Naturally, the polite thing to do is let them pass, because of course "large and custom" vehicles denote much more skill and trail experience.

Nothing can be further from the truth!

Make No Assumptions
The alleged "properly-equipped" group goes first. Instead of steering, applying more pressure to the gas pedal seems to be their technique of choice. They smash their pumpkins into protruding rocks and struggle endlessly to free their vehicles - one vehicle after another, making the very same mistake.

Rocks and dirt are kicked away as they increase their wheel spin to try to free themselves. Ruts deepen. Their cargo, which was not properly secured, now litters the trail like a yard sale. The risk of vehicle damage is high, and you stare at the effort in disbelief - anticipating a dramatic finale. Finally, the the last member of the passing group completes the obstacle and your group is next.

With careful spotting, and attention to detail, the near stock vehicles in your group crawl up over the obstacle with ease, as if there was no challenge whatsoever.

Whether you ride with heavily modified trailer queens or near-stock weekender rigs, be careful to make no assumptions about capability, and more importantly, hold your tongue in such an instance. As the saying goes, "You cannot judge a book by its cover."

I Can't Believe They Made it Up!
Recently, on a trail, I heard someone in another group say, "I can't believe they made it up," referring to our group which had traversed a section of difficult terrain before they had arrived. Why is such an accomplishment so hard to believe?

Four-wheeling is a sport full of impossible-looking obstacles and gravity-defying feats. Personally, I don't like to try something unless there is at least some doubt that I would be able to make it. Three out of every four attempts, I'll surprise myself and "make it" and the thrill of "making it" is what drives us all.

Never doubt the accomplishments of others on the trail for these very reasons. With time, diligence, careful attention, thoughtful lines, a steady hand and foot, and an ounce of determination, you can accomplish anything. Like chess, off-pavement driving is a sport of the thinking man.

I was out four-wheeling with my friend Dan, who has a TJ with open differentials front and rear. My TJ is locked front and rear. I proceded to climb over a large rock. After I completed my harrowing climb, I parked my Jeep and walked back to see to Dan.

I told Dan, "You probably won't make it." But then I caught myself making an assumption, just as many have been made toward me in the past. I continued to Dan, "...but when I had open differentials, many times, people told me that I wouldn't be able to make it, and 7 out of 10 times, I proved them wrong."

Dan picked his way over the rock face with ease. He had proven me wrong.

Who or what do we become when we modify our vehicles? We speak, act, and carry ourselves like we are omniscient gods of our sport. We forget what it is like to have a lesser-equipped vehicle and we make bold assumptions as if to justify the sweat and money that we put into our trail rigs - but to what end?

The elite, or "Big Dogs" if you will, aren't those with large custom trail rigs, but they are those who beat the odds on the trail, regardless of vehicle configuration.

Please feel free to share your own stories or opinions in the Bulletin Boards .

Chris Shontz is a staff-writer for Rockcrawler.com. Chris is an amazing driver and is entitled to his opinions like anyone else. He's also very skilled and dodging rocks and catching flying tomatoes.

The views of Chris Shontz in this article are his own and do not necessarily represent those of Rockcrawler.com.