Through the years I enjoyed the light spirit and teamwork as well as making good friends with off-roaders. Since I started the 4x4OffRoads.com web site I am proud to say that I have gained friends from all over the world. From Pakistan in the East to Colorado in the West and South Africa in the South and of course Iceland in the North.

What comes as a surprise is that similar qualities are shared by so many of the wheelers.

HELPFULNESS When you are off the beaten track and on some remote and little traveled road. You meet a stranger going in the other direction. Stop and ask about the road ahead and give information about possible obstacles or problems from the road you just drove. Share your knowledge and learn at the same time.

RESOURCEFULNESS Getting by with the tools and equipment carried by you or your fellow travel companions is an art much more than science. Last weekend a friend of mine was in a trip where a radiator hose broke. Having no spare hose an improvised solution included sawing a piece of tailpipe from a Suzuki Vitara with a SWISS ARMY KNIFE! It took about an hour to saw through but the result was good for the rest of the trip.

In another trip the front main leaf spring leaf broke and was welded together using two batteries a welding wire and two pairs of SUNGLASSES for eye protection.

CAREFUL EVALUATION OF SITUATION Driving in traffic on the highway it is important to think ahead. Thinking ahead while driving on a trail or off-road is even more important. Going uphill you must be certain that you and your vehicle can get up and if not - a plan B to get the vehicle safely back down without rolling over and possibly hurting you, your passengers or stander-by's. Crossing a river is another such situation where careful evaluation could include wading the river to check if it is passable by your 4x4.

OUTDOOR LIVING Outsiders might think that driving off-road is like staying inside the truck at all times. As you probably know this is NOT TRUE. Most go wheeling to enjoy nature, discover new places and breath in some fresh air. Occasional problems, like getting out of a stuck or examining the route ahead also involves outdoor activities.

I know some hiking enthusiasts who walk for days in beautiful scenic landscape and NEVER look left or right.

ENJOY the trip and everything around it - plan on spending some time outdoors and you will fare well.

RESPECTING NATURE I think most wheelers respect and feast on nature just the way it is. They would like to keep nature as untouched by the works of man as possible. This preserves our territory - our playfield. Being responsible helps - driving only on the trail and not doing any damage to the vegetation and geological formations.

What I find most rewarding is the... CONSTANT LEARNING ...Every trip seems to bring new sources of solutions to problems and new people to know and although the trip is sometimes to the same place I have visited before - the weather and season and other environmental factors somehow always seems to make it special.

Thrandur Arnthorsson is a 4 wheeling enthusiast and the webmaster of 4x4OffRoads.com