Maintain Proper Distance Off-Road
You want to stay close enough to the vehicle in front so you can learn from it but not tailgate.
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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 important 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 17 feet 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 that 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 2-way radio is indispensable in these circumstances.
That’s why I always require a 2-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, he should contact the driver. (Of course, it’s also important for the driver in distress to speak up when he gets in a bind.)
I can’t stress enough that you must keep your 2-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 2-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.
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Related Articles from Badlands Off-road Adventures
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Did you miss the previous article?
Upcoming Events
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Mojave Lower Desert, CA
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Summary of upcoming events.
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Death Valley October 23 - 26, 2015
This is a 4 day trip on the back roads in Death Valley.
We will drive the Panamint Mountains, drive past Badwater Basin (lowest spot in North America),
visit Chloride Ghost town, Titus Canyon, check out Ubehebe Crater, Teakettle junction, The Race Track & Lippencott Mine Road,
camp at the Warm Springs and leave via Steal Pass up to the high meadows, then take Dedeckera Canyon
down to the Eureka Sand Dunes. All four days will see some light to moderate 4-wheeling.
Much of the trip is quite remote with random or no cell service. We don't plan to stop at tourist sights you can get to in a passenger car.
Check out the details and sign up on the website:
http://www.4x4training.com/Adventures/Deathvalley.html
August 2013 Off-Road Adventures Magazine: Death Valley Excursion by Denis Snow
You can register directly at
http://www.4x4training.com/calendar/calendar.php#Deathvalley
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Winch Recovery Bandana & Winching DVD
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We have our new stock with many new colors (Red, Orange, Green, and Blue) on hand.
The Bandana is packed full of useful information and is a quick reference in the field when no DVD player is available."
The Bandana layout follows the “Vehicle Recovery Plan” with pathways to more detail.
A unique section of the Bandana, gives the steps for a “Winch Rigging Check: Walk through” so that you verify every element of the rigging before you commit to the pull.
Stuff this in your recovery kit and you will always be ready!
Pick up or order the Winching DVD too!
There is no substitute for hands on training. If you can, sign up for one of Badlands Off-Road Adventure’s Winching Clinics.
Warning – the Bandana and DVD are not a substitute for proper training and use of quality equipment that is used within the bounds of their safe working load.
We advise you to use the information provided in both the Winching Recovery Bandana and the "Basic to Advanced Winching and Recovery DVD" at your own risk.
We cannot control the quality and specifications of the equipment used and the methods actually employed.
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Winch Recovery Bandana Order Button
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Order a Basic to Advanced Winching & Recovery DVD too!
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I hope to see you on the trails!
Tom Severin, President
Badlands Off Road Adventures, Inc.
4-Wheel Drive School
310-613-5473
http://www.4x4training.com
Make it Fun. Keep it Safe.
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Tom Severin, 4x4 Coach, teaches 4WD owners how to confidently and safely use their vehicles to the fullest extent in difficult
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Visit www.4x4training.com to develop or improve your driving skill.
Copyright 2015, Badlands Off-Road Adventures, Inc.
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You want to stay close enough to the vehicle in front so you can learn from it but not tailgate. 
