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View Full Version : Be careful while wheeling. Ideas to keep everyone safe.



XJ Wheeler
04-22-2014, 05:01 PM
My original thought to starting this thread was to share a sad story to share what can happen when things go wrong while wheeling. But the more i think about it i am believing it would be a great idea to have an area to teach others, anyone, about safety while off the beaten path.

So here it is. This young man was out mudding with some friends and got stuck in his XJ. His friends got out and he got to working on getting unstuck. As most of us would do he tried to drive it out first but his exhaust was backing up to the interior and subsequently he fell out of the rig into the water/mud. Not really abnormal or dangerous what he was doing just a situation with the wrong things to happen. It could happen to anyone. He couldn't be revived and leaves behind a 1 yo daughter. Truly sad and thoughts and prayers go out to loved ones from the jeep community.

http://whotv.com/2014/04/21/off-roading-death-exhaust-fumes-likely-contributed/

So to aid in helping stuff like this from happening tell what ever you know to do and not to do out wheeling.

Sent via messenger pigeon - i talk, he types.

4.3LXJ
04-22-2014, 10:20 PM
I think this brings up a valuable concept. This XJ is from the rust belt and likely had rust holes in the floor. Also, I would wager the exhaust was probably cut off after the cat and did not have a pipe all the way to the back. So when the vehicle was in water, the exhaust had nowhere to go except up unless it pushed some water out of the way. This is why exhaust pipes from the factory go all the way to the back. It is a safety item. So the bottom line is, don't cut it off, replace it instead. The poor guy was likely dead before he hit the water, just didn't know it. CO is attracted to our hemoglobin in our blood several hundred times grater than oxygen. So it was just a matter of minutes before he passed out for good and the damage was permanent and non reversible.

cantab27
04-22-2014, 10:22 PM
don't get under em........enough said ....

XjJeepacorn
04-22-2014, 10:55 PM
At least he had a nice death, I don't mean to sound like a jerk people take me completly wrong some times going to sleep is alot more peaceful then drowning ... suppose I'm trying to bring the light to a terrible and sad incodent.

This is a great thread idea good on ya for thinking about it.

you know you'd rather have my xj ;)

XjJeepacorn
04-22-2014, 10:58 PM
I like taking picture I've noticed my self getting a bit to close to the action while trying to get that perfect shot cantab hit the nail on the head watch out keep a safe distance when your spotting and snapping shots

Seat belts! Serously Just because you're off road and don't legally need to wear them! My poor little dog I never really though about him when my jeep started taking a turn for the worst while climbing the church steps. It was hot windows were down and everything turned out ok I didn't flip but while everything was happening it was his little butt I was worried about flying out the window.
I decided some the harder obsticles that hes going to be taken out first and I'm getting him a special doggy harness.

I haven't had mine in a while but because my little dog rides up front. I removed the passangerside air bag for his safety. If they can kill a child I'm sure my 15 lbs little man could be killed by it too

cantab27
04-22-2014, 11:53 PM
wheel with a buddy ..newbies join a club or walk before ya run ,,,beers fine when 4bees parked up for the day...RATED TOW HOOKS ..biggest fear and if ya anit got em and I find ya stuck , enjoy my shovel for a while ....:confused:

http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr52/cantab27/untitled_zpsd4d9a626.png (http://s469.photobucket.com/user/cantab27/media/untitled_zpsd4d9a626.png.html)

tow ball is a big no no.....this shit kills....:mad:

http://www.4wdingaustralia.com/4x4/snatch-strap/

have a read in there...

same as when winching I have me we winch damper zip tied close to hook

http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr52/cantab27/iwxp_zps7d401357.jpg (http://s469.photobucket.com/user/cantab27/media/iwxp_zps7d401357.jpg.html)

you can see it on the end by winch bitch :D..

http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr52/cantab27/qkbt_zps5187e191.jpg (http://s469.photobucket.com/user/cantab27/media/qkbt_zps5187e191.jpg.html)

I run rope but have seen that wire rope snap ...not pretty and got some power ...I do this when winching be it comp or stuck at the mall....

cantab27
04-23-2014, 12:09 AM
another good idea

http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/otago/299754/men-survive-60m-plunge-4wd

Firemanray
04-23-2014, 09:10 PM
Never run without a hood unless you have a windshield between you and the engine compartment. I saw a young boy get scalded when a radiator hose broke on a buggy, they flew him out by helicopter.

Always have a fire extinguisher in reach of the operator seat. You don't want to have a flash fire from rolling over and not able to get out or put the fire out. With that in mind it is a good idea to wrap your exhaust header and down pipe with thermal wrap. In the event you roll the oil spill WILL ignite on the hot exhaust. The thermal will smoke really bad but you will avoid an instant bon fire.

Besides the obvious, wear gloves while handling winch line. Last time out my daughter was line handling when her thumb slipped into the hook (behind the first joint), she slipped and fell and her full weight pulled at the joint, nearly pulled her thumb off.

Leave the alcohol at camp for the end of the day. Serious wheeling is dangerous enough not to enhance the danger with "hold my beer and watch this", which in turn is followed by "911 what's your emergency".