Diff locks can make the world of difference as it stops the front ploughing in.
Thats why one of the old school techniques is to reverse up the dune if you have LSD or rear locker and not front.
Tyre pressure will always be the best aid tho and it is an exponential thing.
Dropping, say, 3 PSI from 18 to 15 makes a bigger difference in footprint than dropping 6 PSI from 24 to 18
For disbelievers on 4WD courses I use a marker to show the difference in footprint between 24/18/15 and it is a bit of an eye opener.
Lower pressure on sand means less load on the engine, less fuel used and much less stress on the Driver.
You want to 'float' not 'plow'
For dunes I use Gods gear (2nd low in a manual) or 1st high and on occasion 3rd low if the approach and incline permit.
If you don't make it let the vehicle stall out
DO NOT punch the Clutch in a manual as the drive backlash from windup torque is enormous.
Do a stall recovery procedure, if you don't you significantly increase the odds of a Utube Moment.
When safely back at the bottom assess if a tad bit more momentum will get you over and Mach 3 is def not an option.
If a judicious bit of extra right boot for an extra couple of K's at the bottom won't help, start dropping tyre pressure.
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