Equipment Requirements.

All vehicles must be street legal and maintained to conform to highway safety standards, as well as meet the minimum requirements listed below. Have the items ready to display at inspection.

Mandatory Equipment (for members and guests)

• Fire extinguisher in proper working condition
• Roll Bar and/or Hard Top
• Seat Belts for Each Passenger
• Spare tire, rim, lug wrench, and jack to fit vehicle
• Tow hooks or adequate pulling device mandatory
• Tow Strap

CA4WDC Events require ALL items.

• Roll bar or full cage or factory hard top.
• Parking brake or Micro-Lock (functional).
• Tow strap or rope. No tow chains. The type with loops (rather than hooks) is required, as the hooks can turn into deadly projectiles.
• First aid kit (what do you want when you are hurt?). It should be mounted/stored in an easily found and accessible location, so that someone not familiar with your vehicle could find it in a hurry.
• Jack capable of lifting the vehicle and a tool capable of removing lug nuts (don?t forget your wheel locks).
• Spare tire equal to or within 3 inches (measured at the outside diameter) of existing tires on the vehicle; must be an appropriate off road type tread. No temporary spares.
• Fire extinguisher with gauge indicating good, appropriately stored (not a missile hazard). Like the first aid kit, someone not familiar with your vehicle should be able to quickly find and access it.
• Seat belts for driver and all passengers.
• Antennas must not exceed 4?6? (54?) measured from mount on body, bumper, etc., except where required by higher authority, i.e. Off Road Vehicle Parks and sand dunes. Solidly mounted 8? whips with a safety flag must be used in these areas.
• Adequate attachment point?s front and rear, i.e., tow hooks, receiver, etc. Tow balls are generally rated for only 2,000 pounds, and that is when hooked to a trailer. They can come off with devastating results and are not recommended. Instead, for SUV?s without a good tow hook attachment point, use the largest shackle or clevis (generally 1?) which will fit in the tow ball hole on your stock bumper.
• Battery hold downs; no bungee cords.
• Functional 40 Channel CB radio. Handheld (walkie-talkie) types are acceptable but not recommended.

Trail Ratings

Trail Ratings

From time to time, folks ask What are these trails rated??, Can my vehicle make it?, and What equipment is needed to run these trails? Well, there are lots of variables, such as driver's skill and experience, the vehicle's type of suspension, tires, gearing, and whether it has some type of traction aiding differential. The size of the vehicle may matter in some places. Some trails are very tight while others are suitable for larger rigs.

Offroad driving is an adventure sport, and risk is part of the sport. Trail ratings are opinions of the writer at a single point in time, conditions change frequently. Driving offroad may result in vehicle damage or personal injury, including accidental death; only you can make the determination of whether a trail is suited for your vehicle and your driving skills. Redlands Jeep publishes these guidelines to share them with you, but you are responsible for your own decisions and actions.

Level 1: 4-wheel drive only needed occasionally. Relaxing ride, with few tough spots. Any 4-wheel drive Sport Utility or Pickup with a low range and minimum 7.5? ground clearance can do these trails. Obstacles may include some deep sand, shallow water crossings, small to medium rocks, mud, and semi-steep hills and descents.

Level 2: 4-wheel drive needed a lot. Stock vehicles and tires OK. An SUV with larger stock tires, limited slip, and a transfer case ratio of 2.5 or above fares better here. Some SUV?s will be seriously challenged here. 50/50 locked transfer case needed.

Level 3: Aggressive tires needed. Rear locker recommended. A rig with independent front suspension will be seriously challenged, maxed out or broken on some of these trails. Rigs with solid front axles articulate better and have better wheel travel. They are also less prone to breakage. Limited slips, and sway-bar disconnects, are also recommended. Driving skill really starts to matter a great deal here.

Level 4: Rear locker needed. Front locker recommended. Winch recommended. High challenge! Aggressive tires, of at least 31?, a rear locker, winch, and 2-4? of lift needed. Your experience should include: steep hill-climbing, traversing ledges and steps, crossing mud holes, winching, log crossings, driving through deep water, large rocks, etc. Good spotters and trail guides can help you get through. Spare parts, tools, and recovery equipment are needed here. Run these trails with club members and experienced folks. Damage and broken parts can definitely happen here.

Level 5:You didn't bring enough! Nobody gets on these trails without 33?+ tires, locker front and rear, a winch, lots of experience, and a total disregard for the mechanical or cosmetic condition of their vehicle. NO EXCEPTIONS. Bring spare parts. We're not kidding!