Safety
Not only for the rig and it's occupants but also rigs around them. Being able to communicate with rigs in front and behind you when an obstacle is clear or if you need assistance OR if they are in a dangerous situation. With large groups, sometimes it's better to break into smaller groups and stagger to ease congestion on obstacles. Radios allow those groups to still wheel "together" and stay in contact. The first and the last rigs converse to maintain a group and not leave anyone behind.
example: While wheeling in Moab, we broke a group of eight into two groups. Someone in the second group broke a CV. They radioed to the first group, told us the situation and we turned around to assist and also eat an early lunch as a group. Without radios, we would have never know what happened.
example: There were two of us snow wheeling. I was heading up a hill, lost traction/forward movement and when I applied the brakes I actually started sliding backward. My wheeling partner radioed me to let me know that he was backing up to get out of my way. I radioed back to tell him to do it quickly. I slid backward a couple hundred feet.
Information
While on road you can get information about traffic and what is causing it.
A lot of CBs now will give you weather reports.
Camaraderie
Wheeling is also about hanging out with friends. CBs allow you to chat and enjoy the company.
***Remember that safety conversations take precedent over camaraderie!***
Also respect others with regards to language, it is illegal to use fowl/obscene language on CBs.
Two of the main problems CBs have issues.
Bad grounds. Radio and antennas. Even though the radio is grounded, in theory, thru the ground power wire, I run another ground wire from the CB chassis to the truck body. Also make sure there is a good, non-painted/non-corroded mounting point for the antenna.
The other problem is that the extra antenna cable CAN NOT be coiled up. It acts like a choke and your radio will not work. If you have extra cable, stretch it out. And NEVER try to transmit without an antenna, you will burn up your radio.
__________________ 1998 T4R SR5
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I remember years ago driving to FL from the North East and it seemed that everybody had a CB with the biggest benefit knowing where "smokey" was hiding.
Just two weeks ago I drive down I95 from Philly to NC and was saddened to learn that there was almost not a peep on C19 as I passed one speed trap to another.
Don't at least truckers still use them on the highway?
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Bad grounds. Radio and antennas. Even though the radio is grounded, in theory, thru the ground power wire, I run another ground wire from the CB chassis to the truck body. Also make sure there is a good, non-painted/non-corroded mounting point for the antenna.
The other problem is that the extra antenna cable CAN NOT be coiled up. It acts like a choke and your radio will not work. If you have extra cable, stretch it out. And NEVER try to transmit without an antenna, you will burn up your radio.
Why do we require a CB radio in EVERY rig when wheeling?
I agree the CBs and or HAM radios or even a hand held are VERY useful and yes, FUN, but when a club tells people that they "have to have" this or that or you cant come play with us, is a little rude, maybe that person is new to wheeling, and cant afford or doesnt want, to go and buy this and that just to wheel with a club and find out they may or may not like wheeling.
Now, most people with the right group, will LOVE wheeling, some may like it, but to "require" people to have certain equipment to wheel with you is crazy, next you will say, only toyotas are allowed, only people with a lift from X company, only people with a locker can go etc etc lol..
again, I do very much agree that some form of communication is important, and sooooooooo much fun, but making people buy/borrow certain equipment and/or modifying thier vehicle, just to go wheel is crazy.
I agree the CBs and or HAM radios or even a hand held are VERY useful and yes, FUN, but when a club tells people that they "have to have" this or that or you cant come play with us, is a little rude, maybe that person is new to wheeling, and cant afford or doesnt want, to go and buy this and that just to wheel with a club and find out they may or may not like wheeling.
Now, most people with the right group, will LOVE wheeling, some may like it, but to "require" people to have certain equipment to wheel with you is crazy, next you will say, only toyotas are allowed, only people with a lift from X company, only people with a locker can go etc etc lol..
again, I do very much agree that some form of communication is important, and sooooooooo much fun, but making people buy/borrow certain equipment and/or modifying thier vehicle, just to go wheel is crazy.
ok Ill get off my soapbox now
This topic was a re-post from another site. I missed the "Why do we require a CB radio in EVERY rig when wheeling?" line.
I guess it comes down to safety.
Do you feel that a spare tire should be required?
How about recovery points, front and rear?
I have seen multiple times where a CB has eliminated accidents, bottle necks and lost wheelers.
You can get a basic CB setup for $100 (radio and antenna). Wheeling is not a cheap activity. (The cost of increased maintenance, basic equipment, spare parts and repairing damages) If you can't afford something as basic as a CB, then maybe wheeling is not for you. There definitely are different levels of wheeling. If you are into exploring easy fire roads great, if you are into putting your rig on it's back bumper, that is fine too. They "require" different basic equipment.
One last thing. The Camaraderie of the CB changes a trail ride with other vehicles to a moving gathering with good friends.
Please don't get me wrong, I will never push someone to do something that they don't want to do (as far as pushing their limits beyond what they are comfortable with. If they have a CB and are following me, they can contact me and let me know that they are uncomfortable.
Wheeling can, and is, done all the time without CBs in every rig. This doesn't mean that these wheelers are reckless and irresponsible.
I agree the CBs and or HAM radios or even a hand held are VERY useful and yes, FUN, but when a club tells people that they "have to have" this or that or you cant come play with us, is a little rude, maybe that person is new to wheeling, and cant afford or doesnt want, to go and buy this and that just to wheel with a club and find out they may or may not like wheeling.
Now, most people with the right group, will LOVE wheeling, some may like it, but to "require" people to have certain equipment to wheel with you is crazy, next you will say, only toyotas are allowed, only people with a lift from X company, only people with a locker can go etc etc lol..
again, I do very much agree that some form of communication is important, and sooooooooo much fun, but making people buy/borrow certain equipment and/or modifying thier vehicle, just to go wheel is crazy.
ok Ill get off my soapbox now
Just about every sport has some level of "required" gear if you want to play with certain leagues... hockey, lacrosse, softball, shooting, autocross, etc. You should see the list of required equipment for an overland 4x4 club trip! Way out of my league... for now!
As it relates to our CB discussion, many of us didn't have CBs and were welcomed without them. It was our choice to install CBs at the recommendation of an experienced and respected member of the sport. I'm sure that we'd all still be joining the monthly trail runs without them, but want to get more out of the experience and be safe while doing it. And I'm guessing that we all love the gear! I, for one, find myself continually trying to prioritize my next gear purchase!
In general, requirements for any equipment within any group are for the safety of the members and for the betterment of the experience.
I just wanted to share why I chose to install a CB, which is probably in line with the others involved in the recent wave of CB installations.
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