Responsible Four Wheeling

Tread Lightly! TREAD Principles and Tips

Travel & recreate with minimum impact

Negotiating terrain
· Travel straight up or down a hill or grade.
· Cross obstacles at an angle, one wheel at a time.
· Don’t straddle large rocks.
· Avoid mud if you can while remaining on the road or trail. Turn the steering

wheel rapidly from side-to-side if you sense a loss of traction.
· Turn into ravines or large depressions at about a 45-degree angle.
· Straddle ruts, even if they are wider than your vehicle. This will keep your vehicle level.
· Cross streams slowly, at a 90-degree angle to the stream.

Winches
· For small vehicles, a 6,000 lb. –rated winch is generally adequate.
· For larger vehicles, an 8,000 or 9,000 lb. –rated winch is recommended.

Driving tips
· Keep your thumbs on top of the steering wheel, to prevent a sprained or broken thumb if the wheel suddenly snaps.
· Lower the tire pressure to where you see a bulge in your tire to give you better traction and provide for a smoother ride.
· Avoid riding the brakes and clutch, which can lead to break failure.

Minimum impact camping
· Select lightweight equipment, possibly in earth-tone colors that will blend with the surroundings.
· Use existing campsites whenever possible.
· Avoid building fires.

Respect the environment and the rights of others

Rules and common courtesy
· Be considerate of others on the road or trail.
· Drive only where permitted.
· Leave gates as you find them.
· Yield the right of way to bikes, horses and hikers.
· Keep the noise and dust down. Others will appreciate it.
· Pack out what you pack in.

 

Educate yourself, plan and prepare before you go

Preparation
· Obtain a map of the area you wish to explore and determine which areas are open for use.
· Contact the land manager for area restrictions and if crossing private property, be sure to ask permission from the landowner.
· Check the weather forecast.

Safety on the road or trail
· Travel with a group of two or more vehicles.
· Buckle up for safety.
· Drinking and driving don’t mix.

Allow for future use of the outdoors, by leaving it better than you found it

Four Wheeling and the environment
· Stay on designated roads and trails or other areas open for use.
· Avoid “spooking” livestock you encounter.
· Cross streams at fording points only.
· Remember, designated wilderness areas are reserved for the most primitive outdoor adventure.

Discover the rewards of responsible recreation

· Four wheeling provides the opportunity to get away from it all and builds family traditions.
· Remember-if you abuse it, you’ll probably lose it! Careless operation of your off-highway vehicle can cause damage and may result in closing of areas to four-wheel enthusiasts.
· Respect the environment and other trail users. By using common sense and common courtesy, what is available today will be here to enjoy tomorrow.

MuddyOval.com is a Media Partner with TreadLightly!  Their guidelines should serve as a minimum- we will add additional content about how to ensure the longevity of our hobby.  We urge you ALL to join TreadLightly! and follow their guidelines.