FYI: NTC - Meet and Greet in MA

BlueT · Feb 14, 2011

FYI
On 5/7/2011 NTC will have Meet and Greet with wheeling.
All the info is on the club website.
http://www.toyotacrawlers.com/forum/index.php?topic=26194.msg337960#new
Now the trail should be easy, but with this years winter easy may not be as easy as claimed.
So probably at minimum have 4x4, 31 inch All terrain tires, Skid plates and tow hooks on the front and the back. Plus items on Mandatory equipment list.

Its probably not for faint hearted. Also Keep in mind there is a cap of 20 rigs so first come, first serve..
Here is the mandatory equipment list

Off-Road Equipment List
When wheeling you need to be basically self-sufficient and prepared for emergencies. Remember, if you wheel, you will get stuck, period.

Mandatory:

*Extra fluids
*Water
*Flashlight
*First Aid Kit
*Safety Belts
*Battery Hold Down

*Spare Tire- It goes without saying, but I will mention it anyway. People get flats on the trail. If you don't have a spare or the means to repair your flat tire, you are stuck. Spare tires should be the same size or very close to the size of the tires on your rig, especially if you have locking differentials. If you are running 35's and have a 31" stock spare, it's not going to be a very fun ride home.

*Necessary equipment to change a tire- You need a jack that is capable of lifting your truck off road. The stock jack works with stock tires on a flat surface. Don't count on it being able to lift your rig on 35's when you blow a tire in the rocks. For that matter, the stock jack will often not be long enough even with stock tires off road. If you carry a "Hi-Lift" or similar jack, be sure it is well maintained and you know how to use it, as well as having good jack points on your truck. You *can* lift a stock truck with a "Hi-Lift", but you are going to cause damage in doing so.

*Solid front and rear tow points- On the front, the stock tow hook is acceptable, the "tie-down" eyes are not. The "tie-down" eyes were meant to secure the vehicle while it was on the car carrier, they were never designed to stand up to the huge forces that can be exerted during a recovery. The stock hook itself is sufficient, but not ideal. Aftermarket replacements are available that are not only stronger, but are also easier to use. For the rear, a hitch shackle ideal. It allows a solid connection, with the forces of recovery being distributed to the frame by the receiver hitch. The stock rear bumper and tow balls are NOT acceptable. The "Tinfoil and Tupperware" stock bumpers quickly become pretzels when used for recoveries and straps come loose from tow balls with amazing force. You are welcome to explore your own variations of these recovery points, but keep in mind that YOU are responsible for any damage to your vehicle during a recovery, not the person who you are recovering or who is recovering you. Some of us will decline to recover your rig if in our judgment, you do not have tow points that will survive the operation. You might have a long walk home, so this is not a good place to save a few pennies. We will do our best to get you out, please do your best to help that process along by being prepared.

*Fire Extinguisher- Fires can and do happen and you need to be prepared to put out your vehicle yourself. Don't assume that someone else will have one or that you won't need it. Even if someone else has one, the size of most automobile fire extinguishers is such that you may need more than one anyway.

*Recovery Strap- A recovery strap contains NO METAL, hooks or otherwise, has sewn in eyes and is elastic in nature. Straps with metal hooks or chain are not acceptable on NTC runs. Metal in a recovery can become a deadly missile. Straps with hooks are for TOWING, not for snatch recoveries as are common off road. Chain is designed for static loads and *can* be used for towing, but is not the right tool for yanking someone out of a hole. As far as recovery straps go, we recommend a 2"x30' webbed recovery strap as your first strap.

*Safety Belts-OEM or aftermarket, securely mounted and functioning.

*Battery Hold Down-Properly secured with correct hardware. No bungies or ratchet straps.

I am aware that when you are new you don't necessarily have a tow strap, come-along, Hi-Lift, etc, and these things cost money. If on your first group run you don't have these that is allowable, however, if you intend on joining any runs at a later date you must have all the mandatory equipment.

Highly Recommended:

Second Tow Strap- You should always have a second tow strap, either to repalce the first one if it breaks or to use on the other end of a come-along.

Come-along/Hi-Lift jack- Electric winches are expensive so it is understandable that you may not have one, however a hand winch (come-along) can serve the same purpose. A hi-lift jack can also be used as a hand winch, although tedious because it has to be reset every 48" or 60", it serves this purpose very well. Personally, I have used my hi-lift as a hand winch more often than I have used my come-along. You should always have at least one in your vehicle, there are instances where the location of the "stuck" or the type of stuck is not conducive to a vehicle assisted removal. If you can't drive out of it, there is a good chance another vehicle won't be able to pull you out.

Citizen's Band Radio- This is not required, but if you don't have one, you will wish you did. CB is the primary means of communication on NTC runs. When the group stops and you are buried somewhere back in the line, the only way to know why we have stopped is to have a CB. Not to mention that you miss out on a lot of fun group conversation along the way. Even a cheap radio with a magnet mount antenna is better than not having one. Please consider adding one to your truck for NTC runs.

Shovel and axe- In some parts of the country, you are required to have a shovel and axe onboard your rig while you are off road, even if you aren't they are convenient recovery tools.

Blanket
Food

Tools- In addition to the 36mm socket to fit the axle nut, NTC recommends that you carry some standard tools and supplies with you on runs. That includes a socket set and wrenches as well as an assortment of miscellaneous pliers and the like. Aim to be self-sufficient. Don't count on others to have the tools or parts you need.

Jack Support Board- As the ground is usually not solid enough to support the small base of a jack you should have a jack support board to spread out the load on soft ground.

Fire-starting tools
Duct Tape
Leather Gloves
Toilet paper/Paper Towels
Trash Bag- Carry in/Carry out

Recommended:

Air Compressor
Whistle
Mirror
Bailing Wire/Rope

Tarp- A tarp can be used as shelter but is also highly convenient to lay on if you have to work on your vehicle on the trail, it not only keeps you out of the mud and water, it also is a lot easier to find dropped screws on.

JB Weld- Not as good as a welder but better than nothing.

Spare Parts- If your vehicle has Independent Front Suspension (IFS), you should have a spare CV shaft with you and enough tools and knowledge to replace it. The shafts do wear out and they tend to break at the worst possible moment. In the event that you break one and have no spare, vehicles with manual hubs can limp out by unlocking the hub on the side with the broken shaft and coming out in two wheel drive. Vehicles with the Automatic Disconnecting Differential (ADD) risk causing expensive damage by continuing to drive with a broken shaft. Basically you are stuck where it broke until you replace it. You will also need a socket to fit the axle nut. We recommend a 36mm, but some have had good luck with a 35mm.

Zip Ties

Extra Gear- Weather in New England can change repidly, although it's unlikely, you should be prepared to spend the night in the woods. Off road travel takes us deep into the back country and there is always the possibility that someone could become separated or otherwise unable to return home. This includes any medications you might require as well as extra clothing, food, water, etc.

It is important to secure as many items as possible and/or remove them from the cab (put them in the bed), if you roll, these items become missiles. Be safe, be ready!
Click to expand...

eborgie · Feb 14, 2011

I am in. Now to buy that stuff.

BlueT · Feb 14, 2011

eborgie said: ↑

I am in. Now to buy that stuff.
Click to expand...

Excellent, sign up for our forum and put your name on the list ? Maybe put introduction too. We are all local Toyota guys

eborgie · Feb 14, 2011

I am just waiting on the confirmation email now

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