Hey Gang,
I mentioned to some at the West Richland Veterans Parade about our new Veterans stickers. I was able to gert with the company that created them, and work a deal for our members. This is a members only discount of 10% off online orders on their site.
Their website is:
For a while now we’ve had the opportunity to purchase apparel with the older Logos from TeePublic.com (https://www.teepublic.com/user/livin-4-today) and you still can, however, we’ve updated the main menu to go to the new store Ringolde’s in West Richland.
The club makes no money on the items listed at either site, but the quality is much higher with Ringolde’s.
The new store can be reached above from the menu (RS 4x4s Gear) or by the lollowing link (or clicking the store image);
Thanks in advance for your participation!
RattleSnake 4x4s
You can register on the day, or pre register online, however, in order for your pre-registration (below Online Form) to be accepted, you must include participant payment/ticket puchase on our store.
Ticket price to enter is $25, although we will gladly accept more donations as all proceeds go to benefit the 828 STRONG (Huricane Helene Victims). To make a payment go to our STORE and use the $25 donation to purchase a ticket (there are only 40 available).
We encourage additional donations in any amount, and add a message Donation for RS 4x4s Farm & Country Fall Rally 2024.
Heading off-road is a truly freeing experience. You can drive off into the wilderness and leave all of the stresses and noise of the modern world behind you. However, it’s not as simple as getting in your 4×4 and pointing it in the right direction. There’s a lot to consider and pack beforehand.
If you’re ready to test your mettle against the great outdoors and see what obstacles your vehicle can overcome, here are some rules for 4x4ing that every beginner needs to know:
You might not know what a trail has in store for you or how long traversing it might take. Being prepared with a full tank of fuel relieves the stress and can help on extended trips.
Rule number one is to never head off into the unknown. That may seem counterintuitive to a 4×4 adventure, but it’s the only way to ensure you stay safe. Knowing the route you’re taking – where the turns are, where it starts and where it ends – will go a long way to getting you there and back again in one piece.
Good route knowledge helps you understand exactly how tricky the terrain is, and if there are any potentially hidden surprises you may come up against. You still have to get up and over the obstacles (or around them) but knowing what’s coming will allow you to pack the right equipment and set your vehicle up correctly beforehand.
Having an up-to-date GPS, map book or digital maps (like onX or GaiaGPS) are non-negotiable tools when going off road. If using a mapping app be sure to download your trails before losing connectivity (many trails have no service).
Anything can happen on a 4×4 trip, from flat tires to broken drivetrains, getting stuck in mud or sand, or ending up with an injury. If you’re on your own, you could have serious issues if you come undone.
The correct etiquette for this type of activity is to always go in a group, or at the very least to have a second vehicle on the route. You can assist each other with towing or getting back on track if you tip over, as well as having someone to go for help if you really get into a bad situation.
Different types of terrain require different things from an off-road vehicle. You need to make sure you’re that you are going to be facing. For example, soft, sandy ground is best tackled with tires that have low pressure. They provide a wider surface area as they press down, giving you more traction on terrain that’s constantly shifting. An accurate tire deflator and inflator will be your best friend in a situation like this.
If you’re in a very rocky area or you’re driving over sharp, shale on the trail, then you need to ensure you have a good puncture repair kit and at least one spare tire. A monitor in the cabin for watching your tire pressure can be a big help too. This will alert you to any shifts in pressure, allowing you precious time to stop before a tear or hole becomes unfixable.
Safety gear in off-roading applies to a medical kit for you and equipment for your 4×4. Heading out of town without these essentials is a big mistake because anything can happen in the middle of nowhere – and no one but you and your travel companions can help.
Start with a good first aid kit that has proper bandages and disinfectants. A few painkillers and space blankets are a good idea in case of a bad accident, as are splints and gauze pads.
For your vehicle, pack tow ropes, a jack lift, winch, snatch block, D rings, and a tree-assist tow rope. These will allow you to get out of many difficult situations, as long as you have a friend to assist. Sturdy gloves and a shovel are other good additions to your safety kit.
Being able to communicate with your travel companions in other 4x4s is critical. The vehicle in front can report back to the rest of the group about major obstacles to give them a warning. They can also alert the people behind them if they get stuck. This can avert an accident as a stationary object in the middle of a trail can be a major hazard. Likewise, the people at the back of the train can warn those up ahead if they are getting left behind.
There are various types of radios to choose from. It’s up to your group to decide if you need something more powerful like a HAM radio or if a CB radio that works on line of sight is sufficient. The key is to ensure that all of the radios you have are compatible and you won’t lose touch with each other. Relying on a mobile phone is simply not practical as most trails won’t offer cellular reception. RattleSnake 4x4s use and recommend the GMRS radios, many carry either or both a handheld (great for out of rig operations like spotting or sharing with others) and a mounted unit (easier to hear and manage on the trail).
There is nothing wrong with being winched through an obstacle if you can’t make it through on your own after a reasonable number of attempts. If you’ve made multiple attempts at an obstacle and there is a line of rigs backed up behind you that have been waiting half an hour for you to get out of the way but you still want to keep trying, move aside and let them through before making another run at it.
There’s a certain code of conduct when it comes to off-road adventuring. You may not always come across other groups or individuals out in the wilderness, but on the occasions that you do, it’s important to know the right way to deal with them.
Trails are often narrow and don’t have enough room for off road vehicles to pass each other going in opposite directions. The general rule of thumb, if you’re on a hill, is to let those heading up the pass have right of way and those heading down should pull over as much as possible. This is because you have more control and it’s easier to get going again if you’re heading downhill.
In any passing or overtaking situation, it’s important for the group leaders to signal to each other how many members they have with them. The leader of the group that’s moving should use fingers to signal how many vehicles are behind them – the number of fingers equals the number of vehicles. The last to pass should then signal to the stationery group with a closed fist to show that they are the tail-end.
By observing the correct etiquette your off-roading experience will be safer, smoother, and more enjoyable. A whole world of off road adventures awaits, and they’ll be far more fun if you stick to the rules.
Some trails are wide open adventures, but you can also run into areas of trouble. Being prepared can make or break your adventure. Whether the situation requires fixing or clearing be prepared to take the action required to make the trail safe for others who may travel behind you.
a. Trail fixing (snow/washouts, etc) –
Clearing snow or stacking rocks and filling in a washout. Have a shovel to help facilitate these obstacles, with the idea of leaving it better than you found it. If the obstacle forces a retreat, consider planning a work party to come back and fix the trail with a group.
b. Trail Clearing (deadfalls etc) –
Have a chainsaw in your group, and clear the trail side to side. At times you may encounter choke points cleared by others to simply allow for their rig of choice to continue. Unfortunately this often isn’t wide enough for all types of off road vehicle to pass. A great rule of thumb on wider trails (roads) designed for full size vehicles is to clear them wide enough for Fire Vehicles to get past the obstacle. This makes the trail safe for all who enjoy them and helps in the event of a fire for both safe egress of folks on the trail as well as Fire rigs trying to get access to a fire, not to mention the potential for Search & Rescue to have access as well.
Most of us are on the trail because we love spending time in the beautiful outdoors and have great respect for the land. Nobody wants to be the jerk who breaks the rules, resulting in accidents, trail closures and other damaging consequences.
Know who owns the land you will be traveling on and any rules, fees and permits required. For example, Southern California National Forests do not charge an entrance fee to travel the trails, but a Forest Adventure Pass is required to park your vehicle. If you plan to stop for lunch or a hike, you will need the pass.
Familiarize yourself with the agency’s trail signage. Trail signs frequently include color coded difficulty levels and will indicate what modes of transportation are permitted on the trail.
Stay on marked trails, don’t drive over vegetation, cross streams only at designated fording points where the trail crosses the stream, drive over (not around) obstacles to avoid widening the trail, and respect all signage and barriers.
Pack it in, pack it out. Better yet, carry a trash bag and pack out more than you pack in. Stop to pick up that plastic water bottle you see on the side of the trail.
This includes policing your brass if you plan to do some shooting and the area allows it.
Leave gates the way you found them. If you open a gate, close it behind you.
On multi-use trails, yield right of way to mountain bikes, hikers and horses. Slow down and give them plenty of room and keep in mind to not dust them out.
Take special caution when encountering saddled horses, they can be easily spooked by loud noises and unexpected movement. If you come across a horse on the trail you should pull over to the side, shut off your engine and ask the rider how to best proceed.
When two vehicles meet on a steep hill, the vehicle traveling up the hill has the right of way. This is because the vehicle traveling uphill may need to maintain momentum, and because it is more difficult and dangerous to back down a steep narrow trail.
Common sense should prevail though; if it is easier and there is room for the uphill vehicle to pull over, it wouldn’t make sense to expect the downhill vehicle to back up the hill. Either way backing up is tough.
If you are going up a big obstacle like a long, steep rocky climb, it may make sense to send a spotter up on foot to make sure the trail is clear and to warn any on-coming vehicles.
Slow down when you pass other vehicles, hikers and campsites.
Leave plenty of room for the vehicle in front of you, especially when navigating obstacles, climbing steep hills or in low visibility. If the vehicle in front of you loses traction (or worst case scenario, rolls over), you don’t want to be right behind it.
Never stop your vehicle on a blind curve or in the middle of trail – wait until you reach a place where you can safely pull over off the trail.
When traveling with a group of vehicles, each person is responsible for keeping an eye on the vehicle behind them. It’s not uncommon for vehicles to become widely spread out, especially on dusty trails, but you don’t want to lose anyone, particularly if they run into trouble.
If you lose sight of the vehicle behind you, slow down until you can see them or attempt to make radio contact if you can’t spot them.
Always stop before making a turn off a trail to make sure the vehicle behind you sees where the turn is.
You are also responsible for maintaining visual contact with the vehicle in front of you.
If you have a problem and fall behind or need to stop, use your radio to let your group know.
Don’t let others pressure you into doing something you’re not comfortable doing. There is nothing wrong with taking a bypass if you or your vehicle is not up to tackling an obstacle.
All of us out there rely on each other, especially in remote areas. The off road community is the friendliest and most helpful group of people there is. If you see someone stopped on the side of trail, ask them if they need help and be prepared to give it.
We would hope this wouldn’t even need to be said, but we can tell you we’ve seen it happen. If a vehicle in your group has a problem, the group stays until the problem is resolved. It is not right to leave someone out on the trail to fend for themselves with a stuck or broken vehicle, especially in a remote location where things can quickly turn into a life or death situation.
Be prepared for it every time you go out. Always carry extra food and water in case you are out several hours longer than you had planned. Be patient, helpful and keep a good attitude; because next time, it could be you.
Following these tips will help preserve trail access for the future and keep off-roading safe and fun for everyone.
Well he saw an offer to become a trailguide and saw it meant he could get a free Elite Membership, and save on swag, and be able to save friends and family 30% on memberships.
So with this in mind he’ll need your extra patience and any help folks might give as he re-maps 2 of the trails correctly for onX Off Road in the Tillamook State Forest(Brown’s Camp). The two Jeep Badge Of Honor trails –
Firebreak Five & Cedar Tree
For more information on onX’s Trailguides program or if you’d like to become a trailguide yourself check out this link.
https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trailguide
Thanks in advance,
RS 4x4s
You must be logged in to post a comment.