I also know folks who have $200 trucks with $40k into it towed on a $5k trailer behind a $50k tow rig. Keep that in mind the next time you feel like ruining some unoffending piece of land because you suddenly figured out how to use the short lever.

Tread lightly implies exactly what it says. Keep your impact to a minimum. This means not EVER straying from the trail, even if "there's a really cool boulder or mound of dirt". Don't drive on private land, don't drive on public land unless either one is specifically designated okay for OHV use. OHV does include our vehicles, as far as i'm concerned. It goes off highway, so it has to abide by the rules just like dirt bikes.

The reason behind this is simple. If you leave tracks, the next guy will see them, think its okay, and follow your tracks. This will happen to the point that a road forms. That road may erode and cause damage to the surrounding hills. This happens enough, and you've got an ugly place. Most folks don't like that.

You can read all of that in the Link at the top.

Now, i'd also like to put in a couple of things that some folks seem not to know or not to care. I wheeled with a guy once who was hopelessly ignorant and it really put a damper on the day.

First and foremost. Don't EVER bring a sick truck to the trail. If your truck isn't starting, or is making funny noise, or whatever, don't bring it. Catch a ride in the passenger seat of someone elses truck. When i wheel with someone, should they happen to break, I will stay as long as it takes, and do what it takes to get them up and running again. I will never leave someone on the trail. If your junk wasn't working at the start, i'm gonna be mighty pissed. If your truck was healthy, then no worries, i know it will happen to me someday, and I wheel with folks i trust.

Don't bring an underprepared truck to the trail. Don't come out with bald tires on a snow run, don't come out without rock protection on a rough trail, or be unprepared for damage. You have to research the trail, or ask someone else, before you get onto it. I have no problem helping someone along, but when they hold up the entire group becasue they are so slow, it becomes a problem.

Make sure you have gas, make sure you have water and food, and make sure you have tow points. You can't get unstuck if there is nothing to hook to.

Keep pets under control. Its hard enough to drive with out worrying about a dog or racoon or tame hippo running around. Make sure they aren't bothering others too. Other than that, please bring them out, cuz i love meeting peoples pets. Met a 4wheeling ferret once. Had a little pouch strapped to the rollcage in a jeep. Wierd.

last for now, keep in mind at all times when driving on a one vehicle wide road. If you meet another vehicle, one of you is going to have to back up. I have always been taught that it was the downhill vehicle (the one traveling uphill) that had the right of way. Other folks say its the other way around. I have read things things that say both. Figure out a good rule, but be flexible. And don't get onto a road where you can't handle your vehicle in any situation.

Add to this if you feel like it. Its just a start and certainly up for discussion.

 

Awesome post!!

You would think that most of this stuff is common sense. But unfortunately, to alot of people its not.

 

good post, ike!

i'd also like to point out another thing: the auto manufacturers are just as guilty of sabotaging our image as vindictive, selfish enviromental-types as well. i recall the first few 4th toyota 4runner commercials with a few guy ripping through trails to show the vehicle's power, taking sharp turns, etc. the message was "look how fast you can rip through a trail!" while there are definitely times where you can safely gun it in this manner, but the perception that these commericials convey to the average person who watches tv is that off roaders are nothing but reckless drivers when they get off the pavement.

that said, all of us off roaders have an obligation to use the trails responsibly and not act like a bunch of loud, drunken idiots.

which brings me to my next point: dont drink and drive. or smoke weed, etc.

in many ways, off roaders and smokers are in the same category: scrutinized beyond belief. therefore, it is up to us let our actions speak for themselves.

bob

 

4x4 newbies --- This should be your 4x4 Bible!

 

I have heard bth sides of this debated for 20+ years now and I am no closer to having a concrete answer than I was in the 80's.

So, if in doubt, if it's possible, yield! The other guy might be drunk, out of control, not paying attention, at the limits of his abilities or all of the above. ALWAYS defer to the other driver and you will NEVER find yourself forced off the edge of a cliff by some @ss with Budweiser on the brain. Sometimes it's obvious who should go first, particularly when one rig can't get out of the way for one reason or another... but for the rest of the time, yield first, then figure it out. Trying to bully your way in will eventually end badly and in this sport, badly can mean maimed or dead.

"He who yields the right of way, lives to wheel another day".

Yes, you may quote me... hahahahhahah

 

"If you pack it in, pack it out."

Snacktime on a trail run is a great way to take a break from bouncing around on a trail, but please pick up after yourself!

 

I think Rob has the best advice for that situation, ignore mine. Yeilding whenever possible makes life that much easier.

A couple more things.

There have been all types of threads about stuff you should carry with you. I think there are a couple essentials. First Aid Kit is a must, as is a fire extinguisher. Also a spare tire and the kit to change it (including the factory jack) is also essential. A tow strap, jumper cables and some minimal tools are nice. I recomend a survival kit, and a blanket too, but a lot of people keep that in their car already, and a flashlight. Doesn't have to be huge, but something to see into dark areas with. As you get farther into it, you'll carry more and more crap, but if its your first time, make sure you've got at least that.

Along the lines of mud monkey, pack it in pack it out may also apply to human waste. Make sure you check it out for where you are going to be. I'm sure all of you have read about areas of the Rubicon closing because of this very problem. A few areas around Moab also require this. It's not fun, but if its the regs, then do it. I purchased a nice portable toilet, with bags, and it works great.

Lastly, with respect to fellow wheelers, if you use their stuff, offer to get em a beer or a couple bucks, especially with respect to airing up. For folks who run CO2, it costs to refill, and its nice to offer. I will usually turn people down for compensation, but you gain a lot of respect if you offer anyway.

 

amen.....

X2 and while your eating, take a quick look around, not everyone picks up after themself, or may have honestly, not seen something.

 

One of the most important rules I see newbies break is STAY ON THE TRAIL AND RESPECT TRAIL CLOSURES. There's no excuse for going around a purposely blocked trail, be it a log or a dirt moud. It is there to restore an area that has been subjected to fires or flooding that may cause erosion. Or it may be there because a landowner got tired of people tearing up is hills. There are plenty of places to wheel without wrecking it for everyone else.

Dennis

 

With regards to gates.

If a trail is closed it will usually have signs, gates, etc...However, out here, many times a forest service road will cross private land. These land owners may have gates across the trail. If a gate is there, then get out and inspect it. If there is a lock on it, turn it around. But if not, open the gate, get the trucks through, and close it. Make sure you close the gate. The owner of the land may run cattle, or something, and not want his animals to get out. If the gate gets left open too often, they will lock the gate down, and close the road.

I usually will close a gate, even if it is left open. Sort of like the "clean up after others". It's no big deal to open it again, and that way, there aren't problems with the landowner.

 

Keep in mind that the rules here can be regional. What he is describing above is common in the southwest and areas where there is rangeland and livestock roam free.

Up here in the Pacific Northwest, a closed gate, whether locked or not, usually means "keep out". We don't have a lot of rangeland where it's gated to keep animals in. Usually a gate is to keep people out.

Get to know the area you wheel in and what the law of the land is. That goes hand in hand with knowing who's land you are on and having permission to be there.

 

when approaching head on traffic on a hill the up hill person must back up to allow the downhill driver to pass. the reason for this is that brakes often work poorly while going backwards down a dirt hill. front tires lock and do nothing.

My pet peave is smokers who throw their cig butts anywhere. i smoke and if i just absolutly cant find a place to properly dispose of my butt i extinguish it and put the but in my butt pocket, if you allready smeel like smoke alittle more wont kill ya!

 

We kind of discussed that already and that rule doesn't really work. I have a dozen trails up here I can take you on where that rule is not reasonable. Trails where it's just not safe for you to back up because you don't have the control to do so safely or couldn't get restarted if you wanted to. Not to mention that the odds are the other guy either doesn't know your rule or chooses to disregard it.

Always yield if you can, regardless of position on the trail.

 

true true, just stating the general rule and reason behind it. obviously no rule works in all circumstances.

Pack out more than you pack in!!! having an open bed i throw all kinds of stuff back there, i love it when a hiker goes by and sees all the trash i have picked up, they look like they want to hate you but they cant.

 

How about alcohol at the camp and not on the trail? Mostly for those driving, but also for those who are riding shotgun.

 

I don't think I would want a drunk spotter.

 

This is an excellent collection of guidelines for people who would otherwise be ignorant to good etiquette.

 

yes, i suppose i should have stated that too. Always figure out the rules in your area. Here its okay to open the gates if they are not locked, but if that is not okay where you live, then don't do it.

 

one rule i cant emphasize enough..... DRINKS SHOULD BE IN CANS.... NO GLASS..... no one likes a cut to hell foot and the look of broken glass is just so ghetto.... the accidental glass breakage can still cut you and besides if you dump your rig you'll still have some cold brews for that storytime at camp...... one place i camp alot in baja has gotten so bad that we dont really camp there anymore.... these yahoo's come and drink beer and then throw the bottles in the fire. well the sand blows hard and these fire pits will slowly get covered then that lovely walk on the beach turns into a head lamp steristrip and superglue session....NO GLASS!!!!!!!

 

Definately no glass, and i like your reasoning! Hey you can get Newcastle and Amstel in cans so even the snobs should have no prob with this!

NO FIRE WOOD WITH NAILS!!! No pallets, no old fences etc. Wheeling and camping and camp fires go hand in hand!
Mike