|
______________________ STAYING CLEAN 67 |
|
"A ways" is just far enough to be out of the grime, but occasionally in sight of your traveling companion just ahead and behind. Note this not only means you can see the vehicle ahead, but more importantly, she can occasionally catch sight of you. No one gets lost when you keep the 4WD behind in sight. If conditions are extreme, lost is again no problem. Just follow the dust!
This will vary from trail to trail, day by day, and actually mile by mile. If the wind blows sideways, no problem, the dirt immediately moves off the road. Then you turn upwind and you're right back in it. Tune by what you see and feel. I sometimes find my teeth tell me I'm too close. They feel gritty when I talk.
Those killer tires you just installed are rock launchers. They grab the big ones for traction and can launch smaller ones at the guy behind. I've seen rocks the size of golf balls chipped up from the car ahead and into my windshield. Even if they don't make it up that high, they can still break headlights, scratch paint and bash the grill or bumper. My rule of thumb is to follow back at least five 4X-lengths minimum, or more if conditions dictate. |
But
dust alone is not your final close criteria. No dust in the rocks, huh?
How about the rocks the gal ahead is kicking up? Follow too closely and
you may end up with one in the windshield!