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Respect Your Trailmates. Arrive Prepared.

Leaving for Mojave Road
Four-wheeling is often a team effort. Indeed, I always recommend that at least two vehicles go out each time. If you are part of a group, make sure to arrive fully prepared. Any deficiency causes delays – or worse – and affects the entire group.

How to prepare for your trip

Many factors go into preparing for an off-road trip, a number of which have been covered in these blog columns. (A list is included at the end of this column.) In a nutshell, being prepared means being ready to go at the trailhead or wherever your group decides to meet.
Remember this simple mantra:

Be on time with a vehicle in good working order, and have sufficient fuel, ice, and wood. Also, be prepared to help out your fellow four wheelers.

“Be on time” means just that. A few minutes late usually won’t hurt, but if you’re really late and not fully prepared, you can cause problems. Consider an off-road trip just like any other obligation. Set the alarm clock a little early, if that’s what it takes. Pack as much as you can the night before, so there’s not much to do in the morning.

Make sure your vehicle is in good working order. Adhering to a proper maintenance schedule allows you to catch a problem while it is still relatively minor. Simple steps make a big difference: Inspect your tires. Check fluid levels. Take a peek under the frame.

You shouldn’t go off-road with significant issues. When your vehicle breaks down – you know it will at some point – the problem affects everyone.

As you pack, consider carefully where you are going and how long you will be gone. The amount and type of supplies varies depending on the environment and type of trip. Clothing and bedding, for example, tend to get shortchanged. If there’s any possibility of hitting cold or rainy weather, pack accordingly.

Create and use a checklist, even if you’re a seasoned four wheeler. You’re bound to forget something, especially if you pack in a hurry.

Bring along enough food, ice and wood. And remember to top off your tank. Your trailmates may be able to help you in a pinch, but you shouldn’t rely on them. They need their supplies for the trip. Take fuel, for example. If you run dry and borrow gas from another vehicle, that driver is now in a precarious position. Will he have enough to finish the trip? You see how an oversight on your part can have dire consequences for the group.



Help each other

For a trip to be successful, everyone needs to pitch in when needed. An obvious example is when one vehicle is stuck or damaged. It’s not a happy situation by any means, but it can be a good experience. Working together as a team you learn how to manage a tough situation under difficult circumstances. You grow individually and as a group. Many heads are always better than one, as I like to say.

You can also help clean up and break camp, and do other chores. By showing your team spirit you encourage others to do the same, and you leave a good impression on your trailmates. That good impression may get you invited back, as well.

Here are some other suggestions to make your event go smoothly:
  • Stay up with the group; don’t get way behind. People will wonder where you are.
  • Don’t wander off. Say you’re in camp, and you decide to go hiking. After awhile people will wonder what happened. Tell somebody that you’re going somewhere.
  • Be nice, be patient, and have a sense of humor. The last point is especially helpful during breakdowns and challenging situations.
  • Be flexible. Things happen on the trail, and plans often change. Just go with the flow.


You see that a lot of this is just common sense. But it’s important to keep these tips in mind. Doing so will help make everyone’s experience an enjoyable one.



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Related Articles from Badlands Off-road Adventures

Did you miss the previous article? If so, read it here
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Wine Safari July 24

We have two big events coming up during July and August - The Wine Safari and the Rubicon Trail. It is time to register for both events. The Wine Safari is only a few weekends away and you need to start planning for the Rubicon Trail (see below).


Wine Safari



Don't miss the Wine Safari. Click here for all details.
Our Wine Master will have a whole new bunch of bottles and some old favorites to taste. Make it a get-away weekend. Camp with us or stay in a local motel.




Register now.
http://4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#wine.

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Sand Clinic July 31, 2010

Sand Clinic
If you have been waiting for the next Sand Driving Clinic, put it on your calendar for July 31 and sign up now. The next one is not until December. This day-long clinic will expose you to a variety of driving conditions and levels of difficulty. Driving on sand is challenging and different than dirt, so we’ll progress slowly as you learn the proper techniques. As your confidence grows, you will master increasingly more challenging dunes. Along the way you will be exposed to the beauty of SVRA and the thrill of the windswept dunes. This is a rare opportunity to cruise the only beach in California open to vehicles.
More details...



Register for the Sand Clinic using this link.

http://4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Sand

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Rubicon Trail Adventure August 16- 19, 2010


The Rubicon Trail

The Rubicon Trails is the stuff of legends. It is considered the Grand Daddy of trails. If your vehicle has a weakness, it will find it. Any serious four-wheeler needs to "Do the 'Con" at least once. There is no guarantee of avoiding vehicle damage. Even the most skilled driver can succumb to the fatigue of 12 unrelenting miles of rocks. Just bring a good attitude and the best prepared vehicle you can. This could be a once in a lifetime trip but a lifelong of bragging rights. More Details


You need to register now so you have time to prepare. Register directly at http://4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Rubicon


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Winching & Recovery DVD


Stuck

Don't forget to order a Winching DVD - only $19.95 plus shipping and handling.

Read the press release

Order the Winching DVD!

PS - our web master is not too bright, so he used the same format to order DVD's as to register for a class. Just fill in the parts that make sense.

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Facebook

Join us on Facebook page.




Check out the 4 minute video on the Badlands Off-Road Home page

And look at the new slide show on the home page. (Another example of our bright web master's work! For best viewing us I.E. His code is not too swift on Firefox.)




I hope to see you on the trails!

Tom Severin, President
Badlands Off Road Adventures, Inc
4-Wheel Drive School
310-374-8047
http://www.4x4training.com
Make it Fun. Make it Safe.

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Tom Severin, 4x4 Coach, teaches 4WD owners how to confidently and safely use their vehicles to the fullest extent in difficult terrain and adverse driving conditions. Visit www.4x4training.com to develop or improve your driving skill.

Copyright 2010, Badlands Off-Road Adventures, Inc.





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