by Perry Marchant
Stemming from the Yuma 4-Wheelers club established in the 1960s, this club is one of Yuma’s few off-roading clubs that provides an outlet for people who seek to enjoy four-wheeling in a safe, responsible, and fun way. “Our Mission is simple — keep 4-wheeling legal and legitimate, support the community through service projects, promote proper and safe use of 4x4 vehicles, and unite clubs and 4x4 vehicle owners,” says club coordinator “Big” Chris Hoover.
The club usually has runs on Saturdays, meeting up at the Yuma West Wetlands Park and then on to the run sites. The club members’ rigs range from: Jeeps, Toyotas, Fords, Chevys, Dodges, Samurais, etc. The majority of the club enjoys a moderate trail with a little difficulty in the mix. A small percentage either wants to run dirt roads or go extreme rock crawling. Whatever you would prefer, the club has it covered.
The club’s 50 members are committed to practicing fun and safe recreational trail blazing while leaving a minimal impact to the environment. As a rule, the club only goes along pre-established trails and makes it a point to leave nature the way it was found, enforcing a non-littering policy. There is a section on the club’s website entitled “Trail Etiquette 101,” which gives a very detailed account of what type of trail behavior is acceptable with respect to environmental concerns.
Membership to the Yuma 4- Wheelers club is free. There are no dues or mandatory meetings. Club gatherings and runs are 100 percent voluntary. However, there are certain club regulations and vehicle requirements that must be met in order to join in on any outings. A vehicle must be a maintained, street legal, 4-wheel drive (any make or model), must be equipped with factory hard top or roll bar/cage, must have functioning seat belts for all passengers, must have an appropriate spare tire (full size) with a jack and tool to remove a flat, and must have appropriate battery hold downs. It is also recommended that everyone have a basic first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, front and rear recovery points (or tow hooks), a tow strap without metal hooks, and a working CB Radio.
“The most rewarding aspects of being a part of this club for me are being able to walk around and take great photographs of nature and to see the smiles on peoples’ faces when we go out to places that some people would normally never get to see. We want to promote a positive image for four wheeling through safe, responsible recreation and we are always looking for ways to service the community through supporting charities,” says Hoover.
If you are interested in joining, you need to be a licensed driver with a current and valid driver’s license. You must have a licensed and insured 4x4 with all the mandatory requirements. Each member must read the “Rules and Requirements” and fill out a membership/disclaimer form before going on any events.
Because the club does not collect dues, it is appreciated when members chip in for miscellaneous things like t-shirts and stickers. There are no scheduled meetings, so members e-mail ideas to yuma4wheelers@msn.com.
The club’s website has additional information about trail runs, a tentative schedule, frequently asked questions and pictures of the club’s rigs and adventures. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Yuma 4-Wheelers club, contact “Big” Chris at: yuma4wheelers@msn.com or visit the club’s website at: yuma4wheelers.com.