Safe and Responsible 4wheeling

I posted this on another forum and thought it would be informative here too.

Please feel free to add to this thread.

Your first stop should be here:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...ery/index.html
This article shows all you need to know about proper winching and recovery.

Also a good read:
http://4x4now.com/4wht.htm

Safety rules of thumb:
-Never use a tow strap with hooks or chain on the ends. These are tow straps and not recovery straps. When those chains break they go flying with enough force to kill.

-When recovering somebody never attach to a moving part like an axle. While it may seem strong you'll end up pulling off the axle with a strong enough pull. Always attach to a tow hook or frame.

-Never attach to the ball of a tow hitch. They have been known to break and fly off. They will take your head off. Instead, remove the hitch, insert the looped end of the strap into the hitch receiver and put the hitch pin through.

-Synthetic winch rope is safer than steel. It won't recoil back as bad as a steel rope. There are pictures of trucks with winch cables going through windshields, head rests and sheet metal. When winching with a steel rope keep all spectators away and hang a weight, like a jacket or blanket in the middle of the steel rope to minimize the danger.

-Hi lift jacks are dangerous but indispensible. Be careful with them.
http://www.4x4now.com/bb0997.htm

-Never go anywhere alone.

Trail Etiquette:
I know this has been posted before, but it's important enough to post again. Please tread lightly. http://treadlightly.org/ . Our trails are being closed because of irresponsible people trashing the trails.

-Don't litter and pick up all trash you see on the trail. This includes not leaving toilet paper and feminine items. Part of the rubicon trail was closed for just this reason.

-Do not go off trail and blaze your own. This causes unnecessary errosion. This includes not going around an obstacle just because you can't make it. if there is an established, legal bypass then by all means use it. Again, the rubicon trail and others are being threatened with closure because of this.

-DO NOT TRESPASS. If you see an open, muddy field that's calling your name, don't do it. This reflects poorly on the rest of us and we already have a bad reputation with the non-wheeling public. If you don't know whether you're supposed to be there or not, DON'T DO IT!

-When winching to a tree use a tree saver. This basically looks like a short recovery strap that prevents a winch line from digging into the bark, killing the tree.

-Join a 4x4 club to teach you where to go legally and how to wheel safely.

-Join organizations such as the blue ribbon coalition and for us californians, cal 4wheel.

Again, feel free to add your own links and tips to this thread. I'm sure there's lots I forgot.

great posting, we need all the positive wheelers/imagaes we can get. IMO most if it is just ole common sense. :thumbup:

You guys are doing all the obvious stuff of great ideas and years of off roding....But a simple thing I see that is missing from a basice setup is a decent medical kit!! tools and lights gloves, some of us are not working construction on a daily basis, and if your hands are over a keyboard your going to end up with nasty cuts. Gloves, and be prepaired to smash a finger nail ever now and then, and if nature calls... I do know the ladies like wet wipes. if nature calls for Fustercluck or Oly 884 and thing that looks like poison oak or ivy would be fine for them....j/k TJ

i agree, at the very least, a basic first-aide kit is a must, i have 2 in my baby now, lol

Good looking out for the ladies there TJ.....nature does call in the wilderness!!! I keep a roll of TP in a ziploc bag!

Hell, I keep TP in my truck, as well as a shovel. If i happen to have a lady in the car, great, but I've used those two tools more times than i care to remember.

Not always wheeling either. There is an unplesant stretch through Utah where there aren't any public restrooms.

You can also ruin a good time for yourself and others by bringing too much alcohol on a wheeling trip.

or bringing any at all....

Awesome, let's turn this into a drinking thread!

Tools, equipment and KNOW HOW!

It does no good to have a Snap-On truck worth of stuff in the rig if you don't know what a bolt is. Same thing with first aid gear. A shop rag, belt and knowledge will get farther than a operating room worth of things you have no idea what to do with.

as a newb i can say great thread and thanks for the knowledge in one place.