I thought of some more good info:
1. If you're in doubt, WALK the line before you DRIVE it. For those of you that have been wheeling a long time, picking out the right line comes naturally, but if you're only beginning to wheel, it's not always so easy or so logical. If you don't feel confident, stop the truck, get out, walk the line, try to picture the line you're going to take, then get back in the truck and try it.
2. This one is Cruiser-specific. If you're driving a wagon, make sure the spotter understands that, especially on tough obstacles. Sometimes the line between a SWB and a LWB Cruiser are radically different (Rocker Knocker on Pritchett Canyon, for example) and the last thing you want is a spotter who doesn't understand the difference.
3. Trail courtesy. If you're wheeling with a large group and it's a long trail, practice the THREE TRIES and you're out rule. When you come up to an obstacle, give it your best. If you don't succeed, try it another couple of times, but after that take the bypass or pull some line or ask for a towstrap. It SUCKS when people get frustrated and take on an obstacle over and over and over while a huge group sits around and waits...
4. Safety. When someone's winching, STAY clear from the winch cable, step away from both vehicles, and make sure your passengers are clear as well. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a driver be careful with his own rig but then stand dangerously close to another one. The same applies when one rig is using a towstrap to pull another one or when a rig is approaching the crest of a steep climb, normally the driver can't see what's directly in front of him.
5. Electrics. LEGO, this one's for you. My dad had a loaded rig burn out from under him in the middle of the Venezuelan outback, 1,500 kilometers away from home. Truck, guns, gears, everything burned because of an electrical fire, the result of poorly-installed accessories. When you show up for a trail ride, it's not just your own safety you have to keep in mind, it's *everyone's*. Make sure your batteries are securedly tied down, that you don't have sketchy electrics, and that you have OPERATIONAL fire extinguishers, secured and easily accessible.
6. Be prepared. I've never been an advocate of bringing everything but the kitchen sink, the realities of four wheeling dictate that you bring what you can without overloading a vehicle. What you need to do is step back and think of what needs attention on your rig, what's likely to fail during a wheeling trip, what can immobilize a rig on the trail and what you can easily carry with you. For example, a spare carburator may be overkill, but a carb kit is small enough that it can be tucked away for an emergency. If you just replaced all the belts on your Cruiser, you might not need to bring a whole spare set, maybe just the ones you need to get back home. Same goes for tools, bring a *reasonable* amount of tools. This varies wildly depending on the rig, the type of wheeling, level of modification, and overall condition.
7. Duct tape, baling wire, epoxy (JB Weld), electrical tape and good zip ties go without saying, those should be present on EVERY vehicle.
8. One system that's worked out really well for me is separating my spares/tools by system. For example, I keep all my electrical tools/spares in a separate box, my tire repair stuff (patches, plugs, plug tools, valve core stems, valve core tool, spare stems, inner tube, tire irons) in a separate bag, my Birfield kit (big socket, bearings/seals kit, tub of grease, gloves, brass drifts, fish scale) in another, etc... It's alot easier to get to stuff without unpacking the whole truck, and it makes it tougher to lose tools on a dark trail (since invariably, repairs come at night!)!
