Venturing off-road into technical rock gardens requires a second set of eyes, but not every spotter is created equal. Knowing how to guide a vehicle safely is an art, and Eaton’s Jeremy Wudy recently shared his essential strategies for being an effective rock-crawling spotter from the trails of Moab, Utah. As Eaton’s senior product engineer, his advice went beyond just pointing, focusing on a strategy that helps both the vehicle and driver make it through unscathed.

Understanding The Vehicle And Driver

Before beginning to guide, Jeremy emphasized two important first steps. First, he said to always ask the driver if they wanted assistance. As he explained, “ask the person if they want to be spotted because a lot of people make the assumption that they want your help and a lot of people don’t.” Second, a good spotter needs to understand the specific vehicle’s capabilities. As Jeremy advised, “Be very aware of the vehicle that you’re spotting because wheelbase and width have everything to do with what route will be chosen for that vehicle.”

The Art Of The High Line

One of the most common mistakes a rock-crawling spotter sees is drivers trying to straddle large obstacles. Jeremy was clear on this and stated, “Straddling the tall points is almost never the right answer.” He explained the simple physics: “When you put your tire on a tall rock, it lifts your axles up higher off the ground,” which increases the risk of getting stuck. The proper technique almost always involved placing tires on top of the highest points of the rocks to maintain ground clearance.

Communication Is Essential

Once the vehicle was in motion, continuous and clear communication became essential. Jeremy highlighted this with a simple but powerful statement: “Communication is key.” He noted that drivers need constant feedback, even when they’re on the correct path. It was also important to adapt the spotting to the driver’s comfort level and skill. Jeremy called this the grand finale.

Elevating Your Rock-Crawling Spotter Skills

The video showed that being a great rock-crawling spotter is about becoming the driver’s trusted eyes and an extension of their judgment. The advice focused on a mix of technical knowledge, clear communication, and understanding the person behind the wheel. Following these principles from Eaton’s expert leads to a safer and more successful day on the trails. With Jeremy’s tips, are you ready to spot for your friends during your off-road and rock crawling runs?