{"id":43279,"date":"2021-04-30T09:55:53","date_gmt":"2021-04-30T00:25:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/?p=43279"},"modified":"2023-02-22T07:30:53","modified_gmt":"2023-02-21T21:00:53","slug":"convoy-etiquette-and-safety-when-4wding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/convoy-etiquette-and-safety-when-4wding\/","title":{"rendered":"Convoy Etiquette & Safety When 4WDing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hitting the tracks with another vehicle or a group of vehicles introduces a heap of camaraderie and fun, while providing extra security and reassurance if things go pear-shaped. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what does it mean to travel in a 4WDing<\/a> convoy with others, and how do you keep the experience safe<\/a> and enjoyable?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4WDing convoys can vary from two vehicles to much larger groups.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a 4WDing Convoy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A convoy is a group of vehicles travelling together. In 4WDing terms, this can be a club heading out for a day at the beach or a few mates away for a weekend. It can also be a larger group of travellers following each other from destination to destination. In many cases, those in a convoy will know each other, which makes travelling and communicating easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, you may not know everyone in your convoy – and in this case, more formal practices should be adhered to, or you can quickly end up in a lot of trouble. Some are common sense, but you’d be surprised at how often impatience or arrogance overrides logic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Rain<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Check the weather forecast before you leave.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before you commit to a trip away with a group of people, some planning is required. If you are local to the area and know it well, you are in good stead. However, if heading somewhere unfamiliar, you need to research the track difficulty and advise the others in your group – especially the drivers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep a close eye on the weather – a bit of rain can cause havoc on tracks that are already slippery and muddy. Getting stuck in a snowstorm in the mountains can also lead to serious danger!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Your vehicle needs to suit the conditions of the terrain.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure that the vehicles going on the trip are suitable and have been kitted out with the appropriate accessories<\/a> – e.g. if you’re planning to tackle river crossings, you need a snorkel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only should the vehicles suit the conditions, but the drivers need to have the experience and confidence to manage the terrain. There\u2019s no better way to ruin a day out than to damage your 4WD because you didn\u2019t know what to do, or what you were getting into. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, taking 10 highly modified 4WDs with experienced drivers and two complete newbies<\/a> in stock vehicles to a really tough, rough track<\/a> is going to end badly. Put inexperienced drivers and their ill-equipped vehicles on tracks beyond their capabilities, and they are destined to negate the practice of others on track. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A trip leader should be nominated when organising your convoy.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow the Leader<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If there are more than two vehicles in your group, someone needs to be nominated as the trip leader. In most cases, they travel at the front of the convoy and are responsible for passing on relevant information. It is also the leader’s job to ensure the convoy runs smoothly and that everyone is following behind and doing the right thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Each vehicle in your convoy should have a UHF radio tuned to the same channel.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communication<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Communication<\/a> is key to convoy safety! Have a plan for who does what, who goes where if things go sideways, make sure you’re stocked with the relevant maps, and ensure you have a way of communicating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone in a 4WD convoy should have a UHF radio tuned to the same channel. A handheld unit will suffice but those that are mounted are much more powerful and reliable, allowing for easy communication between vehicles. This is used for everything from calling out hazards to explaining what is going on up ahead, or letting the others know when you’re pulling over or changing directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Two<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Check out hazards up ahead and communicate them to the drivers behind.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whoever is first in the convoy should be notifying via the UHF if there are any vehicles coming from the other direction. Obviously, this isn’t such a big deal when driving along a marked bitumen road – but for high-speed gravel, or narrow roads and tracks, it gives others in the convoy (who perhaps cannot see so far in front) time to move over and slow down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If both parties do this, everyone has a smoother and safer trip. Nothing is worse than taking evasive action to avoid an oncoming vehicle that the person in front of you knew was coming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A bit of banter over the UHF never goes astray either, and it’s a great way to keep everyone\u2019s spirits high. Have a laugh about what\u2019s happened on the trip, what\u2019s coming up next, or whose vehicle keeps breaking down. Convoy camaraderie is a great way to keep everyone together and having fun – plus, it’s useful for checking in and staying alert. You\u2019ll soon notice if someone isn\u2019t chirping up, and having a UHF radio allows you to establish whether or not they’re okay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mundaring in WA, is very popular for 4WDers.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behaviour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Manners, courtesy, and respect go a long way. People are great at copying each other; if you set a good example, those with you will follow. Travelling at speed past others, or ripping up the ground just for the fun of it is selfish and destructive. Take your rubbish<\/a> with you, look after the magic places you visit, and everyone will enjoy them for years to come. If you see someone doing the wrong thing, call them out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In many cases, you\u2019ll travel through gated areas. Obviously, if they are locked – stay out! However, if you travel through a farmer’s property, make sure you leave the gate\/s in the same way you found them. If they were closed, close them after you. If they were open, leave them open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"One<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When driving on sand, you should allow space for the vehicle in front to reverse back.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Driving<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Keep a safe distance. It\u2019s essential to stay back far enough from the vehicle ahead, but the exact distance is determined by the situation. For high-speed gravel driving, you should be back far enough that you aren\u2019t sucking in any of the dust that is kicked up by the vehicle in front. In some cases, that can be up to three kilometres behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For sand driving, you need enough room for the vehicle in front to stop, reverse as needed, and get going again. Less distance is required for rock crawling but, once again, allow for people to be able to reverse and give it another crack. If you pull up right behind someone and they need to back down to try again, you are either going to irritate the driver or cause an accident. I\u2019ve seen people back into other vehicles because they didn\u2019t realise someone had approached behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When travelling in a convoy, it’s helpful to get out and ‘spot’ for each other.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider where you stop. Don\u2019t stop on top of a dune, just down the other side, or on a blind corner. Pull well off the road, communicate to those behind you that you\u2019ve stopped, and make sure they can see you from a long way away. Safety flags<\/a> are a great visual indicator for those in the area to see you when they can’t necessarily sight your vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping a safe distance should also be observed when passing other 4WDs and when approaching junctions between tracks. Leave enough room for others to pass and wait your turn until it’s safe. Trying to pass another vehicle on a narrow stretch of angled beach or muddy track is a recipe for disaster! You will end up sliding down into the other car and risk damage and\/or injury. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patience is essential when travelling in a 4WD convoy, and if everyone masters it all other etiquettes will naturally flow. The larger the convoy, the longer everything takes – especially on the more technical tracks. Often people will get out of their vehicles to ‘spot’ each other through particularly nasty sections, and it’s not unusual for it to take an hour or more to get 15 vehicles through an obstacle. In some ways, a smaller 4WD convoy is advantageous for trips like this, but… pick your poison. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simply put, don\u2019t rush or take risks when overtaking other vehicles – it never ends well!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are varying factors to consider when deciding who has right of way on the track.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Giving Way – When, Where & How?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you meet another oncoming vehicle on a one-way track, who gives way? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The general rule is that the bigger vehicle has right of way, but the number of vehicles behind them and whether they are towing also plays an important role. If one vehicle meets five, the one vehicle should get off the track and let the others pass. If a vehicle towing meets one that isn\u2019t, generally the one not towing pulls off the road. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In terms of hills, the vehicle going uphill has right of way over anyone coming down. Give way to pedestrians and watch out for motorbikes, mountain bike riders, and horseriders. Use common sense and show respect for others who are also enjoying the bush.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The more remote you go with your convoy, the more tools and spare parts you need to take with you.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tools <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Everyone should have a basic tool kit in their vehicle. If you are heading further away from civilisation, you should have more tools, spare parts, and recovery gear<\/a> – and know how to use them. One good toolset amongst a big convoy is adequate and will make life much easier when something breaks or goes wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stop, Rest, Revive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Australia is a big country and travelling the 4WD tracks between destinations more often increases your driving time than if you were on the highway. That\u2019s part of the adventure, but make sure you take breaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stopping regularly allows you to rest and refocus. Find a safe spot to pull into for lunch or a coffee, have a toilet break, and ensure everyone gets out to stretch their legs. If you have young kids, you\u2019ll be doing this anyway – but it’s easy to sit behind the wheel for hours at a time until everything, including your mind, turns numb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Patience and respect go a long way to a successful convoy.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enjoy the Convoy!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Travelling with others can make for a great trip. At the end of the day, if you kick back and aim to enjoy yourself, you\u2019ll do just that. Remember to share a laugh over the UHF, and don\u2019t fret the little things. When you travel with others, you need to allow flexibility. Don\u2019t be in a rush, and don’t show off or be disrespectful to your fellow companions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take your time and practice patience. Not only will you and your convoy arrive in one piece, but you\u2019ll have a ball along the way!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What’s been your convoy experience?<\/strong><\/p>\n