30 second rule
X2 on the NOT tailgating. You will eat dust all day long and be blowing it out of your nose for several days.
We have the "30 second rule" that we go by. If you are stopped, let the first person start, then the next follows AFTER waiting 30 seconds, and so on. The dust is settled by that time and it works very well. If you are going faster than the person in front you and start seeing dust, slow down and wait for a few seconds.
Next thing is communication. We have Baofeng radios and run on the MURS channels. We both have in helmet mics and speakers with remote push to talk buttons on the left handlebar grip. This is perfect for communication, and no one feels like they will be left behind or get lost.
Probably MOST important is that the lead person waits at a Y or cross road / trail, and makes sure the person BEHIND him sees the direction he goes. Then those following, do the same thing. The motto is "every person is responsible for the person BEHIND them. If you dont see the person behind you for a while, stop and wait till you do. Then the one in front of you will do the same and so on until the whole group is stopped.