Day Trips
Day Trips allow you to gain experience in a mostly controlled environment and in locations that are reasonably close to home should breakdowns, accidents or any other difficulties arise.
The experience you can get on a Day Trip is invaluable during a Weekend or Extended Trip when the inevitable obstacle presents itself.
The Cockburn 4WD Club has developed a number of Guidelines that make these Trips safe, interesting and fun for all involved.
PRELIMINARIES
Nomination
You must Register on the Club’s website. Don’t just turn up.
Waiver and Indemnity
Each adult participant must sign the Waiver and Indemnity.
Emergency Contact
These details are an important part of Registration. Also consider creating a Contact in your smartphone labelled ICE (In Case of Emergency). Let this person know that they are your ICE Contact. More Information.
Grading of Trips
Cockburn 4WD Club does not do ‘extreme’ Trips, however, on occasions we do get into challenging situations. There is no shame in turning around. Note the comments about Tracks, below. More Information.
Meeting Place
Cockburn 4WD Club has pre-determined Meeting Places depending on the direction of the Trip.
Photographs
You will be asked to provide photographs for the Trip Report. More information on this included in the details about the Trip posted on the website. It is also included in the Joining Information that will be emailed to you. See also Tips for Taking Photographs for Trip Reports.
VEHICLE/EQUIPMENT
Recovery Points
Your vehicle should have a rated recovery point. Monocoque vehicles need a harness.
Radio
A 5 watt UHF radio is required, preferably 80 channel. A 3dB antenna is best when in a convoy.
Recovery Equipment
Minimum recovery equipment required is a snatch strap and two shackles. Soft shackles are preferred.
Day Bag
A Day Bag is required on many Day Trips. The contents of the Day Bag are listed here.
DEPARTURE
Start Time
9.00 a.m. – earlier if advised by the Trip Manager.
Briefing
At Briefing will be conducted at the Meeting Place prior to departure. This may be done over the radio if decided by Trip Manager.
Radio Check
Before departure the Trip Manager will call up every participant to ensure their radio is switched on and working correctly. The Club Convoy Channel is UHF Channel 14 (Alternate 15). The TripMaager will advise if a different channel is to be used.
Convoy Order
Past experience has found it preferable to maintain the same position in the convoy throughout the day.
DURING THE DAY
Distance
Depending on the highlights, features and ‘opportunity’ stops, the distance travelled each day could vary from 200 to 400 kilometres.
Tracks
At Cockburn 4WD Club we use our 4WDs for what they were designed and this means that occasionally they will get a little bit of bush pinstriping. If this is of concern to you, speak with the Trip Manager before the commencement of the Trip. See also Grading, above.
Navigation
We use Moving Map Technology (Hema, ExplorOz) to navigate a Trip. Prior to a Trip you will be sent GPX files of the intended Route.
Convoy Procedure
Our Convoy Procedure, developed over many years, ensures that a Trip is conducted efficiently and safely.
Obstacles
No driver is to feel at all pressured into attempting any obstacle they feel uncomfortable in negotiating. If necessary an alternative route around an obstacle will be found by the Trip Leader or Sweep
Always allow the vehicle in front of you to negotiate an obstacle/hill/slope/water crossing before attempting it with your vehicle. This will avoid the possibility of having two vehicles stuck. Confirm by radio that it is safe to proceed should the vehicle in front move beyond your view while negotiating the obstacle.
Stops
Stops will be made at a minimum every two hours. However, because we stop regularly to see highlights, features or anything unusual, stops are quite often way more frequent than this.
If you need to stop for any reason, advise the Trip Manager. It is never a case of "I'll catch up". One stops, all stop.
Visiting Highlights/In Trip Excursion
Recognising peoples’ innate curiosity, need to explore and desire to ‘do their own thing’, it is still highly recommended that you stay with the group during an 'In Trip Excursion'. In the past we have had people lost (overnight) because they have strayed away.
Day Bag
The Trip Manager will advise if your Day Bag is required at a In Trip Excursion. See above for Contents.
Clothing
Temperatures can change considerably. Wear clothing in layers that can be removed or donned.
Footwear
Thongs/sandals may be fine for Beach Trips, however, for Bush Trips boots/hiking sandals are more suitable. The Trip Manager will advise.
Headwear
It is recommended that you wear a wide brim hat, not just a cap, on all excursions. On beach runs caps may be more suitable or, better yet, 'frill neck' or 'legionaire' style hats.
Self Sufficiency
You need to be self sufficient with respect to food and water on all Trips. The Trip Manager will advise of refuelling locations.
Lunch
Because our day starts early we aim to have a lunch break of 30-40 minutes reasonably early, when possible.
Refuelling
It is your responsibility to know the range of your vehicle. The Trip Manager will advise refuelling points if they are required
Non Structured or Free Time in a Town
Rather than just say, "We'll be here for 30 minutes", the Trip Manager will advise the time and location of departure from the location.
Breakdowns
Everyone will assist where possible, however, ultimately it is your responsibility. More information on this is included in the details about the Trip posted on Facebook. It is also included in the Joining Information that will be emailed to you.
Finish Time
We aim to arrive back at Cockburn before dark.
GENERAL
Recovery
Should your vehicle need recovery, use your own recovery gear in the first instance. If further equipment is needed most people are happy to assist.
Radio Procedure
Chat/banter over the radio makes for an enjoyable day, however, remember that the main purpose for radio communication is to enable the Trip Leader to communicate with participants in the convoy. The Trip Leader may require all communication to cease to ensure they have uninterrupted access to the channel.
Dogs
Many Day Trips will at some stage enter a National Park where dogs are not permitted. In addition, they may pass through areas where 1080 baits have been laid.
Swimming/Fishing
At suitable locations there is always time for a swim. Generally, the nature of our Trips means there is no time for fishing unless it is a Fishing Trip.
See Weekend Trips
See Extended Trips
