Trip Grading
Trip Grading
For trips in the Club’s calendar a grading system of levels 1 to 5 is used to assist members in deciding which trips they would most enjoy and which grade suits the driver’s level of skill, vehicle and experience. This system of grading is a guide only. The grade assigned to a trip may change due to weather conditions, and the trip leader should be consulted in such circumstances. The trip leader has the right to deny a request from a driver who is considered not to have the necessary level of skill in 4Wdriving, or whose vehicle is deemed inadequate
Grade 1
Very easy with little, if any 4wdriving involved; will usually consist of a scenic tour or a trip to camp. No 4WD skills are needed.
Grade 2
A relatively easy 4WD trip with high range driving, minimal low range. Winching and/or towing unlikely. Moderate level of 4WD skills needed. Completion of the Basic Driver Education Course is recommended. (Trip leader’s discretion in regards to driver’s competency and vehicle setup).
Grade 3
A medium 4WD trip which requires cautious driving; winching should not be required. Good level of 4WD skills needed, as well as completion of Basic Driver Training Course. Sand and Water Crossing Course is recommended. (Trip leader’s discretion in regards to driver’s competency and vehicle setup).
Grade 4
A challenging 4WD trip with the expectation that track building, winching and recovery are likely. High level of 4WD skills required. Mandatory: Basic Driver Education Course; Winching and Recovery Course; Sand and Water Crossing course and a minimum of three Grade 3 club trips completed. Advanced Driver Education Course is recommended. (Trip leader’s discretion in regards to driver’s competency and vehicle setup).
Grade 5
An extremely difficult 4WD trip. Participants must be experienced at traveling over difficult terrain. Winching and/or towing will definitely be required and participants must have all their own recovery equipment. Skill levels the same as Grade 4. A high level of 4WD skills needed including completion of the Advanced Driver Education Course. (Trip leader’s discretion in regards to driver’s competency and vehicle setup).
Drive Experience
Conditions on some trips at Grade 3 and above may prove too difficult for inexperienced drivers. Please advise the trip leader of the level of skill, and vehicle equipment when signing up for such a trip. Members must have attended the ‘Safe-One’ Basic Driver Course before driving on a Grade 3 Club trip, unless they have satisfied the Club’s Education Coordinator that they have the necessary experience. For Grade 4 & 5 Trips you need to have completed both the ‘Safe-One’ Basic Driver Course and the Very Difficult Terrain and Advanced Recovery course.
Trip Planning
If you are planning a Trip or Social Event for the Club contact the Club Trips Co-ordinator, preferably at least two months in advance of your chosen dates. This will allow time to give your event a ‘good plug’ in the Southern Trails, and it helps to avoid clashes with other people’s plans. However, if a good event opportunity comes up at short notice our rules are sufficiently flexible to enable a quick approval. Club policy requires that a Club event shall be publicised in the Club magazine, or at a General Meeting of the Club, or on the Club’s website in order for it to be considered a formal Club event and so be covered for the purposes of insurance, subsidies and so forth.
For a trip using tracks that are not public roads it is Club policy to confirm with the appropriate authorities that access is permitted on the chosen dates. This includes National Parks, State Forests as well as private property.
UHF Radios
The Club strongly recommends that a UHF radio be carried to facilitate convoy procedures. UHF channel 14 is used as the standard channel for trips.
Firearms & Pets
Firearms are not permitted on club trips. Pets are not allowed in National Parks, otherwise refer to Trip leader.
