Trail Etiquette

Colorado is a big state. We have TW members all across it. On any given weekend, there may be a trail run or two planned somewhere.


1-Be on time. If you can't be on time, be 10 minutes early. You show up on time for work, this is really no different, people are counting on you. I know it's the weekend. It's the weekend for everybody.
These runs are usually set up a few days or more in advance, with discussion of the trail. There will be an agreed upon meeting place and an agreed upon departure time from that meeting place.

Stick to it or you may be left behind.

Sometimes, members are near the trails. While others are halfway across the state.
For those that have to drive an hour or more... (I've personally driven 3 hours, one way, to wheel with a small group.) It's kind of a drag to have to sit and wait for those who are "just a few minutes late" and sometimes live nearby. If that's the case, then lets meet at your place so I can tear up your bathroom instead of the convenience store.

2-Be sure and let the group know if you are going to be late or a no show. I know, just contradicted the above....Just so we know to expect you at some point and aren't left wondering if you are stuck somewhere on the trail, the highway and need help, or simply slept in and still in your pj's..
If you are on time though, then nobody has to worry.

3-Communication.
CB radios are reliable, cheap, and they work everywhere on the planet.
This should be on your build list right between the bumper and the winch install.

Cell phones are great except when they don't work. I'm truly surprised, and disappointed, at some of the remote locations we are now able to get cell service. But it's not perfect and varies by carrier. Plus they are only good for two people, not good for 3 or more vehicles and you shouldn't be on the phone while you are wheeling anyway

I can personally guarantee that your cell phone will not currently work up here on the Northern trails.

I will be blunt...If you have had your ride for over a year, have a bumper, sliders, winch, lift, etc...it's time to get serious. For less than the cost of dinner and a movie out with the significant other, you can have a fully functional CB radio that will be with you far longer than any cell phone. No, you don't need to transmit and receive 10 miles, just far enough to talk to the drivers in the group. If you don't know what you are looking for or how to install one, just ask, 20 guys will volunteer to help for the price of a beer.

4- Recovery gear. Everybody gets stuck. Everybody.
This is something that is acquired over time. It is not necessary to have it on your maiden run. But make sure at least ONE driver has some kind of gear, tow straps at the very least.
It helps to have a hook point on your ride too. Actually, it really is required. Most vehicles have tie downs from the boat, but maybe take a look at the front and rear and see what you don't mind having yanked off. Mod days are great for adding tow hooks or some kind of reliable recovery point. If you are stuck you will be either extracted with a 8000lb winch or bigger, or somebody yanking your strap with a 4000lb truck. If it ain't stout, you'll find out right away.
Never use chains for towing or recovery. Straps only and NO Hooks. They will most likely cost you a windshield or maybe just kill you.

5-Stay on the trail. No short cuts across switchbacks. If it's not a road, it's not to be driven on. If green stuff is growing on it, let it grow.
Entire trails, or parts of them, are closed every year due to drivers going "off road", parking on the grass, taking a shortcut across a switchback, or attempting obstacles that really aren't obstacles...
Now honestly, I really see very little of this from the TW members that I have run with. It's usually first time noobs, wheeling alone with too much beer and the measuring stick is out, or they simply haven't been educated on what will happen.
This is your time to be a steward of the forest and gently let them know. But use common sense. If you think they will be un-receptive to something like that, just let it go. Not worth being shot over.


6-We are here to wheel.
This a Toyota website, for wheeling enthusiasts.
If extracurricular activities are mentioned beforehand and everybody is on board, then cool.
Otherwise, keep the quads, crawlers, firearms, etc for lunch break or another time altogether.
Basically don't hold up the group.

7-pack it in, Pack it out.
This includes policing your brass.
Carnage Canyon was a spectacular area to wheel in years ago, some truly awesome hard core obstacles and trails.
Due to shooting abuse alone, the trails are now closed permanently.

8-Keep an eye on the driver behind you.
Ok, so you are new, new to you ride, new to the trail, no radio, no clue where you are.
You have no idea what turn to make because the driver in front is suddenly no longer in view when you get to the fork in the road. Don't guess. Wait until somebody comes back for you or somebody behind you knows the way.

When you get to a fork, stop. Wait until the driver behind you is in sight and knows without a doubt where you are going.
I have seen this rule followed pretty well among the drivers who have been around for a while. But still needs to be mentioned.

9-Set a vehicle order based on common sense.
Don't put the new drivers in the very back. Or the very front. The trip leader needs to know where they are going and should have run the trail before.
The Tail Gunner should have some experience, recovery gear, CB radio or other form of reliable communication. The Tail Gunner is solely responsible for everybody on the trip getting through the trail. Don't pass drivers up because they are engaged in dust mitigation. Take a pic while you are waiting then move along together.

Drivers should be staggered, experienced, noobs, kind of experienced, just enough knowledge to be dangerous, maybe an experienced guy behind them to keep an eye on things. You get the idea.

10-Bring plenty of fuel, food, water.
Yes, I've had drivers show up, run a trail, be back in the middle of nowhere, and then ask how much further cause they are running on fumes. No Bueno.



If you're wheeling as a group, then be a like minded group. It will create a more harmonious wheeling experience for all involved.
It also goes a long way in how we are perceived as wheelers when we act as if we know what we are doing.
My club adhere's to these rules and we often have 20-30 vehicles on a run and it usually goes without incident or long delay.

https://www.treadlightly.org/

http://staythetrail.org/

https://sharetrails.org/#Welcome

 

As a straight rookie to trails, this is pretty awesome to know!

 

This should be in each regional forum. Nice write up btw!

 

Common sense ain't all that common

 

I like it. Makes great sense, and I don't even wheel

 

I like the tip of looking and waiting for the person behind you. I hate being left behind and not have a clue where I'm going because the person in front of you speeds away.

For tip #6, I'd edit the first sentence a little bit. The mods might get bitchy and moany because they like to specifically state that this forum is for more than wheeling enthusiasts.

 

Good stuff right there.

 

Good stuff! Thanks for posting, this should be a forum sticky.

I think this is probably the most important one. We all love to wheel but if you're careless about it and don't tread lightly (aka go off the trails and drive all over private property or restricted land) you're likely to ruin it for everyone. Trails here in SoCal have been notoriously shut down and tighter rules, restrictions and legislation goes into effect when people are idiots and decide that the rules of the trail or OHV park don't apply to them.

TREAD LIGHTLY

 

Might help to have something about following too closely in the snow, nothing like giving your fellow TW enthusiast a love tap on a downhill trail section.

 

Good point, I'll leave it as is though as this is for the members who are interested in wheeling and want to learn how to do it safely.

Another good point. This is something that should be brought up in the parking lot during the driver meeting.

 

I'm glad you all like it, I wasn't sure how this would be received.

Edited to include Tread Lightly. Thank you for the reminder.

 

I've wheeled a lot of places with a lot of different groups and was an elected officer for a very well respected and run jeep club.

Our basic requirements for a trail ride were:
Recovery point front and rear, didnt need to have straps but at a minimum a point to pull
Battery tied down and no bungy cords, not as much of an issue with newer vehicles but I have seen very bad things happen when batteries are not secure
Full size spare and tools to change it, jack lug wrench ect. Flats happen don't be the guy with no spare or no tools to change it. Side note, when using a high lift style jack to change a tire try and secure the suspension so it can't droop out makes like a lot easier.
Basic up to date first aid kit, with bandaids gauze antiseptic ect.
Working CB radio.

Also I have turned people away from rides with visible oil leaks or other major issues.

One final note expect body damage, your off pavement things happen. From experance brush guards and tube side steps are damage multipliers

 

Damn good post Brett

 

Quoted so it will be read twice.
My club has the same requirements. And I'm glad you posted this up.

I don't think anybody would be turned away, because Tacoma World, (ridiculed maybe ) but this is good for everybody to be aware of.

 

Great write up...I've been "that guy without a CB"... It sucks, only took 5 minutes to figure that out. If you're going out, get a CB, they are cheep and easy to install.

 

thanks for this!

 

I'd suggest adding to Pack It In/Pack It Out:

• Always have cheap clumping cat litter with you. If your truck loses any fluids on the trail, use the cat litter to soak it up, then shovel the cat litter back into the plastic container and shovel up any "dirty dirt." That means you should also always have a shovel and heavy duty trash bag, which can also be used for:
• Pack out MORE than you packed in. However much time you want to commit, there will always be more trash on the trails to pick up. We need to think of ourselves as stewards of the trails.

 

Never ever be afraid to tell anyone you're uncomfortable or need help in any way. Don't try anything that you're not cool with. Nothing wrong with turning around or parking your truck to ride with someone else.

Don't be afraid to ask for a spotter. With that said, please, ONE spotter at a time. Nothing's worse than having 4 different people yelling directions at you at the same time. With that though, if you see something about to go horribly wrong, step in and say something.

And remember to always use tree saver straps, hooks up and not down on winch lines, stay clear of winch lines and watch them for snagging.

Kind of goes with making sure your rig is up to standards. Don't show up on bald tires for example.

And uphill traffic has right of way.

 

Reminds me of army watching a deuce and a half, Barrel rolling down towards our HUMVEE and driver going, "I'm just going to let him go by"... was very funny after finding out all was OK, No parking brake or driver= Gravity causes trucks to do stuff.

 

bump