Driving on soft sand? Like the Dunes?
1. TYRE PRESSURES
When you’re on the sand, tire pressures are arguably the
largest factor in ensuring you make it through. Weights, tire
sizes and even vehicle types all play significant roles in
determining your pressures. Sand as a terrain is also
constantly shifting and can have different densities. Down
near the water it’ll be firmer and easier to drive on; whereas
up in the dunes the drier sand will be much softer,
particularly if the area you’re in hasn’t seen rain for a while.
As a rule of thumb, if you’re driving a full-size 4X4 wagon,
start at around the 12-15psi mark and head south from there
depending on conditions. Don’t go lower than 16psi as you’re
starting to run the risk of rolling the tire bead off the rim
below these pressures (more on that later).
2. TRACTION AIDS
Remove your Max-Traxx Traction Board and simply use them to
dig the sand out from in front of your tires and wedge them
down under your wheels. Gently accelerate and you should
be free.
3. WHEEL SPEED AND MOMENTUM
Rule of thumb for almost all of off-roading is, torque trumps
horsepower. That is not the case on sand- Wheel speed gives
you the highest chance of maintaining forward momentum
and for that you want plenty of ponies under the right boot.
When you’re driving up a dune, the key is to have just enough
momentum to see you cresting over the top of the dune. Have
too little and you won’t make the climb. Have too much and
you’re in danger of launching your 4X4 into the air, or
carrying too much speed into a situation where you can’t
always see what’s up ahead. This is actually really important.
There are no lanes; so keep in mind that another care might
be coming from the opposite direction so be extremely
vigilant.
4. STRAIGHT UP, STRAIGHT DOWN
If you are attempting to climb a dune, and you don’t make it
and need to head back down to the base to give it another
attempt; Do NOT try to turn around. The correct procedure is
to reverse back down in a straight line. If you try to turn
around, your low-side springs will be compressed while your
high-side springs will be trying to unload – the result being a
high possibility of a rollover. Always avoid travelling side-on
when you’re on a dune. Sand shifts, and what you thought
was a nice gradual slope can overcome your vehicle’s centre
of gravity in no time. Straight up and straight down the dunes
is the only way to get around the dunes.
5. WATER CROSSINGS
Quite often on beach drives you will come across tidal run-
out creeks that you will have to cross. These may seem
shallow and easily tackled but they can be deceptive. Quite
often they will be moving incredibly quickly, and they can
conceal deep holes along the base of the creek. Always walk
them first and make sure you mark out any suspicious areas.
Also, the drop down into these crossings can be notoriously
steep. We’ve probably all seen those pics online of people
who have tried to cross these things without taking the
proper precautions first. They end up with their bullbars
buried in the sandy base of the creek while that salt water
washes over their bonnet, engine bay and lights – causing no
end of havoc. Please avoid water crossings where possible.
6. STEERING
Steering on sand is as much about throttle input as it is about
turning the wheel. It’s a bit disconcerting when you’re
starting out – you turn the wheel to the right and your vehicle
wants to keep on going forward. It eventually catches a ridge,
and out of nowhere your 4X4 twitches to the right suddenly.
By applying a little throttle as you turn in, you’re encouraging
your vehicle to head in the direction you want … rather than
letting the soft stuff dictate when you’ll actually turn.
While we’re on the subject of turning, make sure you only
apply smooth input into the steering wheel too. If you jerk
the wheels too sharply, the low tire pressures you’re running
can cause the bead of the tire to roll off the rim. While this is
not the end of the world, it is a pain in the backside. To reseat
the bead, clean all the sand out of the rim and tire and wrap a
ratchet strap around the circumference of the tire before
attaching a compressor and reinflating. There’ll be an audible
‘pop’ when the bead reseats. Speaking of compressors …
7. AIRING UP
Once you’ve finished playing on the beach, you’re going to
need a means of replacing the air in your tires … that air you
dumped at the start of your drive. There’s no shortage of 12V
compressors on the market which will have you back up at
road pressures in about the same time it takes for a quick
cuppa, and they’re incredibly affordable these days too. Not
only that, they’re excellent for blowing up inflatable beach
toys, air mattresses, the kids’ footy …
Oh!!!, and don’t forget once you’re home to give your 4X4 a
good wash. Sand and salt will rust out your vehicle quicker
than anything, so make sure you don’t overlook the
underbody.
Word of advice... don't fcuk around and you won't find out! ;]
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With Love
Corinna & Phoenix
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