Some of my four-wheeling buddies don’t even know what the word “etiquette” means, but they practice it.  Etiquette, by Webster definition is “the forms, manners, and ceremonies established by convention as acceptable or required in social relations.”  The definition is just a stuffy way of saying “play nice”.  In our ever-busy world, a little good old-fashioned courtesy still goes a long way. 

In most cases, there are no laws regarding off-highway etiquette.  Etiquette is simply courtesy practiced for the comfort, safety, and enjoyment of all participants.  Although safety is really at the heart of trail etiquette, superficially, it is good manners.  A good neighbor attitude will engender the sense of community among those who engage in off-road recreation.

I make no claim to exhibit perfect trail etiquette at all times, but I am mindful of other people, and that is all we can ask of each other.  The focus of this post is limited to the activity of four-wheel-drive recreation, and is by no means exhaustive, especially in the area of land use etiquette--which will be featured in a later article.  Not preachy, not enforced, just a little common sense and courtesy:

1. Prepare
If you don’t have the time to prepare for the trip, then don’t go.  In extreme environments like Maine, it can be a life or death decision.  You can get in serious trouble for not bringing a very simple item, like water.  Other basics include: tow strap, jumper cables, shovel, jack, spare tire--you would be amazed at how many vehicles I have had to rescue for simply not having a suitable jack and spare tire on board.  For a more complete list of things you should consider bringing, see the 4-Wheel Drive Guide by Tread Lightly, available on their website.

Also, research your intended trip route.  Not only are there various public land management systems to deal with, but also road conditions can vary widely from year to year.  If you are not traveling with someone who is familiar with the trail, at least talk to other four-wheelers ahead of time, and research the trail’s rating and conditions.  A good rule of thumb is how far are you willing to walk back?  Always leave details about where you are going and when you plan to return.

2. Be a Good Samaritan
If you come across someone who is in trouble, help.  Signs of someone in need of assistance include: someone walking along a 4x4 trail, a vehicle parked with the hood up, or someone looking under their vehicle, or waving at you as you approach.  If you encounter someone on the trail who is stopped, it is cool to just say “Howdy, how y’all doing today?”   If you see a parked vehicle and no occupants, someone is on foot nearby, either intentionally or unintentionally, so be alert.  Offer to call someone for them.  If the vehicle requires towing, do so only if you are willing, able, and the vehicle has proper recovery points.  Learn first aid and CPR.

3. Dusting
If you drive by someone on a dry dirt road at 10 mph or more, you are DUSTING them.  Many 4x4’s are open-air, so a big cloud of dust is not just inconvenient, but hazardous if the driver’s eyesight or breathing is momentarily impaired.  Be considerate and mindful of what your actions cause.

4. Tailgating
Always allow each vehicle to traverse the tougher obstacles one-at-a-time.  Closely following another vehicle is dangerous in any situation.  In off-pavement driving, braking distances and maneuvering is significantly affected.  Keep distances of at least thirty feet between vehicles.  This allows vehicles room to brake and maneuver, as well as sufficient distance to read the terrain and pick a line.  On steep four-wheeling hills, downhill vehicles could be struck by debris flung from spinning tires, or worse, a rolling vehicle.  All of us have experienced failed climbs.  You do not want to be tailgating someone up a hill when he fails his climb.

Another good reason to wait for other vehicles to finish traversing an obstacle: I have seen multiple vehicles get stuck simultaneously in the same mud hole.  I am sure the guy in the last 4x4 wished he had watched the other guys go all the way through first. 

5. Passing on the Trail
Passing involves getting by each other, either in nose-to-nose situations or when one driver wants to proceed more quickly than another.  As with dusting and tailgating, above, passing on the trail requires a sense of safety.  If someone obviously wants to go faster than I do, I find a wide spot and pull over to let them by.  Always look for a place wide enough so that neither vehicle will have to drive over vegetation or lean into each other. 

When you come nose to nose with someone on a one-track trail, whoever has a wide spot behind them backs up.  But, safety dictates that if you are on a hill, the vehicle driving uphill has the right-of-way.  This is because backing down uneven terrain poses the problem of poor visibility, with the driver potentially backing down a ledge off-camber and rolling.

5. Wheel spinning
Usually, wheel spinning that lasts longer than a few seconds can mean two things.  One, driver error: you may be going too fast or picking a bad line; or two, inferior equipment: you may need heavier-duty equipment than you currently possess in order to effectively traverse the particular terrain you are attempting.  Either way, the results are obvious: flying rocks and dirt, trail rutting, or even an equipment failure.  Let your common sense dictate your course of action instead of your ego.  Try another line, a bypass, or turn around.  Stop spinning your wheels.  Yes, the pun was fully intended!

6. Rock stacking
Okay, time to touch on a very touchy subject: Rock Stacking.  All of us stack a few rocks from time to time in order to get through a particularly nasty spot.  But, if you have to do this repeatedly, you are on the wrong trail for your equipment.  Not only are you disturbing the environment by taking rocks from one place and moving them to another, but also you are ruining the fun of the guy who comes up the trail in his more-modified-than-yours 4x4.  There seems to be a general attitude among homo sapiens: everyone with rigs less modified than yours is a wimp, and everyone with a rig more modified than yours is a lunatic.  Give everyone respect for where they are in the four-wheeling world.  Besides, if everyone had similarly-built Jeeps, then trails like the Rubicon, Poison Spider, and Broken Arrow would require stoplights to deal with all of the traffic.

7. Trash
Always follow the Leave No Trace ethic: “Take only pictures, leave only footprints.”  Catchy phrase, but it isn’t quite enough.  With the increase in outdoor recreation, we have some catching up to do.  I know I said I wasn’t going to get preachy, but this might cross the line.  Read about the Tread Lightly principles.  Not only should you not take anything from the environment, or leave anything that was not part of the environment, but leave the area better than you found it whenever possible.  That means pick up trash, disassemble rock stacking, and clean up vehicle fluid spills, even if they are not yours!  Your efforts don’t count if you leave the trash bag by the Forest Service sign, either.  Carry it out with you, and dispose of it properly.  If we want to continue to have trails for four-wheeling, we must take responsibility for them.

To sum it all up: as your mother would say, just because someone else does not exhibit good manners, doesn't mean you shouldn't too. 

Be the example!