We are more like a group of friends than we are like a 4x4 club, so you must know someone in the club to join. If you know someone in the Members list, just ask them to bring you along! We don't have many rules, but we think that the rules we have are good ones to live by.
Before and during the run there is no alcohol permitted. We're a kid-friendly bunch and we do some rough trails -- we don't want to lose anyone over something stupid and we don't want the younger people to think drinking and driving is acceptable. We always try to set good examples.
We also insist that each Member keeps track of the vehicle behind them. If everyone does this the whole group will stay together with no one lost or left behind if they have trouble. If the vehicle behind you stops or slows down, you slow down and keep them in sight. If you slow down, the Member in front of you does the same.
Most members have all of the standard safety and recovery equipment, and though it is highly recommended it is not required. We prefer our members have some way to communicate with the rest of the group. Most of us have CB radios and others use two-way radios.
This site is called TrailDamage.com and by that we mean damage to our vehicles done by trails -- we never condone damaging a trail. We follow these rules during all TrailDamage runs:
- Alcohol consumption is not permitted before or during a trail run.
- Drug use is not permitted before or during a trail run.
- Firearms are discouraged, but if they are with you on a run they must be secured and kept out of sight at all times. Shooting is not permitted.
- Dogs must be on a leash or otherwise restrained if we are near other people outside of our group.
- Wear your seatbelt.
- You are required to monitor the vehicle behind you -- if they stop you must also stop, alerting the rest of the group if possible.
- Travel only on obvious trails -- if a trail seems questionable, stay off of it.
- Do as much as possible to stay on the trail if you encounter someone moving in the opposite direction, backing up if necessary.
- Do not litter, and pick up litter left by others whenever possible.
- Larger groups coming in the opposite direction will have the right of way, though if we are the larger group and if it's easier for us to let them pass we should do so.
- Obey all signs.
- Leave gates as you found them.
- Your car stereo should not be heard by other drivers.
- Drive slowly and quietly while near livestock or wild animals.
- Never alter a trail -- if it seems to need alteration you must contact the proper authorities.
- Never alter or move a vehicle without permission from the owner. Do not leave the trail to go around an abandoned vehicle.
- A full-sized spare tire is required.
- You must have extra food and water for each person in your vehicle.
- Bring additional clothing as necessary. Be prepared for any type of weather.
- A CB radio or two-way radio is recommended.
You must be a member for at least two months and have completed at least three separate days of trail runs in order to be eligible to invite another new member or lead your own trail runs. In addition, you can only sponsor one new member on a given day of running trails, and you have to run the trails along with the new driver you're sponsoring either in your own vehicle or as a passenger. The new member also has to drive their own vehicle when they join the group. Unless you have been asked to leave the group, you are always a member.