Convoy Procedure

[pradogang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradogang]

I was having a look at the convoy procedure outlined in the 2014 GTG website. If you are a member of a 4wd Club, is your club's procedure the same as this one?

The procedure I was taught for gate opening and closing at our club's training course was the the vehicle behind the trip leader opens and shuts the gate and then rejoins the convoy in front of the "tail end Charlie". That way the task is spread throughout the convoy and the leader and the TEC don't have to do all the work.
Cheers

Jim

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

Breaker 1-9, this is Rubber Duck, have we got us a convoy?

[pradogang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradogang]

Classic! I'm sure we can create the same havoc in the High Country!

[gantulga Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gantulga]

it would be wise to read the traffic rules in your local regions rather than having to rely on club arrangments... there are really funny rules as well.
front and rear end vehicles should light up yellow buzzer. convoy speed should not exceed 40km/h. if convoy is larger than 10 cars, police should accompany. and if police is escourting, traffic light does not matter. hazard light and headlight should be on.... etc... these are my local law, check your own guys

[JPH Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close JPH]

The procedure I was taught for gate opening and closing at our club's training course was the the vehicle behind the trip leader opens and shuts the gate and then rejoins the convoy in front of the "tail end Charlie". That way the task is spread throughout the convoy and the leader and the TEC don't have to do all the work.
Cheers

Jim

Jim, while this would be a great idea, the reality is at many of the gates there's not enough room to park up and let other vehicles through!

Cheers

JPH

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

How does the trip leader get through if it's car 2 that opens ?

Seriously, we've always followed trip leader opens , TEC closes. Trip leader radios "closed gate. Please close". TEC radios "all through, gate closed". We just swap TEC occasionally. Really, it's not that hard to get out and open or close a gate.

[VKPrado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close VKPrado]

The trip leader will just do as in the movie and crash through the gate and then the TEC can just fix it all back up.

[JPH Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close JPH]

The trip leader will just do as in the movie and crash through the gate and then the TEC can just fix it all back up.

Haven't been to a GTG before, but seem to recall photos of some cable ties and a gate... I'm sure they were most helpful!

[VKPrado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close VKPrado]

Haven't been to a GTG before, but seem to recall photos of some cable ties and a gate... I'm sure they were most helpful!

I know nothing about what you speak of. Any further questioning along this line and I will have to direct you to my legal adviser, the dishonurable MLC.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Our club operates pretty much as suggested for this GTG with one glaring exception. While not clearly stated in the club rules it a long held tradition that the trip leader after opening the gate must deposit a "treat" of some sort in a suitable spot for the TEC to collect after shutting the gate. Chocolate, bikkies, lollies and the like are all considered suitable treats.

It is also noted that any member who is not TEC that pilfers said treat on the way past will be expected to pay for their sins many times over before the trip is finished, and also get fined at the next meeting they attend and generally get ragged on mercilessly for some time.

Cheers Andrew

[pradogang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradogang]

I am in no way suggesting that the convoy procedure outlined in the GTG website is wrong, I am just interested in what procedures others use. From the training course I did it's my understanding that the trip leader pulls over to allow the second vehicle to open the gate, once the gate is opened the second vehicle passes through and pulls over to allow the convoy to pass through, collecting goodies as mentioned by Andrew. Another feature of this procedure is that the gate is closed by the person who opened it, because in some cases there are ingenious ways to secure a gate and this ensures it is done correctly.

In the interests of healthy eating habits this procedure also ensures an equitable spread of sugar and chocolate!!

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

A lot of club rules state convoy order must stay the same, so you always know who you are looking out for. Different clubs, different rules, both would seem OK.

Cheers Andrew

[pradogang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradogang]

Yes Andrew there is more than one way to skin a cat. I guess the main outcome is that you always look after the vehicle behind you and the group arrives safely.

Cheers

Jim

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

I think the 2012 GTG had the best convoy procedures under my leadership.

The passenger of the leader gets to exercise by opening the gate. Everyone proceeds through with TEC announcing he is through.

Then some good natured care for the environment is performed like collecting multiple tractor tyres from nearby bush and depositing them together with planks etc behind the gate to enable easy pickup by the next convoy, or zip tie-ing the gate closed as a matter of extra precaution with 20-30 zip ties, rope, wood and other rubbish thoughtfully collected.

Our convoy certainly felt good about their land care considerations and the grumbling of innocent victims. (and paid heftily each day when camp fire fines were issued.) We are sure this convoy method is approved by the greenies and the Royal flying doctor service who indirectly benefited from said fines.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

That's right MLC - safety first principle. Ensure all gates are secure before you proceed.