talk about spotting

[troyboy162]

i didnt find anything in search on the subject on these forums but found some links on google. First off I suck at spotting and thought maybe I should read about it. I ushualy cant help anyone unless I know where they want there tires. If they know where they want the tires then they really dont need too much spotting can get by with my lack of help basicly. I also never offer because people always blame the spotter for any mistakes they make. I dont really like any of the solutions in these links either, but they are a starting point

http://www.youtube.com/user/bb4wa#p/u/3/QWW-5UV5itU

http://www.4x4wire.com/trail/technique/spotting99/

the only thing was the yellow stick method sounded great but impractical. Steve ushualy needs to know the angle of the tires and i cant convey that very well.

Ive tried self spotting by dripping water on key spots in a line prior to driving it. that works well in a pinch.

anyone got anything that really works well for them? the other thing i thought about is even if you figure out a system that you likly couldnt use the same system for Steve at the hammers and also a noob on john bull.

[Ric]

IMO, the driver needs to trust, the spotter, and the guy that wants to spot, cant be offended if the driver ask`s someone else to spot him.
The more tech the obstical, both the driver and spotter need to get out and walk the line the driver wants to take.

Both driver and spotter need to be very clear, and the hand signals that will be used.

Everyone needs to shut up, lol if everyone is yelling directions, it can confuse the driver.

The spotter should have the same type rig, this way he knows the width and length of the rig and hows its going to track.

What Ive to be the hardest part of spotting, is having a driver that will not follow direction, as they cant see what the spotter can. lol

To write everything down, would take me forever, lol heres what I found doing a quick search:
http://www.4x4wire.com/trail/technique/spotting99/

This will get the ball rolling to chat about it

[04 Rocko Taco]

Here in the southeast, we pretty much use the same system, and it looks very similar to a ground controller at the airport. It might be one arm up in the air, or it might be both, it becomes a point, and the more times they point the further you turn, normally an open hand is keep coming and a closed fist is hold up. You have to be careful who you let spot you though, because you have to know your spotter, and know that they can control the situation and have a pretty good idea what lines work for different capabilities of vehicles.
I'll search around here in a bit (got some wedding stuff to do first) I am sure one of the videos we have around here has the spotter standing in it. :)

Ric posted while I was typing, and I have read his reply and agree with a lot of what he says. I decided to leave my post unedited though, even though we cover a couple of the same points.

[slosurfer]

If I could, I'd train everyone to use the same method we used in the Marines to guide our AAV's. It works awesome and you don't have to be able to hear the spotter, only see his two hands. It also works well if you need two spotters, since the one with the best view of the line, might not be able to be seen by the driver. It's similar to guiding an airplane. I'll see if I can find any info on it, but the only problem is that it only works if everyone involved knows the system. For example, we could tow or push two AAV's and park them on a dime in between 2 things with inches to spare. But when we would splash and get on ship, the navy dudes in charge of parking us until the welldeck was unflooded, would have us going all over the place and hitting crap because they would get confused easily. :shake:

[Ric]

lol,, I was just faster than you (for once) lol
It did take me about 2 years to feel comfortable to spot someone, and it was a fairly easy obstical.

I did watch alot, ask questions, and watched more, one thing we joke about, do not let someone spot you that his rig is all beat to hell :rofl:

[Ric]

and for the very few times the spotter can not see the driver, a few have bought hand held CBs, and we have used these a few times and works out AWESOME.
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd139/Rix4rnr/DSC_0002.jpg

[slosurfer]

also, don't let Mikey aka wifeythinksimadumbass spot for you :flipoff:

[Seanz0rz]

also, don't let Mikey aka wifeythinksimadumbass spot for you :flipoff:


:good: my front passenger door agrees!

for picking their line, i always try to choose what will keep them most level, away from the door killers and something they are comfortable with.

you put alot of trust in your spotter at times, so listen to someone whom you trust. ive made that mistake once, and my rear door paid the price. i trusted mikey, but i could actually see better than he could. he thought i was on my slider, i knew i was on my door. i knew better but listened anyway...

[Ric]

heres a pic of a great example of trusting your spotter.
I felt the ass end getting VERY light, lol but notice what Im looking at, my spotter
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd139/Rix4rnr/4Wheeling%20Reflections/IMG_7214.jpg

[randver]

also, don't let Mikey aka wifeythinksimadumbass spot for you :flipoff:


i 3rd that

[Crinale]

this is something i really need to learn more about too. i know very little about spotting

[04 Rocko Taco]

http://www.parksoffroad.com/alloldtrips/moab%20Oct%202003/PA170018.JPG
This is a basic spotter stance here in the southeast, easily visible, hands up in the air, this is a signal for stop, a point to the passenger side would mean turn passenger, and a point to the drivers side is turn driver. Palm out or a closed fist for stop, and obviously we all know the motion for come on. Spotters don't always have to be in front of a vehicle, sometimes what they need to see is in the back, or on one side or the other. I have definitely had a spotter move around my vehicle as I have traversed an obstacle. Also, when using verbal commands between a driver and a spotter, I think it is important that we remember one fundamental difference... you are facing different directions. This brings into focus the failure and accidents that have occurred due to a spotter saying things like "turn left" or "go hard right". It's important to use a better set of references. Here in the south, and I think most places, we use Driver and Passenger, as that is the same no matter which way you are looking. I don't think spotting is to tough.... you just have to keep in mind, who you are spotting, the capability level of both the vehicle as built, and the drivers experience level. You also have to know what is the most concerning to the driver. Is he more worried about ending up with his steering in a bind and popping a birf, or is he more worried about that rear 1/4 panel?
In my case my spotter knows (I typically always use the same spotter - Brad from Mossyrocks Fabrication) that I am more concerned with breaking parts than glass. I could care less about the body of my rig. It's got bumpers, sliders, and a full roll-cage. What I don't ordinarily have on the trail (but I do back at camp) are a lot of spare parts. If I blow a birf, or a hub, then thats 3 wheel drive for me, and it ruins my day until I get back to my trailer, which might be a long way off. All of that to say, use a spotter you know and trust when you can. If not, discuss with your spotter your concerns, and what you think the best line is, don't be afraid to offer input. (this is best done BEFORE starting into an obstacle though), when in doubt, walk the line yourself, think about where each of your tires will be placed at key points, and if still in doubt about what your spotter has in mind, then look for the bypass if available.

[Ric]

http://www.parksoffroad.com/alloldtrips/moab%20Oct%202003/PA170018.JPG
This is a basic spotter stance here in the southeast, easily visible, hands up in the air, this is a signal for stop, a point to the passenger side would mean turn passenger, and a point to the drivers side is turn driver. Palm out or a closed fist for stop, and obviously we all know the motion for come on. Spotters don't always have to be in front of a vehicle, sometimes what they need to see is in the back, or on one side or the other. I have definitely had a spotter move around my vehicle as I have traversed an obstacle. Also, when using verbal commands between a driver and a spotter, I think it is important that we remember one fundamental difference... you are facing different directions. This brings into focus the failure and accidents that have occurred due to a spotter saying things like "turn left" or "go hard right". It's important to use a better set of references. Here in the south, and I think most places, we use Driver and Passenger, as that is the same no matter which way you are looking. I don't think spotting is to tough.... you just have to keep in mind, who you are spotting, the capability level of both the vehicle as built, and the drivers experience level. You also have to know what is the most concerning to the driver. Is he more worried about ending up with his steering in a bind and popping a birf, or is he more worried about that rear 1/4 panel?
In my case my spotter knows (I typically always use the same spotter - Brad from Mossyrocks Fabrication) that I am more concerned with breaking parts than glass. I could care less about the body of my rig. It's got bumpers, sliders, and a full roll-cage. What I don't ordinarily have on the trail (but I do back at camp) are a lot of spare parts. If I blow a birf, or a hub, then thats 3 wheel drive for me, and it ruins my day until I get back to my trailer, which might be a long way off. All of that to say, use a spotter you know and trust when you can. If not, discuss with your spotter your concerns, and what you think the best line is, don't be afraid to offer input. (this is best done BEFORE starting into an obstacle though), when in doubt, walk the line yourself, think about where each of your tires will be placed at key points, and if still in doubt about what your spotter has in mind, then look for the bypass if available.


NEVER stand "in front" of the rig going DOWN hill, if they lose brakes, you get ran over.... stand to the side, IF tdirectly in front is the only place to stand, stand as far out front as possible, yes, Ive done it too, but looking at pix I can see my mistakes, lol
be safe, and have fun

[AxleIke]

I do not like to use spotters very much. Most people don't know what they are doing.

Namely, if you aren't moving around the truck, watching all angles, tires, and both axles, you don't know what you are doing.

Almost every spotter I've ever had spot me watches the front axle, and doesn't even notice the rear. Then, they act all suprised when the rear diff or drive shaft smacks into the rocks, or the rear won't climb.