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Most of these rules come directly from Mark A. Smith’s GUIDE TO SAFE, COMMON SENSE OFF-ROAD DRIVING. Some adjustments for our Grand Cherokee’s

1. Absolutely no alcohol use during the trail ride.

2. If it doesn’t feel safe or you are unsure, don’t do it! Find an alternate route or use your CB to ask for help or a spotter!

3. Stay buckled-up during the trail ride!

4. Stay on the Trail!

5. Cryptobiotic Soil in short this is the crusty brown or black baked dirt around Moab that is actually a living organism. Please don’t walk or drive on it, walk on the rocks or up creek beds when encountered.

6. Never lose sight of the vehicle behind you. If your trail leader or the person in front of you is going too fast to keep up, use your CB to slow the ride down. Following this rule ensures that nobody gets lost or left behind. Note the line taken by the Jeep in front of you and learn from his/her successes. This rule is especially important in Moab since the trails are not well marked and may be difficult to navigate or to find if you lose the group. Getting lost in Moab can have severe consequences!

7. Wheeling is not about power and speed. It is about traction & momentum. Always maintain both.

8. Drive slow and don’t ride your brakes. Let your gears do their job. If necessary to use your brakes, feather them lightly and please don’t tailgate the Jeep in front of you (a loss of brake or traction on the trail can cause multiple vehicle damage if we’re too bunched up). In automatics going down steep slickrock faces put the transmission in neutral and use the brakes, this prevents the transmission from working against the brakes. Keep your right hand on the gear shift incase you need to put it in Drive and give it gas if the rear end starts coming over.

9. Preplan your route and mentally go over different lines and scenarios when approaching obstacles.

10. Gearing: Your trail leader may announce which transmission and transfer case gears he or she is using when starting on the trail, but use whatever setup works best for you and your Jeep, ask if you are not sure. Others are also encouraged to offer suggestions. Anyone who has never put their transfer case into Lo Range 4WD or who doesn’t know how, ask someone to show you. It is advised to be at a complete stop. Shift your transmission into neutral. Then shift your transfer case down into neutral- finally, at a slight angle to the right, pull it down into 4 Lo. Now put your transmission back into 1^st, 2^nd or D and you’re set. Check your GDM to confirm that you’re in Lo Range 4WD. If not, repeat the steps or ask for help.

11. Don’t litter: Bring a trash bag or liner for your garbage and to pick up what others left behind.

12. Courtesy: Stay on the trails! Respect wildlife and the environment. Be respectful of other off-roaders, hikers, and bikers.  Offer water to hikers and bicyclist you meet, it goes a long way for for making a good image.

13. Need a "nature’s-call" break? Or see a good photo op? Use your CB and ask your trail leader to take-five. It’s not like we’re going to be late for an appointment - HAVE FUN! Trail brakes usually is "men to the left" (driver’s side) & "ladies to the right" (passenger side), but it’s negotiable based on which side has the trees and/or bushes, be respectful. Don’t forget your TP and a shovel or zip lock freezer bags.

14. Rocks: Don’t try to straddle a rock which you don’t have the clearance for. Put your tires on top of the rocks.

15. Hills: Always go straight up or straight down. Never go at an angle a.k.a. "sidehill" (body damage from rollovers will spoil your day). If you can’t make a climb, back straight down and try again, or take a different route. But don’t continue up a steep hill at an angle or turn sideways! If you feel your Grand Cherokee is at an uncomfortable lean angle, call for help on your CB before proceeding.

16. Blind Spots: Don’t stop right around a blind corner or the Jeep behind you may rear-end your Jeep before he/she ever sees you. Pull up and allow adequate space. If it can’t be avoided use your CB to alert the driver behind you.

17. Water-crossings: Take it slow and go at an angle upstream. DO NOT allow water to enter your intake! If you suddenly find yourself too deep immediately turn off your engine.

18. Ruts: When ruts are too wide to straddle, drive in the middle and try to keep your Jeep as level as possible.

19. Tire Pressure: Airing down all 4 tires (an option) will increase traction, soften a bumpy ride and give some play to reduce the chances of sharp rocks or objects puncturing your tire. You can usually air down to as low as 18 PSI. Many ‘Wheelers’ go even lower depending on tires, bead lock wheels, terrain, speed and personal preferences. If you’re unsure, ask others for advice and recommendations.

20. Traction: If you lose traction turn your steering wheel back and forth rapidly to try and get it back. If you slide, steer in the direction you’re sliding. Try to keep all 4 wheels on the ground at all times.

21. Other Important CB Radio Uses: Be sure to pass on all jokes and advice that is appropriate for the mix of participants and lets not use any language or say anything that may offend anybody.

22. Stopping/Parking: When leaving your Jeep with an automatic transmission put it in park and apply the parking brake. If you have a standard transmission, turn off the ignition, make sure that it is in gear, and apply the emergency brake. Vehicles have been known to move, endangering others.

23. Additional steep hill tips for automatic transmission equipped vehicles from the March 2006 edition of 4x4 Builder, page 83: If you can’t make it up a steep hill leave it in 1st gear and take you foot off of the brake, freewheel back down, and use the gas peddle to slow yourself down. It works in the opposite using reverse to slow yourself going down steep hills.

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