Broke down, who to call ?

[raythehandyman]

We long time wheelers know not to wheel alone. We also carry enough tools and parts to build another rig. BUT, what if your rig broke and you just don't have the stuff on-hand, and your miles,,, miles from home, it's just you and your buddy, no cell phone service, and if you had service... who would you call :shrug:

I live in Longmont, I'm only 20 minutes away from Left Hand Canyon. Once you get Cell Service and "if " I can get away, I have no problems helping out. Shagging a part, bring it up, need a welder...trailer to get back to town.

If you know where Firemans Hill is ( Above Carnage ) you can normally pick up a signal.

anyone interested

If you call drunk, or I show up and you have been drinking I may have a big problem with this.


Would it be nice if we all had a numbers to call for help no matter what trail we are on, Rd21, Montrose, Holly Cross, Buena Vista area, Penrose and so on.

Help each other out

[shunt]

Like a Rescue Squad..

[raythehandyman]

If there is a name I guess it would be 4x4rescue.There have been serveral people looking at the post, but little interest.

Kind of what I figured. I posted it late Friday night, and it's almost 7:00am Saturday morning. I'll give it this weekend to see what stirs.

It would be very hard to be a 4x4rescue person.
If your on the list for say RD21, and your called, if you can't make it. Atleast you could give info on where to go to shage parts. I don't know Grand Junction. It would be nice to call someone who does.
I'm not ready to go pick up parts, pay for it and try to get paid back from someone I don't know, or maybe I would depending on the circumstances :shrug:

How you keep and store numbers would be up to you. I have all 52 members of the Trail Ridge Runners on a business card size paper that fits in my wallet. It's a 3 fold paper. I've made copies and hand them out at meetings. People snag them up. It includes home and cell phones.

I could set up a special e-mail address just for those on the list. Then once every 6-months contact everyone to update the list.

Send me a PM with e-mail ,Numbers, Your city, and trails you could help on. Don't post numbers here.

[cherokeeJim]

Maybe you could set up a decent home CB? Back home my friend had a large antenna and a home CB and we could hit him from all over town. Maybe a Colorado4x4 designated channel? Just a thought.....

[josh]

I thought we had set something like that up on this board a few years ago.

maybe not :shrug:

[raythehandyman]

One hell of a CB. I can get out 1-mile in a canyon, open space several miles.
Plus who sits by there CB at home. Who keeps a CB in there house.
Short Wave, but not to many run with those.

[Elk]

Someone set up a web site for this a while back. You could put your contact info in and waht you were willing to do. I can't find it now, and I have no idea if it's still active. Anyone else remember this?

[Breck4x4[John]]

Someone set up a web site for this a while back. You could put your contact info in and waht you were willing to do. I can't find it now, and I have no idea if it's still active. Anyone else remember this?

http://www.4x4support.com/linking/4x4support_150x150_whtbg.gif (http://4x4support.com/index.php) I know when it first started there were quite a few members from Colorado on it. Don't know if people are keeping their info updated or not.

[Commander]

Ray, I like the idea if you could get enough people to volunteer for it. However I?m afraid there would be a lot of people interested in using the service, but not many people wanting to take a midnight call from someone who needs rescued. Are you proposing that in order to use the service you also have to already be sighed up to offer help when needed?

I think it might work better if it were say a reciprocal agreement between 4x4 clubs in different areas of the state where you agree to help each others club members out when needed. I?d be a little reluctant to offer to help out every yahoo who goes out by themselves with an under equipped rig and tries to take it where they have no business going in the first place. Just my $0.02.

[longboy]

I've been registered on 4x4support.com for a while now, and I keep a printout of the Colorado registered members in my CJ when I head out. I've also printed out the Utah members when heading to Moab.

I'd be willing to sign up for a more local one, if someone wants to maintain the list of emails/phone numbers.

[Dotcom]

i could set up a site and host it on one of my servers. it wouldn't be fancy but it would get the job done.

[POS owner]

Triple A?

[Gunter]

i would assume when asking for help from strangers one would be decent and do the minimum to get extracted.might be best to just drag the broke vehicle to the nearest spot to trailer it home.or to a better place for repairs.
i'd hate to be asked to run all over getting parts etc.

[Whitey]

I've been registered on 4x4support.com for a while now, and I keep a printout of the Colorado registered members in my CJ when I head out. I've also printed out the Utah members when heading to Moab.

I'd be willing to sign up for a more local one, if someone wants to maintain the list of emails/phone numbers.
Took a look at the 4x4 support.com site and signed up. It looks like a good idea and I've never heard of it. I am able and willing to give a hand to someone that needs the help, so, that site sounds good.

The idea of a local site is a very good idea as well. I'd be willing to help out, just don't want to be a patsy to every person that gets stuck in the mud with out recovery gear of their own. It's another thing if they have gear and are out of options, I'd do all I am able to in order to help someone in a real bind.

Damn good idea Ray. :thumbsup:

[Dotcom]

my company will donate the site hosting and domain name. i registered colorado4x4rescue.com for this purpose. how about some suggestions about how this should be organized. and if you are interested in volunteering send a pm so we can get a list going.

[Whitey]

my company will donate the site hosting and domain name. i registered colorado4x4rescue.com for this purpose. how about some suggestions about how this should be organized. and if you are interested in volunteering send a pm so we can get a list going.
PM to whom? :shrug:

Ray or Shaun (hope I spelled it correctly)

[Dotcom]

for now me (sean). i will start working on a preliminary design for the site, however i would like input from ray and others who are interested in participating as to how it will work, what will be offered in the way of help. how the helpers will be contacted, and what info will be given out about the volunteers etc. those are just a few of the issues i can think of off the top of my head.

[CLYDE]

for recovery, I am the guy to talk to, but I am kinda limited as to when I am available.. pm sent..

[raythehandyman]

It's Saturday night, Looks like this might work:)
Who collects the info and maintains it does not matter to me.
I like Seans idea. I'd like Sean and I to team up on this.
Here is what I'd like to see created.

Your Name
City
Home#
Cell#
Trails or area you can help with.
e-mail address
Date you became a Colorado4x4rescue volunteer.
---------------------------------------------------
Every 6 months, spring and fall everyone on the list is contacted to be sure there info is correct.
Somehow let others know about the site or ways to sighn up.
I'd like a Forum area where the volunteers could submit any updates or anything new they could share.
I'm by far a web desighner, this would be more then I would expect. But if Sean is willing, I'm all for it.

Need more feed back / idea's ?
Ray

[TJeeper]

who would you call

I would just call you Ray. :flipoff2:

[raythehandyman]

Sean, It's Sunday night. I've been busy all day with house stuff. Looks like this tread died off. Should we still continue on ?
Ray

[Frank Z]

There are plenty of people here that would be more than willing to help a stranded wheeler...trust me on this one. I was lucky enough to get the help I needed when I needed it because I was able to get my cellphone to work and had my wife post a thread for me.

Carry a cellphone and the number(s) of friends or family that can be contacted to post a thread for you right here. Yes you'll have to give them your screen name and password, but when you're in need....

Maybe having a respectable screen name and password is a good idea...

Hi Mom, I need you to post a thread for me on the interent. My screen name is GOTABUNCHOFGIRLSPREGNANT and my password is LARGEPENISFERTILETALLYWACKER

Seriously, if you can get a thread posted here, and are a little patient...you'll get plenty of help.

[Dotcom]

i have the hosting set up and am working on a prelem. design for the site. there seems to be a good amount of interest so i figure once we have it up and running we can post a link and folks can sign up. im thinking some kind of text alert type notification or a list of numbers that can be printed to be carried in the jeep or something like that. i also like the amber alert type system that another site has for stolen rigs etc. i understand that if you post for help here you can get it but my wife & parents couldn't find their way around a computer to save their or my life so id rather have a way of getting help when needed fast.

[Budman]

The AMA (American Motorcycle Association) Has a system like this for members. You break down, you call a 1-800 #, they call someone in your area to help you out. I have taken a couple of quarts of oil to Harley guys, and have run down to Penrose to pick up a guy with a blown engine. It will be well worth it if I ever break in the middle of nowhere.

Anyway I look forward to the site coming up, and being able to sign up.


Thanks

[raythehandyman]

Sean... Keep me informed. Anything for me to do ?
Ray

[crackhead]

Im in..

[Whitey]

my company will donate the site hosting and domain name. i registered colorado4x4rescue.com for this purpose..............if you are interested in volunteering send a pm so we can get a list going.

for now me (sean). i will start working on a preliminary design for the site, however i would like input from ray and others who are interested in participating as to how it will work, what will be offered in the way of help. how the helpers will be contacted, and what info will be given out about the volunteers etc.

i have the hosting set up and am working on a prelem. design for the site. there seems to be a good amount of interest so i figure once we have it up and running...........

:shrug:

Sent my personal info to you back in November.

What happened?

Heard of one guy that was contacted to help out someone, but haven't heard anything 'official' and am wondering if anything came out of this good idea ...... :shrug:

[Dotcom]

i have run into a problem, i have the domain and the hosting setup however i can not figure out the technology to make a notification system that will work. if there are any programmers out there that can help and would like to donate their time please speak up.

sean

[Taz]

Did I ever PM you Sean? You have my contact information so once its up and going you can add me to the list.

[Steve]

I thought we had set something like that up on this board a few years ago.

maybe not :shrug:

I tried it a few years ago, and even volunteered to print a small booklet once/year that could be kept in a vehicle. That died due to lack of interest. Someone else tried it more recently; that too died for lack of interest. :shrug:

Good luck with it this time. :thumbsup:

[TJay]

i have run into a problem, i have the domain and the hosting setup however i can not figure out the technology to make a notification system that will work. if there are any programmers out there that can help and would like to donate their time please speak up.

sean

What kind of notification are you trying to do?

[Dotcom]

the only thing i can think of that will work to keep everyones info private would be some kind of text messaging system. anything else seems to be too expensive or would need an operator on duty. it needs to be something that a person can text a request for help to and then have it send out an alert to everyone signed up either by email or text.

thoughts
sugestions?

[Whitey]

the only thing i can think of that will work to keep everyones info private would be some kind of text messaging system. anything else seems to be too expensive or would need an operator on duty. it needs to be something that a person can text a request for help to and then have it send out an alert to everyone signed up either by email or text.

thoughts
sugestions?

No offense, but that sounds elaborate and would there be anyway to monitor how many people would show up? I can envision everyone showing up, or no one responding, thinking someone else is covering the assist.

Would a book like the one mentioned listing all the volunteers contact information work, then the person that breaks will have to try to get in touch with who they can find available when the help is needed? :shrug:

[Steve]

Would a book like the one mentioned listing all the volunteers contact information work, then the person that breaks will have to try to get in touch with who they can find available when the help is needed? :shrug:

Years ago when I owned street rods the National Street Rod Association did that exact thing. Once/year they printed a small booklet that you could put in your glove compartment. It was organized by state and town. If you needed help you looked up and called someone near where you were. It worked great. That's exactly what I proposed here a few years ago, and I was going to print the booklets once/year for free. There was almost no interest so I let it drop. :shrug:

The TurboDiesel Register does the same thing, except they also list lots more info for those who volunteer, like who has tools, a welder, a trailer, etc.

I agree that some kind of auto-alert system using text messages, email, etc. is not the way to go.

[clemsonkrawler]

I like Steves booklet idea...... It sure would have been nice to have Cheepins # instead of hitch-hiking to napa saturday.

I would def put my contact info in a book that gets ditributed to CO4x4 members.....not just any jackass on the interweb though.

[Backwoods Rambler]

A long while back I worked in a print shop and designed custom business forms for a living. At the time I offered to print similar booklets, but once again, no interest.

I think it would be great! I don't think the booklets should be free though, but only like $2-$4 each depending on it's size.

It was going to include:

Name
Address (or general location)
Phone number (Home and Cell)
Rig details (to indicate the persons ability to help. For example if you're on a trail that requires 35's, don't call the guy who has 31's or 33's)
Other Equipment IE: tow rig and trailer, portable welder, onboard air, etc....

To get this type of information updated yearly would be REALLY REALLY helpful to any wheeler or group of wheelers.

I am pretty good with designing custom forms, so I could definitely help with this.

Any other ideas??

EDIT: It seems the thing to do would be to split the state up into 6 sections and put peoples info in based on those sections. This was a person isn't searching throught the booklet looking for someone in the durango area, there would be a whole page or three devoted to that section of the state. It seems efficient that way.

Thoughts??

[Dotcom]

this could also be done online where a person could print out the information using their own printer, that way a person could keep their info updated if they move, get a new number etc. if you are going out in an area you could print out just that region of info etc. of course you would need to have a user id etc to control who could access the info, if you sign up to get it you would need to include your own info. that would keep spamers from getting their hands on the info.

thoughts?

[Backwoods Rambler]

True, online would offer a lot of convenience to update your information.

The problem with the online thing is that you would have to deal with restricting access to it so some A-hole doesn't make "prank" calls. I suppose you could charge for subscription to it?

Personally I'd rather have something in my rig that I could maybe use during any roadside emergency situation. Not just while I'm wheeling.

EDIT: Missed some of the info you just posted sorry

[Backwoods Rambler]

Here's a sample of what I was thinking

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n155/BackwoodsRambler/Sample1.jpg

[Whitey]

.......... be done online where a person could print out the information using their own printer............

There is already a site like that, IIRC, 4x4support.com and I paid for a membership, printed the info and keep it in the vehicle. I've never needed to call anyone so can't say how that is.

About the site, I wouldn't say it is run very well. I've always had problems logging into it and linking to the information, once logged in and tring to access another page, it says I have to log in and doesn't let you log in on that page. :shrug:

When I write the guy, it takes a few e-mails before he responds. It is something I will not pay for again, sort of like, 'yeah, here's my $15, merry x-mas'. :rolleyes:


I like the sprial bound volume of contact information. Could update it each year, either send out or host on a site the new pages to print and include. I would be willing to pay a small fee to get the materials, printing and mailing, etc.

[Backwoods Rambler]

I can't believe how little traction this great idea is getting. Weather it's online or in a booklet, is nobody interested? Seriously?:eek:

[ni0h]

Rambler: If you're willing to maintain it, I'm sure willing to put my info into it. I just hope I get to come instead of call.
Make an entry for the truly-prepared, for ham radio information.

[Backwoods Rambler]

I will find out this weekend if I can fully maintain this project.

If so I will start a new thread on the topic. I will talk with my father-in-law about "publishing" this booklet and possibly have it ready for end of summer or next season.

Make an entry for the truly-prepared, for ham radio information.

This would fall under Other Equipment / Info since so few would have this entry.

[forum]

I would be interested, but as I'm fairly new to the sport, I try not to go alone to begin with. Nor would I be of much use to anyone as far as helping them off the trail. So as of now I don't see much point in even replying to this thread. But in the future I would be more likely to do something of the sort.

[longboy]

Its not that I'm not interested, its that it already existed (see the post about 4x4support.com) and it seems to have flopped. It worked good for a while, then the admin/owner of the site basically hasn't kept up with the database and site.

When 4x4support first went live, I had printouts of contacts in Utah and Colorado to keep in my CJ. If/when I go on a trip in a new state, I usually bring that state's list with me.

Anyway, this is a great idea if someone is actually going to DO it. I mean, this particular thread started in November, and nothing really has happened, has it?

[Steve]

I can't believe how little traction this great idea is getting. Weather it's online or in a booklet, is nobody interested? Seriously?:eek:

You're not the first here to try this; it flopped the other times too. Dunno why... :shrug:

[Backwoods Rambler]

I see your point Steve, but I think people don't realize that it doesn't take 1,000 people volunteering for this to work, sure the more the better but, even if only one person in each county or "region" of the state volunteered that would be cool as well. I don't know anybody in GJ who I can contact, so even just getting your info, Steve, would be great. I don't care if the booklet is only 10 pages deep, it's still a valuable tool. I would rather have 20 contacts that are AWSOME than 200 contacts that are just OK.

So when I get things nailed out I'll just start collecting information & donations (refundable) from "volunteers" for a set period of time, and once I have enough to make a booklet I'll then mail them out. Everyone who gives info gets a booklet, and those who choose not to, for whatever reason, can call AAA; or maybe they already have a good network of friends to call.

Then once a year (or whenever I notice some info getting "stale") I will give people a ring and update it. If I'm missing someone from a critical area, I will petition for thier info, or try to get a new person to volunteer for that area.

I'll just leave it at that unitl I know for sure I can do this.

[Steve]

...it doesn't take 1,000 people volunteering for this to work, sure the more the better but, even if only one person in each county or "region" of the state volunteered that would be cool as well. I don't know anybody in GJ who I can contact, so even just getting your info, Steve, would be great.

Agreed. I know that a whole lotta people come right through here, within a mile of my house, on the way to/from Moab. I'm more than willing to help, and I have a trailer, tow rig, lotso tools, etc. I'm not about to post my cell # here for anyone to get though. Anyone heading out this direction can PM me and I'll give it to 'em. I could always quickly round up others over here who are also more than willing to help.

[BURNTFISH]

I would be willing to help out in the Ouray area. I have access to just about anything you need to fix a rig including a 5,000 lb crane. If people are coming this way they can send me a pm and I will give them my info. Its great to meet new people by helping them get there rig on the road again.

[Whitey]

I could have used some help in Grand Junction a couple of years ago.

Actually, a fellow from Palisade stopped when I was on the side of a dirt road and lent a hand, a tower service tech and his son-in-law. They didn't have the tool I needed either but between us, we managed to get the Jeep back on the road. (note, I now have the wrench in the Jeep).

I didn't have a clue who to contact or what shop might help. I tried one, got quoted an astronomical figure for a simple fix, so, I said the heck with it and cut the vacation short. Me and the wife came back home and I took care of it in my garage the next day.

I'd be willing to help anyone out as far as I am able. I'd sure like to see a network of locals to help out fellow wheelers.

[CJesse7]

Im down with the book idea. That way you dont end up with those damn prank calls. If you have to buy a book there is less chance for the prank calls. Hell. if there was enough intrest you could start to market the books and sell them at the local 4x4 shops.

[forum]

Im down with the book idea. That way you dont end up with those damn prank calls. If you have to buy a book there is less chance for the prank calls. Hell. if there was enough intrest you could start to market the books and sell them at the local 4x4 shops.

Pretty sure that would be a horrible idea. Then you get the yuppie with the rig they paid some shop to build for them calling you when they get stuck.

[Backwoods Rambler]

Pretty sure that would be a horrible idea. Then you get the yuppie with the rig they paid some shop to build for them calling you when they get stuck.

Yeah, probably not the way to go with this.

[Backwoods Rambler]

Look at that!! Conifer, Ouray, Grand Junction all covered and I have a friend who lives near montrose so I'm sure he'll be in the book. I'm telling ya it doesn't take much, just a few dedicated people.