View Full Version : sand and beach
chipppa
12th December 2013, 12:21 AM
Just after some quick info on sand and beach driving!
tyre types
inflation etc...
newbie
gaddy
12th December 2013, 08:15 AM
It really makes no difference in tyre styles hi way mud ats all good , I personally run at 18 psi and have never had a issue , and momentum is the key not speed when it gets soft , don't change gears in the soft stuff , if you look like getting stuck let the car stop without using brakes and back out in your own tracks
MudRunnerTD
12th December 2013, 08:20 AM
When in doubt let air out! If necessary 12psi is not out of the question. Remember that your low range gear box has 5 gears ;) don't be afraid to use them all.
93patrol
12th December 2013, 09:06 AM
if you end up going down to 12lb or under DON'T turn sharply or you'll run your tire off the bead, always have a shovel handy because its easier to spend a bit of time digging yourself out then waiting for someone with recovery gear if you don't have your own.
and take your time theres no need to do 100km/h on the beach i very rarely get out of 2nd high range or 3rd low when travelling especially in the soft stuff.
its better to let your tires down before you go on the beach instead of driving onto it getting stuck then digging holes tearing up the track/beach. do it right the first time and you'll breeze along with out any dramas. NEVER use your brakes when descending a sand dune as this can turn your can sideways and roll over, Never travel too close behind another vehicle or have another vehicle tailgate you.
If you are in a place with soft sand and swell stay as high(as far away from the water as possible) because the soft sand can drag you down to the waters edge and you'll get into trouble and you don't want your car flooded with salt water.
Don't fight the wheel tracks that are already there as they will be slightly compacted already let the car flow with them if you need to change lanes then do so but be aware that your steering wheel may try to wrench free from your hands so a good grip is good.
if you need to slow down or stop just stick your foot on the clutch and the sand will do the rest. when taking off again sometimes its easier to reverse a little bit then go forward as there can be a ridge infront of your tires which can cause some dramas
hope this helps
BigRAWesty
12th December 2013, 09:37 AM
Some top points there.
So gear to start.
If your in dunes then a sand flag is a must. Gives other warning of you coming before popping up over a dune.
A starting kit should consist of a shovel, recovery tracks and some recovery straps.
If you have a winch grab a sand anchor.
I personally drop to 18psi as soon as I'm near sand.
As mentioned 12 or even 10 psi if needed.
The only thing I'll oppose is the driving furthest from water.
If you know the area and tide times the sand at waters edge is usually harder and an easier drive. But get out and check bare foot to feel compaction before because if you do get stuck on waters edge time is against you.
Out of curiosity, where ya heading??
threedogs
12th December 2013, 10:43 AM
I think an exhaust jack would come in handy
Gecko17
16th December 2013, 09:23 PM
An old trick from the army, long before Max Trax were invented, is to take hessian sacks with you. If you get stuck, just fill the sacks with sand and then place under or next to the tyres.... Once done, just drive out as the sandbags compress and become firm. Once you're free, they can be emptied and used again. Not as quick as the Max Trax but a heck of a lot cheaper...
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
BigRAWesty
16th December 2013, 11:56 PM
Also heard of the plastic milk crates being used. Cut one into squares and cable tie them together, then the fold flat to..
megatexture
17th December 2013, 12:41 AM
Bread crates are twice as wide and longer
Morton
8th January 2014, 08:26 PM
always in high range if ur not over revving, the 3L don't like 3rd gear HR in soft sand, tyres make no real difference but AT are better as u have a bigger foot or pad on the sand, they tend to dig/bog in less, when doing a U turn on a beach slowly climb to the high side & turn into the water side, this gives you downhill momentum from soft sand to more compact or wet sand, the tyres dig in less, let the truck follow existing wheel tracks, it will gravite to them anyways, never brake on sand, practice these things everytime ur on sand & it will soon become second nature, the issue with exhaust jacks is that the exhaust pipe tends to be much much hotter as ur at constant heavy revs & ur still no better off once it is in the air, ur filling 1-2 wheel holes with soft sand, ur really achieving nothing, a shovel is a must & reversing back a foot or 2 is very good advise, I use this method a lot when on the beach & heavy with people, try to park in a wheel track but if ur cant try to face the beach with your vehicle well away from the water as possible, give urself at least 10-15m to take off & turn at the same time, a lot is learnt from trial & error
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