Convoy Procedures
Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2014 8:27 amFORMALITIES.
The trip leader shall call a meeting prior to departure and advise the salient points for the day. Several meetings may be needed during a long or variable trip to update. This is also a question time.
The trip leader may call on others for assistance if required.
An attendance/ registration form should be completed to record participants.
A Tail end Charlie (TEC) shall be appointed, and may be changed during the trip. This will also apply if there is a need for a split convoy due to a large number of vehicles. Alternatively, a mid-point Charlie may be appointed.
If the Club first aid kit, fire extinguisher, recovery gear or other equipment is taken, all present are to be advised who is the holder.
All vehicles shall be in a roadworthy condition and have comprehensive or third party insurance.
Each driver is at all times responsible for vehicle preparation, and passengers, including children and pets.
Fuel tanks shall be full prior the meeting point for the trip.
CONVOY.
Each driver shall assume responsibility for the vehicle behind it, and is to wait at corners, deviations or obstacles etc. to ensure the following vehicle knows where to turn and how to pass the obstacle.
Both to acknowledge by CB radio or flash of headlights or other agreed signal
The trip leader may allocate a sequential number to each vehicle, but has discretion to change the order. Names may be used in a small or informal convoy. Participants may request a change in convoy positions.
A vehicle wishing to leave the convoy must inform the leader or (TEC) and confirm details for re-joining if applicable.
Vehicles without CB are to be positioned between vehicles that have CB. These three vehicles shall arrange their signals prior to starting. The leader should endeavour to arrange hire of club CB sets when required.
DRIVING.
Road rules and laws must be observed at all times.
Drive carefully. You are heavily laden, the vehicle will be slower to respond, and the environment will be trying to trap you with dust, rocks, stakes, branches, bumps and bogs.
The trip leader may give warnings on track obstacles. These should be repeated down through the convoy.
A safe distance between cars is to be allowed at all times. Allow a lot more than usual. This allows other people to safely `leapfrog` through the convoy. The convoy shall endeavour to assist others to pass safely through.
Overtaking non-convoy vehicles must be done in a legal manner. DO NOT rely on any CB information. No vehicle shall overtake any other convoy vehicle unless in an emergency, or by trip leaders instruction.
Headlights may be on low beam in daylight (Daytime Running Lights (DRL`s). Fog lights are NOT to be lit.
When an obstacle such as a hill, bog, detour or sand is reached, one vehicle at a time is to proceed and call the next vehicle through when all is clear and parking is adequate past the obstacle.
If there is a need to go back due to an obstacle, the convoy should do so in the easiest way. Eg: the last in line may reverse, or turn around and go back. The trip leader may regroup the convoy after the exit.
When recovery is required, only necessary people are to be present. Everyone else must remain at least 2 times the winch cable or snatchem strap length away. The `equipment operator` will be in charge of all proceedings, and responsibility lies with the vehicle driver or owner.
When a vehicle is towed, correct traffic authority procedures shall be followed (less than 4 metres and a flag in the middle of the towrope).
In the event of an accident, vehicles must clear the area to give an unobstructed approach to emergency vehicles, including club vehicles with the club first -aid kit, winch etc.
All gates and property are to be left as found.
CB RADIO.
CB conversations should be limited to approximately 15 seconds and allow 5 seconds before the next transmission. This is to allow others to give an instruction, emergency or other information.
Communications must be maintained from first to last vehicle, by relaying messages if need be.
Make a check call and adjust the `squelch` setting periodically.
Channel 16 is usually the club`s communication channel. The trip leader will inform you if a different channel is used.
In the event of the trip leader asking a general question to the whole convoy (eg: fuel or toilet stop), the replies should start from the number 2 position working to the rear. Use position number or name when giving or acknowledging information.
The trip leader shall call a meeting prior to departure and advise the salient points for the day. Several meetings may be needed during a long or variable trip to update. This is also a question time.
The trip leader may call on others for assistance if required.
An attendance/ registration form should be completed to record participants.
A Tail end Charlie (TEC) shall be appointed, and may be changed during the trip. This will also apply if there is a need for a split convoy due to a large number of vehicles. Alternatively, a mid-point Charlie may be appointed.
If the Club first aid kit, fire extinguisher, recovery gear or other equipment is taken, all present are to be advised who is the holder.
All vehicles shall be in a roadworthy condition and have comprehensive or third party insurance.
Each driver is at all times responsible for vehicle preparation, and passengers, including children and pets.
Fuel tanks shall be full prior the meeting point for the trip.
CONVOY.
Each driver shall assume responsibility for the vehicle behind it, and is to wait at corners, deviations or obstacles etc. to ensure the following vehicle knows where to turn and how to pass the obstacle.
Both to acknowledge by CB radio or flash of headlights or other agreed signal
The trip leader may allocate a sequential number to each vehicle, but has discretion to change the order. Names may be used in a small or informal convoy. Participants may request a change in convoy positions.
A vehicle wishing to leave the convoy must inform the leader or (TEC) and confirm details for re-joining if applicable.
Vehicles without CB are to be positioned between vehicles that have CB. These three vehicles shall arrange their signals prior to starting. The leader should endeavour to arrange hire of club CB sets when required.
DRIVING.
Road rules and laws must be observed at all times.
Drive carefully. You are heavily laden, the vehicle will be slower to respond, and the environment will be trying to trap you with dust, rocks, stakes, branches, bumps and bogs.
The trip leader may give warnings on track obstacles. These should be repeated down through the convoy.
A safe distance between cars is to be allowed at all times. Allow a lot more than usual. This allows other people to safely `leapfrog` through the convoy. The convoy shall endeavour to assist others to pass safely through.
Overtaking non-convoy vehicles must be done in a legal manner. DO NOT rely on any CB information. No vehicle shall overtake any other convoy vehicle unless in an emergency, or by trip leaders instruction.
Headlights may be on low beam in daylight (Daytime Running Lights (DRL`s). Fog lights are NOT to be lit.
When an obstacle such as a hill, bog, detour or sand is reached, one vehicle at a time is to proceed and call the next vehicle through when all is clear and parking is adequate past the obstacle.
If there is a need to go back due to an obstacle, the convoy should do so in the easiest way. Eg: the last in line may reverse, or turn around and go back. The trip leader may regroup the convoy after the exit.
When recovery is required, only necessary people are to be present. Everyone else must remain at least 2 times the winch cable or snatchem strap length away. The `equipment operator` will be in charge of all proceedings, and responsibility lies with the vehicle driver or owner.
When a vehicle is towed, correct traffic authority procedures shall be followed (less than 4 metres and a flag in the middle of the towrope).
In the event of an accident, vehicles must clear the area to give an unobstructed approach to emergency vehicles, including club vehicles with the club first -aid kit, winch etc.
All gates and property are to be left as found.
CB RADIO.
CB conversations should be limited to approximately 15 seconds and allow 5 seconds before the next transmission. This is to allow others to give an instruction, emergency or other information.
Communications must be maintained from first to last vehicle, by relaying messages if need be.
Make a check call and adjust the `squelch` setting periodically.
Channel 16 is usually the club`s communication channel. The trip leader will inform you if a different channel is used.
In the event of the trip leader asking a general question to the whole convoy (eg: fuel or toilet stop), the replies should start from the number 2 position working to the rear. Use position number or name when giving or acknowledging information.