Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the New Mexico 4-Wheelers

A: You must be a registered owner of a four wheel drive vehicle, at least eighteen (18) years of age, hold a valid driver’s license, and carry at least the minimum amount of auto insurance required by the laws of the State of New Mexico.

A: No, all street-legal 4WD vehicles are welcomed.

A: Prospective members must accumulate 5 points before they are eligible for membership in the club.  You get one point for attending a meeting or a day ride, and 2 points for attending an overnight event.  This gives prospective members a chance to "check us out" before shelling out any money for dues.   It also lets the Club "check out" prospective members!  We are a family-oriented group of responsible 4-wheelers.  We will not allow people who do not share these traits to participate in our organization!

A: Regular (voting) members’ dues are $35 per family, payable annually. Associate (out-of-town, non-voting) members’ dues are $17.50 per family, payable annually.  Depending on which month of the year you become a member, your dues will be prorated for that year in accordance with Article 1, Para C of our Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

A: No, you can participate as much or as little as you want to. As long as you are current on your dues, you are considered a "member in good standing".

A: From Oct – Apr, meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the 2nd Thursday of each month at Heights Cumberland Presbyterian Church at 8600 Academy Rd NE, just east of Wyoming Blvd.  From the corner of Academy and Wyoming, go east on Academy and turn right (south) at Moon.  Then turn left into the parking lot behind the Church.  We usually meet in the Senior Youth Room, on the west side of the facility.   Meetings normally last less than one hour and are followed by refreshments and socializing.  A typical meeting includes a brief report from each officer, information on upcoming events, and whatever anyone else wants to bring up for discussion.

From May – Sep, meetings are usually on the 2nd Saturday of each month (unless there's a conflict with another scheduled event), at various NM4W Members’ houses.  Potluck dinner begins around 5 p.m. and the meeting usually starts between 6:00 – 6:30 p.m.  Bring your own plate, eating utensils, and a lawn chair.

A: To supplement the Club Treasury, the Program Chairman sells "raffle tickets" at each meeting. At the end of the meeting, one ticket is randomly drawn. Whoever’s ticket is drawn, that person gets half of the money collected for ticket sales that evening. The other half goes into the Club Treasury.

A: Day rides are usually somewhere in the Cibola or Santa Fe National Forests, or on public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).  Overnight rides are usually in north or south New Mexico, as well as Arizona, Colorado, and Utah.

A: The trails we ride range from "very easy" (much of which can be driven in 2WD in a stock vehicle by a novice driver) to "extreme" (requiring highly-modified vehicles, experienced drivers, and spare parts). The vast majority are on the "easy" side!  However, it’s a good idea to contact the trail leader prior to the ride; tell him/her how your vehicle is equipped and what your experience is, and ask for their opinion on the relative difficulty of that trail.

A: Day rides usually depart for the trailhead from a designated meeting location at 9 a.m.  Please be gassed and ready to go at 9 a.m.  They usually last until early afternoon, depending on trail length and number of vehicles.  

A: Most importantly, adequate food and fluids (there ain’t no McDonalds on the trails!). It is very important to bring lots of drinking water. Possible extreme temperatures (high and low), strong winds, and high altitudes will quickly dehydrate you.  No alcohol or illegal drugs are allowed, of course.  You will also enjoy the ride much more if you bring a good attitude, a sense of humor, and a smile!  :o)

A: The NM4W is definitely a family-oriented organization! Spouses, kids, and pets regularly participate in many of the events (we sometimes bring one or more of our cats, especially on camping trips--webmaster)!  There are also numerous ladies in the Club who drive their own vehicles.  Hint: If your family only has one trail vehicle, allow (encourage) your significant other to drive part of the time!

A: Although this depends on the difficulty rating of the trail, and how experienced (and lucky) you are, the chance of your vehicle sustaining some form of damage on any particular trail is very likely!  Even on trails rated as "Easy", you can expect scrapes, scratches, dings, dents, and possibly other stuff to happen to your vehicle.  This is not intended to scare anyone off, but our members regularly get questions from guests who want to know how their (fill in your type of vehicle) will do on such 'n such trail.  And then they get all pissed off when their shiny new (fill in your type of vehicle) accidentally slips off of a rock, hits a tree, and gets a dent!  Off-highway driving (just like highway driving) is associated with a certain amount of risk and there is no way for anyone to determine whether or not you or your passengers will be hurt, and/or your vehicle damaged. You are solely responsible for the safety of yourself, your passengers, and your vehicle.  If you do not feel comfortable with a particular obstacle on the trail, take the by-pass or turn around and go back!  If you are totally adverse to any trail damage whatsoever, don't even bother showing up!

A: Yes, we participate in the Adopt-A-Highway cleanup program and also do annual volunteer work for Cuidando los Niños (a non-profit organization that cares for children of abused women who are either in school or looking for work). We also do periodic maintenance on our trails. As part of the December club meeting, we have a Christmas Party with a gift exchange. We also periodically host the Southwest 4WD Association (SWFWDA) Summer Quarterly Meeting/Trail Rides held in July or August each year.

The New Mexico 4-Wheelers proudly subscribes to the principles of Tread Lightly!
If you do not share these following goals, we request that you ride with another group.
(for more information, click on the Pledge below to go the the official Tread Lightly! web site)

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