safety tips and basic safety equipment

[GJarrett]

OK people, here goes. Let's get some suggestions on what to edit and/or add to this list. I am importing in from Word and will probably lose the formatting but hopefully the text will come out. I will re-edit this post until we reword this as close as possible to group consensus. Then I'll complete the changes in Word and send them to Rick.


TRAIL EQUIPMENT
by "Jeepeater"
This list is prepared for the purpose of educating oneself on the items needed to be carried onboard in order to confidently enjoy a fourwheeling adventure with your vehicle (the purpose, after all, is to have fun!). Much of the information is generic; some is “Explorer specific”; but all is meant to prepare you for the adventure of “Serious Explorations”!

This information represents the collective wisdom and consensus of our members, some of whom have many years of fourwheeling experience. If you are new to the sport, welcome! Pay attention to these suggestions and your first trip (as well as all those thereafter) will be the exciting experience it is meant to be. This sport is seriously fun and an enjoyable experience as long as you adhere to a few basic, easy, common sense concerns. Happy Trails!

Initial Presumptions: All of the following is based on the assumption of these basic facts. Make sure you and your vehicle meet these three criteria:
A) Your vehicle is in sound mechanical condition: good brakes, tires, belts & hoses, fluid levels, etc.
B) This is not a sport for hermits. NEVER wheel alone. The sole exception is if you are very familiar with the trail you are on, have run it at least twice before, and are positively sure your vehicle can negotiate the terrain.
C) Contain and strap down anything that will hurt if it hits you. In the same way that you use a seatbelt even though you do not plan an accident, while offroad you prevent possible injury by containing equipment. As you read the following information, keep in mind that supplies must be contained in some fashion that will prevent bodily injury during extreme maneuvers and/or vehicle atitudes. If you have never been out yet, trust everyone here that you will be absolutely amazed at what your stock vehicle can do. Trust me. Trust us. Trust the J**pers who stand amazed and dumbfounded after they watch us show 'em up on the trail. There may (will) come a time when you’re near vertical either up or down—yes, even in your stock 4wd Explorer!—and you do not want unopened Coke cans, tools, and other metal objects impaling your cranium. There are many options. Go to an Army/Navy store or Farm/Ranch supply to get a large old 81mm military shell box to load your trail stuff in , then strap it down to the rear cargo area hooks we have on our vehicles. Or find your own solution. Use real straps, not bungee cords.

REQUIRED ITEMS
The items on this list are not optional. Do not even think of showing up for a run unless you have all of them. If you do, don’t park next to me. Go find another group. This bare-bones list assumes you are in a group and in case of an emergency you will still have access to the other "Necessary Items" from the next list through another group member.

 Water, 1 gallon per person per day minimum, 2 gallon minimum in summer.
 Personal supplies for at least twice the time you plan on being out:
If you are going on a morning trip, pack a lunch and trail snacks, beef jerky, fruits, dry/canned food, etc. If you are going on an afternoon or all day trip, assume you may spend the night in the vehicle and pack accordingly: medications, flashlight, batteries, matches/lighter, and blankets & gear appropriate to the environment, area, and season.
 CB
 Fire Extinguisher
 Trash bag, for your own as well as other's trash
 First Aid Kit
 Spare key kept on your person
 Towstrap, at least 20’, bare with no metal hooks/brackets attached.
 Towpoints front and rear, frame mounted.
Many of our newer vehicles have no good place to attach a towpoint in front. In an emergency a 20’ towstrap can be looped through itself around the front crossmember. If this is your situation get a 20’ towstrap, not a 30’ one. The 30’ straps are too thick to go around the top of the crossmember. A hidden hitch style receiver with the hitch pin inserted can be utilized as a rear towpoint.
 Full size spare, lug wrench
 Standard bottle jack with 12" square wooden platform for use in soft ground.
 Basic tool kit.
 Fix-A-Flat and/or Tire Plug kit and air compressor (12 volt plugin or other)

NECESSARY SUPPLIES (REQUIRED IN GROUP)
This is the shopping list you really need to fill in order to be properly prepared. You should endeavor to attain all of these supplies as soon as possible. In a group outing all of these items should be available through one or another vehicle in the group.

 Cellphone
 HiLift Jack
 Work gloves
Shop towels
 Hand winch device such as a comealong (the HiLift Jack can also be used as a winch)
 Tow and winch supplies: "D"ring/clevis, snatch block (pulley), blanket or heavy towel to lay on the cable while winching
 Extra fluids: oil, transmission fluid, etc
 Complete tool kit including but not limited to:
Assorted socket set with extensions
Crescent wrench
Vise-Grip
Screwdrivers, standard and Philips head
Pliers: standard, needle nose, channel lock
Wire cutter
Baling / safety wire
Duct tape
Electrical tape, spare fuses, connectors
Hacksaw with spare blade
JB Weld
Super Glue
Utility knife
Hammer
Crowbar
 Common parts prone to failure [EDIT] help me out here guys. Jeeps even carry spare axles with them. What do we really need? U-Joints? Belts/Hoses Etc? What are good suggestions without going overboard and telling people to carry a whole parts dept with them? I've yet to break a mechanical part.
 Jumper Cables
 Shovel, standard or military foldup
 Axe, at least hand axe/hatchet
Bungee cords
 Map and compass if you are new or unfamiliar to the area
 Assorted spare fasteners, nuts, bolts, pop rivets, etc.

CONVENIENCES
None of the following items are necessary to get you back home. However, we have large vehicles with plenty of space and there is no reason not to pack a duffel or (soft!) travel bag with these items. If (when) you end up needing any one of these items you will be very happy you brought them all along.

Work coveralls, cap, and golashes/rubber overboots
Hiking boots or comfortable walking shoes (if you are not already wearing them)
Toilet paper
Paper Towels
Waterless hand scrub and/or Wet Wipes
Sunscreen
Insect Repellent
Change of Clothes
Camera
Also a cooler with latching top

WISH LIST
These are the fun toys that make wheelin' more enjoyable. Some are expensive, some are not. Some require training. Some you may already have. Get them if you can.
 Camping gear: tent, stove, etc
 Winch and full winch supply kit
 Onboard air compressor such as ARB or QuickAir
 GPS
Externally mounted Jerry Can for fuel
 12 volt and battery powered portable tools: Impact wrench, drill, Q-Beam/spotlight
 Ham radio (license required to operate)
Onboard welder
Camcorder


Have at it people. Let's hear Suggestions.


------------------
Gerald
"Nerves of Steel; Brain of Chipmunk"
'99 Eddie Bauer 4x4 4.0L SOHC aka "The Jeepeater"
Dead Link Removed
"What the heck is he doing out here in that thing???"



[This message has been edited by GJarrett (edited 04-24-2000).]

 

[RangerX]

Gerald,

I feel strongly that a CB and a fire extinguisher should be on the required list. Most if not all runs put on by sanctioned clubs have these in their requirements.

For the wish list, how about a welder? I hope someone on the Moab trip has one for peace of mind.(or pieces of mine!) Dead Link Removed Good thing I don't believe in jinxes!


------------------
Bill Collins
93 Ranger XLT 4X4
Modified

 

[rpenner54]

Bill, I know that Rick will have one along. I also know that Dan Mick has one and said if we needed we could use it. Also there is a 4x4 shop on the outskirts of town that welded up my radius arm that has a reasonable price. The fire extingiusher is a great idea too. Anyone have any bright ideas as to where you mounted yours? Mine floats around in the cargo area and I think it somehow developed a very very slow leak. The indicater says its empty and I have never used it. I will pick a new one up here before I go though.



------------------
Ryan Penner
1992 Explorer Sport Modified

 

[GJarrett]

Bill,

The clubs here also require CB and fire extinguisher, but when newcomers show up on a first run I have noticed that they still allow them to go (with a firm suggestion to make sure they have one next time).

You nailed my hardest decision, the CB. I really struggled with which category and personally agree it should be required. Without a CB the driver isn't in touch with evrything going on around him/her and needs extra babysitting through discussions usually requiring stopping and leaving your vehicle. I had to admit though that in a line of a half dozen or more vehicles we seem to get by with putting the non-CBers in the middle between CB equipped vehicles. I couldn't put that in the same category in my mind as absolutely required equipment, though I wanted to. If a vehicle shows up to run with me without any of the items I have classified as "Required", I would not be embarrassed or believe myself to be out of line in telling them they did not come prepared and they should really re-think coming along that day. If they show up without a CB they just made themselves a pain in the butt in my opinion but I don't think it's a deal-killer for the run.

If saomeone shows up without water I'm not embarrassed to tell them to make a quick trip to the corner store before we leave and get some. If they show up without a spare tire I don't have any problem telling them they don't belong there today. Someone with no spare tire can ruin my afternoon and cut the trip short. There's a difference between that stuff and a CB.

My reasoning for not classifying the fire extinguisher "required" is based on that presumption that they are part of a group. As rarely as one is really needed, it's ok as long as others in the group have one. I wouldn't turn someone away that didn't have one but I would let them know they need one next time.

I have no qualms reclassifying both to required if others feel that way. In a very real sense you are correct. Let's get some more feedback and consensus on these two items.

Brain phart! Of course I should have included a welder on the wish list. I'll add it in.

Gerald



[This message has been edited by GJarrett (edited 04-23-2000).]

 

[GJarrett]

Test... the front page shows Brian Corff just posted on this thread but it is nowhere to be found. Maybe this messgage will pop his up. If not, what's wrong/going on Rick?

 

[bcorff]

Weird, I did reply and it didn't show up for some reason. I will repost my reply in a few minutes after I verify that this one works.

------------------
Brian Corff
Dead Link Removed
"Beware the lollipop of mediocrity. Lick it once and you suck forever."

 

[mattadams]

Gerald - I have considered the keypad, maybe at some later point... I like your list, quite comprehensive Dead Link Removed. As for the fire extinguisher, I have mine mounted to my cargo box (shown earlier). I just bought it a few weeks back in preperation for Moab. I also made a mount on my box for a 2' crowbar (which holds it at a good angle and uses springs to make sure it doesn't fly around, that could HURT). I'm working on a good way to secure my cooler, but tis too big and finding a place for it is tricky. I usually have my 6-gallon water container with me as well as sodas and and another water bottle in the cab with me. I have never needed to "tap in" to the 6 gallon water jug but it does come in handy for brushing teeth, washing hair, giving a quick sponge bath like I did while camping in Truckhaven and will be doing again in Moab. It's certainly drinkable if necessary though!

------------------
Matt Adams
94 Explorer 4-door nick-named "Tippy"
http://bart.is-s.com/~explorers/explorer/explorer.html

 

[bcorff]

Well, here goes again. I hope it works this time.

I am having trouble finding a good place to mount my fire extinguisher too. Any suggestions?

Also, Gerald you forgot to include a flashlight and extra batteries (required list) and maybe a 12V spot light for emergencies. A compas, a map (if not familiar with the area), and the ability to use them are also required. Duct tape is invaluable. Also, matches or a lighter.

------------------
Brian Corff
Dead Link Removed
"Beware the lollipop of mediocrity. Lick it once and you suck forever."

 

[GJarrett]

Brian,
The items you list are all in there except for the sapotlight, map and compass. I may have gotten so wordy that some of the items get "buried" in all the information. The original document is much more readable: it has bold headings, bullet lists, etc so maybe that will help.

The spotlight, map and compass are a good idea; I'll put 'em in.

I'm still waiting for feedback on spare parts.


[This message has been edited by GJarrett (edited 04-23-2000).]

 

[Rick]

This is where my extinguisher is mounted. I'm going to put one on the other side also.

Gerald, why don't you start off with the essentials and end with the wish list.

------------------
Rick Horwitz
Editor
explorer@4x4central.com
www.4x4central.com
Ricks Explorer

 

[GJarrett]

Thanks Rick, that's where my fire extinguisher will now be mounted.

I do not understand your next request. I AM ending with the wish list. Do you mean to end with the convenience items list? That might be a good idea. I'm off now to the chat room.

 

[Paul]

Ryan (and others with Sports) -

A decent spot for the extinguisher is mounted to the panel behind the driver's seat (below the small rear window). I used small toggle/molly bolts to secure the bracket to the plastic panel, and the extinguiser base sits on the carpet. You have to remove the extinguisher to fold the rear seat forward, but other than that, it's both accessible and unobtrusive.

Know that doesn't help the majority of you guys with four door models...

Paul

 

[RangerX]

Mine is in the exact same spot as Rick's.

------------------
Bill Collins
93 Ranger XLT 4X4
Modified

 

[Dignan]

Perhaps you should make a category of items that are required for the group (fire exstinguisher, cell phone, winch, etc.) and when you leave in a group you could make sure that at least one or two person(s) has/have this equipment.

------------------
If everybody is different, how can anyone be normal?

91 Explorer XLT
4.0L OHV V6

 

[Tank]

i agree that a good list will be much better than all the ideas scattered out on the thread... one sugestion tho .... you should break down the required section further to seperate location/weather specific items. ie desert, mountain, winter) environments.

 

[Char]

Gerald, I believe the CB and fire extinquisher should definitely be on the required list. It is a total pain in the butt when somebody doesn't have a CB. An extinquisher is an item they tell you to carry in your car even on the regular road.

Rick's suggestion was to put required items first, convenience items second, and last, but not least the wish list.

Yes, we will have our welder on the trip. It would be nice though if someone in each group had one. Like you said though, Wish List.

Also, after ham radio you might want to write 'licensed required' in parentheses.

------------------
Char
93 Modified Exploder, Co-owner (passenger)&
The Better (other) Half
I may be CRAZY (she is),.... BUT I'm not insane!(well...)
Think for yourself ...... Sheep end up dead!

[This message has been edited by Char (edited 04-24-2000).]

 

[Tank]

recovery strap should be on the required list too.. chances are that "someone else" will have one, but its a cheap item that no one should be without.

aside from the equipment list....

i was thinking that we should come up with a standard rating for trails that we can all refer too when planning a run... so if i say we are going to pendell on saturdy and give the rating ... someone new will see that and know that there is alot of deep mud and he would need more than just stock tires... just a thought...

 

[Scott B.]

As for mounting your fire extinguisher, you want in solidly mounted in a place you can reach while seatbelted in to the driver's seat. You need to be able to get to it very quickly.

Think about it - you just rolled down a hill, are sitting on your roof, a fuel line broke, spilling fuel on the hot exhaust manifold starting a fire, and your passenger hit their head and hangs unconscious, upside down from the seat belt.

Not trying to be morbid, but accidents can happen.

Keep your flashlight handy, also. It's dark on the trails at night!!



------------------
Scott
sjbosso@mindspring.com

 

[GJarrett]

Dignan,
The category of items that are required to be in the group IS the Necessary Items. That's why I worded the preface to the Required list with the caveat that the bare-bones required items assume that you are in a group and in case of emergency the other necessary items will still be available through another group member.

There has already been another suggestion to add items already on the list. Obviously I have not worded or designed it well enough yet and information is getting lost in all the stuff. I will work on rewording some passages, using bulleted column lists, bold typeface notations, etc to make the finished Word document much clearer and more readable.

Char has Seconded the original motion to move CB & Fire Extinguisher to "required". Do we have a vote of "ayes"? I'll move them now and see if anyone objects.

I like the idea of moving the order of the list around and will do so. "License Required" will be added to Ham.

Tank, I'm a little unknowing here, maybe we are just talking about semantics, but what is the difference between a towstrap and recovery strap? I thought they were the same.

Trails:
Most established well-known trails are known to be rated at a certain level and some have an additional note to the rating (rated "3", but "4" if wet). One of the Moab links (I cannot remember which one) has the trail ratings.

In addition, the "Trail Equipment" section of the link I posted earlier www.jeepn.com has a very well written description (with pictures) of what the different vehicle ratings are along with the trail rating guide (examples -- Vehicle rating 1: Bone stock, no mods; can handle up to 2 rated trails. Vehicle rated 3: Aggressive tires no smaller than 31's, towhooks front and rear, traction-aiding device preferred in one axle, can handle up to 3.5 rated trails). There are five vehicle ratings from 1-5 and a complete description of the trail difficulty ratings (example -- 4 Rating: Trail either never bladed or badly eroded. Stock vehicles are in jeopardy. Modifications for improved off-road performance and top driving skills needed).

I'll be happy to start a thread listing the standardized trail ratings and what they mean if you want, but that article above is well done and all I could offer is to shamelessly copy it with minor modifications to the vehicle ratings to better apply them to Explorers instead of Jeeps.

 

[Tank]

im sorry ... i missed the list somewhere .. i thought we were still working on the original .... where do i go to see the original ?