CLUB INFO PAGE
ADVENTURE AND SAFETY
Our Commitments to Adventure and Well-Being
We are passionate about 4-wheeling adventures, camaraderie, and adrenaline-fueled excitement, but above all, safety is our top priority. Whether seasoned off-roader or newbie, the fundamental principles we live by are Vehicle and Equipment Preparedness, following our Best Practices on the Trail, Winching Safety and Best Techniques, and clear Radio Communications on the Trail. Details next.
Vehicle and Equipment Preparedness:
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Member vehicles should be Jeep Wrangler size, properly maintained and in good operating condition.
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Four-wheel drive with a 2-speed transfer case needed on most trails.
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Limited exceptions may be made to allow smaller or larger four-wheel drive vehicles on some trails.
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Best Practices on the Trail:
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Trail Guidance: Trail runs can be safer and more fun if we all follow the Verde Valley 4-Wheelers Driver, Trail Leader and Tail Gunner Guidance for the Trail.
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Winching Safety and Best Techniques:
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Winching Safety: 4WD winch lines have much less strength margin than most commercial standards specify. Know the details before you winch or get winched!
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Winching How-To: The Warn Basic Guide to Winching Techniques
Radio Communications on the Trail:
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The club has transitioned to GMRS radios for trail communications. GMRS radios can be either handheld or mobile (vehicle mounted). Members often have loaner radios along.
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​Transmitting on a General Mobile Radio Service radio over 2-watts requires an FCC license and call sign. Licensing information may be found on this Licensing Guide Sheet.
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​GMRS maximum power levels and the frequencies used by the Club are listed on this Power Level Guide Sheet.
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When transmitting, press the push-to-talk button, wait a moment (1/2 second or so), identify yourself, deliver your message, wait another moment and then release the push-to-talk button. This will keep your message from being clipped, and we'll all know who is talking. Handheld radios send and receive best if held with the antenna close to vertical.
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Personal Trail Preparedness Self-Assessment:
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Now that you've read about our Club commitment to safety and all the links in the previous section, our Trail Preparedness Self-Assessment will help you decide if you're ready to hit the trails with the Verde Valley 4-Wheelers.
SELF-ASSESSMENT
GPS INFO
Using GPS: For members interested in back-country navigation, including making GPS tracks and following GPS tracks made by others, see our GPS How-To