Wheeling 101

Driver & Passenger safety is very important!  Seatbelts will keep people from being bounced-around in the cab on rough terrain, and from being ejected in the case of a Rig tip-over / roll-over

You may want to consider securing your Dog, it would be terrible to see a family Pet injured on the trail!

Equipment & personal-possessions should also be secured in your Rigs, to avoid being bounced-around on rough terrain, injuring people in the Rig, or damaging the Rig

Alcohol and/or Substance Abuse will not be tolerated!  

Do not arrive at the designated meeting-point/trail-head under the influence of any prescribed or recreational substance, that may affect your ability to complete the trail in a safe manner

Do not consume any prescribed or recreational substance during the Trail Run, that may affect your ability to complete the trail in a safe manner

When acting as a Spotter, consider the path you are guiding the Driver over, and your location: stay out of the expected path-of-travel, and even a little further off to the side in-case of an unexpected Rig movement

First & Foremost ~ DON'T do anything you're afraid to do!!!

Our experienced Trail Guides will do their best to guide you over the terrain.  They can see parts of the trail & the undersides of your Rig, that you can't see from inside.  Listen to the Guide, follow their direction, but, if you are truly afraid for the safety of Yourself, Your Passengers & Your Rig...  take the bypass trail: no-one will think any less of you for making a smart & safe decision!

Keep your Rig in good working order!  Follow the recommended maintenance program from your Manufacturer.  Inspect your Rig pre-trip, to make sure it appears to be in good working order...  and post-trip, to determine if your Wheeling Adventure has caused any damage

Wheeling/Participating in Trail Runs is Voluntary: CO4x4 cannot be held responsible for any damage, illness &/or injury, that may/is caused by attendance at Trail Runs

Trail Safety includes taking appropriate measures/precautions when you encounter the following conditions:

• Water Crossings
• Washed-out / flooded areas
• Downed Trees / debris
• Spill / Leak from a Rig
• Other Trail Users
• A broken-down Rig
• Wildlife 
• Dumped garbage
• Unpassable obstacles  
• Poor visibility: fog, rain, etc...

Attempt to be prepared for such conditions by doing some trail research among club members or online, prior to attending a Trail Run, carry various equipment such as:

• Spill clean-up supplies
• First-Aid Kit
• Bug Spray
• A selection of hand-tools: mechanical repairs and/or to clear trees / debris

Trees / shrubbery should not be cut-down for convenience: this should only be done when there is a trail-blockage or a safety risk to any/all trail users

**Do not bring any weapons**

for the purpose of defending yourself from Wildlife

As previously noted, by default, CO4x4 will move to the side of a trail: where it's safe to do so, to allow other trail users to pass, unless they wave-us-on 

As we pass other Trail Users, by "calling-out" or "gesturing", we will identify how many more of our Crew are still coming, in order for the other Trail Users to determine when they may safely proceed

Where Horseback Riders are encountered, Please attempt to come to a full stop in a safe spot, and allow the Horse & Rider to pass: do not use the Horn or other loud noise-device, this may "spook" the Horse

Watch carefully for Dogs as they may suddenly pass in-front of, or under, your Rig

  Watch carefully for Wildlife as the animal may suddenly pass in-front of, or under, your Rig  

Wild animals of all types will likely be "spooked" by our presence and leave

Some animals may be curious and watch from a distance

Some animals may be a little brave and approach: especially if they detect the smell of food (& have unfortunately been de-sensitized to the fear of humans)

Animals that are sick, diseased or injured may act in unexpected and out of the ordinary manners.  Be prepared to seek shelter in your Rig

Make all attempts to keep your Dog (& young children) from confronting / chasing Wildlife

Between getting to the Trail-Head, running the Trail & getting home: this can be a long day!!!  Even for a Trail Run that you believe to be only a few hours: accidents/unforeseen events happen, and the day may get long

Carry a selection of nutritional foods and drinks: water, sports-drinks (non-Caffeine) and healthy snacks will help keep your energy, alertness & spirits up, while on the trail.  Often CO4x4 Members have been known to bring portable BBQ's for a hot-lunch: Please be responsible & safe with the use of these devices, and secure them appropriately in your Rig

Coolers should be secured in your Rig: be careful with perishable food products, as they may not last on long Trail Runs

Take all garbage with you!!!  Do not leave any garbage on the trail: consider using food containers that are reusable (Tupperware) and will be take home with you

**A quick note about "I gotta go"**

Going to the washroom on the Trail can certainly present some risks:

• Exposure to foliage that may cause a reaction: poison ivy / oak, rose-bushes, etc...
• Attracting Wildlife
• Contaminating the Environment 
• Leaving paper-waste behind, etc...

...do your best to "limit" this need if possible, do not leave any paper/sanitary products behind, attempt to select a "location" that doesn't appear to be hazardous, respect peoples privacy, and tell someone your going, so you don't get forgotten / left behind, or they can assist you if you get injured / exposed

There isn't enough that can be said about protecting yourself from BUGS!!!

Some Off-Roaders will keep their windows up and use the Fan/Air Conditioning: this may be comfortable, but you run the risk of your Rig over-heating & inhibits your ability to hear verbal-cues from fellow Trail Users

One suggestion is to run your fan (not A/C) on high with the vents pointing out the window openings to create a "breeze" that may repel some bugs, spraying bug spray around the window opening may prove helpful

Whether you chose bug-repellants that are available in Retail locations, or you have your own "special brew", always consider bringing enough

Be careful when applying Bug repellant: do not spray directly on your face, spray into your hand and "tap-apply" it to your forehead, cheeks, ears & neck...  NOT directly around the eyes  

Spraying your hat/cap is also helpful & does not directly expose your face

Consider additional treatments such as "afterbite" products, if you are particularly sensitive, an Over-The-Counter (OTC) Allergy Treatment may be warranted, just be careful to select a Non-Drowsy formulation: especially if you are the Driver

There are numerous Non-Medicinal treatments that various people suggest provide relief:

• Making an X with your fingernail on the bite
• Lemon juice on the bite
• Spit on the bite, etc...

In keeping with the Tread Lightly concept, all trash must be taken with you from a Trail Run

Remember the phrase:

Don't be an Ass, pick up your Trash!!!

You may use a simple bag/receptacle in your Rig: numerous Off-Road suppliers/retailers offer different receptacles including something called a Trash-a-roo bag (aptly named after the similarity to a Kangaroos pouch) that hangs off your rear spare tire or tailgate 

Consider your food/drink choices and follow the same concept used by the School System: go trashless!!!

Bring your food/drink in reusable containers (tupperware / water-bottles) 

As a courtesy, when you're stopped for a break/lunch, if you see garbage left behind by less-responsible Trail Users, consider picking this up and removing it along with any trash you have

(Please protect yourself and consider wearing some type of glove or using some type of "tong" to pick up trash)

Trail communication is a necessity to keep everyone aware of what's going on around you on the Trail, what's coming up ahead, if moving to the side is necessary to allow another Trail User to pass & just to "keep in touch" during the run

A hands-free, reduced-touch or Bluetooth device would be a great choice as these would leave your hands on the steering wheel & reduce distractions.  The volume of your chosen device should not be set so loud as to startle yourself or your passengers / pets / wildlife

Communication device choices include:

• Citizen-Band (CB) Radio
• Walkie-Talkie 
• Long-Range Two-Way Radio
• RF Radio

Your Trail Host will advise of what "channel" you intend to use at the Trail Head before the run starts

Cellular &/or Satellite phones are often not good choices as they often require continuous hand-holding (unless you have Bluetooth in your Rig) and they also will use-up a lot of Bandwidth, Data or Call-Time on your Account

Several Potential Hazards are present as you navigate the Trail

While navigating the Trails, keep these safe operating standards in-mind:

Driving

• Speed:  Drive at a slow or walking pace, to afford yourself the ability to see an obstacle, assess the condition and make a decision which way you intent to go
• Brakes:  Be prepared to apply the Brakes quickly, however, "hammering" the brakes may result in an uncontrolled skid on loose/wet/slippery terrain.  "Riding the brakes" is a common technique used
• Manual Transmission:  Some skill & technique will need to be used to keep your speed slow and be prepared to apply the brakes quickly 
• Seatbelts:  It is advisable to wear your seatbelt at all times when Off-Roading: especially if you operate a Rig where the doors may be removed
• Loud Music:  Although there's nothing wrong with enjoying a favourite song on the Trails, loud music may prove distracting to yourself & other Drivers.  Additionally, this may prove to be a source of curiosity for Wildlife.  Loud music may also affect your ability to use/hear whatever communication device you've chosen
• Belongings:  Any/all belongings should be secured in your Rig: as you "bump & roll" along the trail, items in your Rig be be a source of injury to you &/or you passengers, may cause a spill in/out of your Rig, and, may get jammed under or around the pedals/controls affecting your ability to correctly/safely operate the Rig
• Smoking:  Cigarette/Vape smoking during driving may distract you, it removes one hand from the steering wheel, you may drop the cigarette/vape between your legs, or, in the case of lit cigarettes, cause a burn on your face 

Steering

• Grip:   A slightly "loose" grip will allow the steering-wheel to move/roll a little with the terrain & will not result in a minor injury/strain and sheer exhaustion trying to rigidly hold your Rig in a straight line on the Trail
• Thumbs:  Keep your thumbs out of the "spokes" of the steering wheel: a sudden "jarring" of the steering wheel to either side caused by the terrain, could bend your thumb the wrong way out, or in towards the palm of your hand
• Tongue:  Keep your tongue out from between your teeth: a sudden "jarring" of the steering wheel to either side caused by the terrain, could result in a very painful biting of your tongue 
• Head:  Keep your head away from the windows (if they are closed) or from being too close to the steering wheel, a sudden "jarring" of the steering wheel to either side or hard-stop by an obstacle or the brakes, could result in painful injury to your head/face: knocking-out your teeth, being knocked unconscious &/or breaking the glass

Please be reminded: recreational drugs &/or alcohol use on the Trails is not condoned and will not be tolerated!!!  Some Prescription medications may also affect your ability to safely enjoy the Trail, and the safety of other Trail Users!!!

Trail Navigation is a conversation often debated: in the world of technology, we have numerous devices available to us to make sure we follow the correct Trail and don't get lost:

• GPS Devices
• Downloadable Topographical Maps 
• Navigation Systems in Rigs
• Cell Phones 
• Sponsored / Managed Trail Use systems & maps: Vehicle Multi-Use Trail System (VMUTS) 

There will always be a place for good old traditional paper/printed Maps, and for those well-experienced Off-Roaders who just "know" the Trail

Tire Pressure is another conversation with diverse opinion on what's best: however, most Off-Roaders will agree that reducing tire pressure/deflating certainly does create a better "grip" on the Trail - much like when a Cat "kneads/clenches" their paws while Purring

Where the tire hits the Trail is called the contact pad/patch.  When you deflate your tires, the size of the pad/patch gets larger, thereby giving you a larger contact point, and the tread of the tires will "grip" the irregularities of the terrain better: again, as mentioned, like a Cats paws 

Deflating too-much runs the risk of "loosing the bead" (seal) which means the bead (centre-edge) of the tire that contacts the rim comes away from the rim, allowing the compressed air in the tire to escape, resulting in a flat tire

A product called Beadlock is available on the market, but may not be suitable for every rim type.  Beadlock works by keeping the tire attached to the wheel at all times: there is some controversy about whether Beadlock is Street Legal.  The risk is: two or more sequential Beadlock bolts could break, and the Beadlock ring could partially or wholly leave the rest of the wheel, this would result in an instant "blow-out", at highway speed, the results would be catastrophic.  Beadlock also makes each wheel heavier due to the added components/hardware 

All Off-Roaders should have the ability to re-inflate their own tires: a selection of permanently-mounted or portable air pump systems are available.  You should look for a system that has a higher Cubic-Feet-Per-Minute (CFM) rating: 2.5 CFM is very good - as opposed to a pump with a larger reservoir/cylinder

Approach & Departure Angle refers to the open-angle / space between the lowest point on the front-end/bumper and the tire.  If the tire is closer to the front/back of your Rig, you will be better able to drive up/down steep angles (& drop-offs) without the front/back end making contact with the terrain/surface

There are a couple of ways to improve your approach/departure angle: 

• Going to larger-size tire, which brings the tire/tread closer to the front/end of the Rig
• Changing to high-clearance bumpers, which sit higher & possibly more recessed on the frame of the Rig

Certain Rig types are particularly known for "good" approach/departure angles, even in stock models:

• Certain Jeep models
• Hummer
• Certain Land Rover models

High-Centering: also known as the Breakover Angle or more simply, Bottoming-out - this is where the terrain &/or obstacles or debris on the terrain passes between the wheels & strikes the bottom of your Rig - or - when you drive over a sharp-angled "peak" that hits the bottom of your Rig before the wheels clear the peak-angle

This can result in:

• Varying levels of Rig damage: drive-train, frame, exhaust, fuel-supply, brakes, etc...
• Being stuck & requiring rescue/recovery
• Trail surface damage
• Fluid leaks that contaminate the Trail
• A healthy dose of "razzing" by your fellow Off-Roaders LOL 

Outfitting your Rig with larger tires &/or a selection of Skid-Plates, will help prevent serious damage:  Skid Plates are made of Steel (heavy) or Aluminum (lighter) that will protect various components on the bottom of your Rig:

• Drive Train
• Exhaust
• Fuel Lines / Gas Tank
• Brake Lines
• Steering Components
• Oil Pan
• Transmission
• Transfer Case
• Front/Rear Differential... 

...you'll need to research what Skid-Plates may be available for your Rig