Q.

Who can participate?

A.

Our events are open, not only to Eastside members, but also to visitors and friends, regardless of their spiritual orientation. You are encouraged to invite anyone who enjoys the spirit of adventure and who as a lightweight, short wheelbase Four Wheel Drive (4x4) Jeep, truck or small SUV, or who wants to ride along with you. Heavy work trucks and large SUV's are no longer allowed, as they get easily damaged, dreadfully stuck, and put undue strain on all the other vehicles that it takes to pull them out. They are also too wide and long for the narrow, curvy tails we encounter. To see how hard it was to rescue a stuck work truck on a previous event, see this video (8MB). If your vehicle is allergic to scratches, you won't have a good time. The events are somewhat of an outreach, in that visitors will see our example and know that Christians know how to have good, clean fun. (One word of caution, for their own safety and well-being, elderly persons who are unable to relieve themselves without the use of a toilet should not attend.)

Q.

Do I really need a Four Wheel Drive vehicle? I'm absolutely sure my truck or bike can make it. I've never been stuck before!

A.

Do not bring Two Wheel Drive vehicles, even if they are set up for "off road" use. Do not bring motorcycles, ATVs, quads, dune buggies, or other types of vehicles along for use at any time during our 4x4 events. Any individual having an unqualified vehicle will be turned away by Eastside Support Staff prior to the start of the event. To ensure that our outings are safe and comply with all local, state and federal regulations of the areas we use, this event is only open to STREET-LEGAL 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES, which must be operated at all times by a responsible licensed driver. We regret that no other types of vehicles can be allowed on the outings.

Q.

Does Eastside have a club for Off Highway Vehicles?

A.

Yes! If you own dirt bikes, quads, dune buggies, or just like to thrash your 2 wheel drive, then Praying In The Dirt, another of our Extremeside Ministries at Eastside, is the place for you. Please contact Rob Warren at (714)870-8290 for general Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) event information schedules.

Q.

Is there any type of church service at these events.

A.

Some of our 4x4 events have a time of music worship toward the end of the trail. Those who do not wish to participate may leave the group anytime, however, we request that you bid farewell to one of the leaders so that we won't think that you have gotten lost. We do take periodic head counts (actually, we count vehicles) along the way to make the group stays together for safety.

Q.

Do I need any special equipment or off road driving experience to be safe on the adventure?

A.

Big tires, suspension lifts, and locking differentials will all make your experience a safer and more enjoyable one. Our events are designed to be driven by novices in small to mid-sized, high ground clearance 4x4s. Full-sized pickups, Lincoln Navigators, Excursions, and similar vehicles lack ground clearance, and lack the agility needed, and are just plain too heavy to deal with when they get stuck. Make sure you know how to shift your vehicle into four wheel drive and into low range gears, and make sure your 4 wheel drive works. Also make sure that you have the jack and any tools that came with your vehicle for changing to your spare, and make sure that you have a spare tire that's full of air.

Those who have special equipment and who are looking for more challenge may participate in some of the short, optional "side trips," while others may watch or enjoy fellowship at that time. Spectators are advised not to wander off, and to be ready to resume the adventure momentarily.

Q.

What if I get stuck? Could I get left behind?

A.

NO. The lead and tail vehicles communicate with special radios, so our group can act as a unit in case of trouble. If you get stuck, we should have the equipment and expertise to get you un-stuck in short order.

Q.

How much do these events cost?

A.

Admission to our events is free. You pay nothing to Eastside, however, there are times when the United States Forestry Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) charge a nominal fee for us to use our own public lands, typically $5/day or $35/year for an Adventure Pass or the like.

Q.

What should I bring along?

A.

Water, lunch, snacks, appropriate clothing, a jacket even if it's summer, any safety equipment you have. A first aid kit is always a good idea, especially if you have kids. Bring toilet paper, soap, water and paper towels. If you have a portable 12-volt air compressor and a tow strap, bring those too. Window cleaner is also a good idea.

Q.

If camping is an option, then what more should I bring.

A.

You may want to bring along some of the items in  Jungle Jims Camping List. (Adobe Acrobat Reader is required.) But don't try to bring everything on that list. Only bring what you think you'll need for a particular trip.

Q.

Are there any precautions I can take to protect my vehicle?

A.

Don't use tire dressings like Armor All on your tires. Oily rubber is easy sliced by sharp rocks. If you already have it on, hose it off before the trip. It may seem crazy to wash and wax your vehicle before going in the dirt, but the slippery paint surface will resist the scratchy bushes from digging in as much.

Q.

What do we do when we need to use the restroom?

A.

Well, actually, there are no restrooms out there. But we do take 10-100 breaks (pit stops) and go in the bushes. During the drivers meeting, a leader will go over some etiquette for relieving yourself in the wild. Again, bring toilet paper, soap, water and paper towels.

Q.

How do we keep from getting separated?

A.

Here's the driving rule: Keep an eye out for the vehicle behind you. If you lose sight of him for any length of time, stop. Eventually, everyone will stop. Also, when you come to a fork in the road, you'll notice that the driver in front of you is making sure that you make the turn too. Do the same for the person behind you. Most of us will probably have radios and can communicate. In any case, the lead and the last vehicle have special high-powered FM walkie talkies. Avoid following too closely and breathing too much dust, but try to keep up.

Q.

I heard that you guys go out into the middle of nowhere and then let the air out of your tires. Do I have to do that?

A.

Yes, you have to do that. Partially deflated tires (12-25 psi, depending on the tire), ride smoother and transfer less punishment to your vehicle, and to you. If you don't air down your tires sufficiently, your ride will seem violently bumpy and you will tend to drive much slower than everyone else who followed instructions. You will lag behind, and become a burden on the group. Besides that, when you air down,  the larger "footprint" makes for extra traction, so you will not get stuck or sink in soft sand as easily. If this experience is new to you, one of us will coach you and lend you an air pressure gage. And if you don't have a portable compressor, someone who does will help air you back up.

The important thing is to have fun and to enjoy God's creation. I'll go over the important points in the drivers meeting at the start of the event, so you don't have to remember everything now. -Jungle Jim