4x4 Etiquette + Guidelines

[460LeoG]

Ive had some suggestions to compile some basic info regarding offroading for both novice and experienced travellers. I have covered some but am sure there may be some suggestions to add or remove from the list. Input very welcome. The idea is to have this available on the forum as well as to be sent to club members going to group events.
Input/changes/feedback please?

Regards
Leonard


4x4 Etiquette + Guidelines

1. Don’t rip up the tracks. Use 4 high on dirt roads and low range when needed.
2. Leave gates as you found them
3. Obey the rules
4. Don’t make new tracks. Some areas are not only scarred by new tracks, but it causes fundamental ecological damage and erosion when offroaders head into pristine veld and sensitive terrain.
5. Take your rubbish with you, leave nothing behind.
6. Courtesy is a quality everyone should exhibit while driving … but for those of us in the 4X4 fraternity, it’s critical.
7. Convoy Rules: Always keep a safe following distance but keep the person in front & more importantly, the person behind, in sight.
8. Recoveries: One person will assume command of a recovery, recoveries to be done correctly, no tow-ball recoveries, people to stand clear etc. Safety First.
9. It is advisable to always have a fire extinguisher in your vehicle especially for driving veld with long and dry grass.
10. Tyre Pressures: Deflate/inflate tyres appropriate to the type of trail, conditions, tyre type & vehicle.
11. Do not camp right next to springs or the only water source available in the area. Animals may have to travel vast distances to get to another source.
12. POO - Burry it. Toilet paper - Burn it.
13. Do not collect firewood from conservation areas, bring your own.
14. Extinguish and bury fires when bush camping. Leave it as you’d want to find it.
15. Support and respect the local communities.

 

[Chris B]

1. Don't rip up the tracks. Use 4x4, high range, low range and difflocks appropriate.
12. POO- Burry it..... (in dunes I was teach to burn toilet paper but in some dry veld I think you are looking for trouble)

On the resent Kaokoland trip south of Puros we passed a man selling handmade stuff. Because we were driving in front I always feel the urgency to push forward and not holding the convoy up. After rushing past this man I just felt bad as we might be the only vehicles that will come by for that week. It made us so happy when NJ and Theo stopped there and bought almost the entire shop. Yes, we must support the local communities.

 

[paulventer]

A point to add is that in 4x4 terrain vehicles traveling uphill has the right of way.

When I started driving offroad this was the general rule, but it seems nowadays many 4x4 drivers are in too much of a rush to make way for others...

This rule joins in with point 6 and will assist with point 1 (not having to pull away from a dead stop on an uphill)

 

[JJVDMZN]

7. Convoy Rules: Always keep a safe following distance but keep the person in front & more importantly, the person behind, in sight. Stop if you can't see the peron behind you (he could be stuck or have car trouble (if he owns a landy))

 

[Alan]

I would like to add one as well.
I think one of the things we can all do is remove what you took in and that includes everything...
When in the bush it is very annoying to find pieces of toilet paper hidden all over behind bushes. Please take it with you and put it in the appropriate bin.

 

[LHD G]

use bio degradable toilet paper and bury it

 

[Rolf Redecker]

use bio degradable toilet paper and bury it

I doubt whether this works in the desert, needs moisture to degrade.

 

[Andrew]

use bio degradable toilet paper and bury it

Just dont eat.

 

[460LeoG]

Andrew, not so simple when you have the best steak you can get on this recent Namibia trip. Then you braai as much as you are able to fit in the fridge and eat as much of it as you can.

 

[MBLife]

Some new, some of the above mentioned worded otherwise...

Check your right of access (2, 3 and 4)
Animals have right of way
Use all the available systems - don't be that guy..."this vehicle is so good it can do everything in 2H"
Off-road: As slow as possible, as fast as necessary.

 

[Antony]

https://www.treadlightly.org/recreation_tips/4x4/

An organisation dedicated to environmentally responsible outdoor activities. The list is extensive, but good.

I like the principle of Leave the Place Better Than You Found It