Summer 2006 - Utah 4 Wheel Drive Association

Summer Edition 2006
Volume MMVI
Issue II
Inside this issue:
9 NEW TRAILS
U4 SUMMER CONVENTION
RICHFIELD, UTAH
Page 1
Fundraiser Jeep Update
2
SSummer Convention Info.
3
President’s Perusing
4
U4 opinion
5
Jeep safari Report
6
U4 Education Message
8
Tech: Trailer Trailer pt. 2
10
Trail Cards: Delta Trails
15
Trail Communications: Ham
18
Land Use Message
20
Hansen Enterprises rear bumper
a n d tire carrier
Teraflex revolver shack l e s
Lowrance GPS mapping system
U4WDA FUNdraiser Jeep
2006
Drawing will be at the U4WDA Summer
Convention Richfield, Utah.
Statistics:
Engine 304 V8, aluminum radiator by
Novak Transmission 4 Speed Manual NP435,
rebuilt, 0 miles
Tcase Dana 20, rebuilt, 0 miles, twin
stick by Novak
Bright Yellow paint and bodywork
by Sky’s Extreme
Tuff Country 4” spring under,
installed by Jack-It
Warn 9500ti winch
Maxxis 35” creepy crawlers
Allied Rock-a-thon beadlocks
Tom Woods drivelines
Master Muffler exhaust
Front bumper by Schrock Steel
Rear bumper and tire carrier by
Hansen Enterprises
Hoodlift by Hoodlift
PRP Racing seats
Teraflex revolver shackles
Lowrance GPS mapping system
Jensen CD player by Car Concepts
Tickets:
Ticket Info:
$2.00/ticket. A maximum of 5,000 tickets will be sold. Contact the
FUNdraiser Jeep Chairman by email at [email protected], by phone at
801-942-3488, or by U.S. Mail at P.O. Box 65545, SLC, UT 84165 for more information or
to order tickets. Board Members and many other U4WDA members also have tickets
available for sale. Buy online at http://u4wda.org/fundraiser.html.
Hoodlift
Page 2
Novak aluminum radiator
Coming up next:
Roll cage
Lockers
Full soft top
PRP Racing seats
U4WDA Summer Convention August 19, 2006:
R i chfield, UTAH
The Utah 4 Wheel Drive Association is proud to announce
NINE NEW TRAILS for our Summer Convention 2006. The
Summer Convention and Trail Ride will be hosted by
Unlimited 4x4 Club in Richfield, Utah.
Cost:
Meeting Place:
Time:
How Far:
Then What:
Bonus:
Free!
Sevier County Fairgrounds
Trail leaders leave at 8:30am
All trails are within 20 minutes of town
Meet back at the fairgrounds at 6:00pm for
food, the obstacle course, and:
WE WILL GIVE AWAY THE U4
FUNDRAISER JEEP!!!!
TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS, RATINGS and REQUIREMENTS:
1. Dairy Canyon to Flat Canyon 4
33” tires and one locker
2. The Twist
3
33” tires and one locker
3. The “NS” road
3.5
33” tires and one locker
4. Broadhead lakes trail
3
31”tires,locker preferred
5. Fishing trip (cold springs to Gooseberry)
2.5
stock rigs ok
6. A Multi-cache for the geo cache crowd
2-4
stock to 33” tires
7. Backside of the “Sergeant” or the Hoovers special
3.5
31” tires
8. The old Sevier Dump and clay hill road
3
31” tires and one locker preferred
9. The crazy “8”
4.5
35” and two lockers required (buggies welcome)
For more information feel free to contact Nathan Curtis at [email protected] or contact me at home (435)
893-8655. Contact any U4WDA member for the jeep raffle tickets.
The Unlimited 4X4 club is hosting an off-road
rodeo at the fair grounds on the weekend before in conjunction with the Sevier County Fair. You are all welcome to
come and support u s in our 2nd annual event.
Hotel Info:
Quality Inn (discount for
U4 members)
540 So. Main St.
(435) 896-5465
(Free breakfast )
Restaurant:
R&R Frontier Village
15% off meal with U4
membership card
1475 No. Main St.
(435) 893-8391
Tires:
Pearson Tire
640 So. Main St.
(435) 896-5494
Page 3
President’s Perusing
by Kurt Willliams, President U4WDA
U4 Update: Things are really taking
off. The Association has been
extremely busy through the past
few months. We started off our
season with a booth the annual
“Teraflex Plus All-Jeep Show”.
Once again Teraflex rolled out the
red carpet and helped the U4
further its cause. Next was a booth
at the annual vendor show at
Easter Jeep Safari in Moab (hosted
by U4WDA member club Red Rock
4 Wheelers). Lastly was a booth at
the Off-road Expo at the South
Towne Expo Center. In each case
the U4WDA’s Fundraiser Jeep was
on hand to promote Jeep ticket
sales (it worked). Over 500 man
hours were spent by U4WDA
members, standing at the booths
promoting the Association. In our
busiest spring ever, we were able
to sell over 1500 Jeep fundraiser
tickets, and sign-up over 200 new
members, more than doubling the
number of members the U4WDA
had at the end of 2005. This money
is used to keep the Association
running, printing the Compass
magazine & flyers, booth costs at
events, and mailings. Talk about
exciting!
an Association or as member
clubs), and the addition of NEW
trails in the canyon. The U4WDA
has established relations and
contacts within the Forest Service,
but we could use a dedicated
person to act as the liaison
between the “adopting” clubs or
members seeking a service project.
The time commitment could be as
little as a couple hours (at most) a
month, making a regular contact
with the FS representative.
Corner Canyon (Draper): Draper
City is currently planning the future
of the Corner Canyon area.
Historically this area has been
heavily used by 4WD vehicles,
utilities, hunters and even movie
production. Currently the area is
closed to motorized traffic. The
U4WDA is looking for a liaison to
follow the planning and help
inform our members what they can
do throughout the planning
process to potentially save some
motorized access to the area.
Five Mile Pass Recreation Area: The
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
is currently in the beginning stages
of its new travel plan development
“What can I do to help out?”
for the Five Mile Pass Recreation
Area. We are currently working with
My begging for help is paying off, the BLM to ensure as many 4x4
so don’t think I’m about to stop uses as possible are included in
anytime soon. For those that do their new planning. The U4WDA will
have a desire to help out, let me have some volunteer needs in the
give you a few examples of coming months as planning starts
projects we need help with as to progress, in addition to the
soon as possible…
support (commenting to the BLM)
from our general membership.
American Fork Canyon: There is a
vast array of opportunities in AF Special Projects Coordinator: All of
Canyon, from service projects these projects are currently
(possibly setting up an annual handled by the miscellaneous U4
spring cleanup), trail adoptions (as BOD members that accept the
Page 4
responsibility.
Having
an
appointed “Coordinator” could
not only help keep the BOD &
Association informed of the status
of individual projects, but also
allow other BOD members to
focus on their elected duties. The
time commitment of a position like
this could be as little as an hour a
month in addition to the regular
BOD meeting. Duties would
include keeping a log of special
projects, persons is in charge and
presenting a monthly update on
each progress and needs. This
update could be in person at a
regular BOD meeting or via email
for those that cannot attend the
BOD meeting.
Others: Special projects are
presented to the U4WDA on a
regular basis. Sadly without the
manpower
to
tackle
these
projects, some never come to
fruition or only get a minimal
response from our Association.
You may know of a special project
that the Association would like to
support, feel free to present it to
us, but as I have mentioned in the
past, be prepared for a special
invitation to get involved on the
project!
So I repeat myself as I do in each
writing, do you feel like helping
out? Feel free to join us at our next
board meeting. We meet regularly
on the last Thursday of each
month, 6:30 at Larry H. Miller Jeep
in Sandy. Can’t make the meetings?
Send me an email regarding a
special project we could use some
help with. Thanks and always I
appreciate
your
comments,
complaints, ideas, suggestions
and even derogatory hate mail.
readership, and all U4DA members: Make it a goal, a
personal requirement to become a lifetime U4WDA
member as soon as possible. It won’t take much,
only a small amount of discipline.
U4WDA Opinion:
Change Affects Change
I know, I know. You are saving that change for a
Christmas tree, or a Disney World 5 Park Passport, or
seat covers for your rig, but we both know it will be
spent in either the Wendover slot machines, or the
My U4WDA membership expired in February. While circa 1983 Donkey Kong game at Nickelcade.
submitting my online deposit for 2006, I wondered Seriously, you can easily do it.
what role my small contribution would play in the
following year. Ultimately, I know the funds procured To make it easy, I have developed a simple, easy to
by the U4WDA go toward the support of keeping follow 3 step plan.
public lands public, and
Step 1. Save all of your
provide a continuation of
change. Keep every penny
what I enjoy with my family
and put somewhere where
for generations to follow.
you can see it grow. Soon
you will amass pounds
This year, I decided to
and pounds of coins, and
enroll my wife as a
it adds up really quick.
separate member, another
Not unlike your Chia-Pet,
meager offering, but still a
as it grows, you will yearn
step in the right direction.
to feed it.
By Jason Call, U4 Service Project
Coordinator
Reflecting
on
my
involvement in the U4WDA
throughout 2005, I realized
my efforts were pathetic,
meager at best. I did, however, find time to take
advantage of the public trails, buy a new rig, make
some modifications, and then spend even more time
on the trails. I started to feel a Karma deficit, my $10
donation was a pittance compared to the enjoyment I
found in the Utah outdoors. Even this year’s $20 will
go into deficit on my next trip out. It is time to make
a change.
Tonight, I was looking over the U4 web site, and came
across a membership option I wasn’t aware existed –
the Lifetime Membership. Certainly, the $250 donation
is more substantial than the individual amount, but
alas, my wife was not sympathetic. We finished our
basement over a year ago, and still need curtains.
Stalemate. Realizing I owe the U4WDA a lifetime
membership, I quickly devised a plan. Change. The
kind you put in your ashtray after you leave the Arctic
Circle drive through. The stuff you throw into a small
receptacle when you empty your pockets after
returning from work. The stuff that is never under the
couch cushions when you are heading out to
Albertsons to rent a $.99 DVD, but always in your
pockets when you go through the airport metal
detector.
Step 2.
When you go
off-roading,
create
a
pre-trip budget (include
food, fuel, lodging, misc.), get cash for your trip, and
when you are finished, put ALL of the leftover money
into your new fund. When you shop for your camp
fire food, get the Oscar Meyer Wieners instead of the
Bratwurst, buy store brand buns instead of wonder,
and purchase no name soda, at least for your kids.
Step 3. Follow through. It won’t take long. An
average of $.70 per day will yield you the lifetime
membership in only a year. That is the price of a 32
ounce fill up, that you don’t need anyway. If your
membership expires before you have enough funds,
renew, and keep working toward your goal.
Remember the challenge? Here is the second part:
Personally get involved with the U4WDA. The financial
contribution is necessary, but your volunteer efforts
and input will make it count considerably more.
There is plenty to do, just ask.
Third and last (good things come in threes): Involve
someone you know in U4WDA activities. As our
membership grows, so will our benefits. It will be
easier for you to get involved if you include a friend,
and together we will get more accomplished.
I decided to use my spare change to affect change. I snuck out to our vehicles and cleared the ashtrays. I
My idea flourished, and I decided to issue a public found $3.43, a majority of which was in my wife’s
Landcruiser. It looks like she will be contributing a
challenge to fellow off-roaders.
significant amount to my lifetime membership, and I
The first part of my challenge to the Compass will reciprocate as we save for hers next year.
Page 5
When we got to where the Gold Bar
Rim trail head sign is, a BLM Law
Enforcement Officer was turning
all vehicles away from the trail that
were not permitted. Now I
understood the reason for the
vehicles passing us going the other
way. I believe most of these
vehicles were on their way to run
Rusty Nail but because the BLM
does not recognize this trail and
that Poison Spider, Golden Spike
and Gold Bar Rim are considered
one trail, the officer was turning all
vehicles back.
Easter Jeep Safari 2006
Report by Todd Adams
With all the prior talk about trail
closures and exclusive use of
trails during the Easter Jeep Safari
due to the new permit, I thought I
would fill everyone in on how it all
went from a trail leaders
perspective. In short it went very
well.
On Friday I was the tail gunner on
Gold Bar Rim one of the exclusive
UTAH
use trails under the new permit. My
wife Linda (AKA Giggling Grammy)
led the group leaving Moab at
9:00am. As usual we stopped just
after the turn off of highway 191
for air down, to collect liability
waivers and a short drivers
meeting. I noticed a number of
vehicles heading the other
direction, which was a bit unusual.
The first thing I noticed on our way
to our lunch spot, which is also
the overlook above the entrance to
Arches National Park, was the lack
of other rigs, other than our group.
Waiting at the exit from Golden
Spike, which is very near our lunch
stop, was a small group of Jeeps
that had started at 5:00am so as to
not interfere with the permitted
groups on the trail. Lead by
another Red Rock 4-Wheeler they
new we were on our way and
waited until we had stopped for
lunch to continue.
I was reminded of our first Easter
Jeep on Big Saturday in the early
‘90s on this very same trail. The
only
other
vehicles
we
encountered then were Safari
participants coming off of Golden
Spike to join us for the return trip
to Moab. In comparison, the last
CLUBS
BIG HORN 4X4 CLUB
Roy, Utah
Matt Westrich
C 801-201-6778
H 801-731-6513
[email protected]
CANYON COUNTRY 4X4
CLUB
Kanab, Utah
Dave DeVooght
[email protected]
CRAWLERS 4X4 CLUB
Price, Utah
Scott Edwards. Pres.
435-613-0204
www.kingcrawlers.com
DESERT TRACKERS
4X4 CLUB
Salt Lake City, Utah
Russ Fullmer
801-484-7661
[email protected]
www.canyoncountry4x4club.com LONE PEAK FOUR
WHEELERS
C ASTLE COUNTRY KING Orem, Utah
Marlin Sharp
801-796-3729
[email protected]
Ryan Ward
[email protected]
www.naxja.org
MOAB FRIENDS 4
WHEELIN’
Moab, Utah
Jeff Stevens 435-259-6119
[email protected]
N OTCH PEAK DESERT
DOGS
Delta, Utah
Les Keet
435-864-4910
[email protected]
NORTH AMERICAN XJ
ASSOCIATION,
INTERMOUNTAIN
CHAPTER
Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo
Utah
Page 6
O GDEN JEEPERS 4X4
Ogden, Utah
Chris Brenchly
[email protected]
few years have seen an increasing Hells Revenge, Kane Creek and the turn at Little Canyon as early
number of vehicles on this trail to Steel Bender will greatly reduced as we did, it was decided we
the extent that we have had this problem. This was very would continue with the trail to
bumper to bumper traffic
Bull Canyon and the view
from our lunch spot to the
under Gemini Bridges
waterfall obstacle in Gold “The first thing I noticed on our way to
instead of heading back
Bar Canyon with many
to town. The exclusive
vehicles trying to pass the our lunch spot, which is also the use of Gold Bar Rim not
overlook above the entrance to Arches o n l y
other way.
gave
us
the
National Park, was the lack of other rigs, opportunity to travel at
One of the concerns that other than our group.”
our own pace, it made for
the BLM had was the
a much more enjoyable
widening of the trails due
experience for those that
to the increased traffic
had been part of the
evident to those of us that have
during the Easter Jeep Safari. The
official
permitted
group.
seen the increased traffic over the
exclusive use for Poison Spider,
years.
Golden Spike, Gold Bar Rim, Moab
Rim and Pritchett Canyon along
Since we never had been back to
with the one way restriction on
UTAH
UTAH XTERRA OWNERS
CLUB
Salt Lake City, Utah
Robert Pinion
[email protected]
www.uxoc.com
R O C K H OPPERS 4X4
CLUB
Salt Lake City, Utah
Daynene Snyder
801-942-3488
[email protected]
RED ROCK 4
WHEELERS
Moab,Utah
Ber Knight
435-259-ROCK
www.rr4w.com
SLC 4x4 Club
Salt Lake City, Utah
Brad Roennebeck
www.slc4x4.com
T ACOMA TERRITORY
O F F - R O AD E R S
Statewide
Todd Bradley
801-523-1158
www.ut-ttora.com
UNLIMITED 4X4 CLUB
Richfield, Utah
Nathan Curtis
[email protected]
435-893-8655
UTAH 4x4 CLUB
Josh Eldridge
[email protected]
UTAH OFF-ROAD a n d
O UT D O ORS CLUB
Pleasant Grove, Utah
Steve Jackson, Curator
Page 7
CLUBS
801-376-3332
www.utahoffroad.com
W ASATCH OUTLAWS
4X4 CLUB
Ogden, Utah
Larry Olsen 801-791-8446
[email protected]
WASATCH C RUISERS
Dave Connors, President
[email protected]
www.wasatchcruisers.org
U4 Education Message
I-N-S-U-R-A-N-C-E,
A simple word you need to understand.
Or WHY YOU NEED TO READ (and
understand) YOUR POLICY!
By Shawn Pagan, Vice President
United Four Wheel Drive Associtations
Reprinted from UFWDA newsletter, the Voice
Yes I have insurance. What does it cover
you ask? Why my vehicle of course! But
are you sure? Do you really know what is
covered if you have an accident or a
claim?
Auto insurance is a fact in most of our
daily lives… from our commuter cars to
our trail rigs most of us have insurance
that covers things like liability, bodily
injury, comprehensive, collision, un- and
under-insured motorists and even medical
bills. In fact in many states, provinces
and other areas insurance is required in
some form or another to license and
drive a motor vehicle. Aside from a few
choice words I would bet that very few
of us have ever checked to actually see
what that coverage really means beyond
what your agent may tell you.
In fact, I would bet the majority of
people have heard this from your agent
“buy more coverage if you own a home
so that if you are in an accident it’s
protected…” but have you checked your
policy declarations page and the insuring
agreement to see what is covered, what
and how they will pay and what
requirements are placed on you?
For example: I recently studied a number
of polices and found some very
interesting items. Listed here are a few
examples (these may be paraphrased and
re-worded):
“This vehicle is covered for all liability and
comprehensive claims while driving on
maintained roads”
“Use of recovery equipment stemming
from accident or otherwise by unlicensed
individual will reduce coverage payouts
and may nullify any medical coverage”
“Off highway use may limit the coverage
selections on the attached declarations
page”
“This vehicle is not considered a
recreational vehicle and as such any
damage from off highway usage will not
be covered by this policy.
For
recreational vehicle coverage please see
your agent in regards to an additional
coverage policy.”
“Alterations to the motor on this vehicle
are inconsistent with the demands on this
policy and are a violation of the
agreement between the Company and
the Insured.”
And one of the very popular auto
insurance companies I called for a quote
(having just moved to CO) told me flat
out that they would not insure me
because I had a self recovery winch
attached to my vehicle and if they did
insure me and found out later about the
winch, they would severely limit or cancel
my policy.
After reading through that, I highly advise
you to dig out that stack of papers that
the insurance company sent you and
spend a little time reading through it. To
make things easier, think of your Auto
Policy as a number of smaller separate
policies rolled into one document. Below
I have broken out the general parts of an
auto policy, each of these is separate and
in reality you pay separately for each
section. Read through the definitions and
if there are parts you don’t understand
contact your agent, broker or insurance
company and explicitly tell them your
question(s) and concern(s).
Components of an Auto Policy:
¸ Bodily injury liability: In case you cause
an accident in which someone is hurt or
killed outside of your vehicle. Many
insurers recommend carrying at least
$100,000 per person and $300,000 per
occurrence.
Page 8
o This is related to your Agent’s comment
above, you should take into account
what assets you have to protect (house,
cars, savings, college funds etc) and plan
accordingly to cover those assets if
needed.
¸ Property liability: For when you damage
someone else's property. Usually it's
someone else's car, but it could apply to
buildings, utility poles, garage doors, etc.
o This is also related to your Agent’s
comment – think about how much it
may cost to replace a vehicle plus any
other damage. If your insurance doesn’t
cover enough the rest may come out of
your pocket.
¸ Collision: Covers damage to your car
from a collision with another car, a brick
wall, a fire hydrant, etc.
¸ Comprehensive: Is in case your car is
stolen or damaged in ways that don't
involve a collision. Covered risks include
hail, fire, theft, flood, earthquake,
explosion, and falling objects.
¸ Uninsured motorist: Is generally
available in two forms - property damage
coverage and medical coverage to pay
your bills when you are hit by a driver
without insurance.
¸ Medical payments coverage (sometimes
referred to as MPC or even PIP): Pays for
reasonable expenses you and your
passengers incur because of injury in a
motor vehicle accident, regardless of
fault. Coverage amounts available vary
from company to company.
So now that you have a quick idea of
what these mean what should you do
next? Well my suggestion is to read
through your policy. Your policy is a
legal contract, so at first glance it will
seem very wordy and most likely very
confusing. Most Auto Policies (and many
homeowner policies as well) are broken
down into three main parts –
Declarations, Insuring Agreement, and
Conditions. To make it easier for you
(along with the definitions above) here
are the descriptions of each part
¸ Declarations/Declarations Page: This is
where you’ll find your personal
information, a statement of the policy
period during which you are covered and
the amount of premium you pay. The
declarations page generally includes a
brief description of the insurance
coverage provided and gives the
maximum dollar limit the insurer will pay
for a claim under each type of coverage.
Be sure to look at each section as
separate coverage areas (use the
definitions above).
¸ Insuring Agreement: This is the main
part of the policy. It describes what the
insurance company will do in exchange for
the premium that you are paying. The
insuring agreement will also say who is
covered: (example, your policy may be
different or even include exclusions in this
section) The persons named as insured on
the declarations page, residents of the
same household and persons using the car
with the permission of the insured.
Everything is spelled out specifically in an
attempt to avoid misunderstanding. Read
the definitions section and the list of
exclusions that apply to each type of
coverage. It’s vital that you know what
you are covered for and what you are not
covered for when you need to use your
coverage! Saying I didn’t know after the
fact won’t help if it is written down on
these pages.
¸ Conditions of the policy/Policy
procedures: This section describes your
responsibilities when you have a claim, for
example how much time you have to
report it and what documentation you
must give to the insurance company. It
also explains the terms for canceling your
policy—both for you and the insurer. You
can cancel your policy at anytime,
however your insurance provider may only
cancel under certain conditions and with
advance notice to you.
If you find sections or items that you
don’t understand for any reason –
whether it be the wording or the meaning,
call your agent or insurance company for
clarification. If you are concerned about
what something means, ask for that
clarification in writing and attach it to
your policy.
If you decide or are in the process of
looking for more (or new) insurance, then
I would make sure to understand and
answer the following questions as they
will help you and your Agent (or Insurance
Company) to put a policy together that
fits your needs and coverage
requirements.
¸ What is the estimated value of my
Assets?
o Knowing this can help determine your
liability coverage(s).
¸ What kind of deductibles can I afford?
o Deductibles are sort of “self insurance”
– in other words if you take some of the
risk ($100, $250, $500) of whatever
happens the insurance companies will
lower your premiums because you are
paying for the first part.
o If you have older vehicles, don’t mind
minor damage or have a little extra
disposable income raising your deductibles
can be a good idea; however, if you are a
student or on a “fixed” income and are
concerned about having to come up with
extra unplanned cash a lower deductible
may have greater benefit – either way
know your finances before you make a
decision.
¸ Do I and my family have enough
Medical / Health Insurance? What are our
current Medical / Health Insurance out of
pocket maximums, deductibles and
co-pays?
o This can be a big help in determining
whether or not you need medical
coverage.
¸ Do I own, lease or finance my vehicle?
o Knowing the requirements of the lease
or finance company can help determine
the minimums of coverage you need.
o Also don’t forget to ask about GAP
coverage, especially if you have a newer
vehicle. GAP coverage will pay off
your vehicle load or lease even if
the vehicle is worth less then you
owe on your note. This varies
greatly by company but can be a
worthwhile expenditure.
¸ What is the estimate Blue Book
or Market Value of my vehicle?
o This of course is one that is worth
knowing. While we all want some
sort of protection, comprehensive
and collision coverage on a vehicle
that is worth $1000 may cost you
more than that per year (depending
on your driving record etc). In
which case you may be better off
putting the money into a savings
account than paying the
premiums.
¸ Has my vehicle been
modified? And if so in
what ways and what items
do I also want covered by
my policy?
o
Do
you
have
aftermarket bolt on parts?
Custom paint? Expensive
tires or a stereo that you
want to make sure is
covered?
o Have you made engine
Page 9
modifications? Swapped out a 4 cyl for a
V8?
o Do you have self recovery gear?
o Do you use your vehicle for
off-highway recreation?
ß Most insurance companies don’t care,
but they need to know and you need to
know that the changes / bolt ons are
covered. For example; some companies
will cover your bolt ons provided you
keep a record of receipts and pictures,
others will only cover what you have
“declared” in advance and you may pay a
small additional policy fee. Your policy
may vary.
Keep in mind that some companies won’t
insure vehicles that are used off road,
vehicles with suspension or body lifts or
self recovery gear. So make sure you ask
these questions up front – knowing and
being sure they are covered by your
policy is much better than not telling
them and finding out after the fact that
the winch you had stolen wasn’t covered
or that you have to take them to court
to pay for that accident you caused. And
also understand that what is covered by
“Company A” for Mr. Jones may not be
covered by “Company A” for Mr. Smith.
Policies change, coverage change, and the
only thing you have to go by is the
Declarations, Policy Agreement and
Conditions of your individual policy.
In the last edition of the Compass, Inventory your available parts, and $125. Not bad considering the
I detailed my wants and needs for once again your fabrication skills. amount of time it saved scouring
a trailer with off-road capability Leaf springs will most likely be the the yards or tracking down the
and camping in mind. I developed easiest option, trailer supply needed parts. Axle width and
a preliminary set of specifications shops stock all different varieties flange patterns are important
that the trailer must satisfy, as of springs as well as the hangers, factors to consider. A matching lug
well as rather intensive list of the shackles, and perches to mount pattern can save you the need for
equipment that the trailer. My goal them to your axle and frame. Other a second spare, or give you a
c o u p l e
was
to
m o r e
incorporate
spares for
as many of
your
rig.
t h e s e
Axle
width
specificatio
is a very
ns
on
a
Part
2
of
a
3
part
series
By
Kurt
Williams,
U4WDA
President
i
mportant
l i m i t e d
factor;
you
budget.
don’t want
the track of the
CONSTRUCTING
trailer wider than
THE TRAILER:
your rig! You can get
Every trailer build is
a bit fancier with the
bound
to
be
axle options, brakes,
different, thus I will
torsion axles, etc.
just cover the basics
Stop by your local
rather
than
the
trailer supply shop,
detailed specifics of
many times they will
my particular build.
have them in stock
and on display for
Frame: A stout yet
your
inspection.
lightweight frame is
Bring
a
tape
measure!
key. Don’t be afraid
to add extra frame
Hitch: Ball or Pintle?
support, the little
If you have ever seen
weight addition is
a Pintle work, you
well worth the piece
will see the obvious
of mind you will have
benefits the Pintle
in
your
trailers
will
provide
in
durability. My trailer
off-road
situations.
is constructed from
the back half of an Trail Trailer, with camping gear in stow, crossing a treaterous Though the initial
FJ55
L a n d c r u i s e r , water obstacle on the way to Forest Lake in American Fork cost is much higher
including the rear leaf Canyon. Thanks to driver skill and perseverance, the trailer than a simple ball
hitch setup, the
springs.
This
i n and rig came away unscathed.
payoffs are well
addition to a few
considerations
include
SUA
versus
worth
the
$100
investment. In the
miscellaneous pieces of steel for
S
O
A
(
s
p
r
i
n
g
u
n
d
e
r
v
e
r
s
u
s
case
of
my
trailer,
I was able to
the tongue and frame support
spring-over),
how
much
load
you
source
a
military
surplus
rotation
make a rather stout frame. Frame
intend
to
carry,
length
of
springs,
Pintle
receiver
hitch
that
allows
the
options are infinite; using an
etc.
lunette
(the
loop
on
the
trailer)
to
existing frame can save you from
rotate
360°
(allowing
the
trailer
to
mounting suspension, but making
a custom frame from square or Axles: Numerous options are do barrel rolls if needed). A trip to
round tube is easy enough. Base available to choose from. You your local trailer supply shop
your decision on available parts could use a duplicate of your rigs should yield you several different
and material as well as your rear axle, leaving you with an extra Pintle (and ball hitch) options to
fabrication abilities, after all this is set of spares in case of breakage. choose from.
Or you could salvage a wrecking
the most crucial part of the trailer.
yard axle from a camper, etc. In my Body: The body can easily take the
Suspension: There are as many case I chose to buy a new most amount of work, the largest
options for your trailer build as dedicated trailer axle. The price chunk of $$$ and the most time.
there are for your 4x4. Coils, leafs, was right: with hubs and a You can simplify the work by using
torsions, even trailing arms. matching lug pattern I was only out all or part of pickup truck bed,
Page 10
road.
tub, or existing trailer body.
Alternatively you can start from
scratch and fabricate a body of
your own. There are countless ways
to do it, countless things to
consider, and countless options to
include. Do you want it to be
water-tight? How much cargo do
you need it to carry? Do you want it
to hold fuel, water, propane, etc?
How do you want to finish it, paint,
rubberized liner, truck-bed style
liners? Spend a minute sketching
what you want on paper, it may
save you some frustration down the
STOCKING THE TRAILER
Whether it is simple campfire
meals, or a complex menu, I
wanted to have the cooking means
necessary with little forethought.
This isn’t easy for your average
guy; rather we usually take a box
of donuts, a 12-pack of Mountain
Dew and some potato chips. The
nice thing about all of the extra
room a trailer provides is the
ability to just take it all. Weight
really isn’t an issue for local trips,
and it is better to have it and not
use it, then to need it and have it
on the shelf at home. I carry a
complete set of pots & pans,
ample silverware, condiments, the
cooler, a dry foods box, a 6’x3’
folding table, tents, camp chairs,
water containers, and even a
napkin holder! Choose your stock
as you wish, with the extra cargo
space, your options can vary
widely from your conventional
packing arrangement.
WHATS NEXT?
Stay tuned for the next installment.
The next Compass issue will
discuss the use of the trailer,
initial impressions, and things I
would change/modify. Until then,
keep working on yours!
Page 11
UNLIMITED 4X4 AND THE SEVIER COUNTY FAIR PRESENTS:
THE 2ND ANNUAL
OFF-ROAD RODEO
AUGUST 12,2006
AT THE SEVIER COUNTY FAIR GROUNDS
FEATURING ROCK CRAWLING WORLD CHAMPION
DEAN BULLOCH
AND THE ON TRACK KRAWLER TEAM
COMPETITION BEGINS AT 4:00 PM ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE ARENA
EVENTS:
SHOW AND SHINE STARTS AT NOON (FREE TO SHOW OFF YOUR 4X4)
MUDBOG
OBSTACLE COURSE
TRUCK PULL
PRIZES AND TROPHIES TO THE TOP FINISHERS IN EACH CATEGORY
SPONSORED BY: MIDSTATE 4X4, JRS REPAIR, CHECKER AUTO PARTS, PEARSON TIRE,
JORGENSEN’S COLLISION CENTER; CHEMDRY, MALMGREM TRUCKING, COUNTRY AUTO
SALVAGE, BARNEY TRUCKING, ROBINSON TRUCKING, GREENALGH WELDING, AND MORE
TICKETS ARE $3.00 FOR ANYONE 9 YEARS OLD AND OLDER
COST TO ENTER YOUR VEHICLE IS $10.00
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PRE-REGISTER VISIT:
MIDSTATE JEEPARTS & JRS REPAIR
ALL VEHICLES ENTERED MUST HAVE VALID INSURANCE. ALL DRIVERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO SIGN A WAIVER OF
LIABILITY. ANY DRIVERS UNDER THE AGE OF 19 WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A PARENTAL PERMISSION AND
WAIVER OF LIABILITY BEFORE COMPETING. DRIVERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A SEATBELT DURING
COMPETITION.
Page 12
Page 13
Utah 4 Wheel Drive Association
Member Application/Renewal Form
As a member, your dues entitle you to the following:
*The Utah 4 Wheel Drive Association Newsletter.
*Two (2) U4WDA stickers.
*A Utah 4 Wheel Drive Association membership card.
*Membership in Blue Ribbon Coalition.
*Invitation to U4WDA quarterly trail rides.
*Opportunity to purchase hats, stickers, etc.
*Unified representation to elected officials, land managers, the media, etc.
Name (include spouse if applicable)________________________________________
Address:____________________________________________________________
City:__________________________State:_____________Zip:________________
Phone:_______________________Email:__________________________________
Signature:___________________________________Date:__________________
Check if renewal:
Please mail this application to: U4WDA, Membership, PO Box 65545, SLC UT 84165-0545
Individual Membership:
Club Memberships:
Business Memberships:
Membership Costs
$15 per year for non club members
$10 per year per member
$150 per year. Business members receive small ad in four (4) magazines.
NOTE!!! You can now start/renew your membership online!! Just go to www.U4WDA.org!!
Page 14
Page 15
Page 16
Page 17
e
Trail
Communications:
on the air procedures: what you
can and cannot say over the
airwaves, (such as no swearing, no
In the last two issues of the
business, etc.) plus some basic
Compass, we discussed the
electronics and knowledge of the
venerable CB radio, and the FRS
frequencies hams are allowed to
radio. Both of these are excellent
use. The test costs $14 to take.
forms of trail communication and
When you pass the test, you will be
have their place in our rigs. In this
assigned a call sign. This is your
issue we will discuss amateur
on the air identifier. It is used like
radio, commonly known as ham
a name, although it is common to
radio (no one knows where that
use your first name too.
It is
name came from…don’t ask!)
required to identify yourself
using your call sign at the end
Imagine sitting in your rig on
of each conversation and
a trail. Now imagine talking
once each 10 minutes.
to the other members of your
Radios are not expensive. At
group on a vehicle mounted
least they don’t have to be. A
radio. Now imagine talking
hand held (think walkie-talkie)
to friends on another trail 10
ham radio can cost as little
miles away.
Now imagine
as $130 new, and a mobile
talking to someone back
mounted 50-60 watt radio
home in Salt Lake on that
with magnet mount antenna
same radio. Next, imagine
can be had for under $200.
talking to your wife at home
There are three levels of
on her home telephone, but
licenses for hams. The first
you are on the same radio as
is the Technician Class
in the previous scenarios.
license. The second is the
Then imagine talking to
someone in New Zealand a Yaesu FT-2800m, a low cost, full featured 2 General Class, and the
highest level is Extra Class.
few minutes later. This is all meter band radio.
It has an alphanumeric
possible with a high power display so you can put titles to your favorite The higher your license, the
privileges
(more
amateur radio in your rig!
repeater frequencies (such as the repeater in m o r e
frequencies,
more
power,
Moab).
etc.) you can use.
The
By now you all know that I
Technician
Class
can
use
all
am not only a ham, but am
frequencies
above
50Mhz.
This
sold on the idea. Here’s why it is So how does one become a ham?
so much better than other types of What’s all this about getting a includes the popular 2 meter band
trail radios: First, CB radios are license? Is it expensive? Becoming (144 to 148 Mhz), where most of the
With
allowed a maximum of 5 watts of a ham is a bit more involved than local chit chat happens.
typical
50
watt
vehicle
mounted
transmit power. FRS radios are half using a CB or FRS radio. Because
a watt. Ham radios are allowed of the large number of frequencies radios, it is possible to talk to
1500 watts! This is part of the that a ham can use, and the another ham 100 miles or more
reason why you can get a strong transmit power that can be used, it away (assuming a fairly clear line
signal out and talk to people is required that hams pass a test of sight) using simplex (radio to
Suppose there is a
across the desert or across the and be licensed by the FCC. In radio.)
mountain
range
in the way, like
globe. Second: In an emergency order to get your license you will
between
Salt
Lake
and Tooele? No
situation, ham radios are more need to pass a 35 question
problem.
There
are a lot of
likely to get you help. There are a multiple choice test.
It is not
repeaters
in
use
on
the 2 meter
lot of hams in the world, and it is terribly difficult…many 10 year old
band.
A
repeater
is
another
radio,
not difficult to find someone to kids are hams.
Most of the
commonly
located
on
mountain
talk to, particularly in an questions on the test are related to
By Chris Perri, KE7FYP
emergency. Try that with a CB in
the middle of nowhere, let alone a
cell phone! Third: They just plain
work better. Cell phones cut in
and out, canyons block out CB’s
and FRS, and satellite phones are
too expensive.
Ham radios are
versatile and transmit strong, clean
audio.
Ok, they do have
limitations, but compared to other
alternatives, they work like black
magic.
Page 18
peaks
with
backup
power
sources, that receives your signal
and then rebroadcasts it so your
buddy in Tooele can hear you (and
vice versa). It allows your signal to
go much further (and over the top
of the mountain, in our example.)
Another neat thing that can be
done on the 2 meter band is a
phone patch. Imagine using your
ham radio to make a land line
telephone call. Pretty neat, huh?
Recently, Ted, KC7UGS, was on the
popular Rattlesnake/Constrictor
trail in Utah County. He was able
to call me on his 2 meter radio,
using a repeater, and talk to me
while I was slaving away at work
(on a Saturday, no less). The audio
quality was very good, even for me
on my little hand held radio. If he
had been injured (always possible
with Ted), or came across
someone else on the trail with an
emergency, he could have easily
called me and I could have
arranged for medical help. A cell
phone signal was not available in
the area he was in. (This is how
you pitch the idea of getting a ham
license to your spouse!)
state. Go to their home page to
get more information on ham radio
and see a listing of testing
locations
and
information:
http://www.xmission.com/~uarc/.
For those of you are that are
already hams but are not too
involved in it, have I got just the
thing for you:
The U4WDA
currently sponsors a Four Wheel
Hams Net, where we talk about
four wheeling and ham radio stuff.
It is held on the 2 meter band,
145.19 Mhz, with a tone of 123.0.
Join us every other Thursday at
8pm. There is also a great local
store that sells ham radio gear. It
is
called
Communications
Products, Inc., and their phone
number is (801) 567-9944. They are
located in West Jordan, Utah.
Ham radios are the way to talk
when off-road, period.
I hope
more four wheelers will get
involved with ham radio so I will
The Utah Amateur Radio Club
administers tests all over the
Many modern full-featured radios
have
detachable
faceplates.
Unlike car stereos, they deface for
the purpose of ease of mounting,
rather than for anti-theft reasons.
This is an Icom 706 HF/VHF
faceplate mounted between the sun
visors in a Jeep Wrangler.
The
actual radio is mounted under the
seat and out of the wa y.
A typical home station set-up. On
top is an Icom 735 transceiver, 10
through 30 Mhz. Below is an MFJ
antenna tuner, and to the right is a
Yaesu VX-170 hand held 2 meter
band radio. Although this set up is
used indoors, it very well could be
set up mobile in a vehicle. There
are many modern radios with more
functions than those pictured
above that are the size of a CB
radio.
have more people to talk to!
Hams are a good bunch of people
and are always nice and helpful.
Who knows, maybe you’ll get
hooked and then I can talk to you
on the trail!
Here
is
another
radio
faceplate, mounted on the
dash of a Jeep.
Page 19
Typical 2 meter antenna mounted on
a
GMC
truck.
The
whip
is
approximately
50”
long
and
attached to a BNC mount/bracket
between hood and fender.
There
are many different antenna options
for vehicles, from unassuming
cellular look alike shorty antennas
to
ridiculously
big
antennas.
Generally, the taller the whip
and
the higher it is mounted, the better
reception you will get.
Land Use Message
How Long before it’s All Gone?
By Steve Jackson, Membership Director U4WDA
How long will it be before we lose
all motorized access to public
land? We're losing more and more
routes every year. Eventually, the
only thing we'll have left is graded
access roads leading to hiking
trailheads.
We've lost 98% of the OHV trails in
Salt Lake County over the last 15
years. Talk to people in southern
and central Utah, and ask them
about the old days of exploring
the Swell or parts of southeastern
Utah. Ask them about the routes
that used to be open, and how
some of them took their access
for granted.
How long will it be before
American Fork Canyon along the
Wasatch Front is closed to
motorized access?
We've lost
trails up there in the last 10 years,
and others are being "mistakenly"
re-designated by the Forest
Service.
Even more trails are
shortened as each new travel map
is published. Ask some of the
guys who have been wheeling in
this area for 20 years, and they'll
tell you what we're losing.
How long until we lose 5 Mile Pass
in Tooele and Utah counties? It'll
never happen right? Absolutely
wrong. A new travel plan is being
developed for 5 Mile Pass, and the
popular rock-crawling trails
Rattlesnake and Constrictor will
not be on it unless we do
something about it soon.
The
open areas just off the highway
are being re-designated to restrict
access to designated routes only.
That’s only the first step in
corralling motorized use in the
area.
What about Corner Canyon in
Draper?
When people were
wheeling in this beautiful area 20
years ago, did they ever consider
that one day the city would
illegally close it to motorized
access?
Now,
concerned
motorized users are asking what
can be done. It’s all but over for
this once popular motorized
recreation area, but other areas
can still be protected.
The Bureau of Land Management,
Forest Service, and city and county
governments are ILLEGALLY closing
trails at an alarming rate. Even
though the closures are ILLEGAL,
we (the 4x4 community) still have
to spend THOUSANDS of dollars to
get the routes re-opened. It takes
lawyers, research, and mountains
of paperwork. With the miniscule
budgets of groups like Utah Shared
Access Alliance (USA-ALL) and
U4WDA there isn't enough money
to protect everything that needs to
be protected. When you compare
these budgets to anti-access
groups like SUWA and Sierra Club,
it’s a miracle that
we still have any
m o t o r i z e d
recreation areas
left.
We need to bring
in
members,
volunteers, and
money. I wish I
insanely rich,
356 So. Main Moab, UT 84532 was
or had a wealthy
435-259-6101
c a r q u e s t @ c i t l i n k . n e t friend or relative
looking to make a
The Parts Store
Page 20
sizeable tax deductible donation.
I wish we could raise one tenth of
the money that SUWA raises each
year. Without a wealthy benefactor
like
those
supporting
the
anti-access and enviro groups, we
have to count on the generous
donations of individual motorized
recreation users. We're going to
have to raise the necessary funds
$10, $25, $50 at a time. Without it,
motorized access will be lost.
Donate to U4WDA!
Donate to
USA-ALL! Donate to Blue Ribbon
Coalition! Encourage your friends
to join these organizations and to
donate. When the truth is on our
side, it costs less to protect an
area than it costs to close it. It
costs MUCH less to keep an area
open than it does to re-open an
area after a closure. We have to
act now to keep our access open
for
ourselves
and
future
generations.
Don't wait for the other guy to do
it.
Don't wait for the next
generation to solve the problem.
Do something today.
Being a
responsible wheeler who picks up
other people's trash is not enough.
I wish it was, but protecting
motorized access to public land
costs money.
You have a right to access your
public land. That right is being
threatened by anti-access groups
and renegade land managers.
Don't wait until your favorite trail
is closed. Then it'll be too late.
Do something while you still can.
If you’ve been in Utah and
4-wheeling for very long then you
know what we've been losing.
Don't lose another trail. Don't let
them close another area. Don't
hesitate. Donate to a local land
use group today.
To do something today, visit
www.SaveMotorizedAccess.com.
U4 BOARD MEMBERS
PRESIDENT:
Kurt Williams (Wasatch
Cruisers)
[email protected]
Cell: 801-518-3937
VICE PRESIDENT 1:
Matt Westrich (Big Horn 4x4
Club)
[email protected]
Home: 801-731-6513
Cell: 801-201-6778
VICE PRESIDENT 2:
Larry Olsen (Wasatch
Outlaws 4x4 Club)
[email protected]
Home: 801-393-1507
SOUTHERN VICE
PRESIDENT:
Don Black
[email protected]
435-644-8258
MEMEBERSHIP
DIRECTOR:
Steve Jackson
[email protected]
SECRETARY:
Christinne Westrich
[email protected]
Home: 801-731-6513
SAFETY & PR:
Todd Adams
[email protected]
Home: 801-466-0128
Cell: 801-631-7993
Page 21
TREASURER:
Daynene Snyder
(Rockhoppers 4x4 Club)
[email protected]
Home: 801-942-3488
SPECIAL PROJECTS:
Brett Davis
[email protected]
Home: 801-523-8533
Cell: 801-201-2886
LAND USE:
Alan Taylor
[email protected]
Cell: 801-836-4144
Home: 801-785-2760
SERVICE PROJECT
COORDINATOR:
Jason Call
[email protected]
Cell: 801-529-7479
MAGAZINE EDITOR:
Chris Perri
Cell: 801-231-BOLT
[email protected]
BOARD MEMBERS AT
LARGE:
Russ Fullmer
[email protected]
Work: 801-484-7661
Tom Hill (Ace)
[email protected]
Cell: 801-558-7140
Page 22
From tires to lift kits to suspension parts to oil changes, begin all your adventures with Big-O Kaysville!
Page 23
Utah 4 Wheel Drive Association
PO Box 65545
Salt Lake City, UT 84165-0545
Page 24