Newbie offroader...Read this.

[Spuds]

Always be aware of your conduct out in the wilderness.

When I used to have my CJ we were new to the area and joined a 4 Wheel Drive Club to meet some people. On one outing we traveled over over some dubious trails that looked like they were probably private property. But when the trip leader took a pair of bolt cutters to a lock on a gate I decided it was definately time to turn around.

[Agriv8r]

great info, thanks...

[stagger_lee]

The most annoying thing I run into was #11 in etiquette. Definately a good refresher course I thought even for the experienced.

11. Uphill has the right of way.
If the trail is too narrow to pass then you have to back up the hill to a point where you can turn off so the person coming up can pass. However if you're coming up the hill and you see a place to pull off before you get to the downhill vehicle pull off and wave them down.

[BlueTJCO]

ATTN: All H3 owners....

this would also be a GREAT read for anyone new to offroading, and very important to anyone attempting to wheel a stock H3....

http://www.trucktrend.com/features/c...ing/index.html

Consumer Feature: Getting Unstuck

Truth, Tips, and Life-Saving Advice
By Mike McNessor
Photography by the author

[stagger_lee]

Thats some good stuff too. I wish I had all this info written out for ne when I first started hitting the trails. Would have saved me a lot of headache/trial and error. Thanks Moonie!

[marin8703]

Originally Posted by Mooncricket

ATTN: All H3 owners....

this would also be a GREAT read for anyone new to offroading, and very important to anyone attempting to wheel a stock H3....

http://www.trucktrend.com/features/c...ing/index.html

Consumer Feature: Getting Unstuck

Truth, Tips, and Life-Saving Advice
By Mike McNessor
Photography by the author

well the pics seemed to show mostly jeeps, as if the article was written for them.

[3Hummer]

Originally Posted by stagger_lee

The most annoying thing I run into was #11 in etiquette. Definately a good refresher course I thought even for the experienced.

11. Uphill has the right of way.
If the trail is too narrow to pass then you have to back up the hill to a point where you can turn off so the person coming up can pass. However if you're coming up the hill and you see a place to pull off before you get to the downhill vehicle pull off and wave them down.

Aight' i was reading another artical about offroad etiquette, and they said the oppisite, which i bieleve sounds more reasonable, i mean its easier to back down a hill that you havent gotten all the way down yet, then to back up a hill that you already got over the peak.

[BigBill]

This is some excellent reading even if it comes from an Xterra wheeler! Just place "Hummer" in place of "Xterra" and read on!

[stagger_lee]

Originally Posted by 3Hummer

Aight' i was reading another artical about offroad etiquette, and they said the oppisite, which i bieleve sounds more reasonable, i mean its easier to back down a hill that you havent gotten all the way down yet, then to back up a hill that you already got over the peak.

I have never heard it the opposite, but I might have to agree that it does sound a bit more reasonable at first. The only reasoning I can give you is that it is safer to back up a hill under power than to reverse down a hill applying your brakes. Just like snow or ice you lose steering capabilities if you start to slide.

[BigBill]

I am in the process of compiling what I need for my upcoming trip, and being that I am relatively new to this, what tools are suggested for the Hummer? I have some basic extraction gear (lift, tow straps, shackles), but what specific tools like sockets, wrenches, etc. are there to the H3? I remember with my old F250 that 10mm seemed to appear everywhere.

Bill

[stagger_lee]

Depends on how crazy you are going to get. Basic recovery gear is definately a necessity. You can use a high lift jack as a come-along, but wont do much good as a jack unless you have good solid jack point ie: winch bumper, rock sliders. You can also get that tire strap attachment to use with the high lift, but I have seen them used and its kind of sketchy. This thing looks cool for helping you get unstuck:
http://www.jeephorizons.com/news/arb_xjack_111205.html

Here is a good check list from that same xterra guy. He is very thorough.
http://xterra101.com/trailgear.htm

Unless you are a mechanic, a little more than the basic tools would be sufficient. Think about what could break, if you are carrying spare parts, and what tools are needed to make the fix. Ratchet tie straps are great for all kinds rigged fixes. I have a breaker bar for lugnuts (i dont like the stock tools) We have done the 2x4 as a splint on a cracked frame with a ratchet strap around it to get us off the trail. Then again we probably wont be cracking frames on the H3, afterall its not an FJ.