The American Jeepster Club’s
Guideline and
Safety Suggestions
Please print hard copy of material below to keep
on hand
All vehicles must be in good working order.
Participants must sign club's disclaimer form before participating in any event.
1. Any open vehicle or one with a soft top must have a roll bar firmly attached to the floor. A roll bar is recommended for all vehicles.
2. Seat belts for all persons, must be usable.
3. First aid kit.
4. Fire extinguisher must show full charge and/or have the seal intact. Must be securely fastened.
5. Towrope, chain, cable, or strap and recovery points (tow hooks, ETC.)
6. CB antenna longer than 48 inches must be secured top and bottom, no metal whips allowed.
7. Jack, lug wrench, and a spare tire. Spare tire must have 3/32” minimum of tread. All tires must have reasonable tread life with suitable off-road tread.
8. Operable brake lights, headlights, taillights, turn signals, and horn.
9. Mechanical Parking Brake must be able to stall the vehicle in 2nd gear (manual transmissions). Mechanical Parking Brake, on vehicles with automatic transmissions, must hold under light load in 2nd gear. Line Locks will not be an acceptable substitute.
10. Service Brakes must be able to stall the vehicle in 2nd gear.
11. Current vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
12. Recovery Points (tow hooks, ETC.)
13. Vehicles exhaust system must be in proper working order…no open headers or exhaust leaks.
14. Axe and shovel.
15. All loose items, including batteries, must be firmly secured.
16. Usage of firearms is prohibited.
17. Trash bag, you haul it in – you haul it out, plus some.
18. The law prohibits driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
19. Extra drinking water, food, and gas.
Trail Rating Guidelines:
1. Mild trails may not require 4W (Unpaved roads, fire breaks).
2. Moderate trails, 4WD required - Potential for getting stuck (Rutted trails, undulating terrain, shallow stream crossings, mud holes, sand or snow).
3. Challenging trails, 4WDLo necessary- limited slip in rear differential - spring lift – Min. 31’ tires- Potential for vehicle damage. (Loose and or rocky terrain, off-camber trails, large mud holes, creek crossings).
4. Difficult Trails, Heavy Duty vehicle components needed- high ground clearance, Min. 33” tires - lockers in both differentials. Potential for serious vehicle damage (Very rocky or steep terrain, mud bogs, deep water crossings).
5. Extremely difficult, heavy-duty vehicle components required. Most of trail is rocky and off-camber. High potential of rollover and component damage.
Make sure your vehicle meets all trail requirements.
The Trail Master:
The Trail Master (TM) plays a key role in the enjoyment of an off-road trip for the group. There is a big difference between being a Trail Master and just being the “lead dog”. The TM acts as a host, guide, foreman, and supervisor for the event. The TM’s prime responsibility is always personal safety. No one person can completely protect a vehicle in the elements we subject them to. We must collectively do everything we can to prevent any person from getting hurt or worse.
Alerts Trail Master and group of rear approaching traffic, of obstacle problems, vehicle breakdowns, or that a obstacle has been cleared/passed.
Assist Trail Master and trail participants.
Picks up any debris left on trail.
On TheTrail:
Don’t be a “LITTER BUG.” The rule is “IF YOU HAUL IT IN – YOU HAUL IT OUT, PLUS SOME.
Don’t be careless about fires, matches and cigarettes. BE SURE FIRES ARE PUT OUT COMPLETELY. Obtain fire permits if needed.
Firearms are not allowed to be exposed or used.
When traveling with other vehicles, always wait at the turn for the vehicle behind you. Keep the vehicle behind you in sight when possible. If you lose track of vehicle, STOP and go back after a reasonable length of time. Radio (CB) contact should be made if possible.
If you leave the trail run or caravan, please notify the trail master.
Obey the Trail Master as to the rules for each trip. Often you are on government or private lands and it is the responsibility of the trip leaders to see that the privileges extended to the group are not violated.
Park, Forest, and other land regulations are Laws and shall always be obeyed.
The destruction of plants, soil, and meadows are NOT ALLOWED. STAY on the designated trail. TREAD LIGHTLY!
Outdoor bathroom stops may be handled by “men on the left, women on the right”, when stops are necessary. Take a shovel with you if needed.
Overnight trail camping is basically the same as camping in a campground. COURTESY is the keynote and certain things should be taken into consideration: Noise - keep radios, motorbikes, musical instruments, voices, and vehicles as controlled as possible. Quiet time - 10.00 P.M. to 7.00 AM. CAMPFIRES – check to be sure campfires are permitted and consult the group as to location. ANIMALS – all pets should be kept under control at all times. Leashes are recommended. CHILDREN - keep track of your own. Lost children are a disaster.
Follow all additional trail rules that the Event Director has deemed necessary.
NO usage of alcohol or ill legal drugs on the trial. Anyone determined to be under the influence of alcohol or mind-altering drugs during any club event is subject to immediate dismissal from the club.
In Camp:
Don’t be a “LITTER BUG”. The rule is “IF YOU HAUL IT IN – YOU HAUL IT OUT, PLUS SOME”
Don’t be careless about fires, matches or cigarettes. BE SURE FIRES ARE PUT OUT COMPLETELY. All Park, Forest, and Private Property fire regulations must be obeyed. Acquire fire permits where needed.
Firearms are not allowed to be exposed or used.
Speed limit in and around camp is 5 miles per hour.
Park, Forest, and other land regulations are Laws and shall always be obeyed.
COURTESY -is the keynote and certain things should be taken into consideration: Noise - keep radios, motorbikes, musical instruments, voices, and vehicles as controlled as possible. Quiet time - 10.00 pm to 7.00 am
CAMPFIRES – check to be sure campfires are permitted and consult the group as to location.
ANIMALS – all pets should be kept under control at all times. Leashes are recommended.
CHILDREN - keep track of your own. Lost children are a disaster.
Follow all additional camping rules that the Event Director has deemed necessary.
Anyone determined to be under the influence of alcohol or mind-altering drugs during any club event is subject to immediate dismissal from the event.
All gray (waste) water or sewage waste must be contained in an appropriate container.
Good attitude…. violators will be tied to nearest object -- Just use common sense
Four Wheeling involves people – drivers, passengers, and by-standers. These Personal Safety Suggestions are for the protection of the people involved, both directly and in association with the vehicle.
NO 4 wheeling should be done on club trail runs without 2 or more vehicles.
All passengers should be afforded the protection of roll bars.
NO standing in the vehicle while in motion.
Loose objects such as passenger seats, toolboxes, ice chests, and spare tires, ETC, need to be firmly secured.
Children should never be left alone in a vehicle. Be sure keys are removed when vehicle is parked or unoccupied.
Members are responsible for his/her guests on club trips.
Members must be responsible for their own pets and children.
All persons must be kept safely away from vehicles engaged in hill climbs or when overcoming obstacles on the trail.
Don’t tailgate, especially while on the trail.
Don’t pull or tow anyone on sleds, racks, sheet metal, skis, snowboards, or other material.
Anyone determined to be under the influence of alcohol or mind-altering drugs during any club event is subject to immediate dismissal from the event.
Tread Lightly Advisory:
We strongly support the Tread Lightly! program.
Tread Lightly Pledge:
Travel and create with minimum impact
Respect the environment and the rights of others
Educate yourself, plan and prepare before you go
Allow for future use of the outdoors, leave it better than you found it
Discover the rewards of responsible recreation
PLEASE:
Pack out more than you packed in.
Don’t blaze new trails.
Don’t harass the wildlife.