Here is a concise guide to having the safest truck and being the safest off roader you can be. Use these guideline recommendations as you see fit, and feel free to print them out.
**** ECBR SAFETY RECOMMENDATION GUIDE ****
® = Required © = Recommendation © = High Recommendation
First Aid kit
® Contain basic items and equipment (minimum including various bandages and gauze)
® All items enclosed in a specific container and securely positioned
® Waterproofed case, stationary & securely mounted, recommended
Fire Extinguisher
® 5 lbs. total on-board capacity (1- 5 lbs. unit or 2- 2.5 lbs. units)
© A combination of both a 5 lbs. and a 2.5 lbs. unit preferred
® 1A-10B-C minimum rated chemical type (at least one unit should contain this)
® Fully charged and un-used (as per gauge reading and nozzle sealed)
® Properly and securely mounted (NOT near high heat sources above 140 degrees)
© Vertical mounting position preferred (with the head towards the top)
® Easily removable from mount (not locked), and safety pin in place, secured and operable
® Mounted within drivers reach, while driver strapped into seat (at least one unit)
® TEST : Shake & listen for free movement of chemical inside
© Metal valved head highly recommended
C.B. Radio
® 40 Channel capacity and in good mechanical and physical condition (unit & mic cord)
© Single Side Band (SSB) unit recommended (3 times the range & channels)
® C.B. securely mounted
® Antenna properly and securely mounted (in a location not easily damaged by adverse conditions)
© NON-magnetic base mounted antenna recommended
® Antenna maximum length of not over 65" long from base to tip
® TEST : Clear audio reception (speaker) and transmission to another C.B. radio (microphone)
® TEST : Minimum 2 mile communication range under average conditions
® TEST : S.W.R. reading less than 1.7:1 on channel 21 (less than 1.3:1 recommended)
® TEST : Power reading of no less than 2 watts on channel 21 (4 to 5 watts recommended)
Tow Strap
® Flat type webbed tow strap... not merely a "lifting sling" (no ropes, chains or cables)
® Min. 4"/under 5,000 lbs. vehicle(mini/mid-sized) - Min. 6"/over 5,000 lbs. vehicle (full-sized)
® Minimum 30' in length (from loop-end to loop-end) ...roll out strap & inspect
® Maximum loop-end surface width can not exceed 2.5" across width of very end of loop
© 6" wide x 40' to 50' length, with 2" wide leather-lined loops recommended
® In good physical condition (no tears, frays or cuts)
® No permanently mounted metallic objects anywhere on the strap
© Spare 20' to 30' long by 2" to 3" wide (for towing use on roadways) recommended
Clevis Shackle
® Minimum of one (1) EXTRA accessible in vehicle (other than those used for vehicle hook-up)
® Straight in-line design (not offset, or "twisted" type)
® Minimum 3/4" pin/screw diameter
® Minimum 2.5" inside width (at widest point)
® Secure fitting retaining clip on pin-type clevis designs
® Screw-type clevis must be originally designed as such by original manufacturer, not modified
® In good operable and physical condition
© Screw-type PULLING clevis recommended, not a "lifting type shackle"
Tow Connection
® Hook, Receiver, Pintle Hitch or Clevis Mount located at the Front of vehicle
® Hook, Receiver, Pintle Hitch or Clevis Mount located at the Rear of vehicle
® All connection devices properly mounted and secure directly to frame (Front & Rear)
® All connection devices must have a minimum 10,000 lbs. load capacity
® If hooks or Pintle Hitch, must have at least 1.75" wide inside width (2" to 5" recommended)
® If hooks, must be mounted "in-line" with frame direction
® If receiver must have at least 2"x 2" receiver hole (class 3 and up), with hook or clevis mount
> Ends of tube bumper can not be used to loop a pull strap over, for pulling
® Hooks mounted with a minimum of (2) 1/2" dia. bolts. All other min. of (4) 1/2" dia. bolts
® Minimum grade 5 bolts with nuts and washers (grade 8 recommended) No "allen" bolts allowed
> Grade-5 bolt indicated on bolt head by 3 radial lines. Grade-8 by 5 to 6 radial lines
© Large metal "backing plate" recommended on back-side of frame mounting points
® All mounting holes must be same diameter as bolt being secured by, and no larger
® No welds to the frame unless accompanied by specified bolt (min. of 18" of weld on clevis mount)
® If hooks welded to frame, can only be welded along sides & rear of hook mounting surface (w/bolts)
® Inverted hook requires a retaining device so strap can't fall off. Device must "spring back" by itself
© Connection positioned as close to center of vehicle width as possible is recommended
© Receiver (class-4) highly recommended, front and rear with a mount for a clevis
Winch (not required)
® If winch is present, adequate size capacity for vehicle weight
® If winch is present, securely and properly mounted
® If winch is present, adequate capacity hook and secured to cable
® If winch is present, entire length of cable in good condition
© Minimum of 8,000 lbs. pull capacity, with 9,000 to 12,000 lbs. pull recommended
General Equipment
® All lug nuts must be securely fastened on all wheels. No missing wheel studs
® Sealed fuel system with filler cap, and no leaks. Tank mounted in a "protected" position, not in cab
© Minimum 140 mile usable 'highway' fuel range recommended (230 mile range preferred)
® Functional seat belts in good condition for every occupant, bolted securely to the floor (w/washers)
© Shoulder Harnesses highly recommended, mounted to floor(w/washers), not frame / roll bar
® Stationary steel top, or floor/frame mount roll bar over all occupants (Fiberglass bodied or vehicles
with unsatisfactory floor mounting surface, require 20 sq.in. mounting pad surface area per leg,
min. 1/8" thick metal. Bar must be held in place with no less than 4 grade-8 bolts per leg (and
washers on each side)
® All suspension components properly designed, installed & maintained
® Tires in good condition (no major cuts or damage, severe weather cracking, etc.)
® Tires have safe tread depth remaining
© Tire valve stems have caps installed and secured, sealing valve stem core
® Battery properly and securely bolted, mounted with positive post away from chassis or any ground
® TEST: Minimum of 2 external return springs for the throttle lever unit on the engine
® TEST: Drive vehicle 10mph & stop (forward & back) - All four(4) brakes must be good working order
® TEST : Working parking brake of any kind, capable of holding vehicle while apply light throttle
© Parking brake actuated by other means than main hydraulic system highly recommended
® TEST : Working & audible horn (loud enough to be heard inside another running vehicle 50' away)
® TEST : All steering components properly designed, installed & maintained
® TEST : Muffled exhaust system exiting properly from the vehicle (less than 85db measured from 5')
© Neutral safety switch for automatic or clutch (manual trans) highly recommended
© Spare Tire & Jack, Tools and spare Parts highly recommended have on hand at all times
© Tailgate net NOT recommended. Steel tailgate in upright position highly encouraged
Lights
® TEST : All Brake lamps operational
® TEST : All tail-lamps operational
® TEST : All headlamps operational (low beam and high beam)
® TEST : Backup lamps- actuated by gearshift lever movement
(additional audible warning alarm optional)
® TEST : If additional manual back-up lamp switch present, in-cab "on" indicator light required
® TEST : License plate lamp(s) operational
® TEST : All signal lamps operational, front and rear
® TEST : All 4-way flashers operational front and rear
© High beam indicator lamp in dash board operational (and dimmer switch) recommended
Documentation
® Proof of current vehicle registration present in vehicle (as required by law)
® Valid license plates properly displayed and current (as required by law)
® Certification of current proof of insurance present in vehicle (as required by law)
® Valid drivers license of owner(s)/operator(s) (as required by law)
