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Budd Stanley photos
Keep Your Distance
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Budd Stanley photos
Keep Your Distance
Tailgating distracts you from the road and your avoidance time to potential obstacles.
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Budd Stanley photos
Keep Your Distance
Always keep the truck behind in your mirrors.
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Budd Stanley photos
Keep Your Distance
Using an FRS radio is a great way to stay in touch with the group.
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Budd Stanley photos
Keep Your Distance
Ensure you have at least 5-metre gap, even more on steep hills.
Story by Tom Severin, photos by Budd Stanley
How far back should you be on the trail?
Maintaining the proper distance between your vehicle and the one ahead can be tricky. Speeds vary, the terrain changes frequently, and visibility can drop quickly. You want to stay close enough to the vehicle in front so you can learn from it, but not tailgate and risk causing an accident or worse: not be able to read the terrain for yourself.
Even experienced drivers find it challenging to monitor trail conditions and nearby vehicles. Newer drivers tend to focus so much on the vehicle ahead that they end up tailgating — in essence, glued to his backside. In the process, they lose sight of the trail and any obstacles or difficult conditions. More importantly they lose track of the vehicle behind, which can throw off the entire caravan.
Appropriate distance for safe off-road four wheeling:
As a rule of thumb, you should be far enough back to at least see the other guy’s rear differential. If the differential is just visible above your hood, you’re about five metres (17 ft) away. Any closer than that, and everything between you and the other vehicle is in a blind spot. You never see the difficult obstacles so you can pick a line. And you won’t have time to react if need be. Back off so you have a better view of the trail and obstacles ahead.
Tailgating is a real problem on dusty roads — you can’t see squat. There could be a washout or deep rut up ahead, and you wouldn’t see it until it’s too late.
As soon as you see the driver ahead kicking up dust, back off. Stay behind the dust cloud, and monitor it to determine how the other driver is responding to conditions ahead. Another advantage to staying back is that you’ll be able to enjoy the scenery.
You’re probably wondering, aren’t the drivers communicating with each other? Maybe, but maybe not. A good two-way radio is indispensable in these circumstances. That’s why I always require a two-way radio in each vehicle during my off-road trips. CB is fine, but I’ve found that FRS radios performs well.
The lead driver lets everyone know of obstacles, blind curves, oncoming vehicles, and other issues. During my trips, I ask the last driver (my “tail gunner”) to acknowledge my broadcast. That way I know it’s been received properly. Any vehicle that didn’t hear my message will likely hear the follow-up transmission.
In addition to keeping an eye on the vehicle ahead, drivers should occasionally glance in the mirror to make sure the trailing vehicle is still in view. If not, they should contact the driver. Of course, it’s also important for the driver in distress to speak up when they get in a bind.
I can’t stress enough that you must keep your two-way radio on and any distracting noises to a minimum. Turn down the commercial radio and your iPod. You should be focused on the road ahead and any instructions coming over the two-way radio.
When you’re the lead driver, remind the others to keep their trailing vehicle in sight. If each driver does this, no one loses a vehicle when the driving gets tough. Even with reliable communications, verify that the trailing vehicle is still behind you after you take that fork in the trail or make some other change. Any drivers really focused on the obstacle just ahead can forget a set of instructions they heard moments before.
Similarly, if your vehicle encounters a problem, make sure you get on the radio. The vehicles ahead and behind should stop. If everyone is looking out for the guy behind, the entire caravan will soon stop. Address your problem, and resume the drive. It all boils down to teamwork and trust, with every driver knowing and adhering to protocol.
Tom Severin, 4x4 Coach, teaches 4WD owners how to confidently and safely use their vehicles to the fullest extent in difficult terrain and adverse driving conditions. Visit www.4x4training.com to develop or improve your driving skill.