What to bring

• Full tank and a plan for more. Trail miles burn fuel fast. Know where the nearest station is.
• Water and food. More water than you think. A stuck rig in Texas heat is no joke.
• Basic tools and a spare. Tire plug kit, portable air compressor, wrenches that fit your rig, spare belt if you're belt-driven.
• First aid kit. Non-negotiable.
• Tow points front and rear. If we can't hook to you, we can't help you. Factory tow loops count; a hitch ball does not.
• Trash bag. Pack it in, pack it out.

Recovery gear basics

• Tow strap, not a chain. Straps stretch and absorb shock; chains don't — and when chains fail, they fail violently.
• Soft shackles over metal D-rings when you can. Lighter, safer, and they don't become projectiles.
• Winch? Know your anchor. Winch to a tree-saver strap, never bare cable around a tree. Keep everyone clear of the cable line.
• Air down for traction, air back up before pavement. A plug kit and compressor earn their keep here.
• When in doubt, stop and ask. The fastest way to turn a 10-minute pull into a 3-hour ordeal is pride.

Trail etiquette

• Keep the rig ahead in sight. Dust kills visibility — if you lose them, stop and radio.
• Stay on the trail. See the Trails page. This one matters.
• Downhill yields to uphill. It's harder to restart on a climb.
• Quiet around camp. Throttle discipline after hours.

Hand signals

Signal	Meaning
Fist raised	Stop — full stop, hold position
Palm down, pushing motion	Slow down
Pointing at you, then waving forward	You're clear to come through / follow my line
Hand flat, side-to-side wave	All clear behind me — no more riders coming
Fingers showing count	That many riders are behind me — wait for them
Arm circling overhead	Turn around / regroup

Signals vary by group — we confirm ours at the driver's meeting before every ride. When in doubt, stop and ask.