I was Trail Leader one afternoon as we were driving the Mojave Road. Glancing to my left at one point in Mojave River wash, I noticed that the back half of my group was driving a parallel path a significant distance away. We had just entered a huge basin with numerous channels and washes. At some point a driver had missed the right hand turn towards Cave Mountain, and everyone behind him followed along.
Let me tell you, that’s one of the more upsetting scenes a Trail Leader can experience. I contacted the Trail End via ham radio, and with the aid of some GPS coordinates all of us quickly regrouped.
Important concepts of four-wheeling
This incident speaks to one of the fundamental concepts of driving off road. Now is a good time to review those principles. These 10 are culled from decades of four-wheeling.
- Keep track of the vehicle behind you. If you come to an intersection or a curve, make sure the vehicle behind you sees which way you went. Don’t assume he did. He might be in a dust cloud or behind a bush or boulder.
Related, if the guy behind you stops, you should stop. Everyone else should do the same. Soon, the entire group has stopped. Then you can address whatever the issue was. This doesn’t work very well! So don’t depend on it. Only an experienced group who actually knows where they are going will follow the concept. It is a matter of trust that he guy ahead will stop. If he doesn’t the group will soon be out of sight and you are lost. Still it doesn’t hurt to explain the concept at the start of the trip
And, of course, keep your eyes on the vehicle ahead. Doing so can prevent the situation described at the beginning.
This is why it’s important to carry radios. Drivers can stay in touch even when they can’t see each other.
As a Trail Leader, I tend to stop frequently, just to make sure we’re not spread out too much.
I also tell everybody is to turn on their headlights if the trail is dusty. That’s helpful for the driver ahead, of course. Just as importantly, the driver behind can see the taillights. I want people to enjoy the sights and scenery on our trail ride and not drive in a cloud
of dust. I want them to see a cross rut in time to slow down, not drive in a dust cloud.
- Observe the vehicle ahead to help pick lines. This entails maintaining the proper distance. Too close, and you could find yourself in a dust cloud. You also want to make sure the other vehicle’s rear end isn’t in your blind spot. Back off until you are at the proper distance. (The ability to see their rear differential is a good starting point.)
Where there are multiple obstacles, drop back farther to get a better perspective. This will also give you more time to think through your strategy.
Scan the trail behind that vehicle for signs of fluid leakage or even fallen parts. You may be able to alert a fellow driver before things get worse!
- When stopped, pull completely off the trail. You may not be the only person on the trails. Someone could overtake you or come at you from the other direction. When you pull off, pick a spot that’s already been disturbed. Try not to park on tall, dry grass. Your catalytic converter could start a fire. Stop while you can still see that big rock in front of you. You may forget it after lunch.
- Be considerate. That’s the overriding principle during any four-wheeling experience. As you encounter others –whether friends or strangers – remain considerate. Perhaps you don’t feel like going out of your way for someone. At least avoid the temptation to be a four-wheel bully. Lord knows there are enough bullies in this world.
- Yield right of way to mountain bikes, horses and hikers. They can’t compete with a two-ton vehicle. Slow down as you approach them, and give them space. Avoid kicking up unnecessary dust, honking your horn, and such. Actually if I were King I would outlaw horns on vehicles. Mostly I see people using them for “Get out of my way. I am more important that you.”
Want to really make an impression? Offer a bottle of water, some gas, a wrench or a helping hand when needed. You’ll feel better, and you’ll help improve our image. - Yield to a vehicle driving uphill. That vehicle may need some momentum to climb. If we force him to stop, he may need to back up to gain that momentum. If you are the uphill vehicle, pull over for a larger group, if you can.
When there are oncoming vehicles, I like to stop and talk with the lead guy. If he pulled over for me, I will thank him for doing that. I also ask about conditions up ahead, the number of vehicles in his group, and such.
If we’re pulling over, I’ll stop and let the other Trail Leader know how large my group is.
I ask my Tail End to say ‘thank you’ as well. The point is to be respectful. That’s a part of trail etiquette that sometimes gets overlooked.
- Don’t throw cigarette butts out the window. Not only is that littering, but it can be a fire hazard. California suffers several fires every year caused by discarded cigarette butts. Don’t be a butthead. Dispose of them properly!
- Need to stop for a 10-100? Boys to the left, and girls to the right.
Have numerous vehicles and no cover? Use a dispersed arrangement. The last vehicle stops. Everyone keeps driving until the 2nd to last vehicle feels it’s far enough from the last vehicle. He stops and notifies the group. The process continues until everyone feels they are far enough away. How spread out you get depends on terrain features.
Be mindful of other campers. Don’t slam car doors or run the vehicle engine before 7 a.m.- My Special Rule: No loud music in camp. An acoustical guitar and banjo are OK. What better way to enjoy a campfire than with a sing-along, right? For the most part, though, enjoy the sounds of Mother Nature. Those who want to listen to their own music can do so with ear buds.
You don’t want to spoil the setting with some loud music, do you? Besides, we don’t all agree on our music choice.
While this list may seem intimidating, it shouldn’t be. Many of the concepts are based on common sense. Once they are engrained in your mind, they turn into habit. And we all become that much better four-wheelers and outdoors enthusiasts.
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Did you miss the previous articles?
2025
- 2025-04-15 Trail Leader Safety
- 2025-03-22 Wheel Cheat: What It Is and How to Avoid It
- 2025-02-09 How to Quickly Escape a Natural Disaster
- 2025-01-14 Be A Hit At Camp With A Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie
Some Upcoming Events (click on the link for details)
The 2025 schedule of clinics and adventures trips has been posted on the web site.
June 2025
June 14, 2025 Synthetic Rope Repair Mini Clinic – NEW!
June 21, 2025 Starting Rock Crawling
June 28, 2025 Dutch Oven Mini Clinic
July 2025
July 19, 2025 Starting Rock Crawling
July 26, 2025 Tire Repair and Hi Lift Mini Clinic – LA Area
August 2025
August 11, 2025 Rubicon Adventure
August 23, 2025 Sand Dune Off-Road Driving – Oceano Dunes
August 24, 2025 Self Recovery Clinic – LA Area
August 30, 2025 Labor Day Club Run
73 KI6FHA
I hope to see you on the trails!
Tom Severin, President Badlands Off Road Adventures, Inc.
4-Wheel Drive School
310-613-5473
www.4x4training.com
Make it Fun. Keep it Safe.
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Copyright 2025, Badlands Off-Road Adventures, Inc.
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