Hey guys so me and a friend of mine with a Tacoma are starting to get into wheeling and are probably going to take a trip to Uhwarrie National Forest in NC in the next couple months. I've watched lots of videos of people off-roading online and it seems like when they're going over/through something really technical they have a spotter. I assume my friend and I will need to do some of this and I was just wondering if there are any specific signals used when spotting for someone?

It may be a dumb question and the answer is as simple as point left or right depending on the terrain, I guess if that's the answer then I don't really know what the best approach would be for obstacles, any help?

Use your body language along w/ verbal.

While staring at the driver, use your left hand/index finger to signal his right and your right hand/index finger to signal his left and verbally say "a little driver" , "a little passanger" , "keep it straight" , etc.

All about communication, take it slow, have fun and be safe.

Please post pictures & report when you come back from the trip.

There are a couple big runs up to URE in late April, try and jump on one of those and watch someone who has spotted a lot. I have a few hand signals i give all the time. Quickly making a fist means stop, open palm towards yourself means go. Some guys like pointing for steering correction where others like the spotter to pretend like he is turning a wheel, so you can see how much to cut the wheel (turning it slowly means don't turn much, or turning it very fast means cut the wheel hard). I also give distances with my hands to next big bump or contact, so that they know when a bumper/contact with a rock is coming up in order to be ready to give it some throttle ASAP to maximize "bump" traction. If lots of people are coming through you can gives signals like bumping sides of fists together to signal locking up, or pretend like your breaking a twig to signal disengage lockers if there is nothing else hard coming up (those are not that common because most people know when and when not to have their own vehicles locked).

There is no law book, just have something where you and your buddies instantly know what you are talking about without having to speak, whatever works best for yall is ideal.

There is a certain code that is the most universally accepted. I teach it to my clients. I'll try to elaborate a but in this thread tomorrow.

The important part of spotting isn't knowing what hand signals to use, it's knowing how to read the trail to figure out the correct line to take. That can't be taught over the internet. You learn on the trail by doing and watching others, and knowing the capability of the vehicle and driver.

x2 ^

Read all you can which will help but you're much better off starting by wheeling with some experienced folks. It's not a good idea to go solo w/o any experience and going with others, especially someone willing to teach, is invaluable.

There is a code that is taught for spotters and you can actually sign up for classes but not fully necessary. As mentioned by a previous poster there are verbal and hand communications. Avoid using left or right as may confuse and say my right or his right etc.

Some commands:

Driver-needs to turn to the driverside of the vehicle
Passenger- " " passenger side of the vehicle
Straight- no explanation needed
Easy- slight gas or stay or the brakes controlling speed dropping off an obstacle
Bump- quick hit on the gas then ease up. or on winch control
Climb- going up(include side front/rear, height or distance)
Drop- going down(include side front/rear, height or distance)
Hard- turn wheel fully in that direction(Hard Driver, hard Passenger)
Little- minor steering correction(little driver, little passenger)

There are several others but those are some basic ones. Some examples would be:

Climbing driver front and up about 10"

Easy going to drop passenger rear in 4" and is about 12" down

Knowing your vehicle and the vehicle you are spotting is the only way you can safely communicate and get it through the obstacle. Do not be afraid to stop the vehicle and walk around to get another view before spotting the driver further. I have watched people spot the other person into a rock on the side they were not on, causing damage. Also there should be only 1 spotter communicating with driver, however if you see something dangerous always halt them and point it out to the spotter. In prior situation the spotter told me he was aware and put the vehicle into the rock anyways.

There are a few of us NC guys headed down to URE on the 29th feel free to join us and like all the others said some actions just come natural while others youll pick up on quickly while watching other guys on the trail.

Hope to see you out there!!

29th of April?

Try this link. Bill Burke, 4-wheeling guide/instructor, demonstrates his spotting signals.

YouTube - bb4wa's Channel