Right of Way

Submitted: Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 09:08

ThreadID: 67001 Views:2716 Replies:5 FollowUps:7

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Gumby55

Can someone help. Recently did a track in Toollangi State forest. VERY narrow uphill climb with 50 foot drop off one side and a 50 foot high wall on the other side and no where to move over. What happens when another fourby comes down the hill ? Who gives way and how?

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Reply By: JustT - Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 09:18

Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 09:18

One of you has to back up, there are many considerations*. usually whoever has the easiest/shortest reverse back to a spot for overtaking.

*Considerations
Travelling downhill/reversing uphill
Vehicle?
Towing?
Convoy (Multiple vehicles)
Driver skill
Track conditions

AnswerID: 355083

Follow Up By: Thunderflash - Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 09:58

Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 09:58

JustT has mentioned many of the considerations that need to be taken when deciding who gives way, but I was taught that the vehicle coming downhill generally has right of way. This is due to the fact that the vehicle travelling uphill will have better much control than the vehicle going downhill, especially if the track is slippery.

Most 4wd's have a radio on when in the scrub, so a quick chat will usually resolve the issue.

FollowupID: 623135

Follow Up By: JustT - Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 10:21

Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 10:21

So, if you come across a convoy of "L" platers, in Subaru's towing trailers, on a downhill slope, you should back up :)

FollowupID: 623143

Reply By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 09:56

Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 09:56

In steep terrain the vehicle doing the descent gives way to the vehicle doing the ascent normally, all else being equal. This is because a restart downhill is easier than a restart uphill- just one of the things taught in an Advanced 4WD course.

AnswerID: 355091

Follow Up By: Shaker - Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 10:03

Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 10:03

That is certainly the unwritten High Country rule.

FollowupID: 623137

Follow Up By: Willem - Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 14:41

Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 14:41

Hmmmm David

It shouldn't be harder to start going uphill. But traction could prsent a slight problem depending on the terrain

After all most 4x4-ers have done a training course on how to do hill starts!!!...LOL

Cheers

FollowupID: 623196

Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 14:56

Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 14:56

Willem

LOL Note I said steep terrain. In steep terrain you won't be doing a "hill start" unless you don't like your clutch, and other transmission components and would like them changed some time soon. :-)

You would be doing a descent backwards after stopping, if by the book, then a key start stall recovery. A reverse key start stall receovery is more difficult to execute than a forwards one, hence the descender gives way to the ascender.

David

FollowupID: 623199

Reply By: Cruiser .- Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 12:01

Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 12:01

Gumby55,

I have been in 4WD clubs for about 28 years and have always been taught and have taught any newbies that as a general rule of thumb the vehicle going downhill gives way to the vehicle coming up the hill.

As stated in a previous reply, it is harder to do an uphill start than a downhill start, hence the general rule of thumb.

Cheers,

Cruiser

AnswerID: 355116

Follow Up By: robak (QLD) - Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 13:01

Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 13:01

Does this rule still apply if the vehicle going downhill
1. needs to reverse (uphill) in order to give way?
2. needs to reverse uphill with a trailer to give way?

FollowupID: 623183

Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 14:59

Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 14:59

1. No
2. No

In this instance, give way means move over and stop, not back up. A trailer makes it more complex as do other circumstances, hence my all other things being equal comment.

FollowupID: 623200

Reply By: Member - Duncs - Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 13:32

Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 13:32

Whatever the rules, written or unwritten I have never had a problem. Usually one or the other is pretty quick to make a decision about getting out of the way.

I am always on the look out for possible passing spots, it often amazes me how little room you need, it's just one of the things I do. If I encounter a vehicle coming the opposite way I almost always know where I am going to go and how I am going to get there. I usually have the camper in tow so I see this as part of my responsibility to ensure that my trailer causes the least inconvenience possible for me and for others.

The sections of track where it would be trully inconvenient or even dangerous to have to stop and reverse are usually quite short. As part of the evaluation process for such obstacles I walk it and if necessary place an observer who can guide me and alert oncoming traffic.

Duncs

AnswerID: 355131