Driving in the sand, I.E. beach driving TIPS?

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08TwinStickPW
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Driving in the sand, I.E. beach driving TIPS?

Post by 08TwinStickPW » Thu May 30, 2013 11:00 am

Hi all,

We are looking at going to Cape Cod this summer and you can drive on the beach/sand dunes there. I know I need to air down (they actually make it mandatory there), my concern is the aggressive tires (Trail Grapplers) wanting to dig holes.

I have never driven a Heavy truck in the sand so I am looking for tips and advice (should be a little like driving in snow I would think?).

Thanks
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Re: Driving in the sand, I.E. beach driving TIPS?

Post by Cactus Red » Thu May 30, 2013 11:33 am

Low, low pressure is required, as is a light foot. I've been in some pretty soft desert silt, IMO, worse than beach sand, and at 10 to 12 PSI, have towed race vehicles off the course without a problem. I'd start at 15 PSI, see how it floats, and adjust downward if needed. Worst possible thing is too much throttle - the axle hop will dig you in almost instantaneously.

EDIT:

Found a photo from the Parker Challenge of desert silt. I'd pulled forward into the stuff, and the truck went to the rock rails in a few feet. I had the tires at 20 PSI, dropped to 8, and backed out with a few tries. I'd back a little, pull forward a bit, do it again, and the stuff literally filled itself back in under the tires - weird...

It's hard to even walk in it.
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Re: Driving in the sand, I.E. beach driving TIPS?

Post by MSCH2112 » Thu May 30, 2013 5:53 pm

Low tire pressure, a light foot, and momentum is your friend.

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Re: Driving in the sand, I.E. beach driving TIPS?

Post by coder » Thu May 30, 2013 8:19 pm

MSCH2112 wrote:Low tire pressure, a light foot, and momentum is your friend.

Mike
x2, I also use the locker bypass mod so you can drive in 4Hi and lock the rear axle, it helps with the momentum...
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Re: Driving in the sand, I.E. beach driving TIPS?

Post by azracer » Thu May 30, 2013 10:04 pm

I agree low tire pressure and momentum with a very smooth throttle application with limited turning is best. It is however better with full Leaves, but I have made it with stock leaves as well.
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Re: Driving in the sand, I.E. beach driving TIPS?

Post by PurdellMGP » Fri Jun 07, 2013 12:57 pm

You are only allowed on certain areas at the cape, air down and you will be fine.
You will need a pass, you can get one ahead of time via Internet. Also you need recovery tools, tow strap, shovel, blocks of wood incase you need to use a jack, and I think that's it.

Lots of fun, my buddy camps there every summer it's been a couple years since I was there.

Enjoy

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