Sand Driving Help

[PhilK]

Hey all, I know there're heaps of people on this site that will be able to help me out, so I thought I'd ask the question here.

I'm about to go to Moreton Is. for about 4 days, and will be driving my car onto the island. I haven't ever driven on sand before so what do I have to know? I already know to let me tyres down.

It's an automatic 4WD Grand Jeep Cherokee if that helps any.

 

[Viridae]

Don't slow down, you will get stuck.

 

[PhilK]

..How do you stop/start?

 

[inthegrass]

do you have recovery gear and a compressor?.

 

[DiamondAsh]

..How do you stop/start?

Starting's easy, the trick is not to stop. Keep at a steady pace and try to use one foot on the brake and one on the petrol at the same time.Worst thing to do would be to floor it.Are you running an All Terrain or Road tyre? (if you could post size and brand/pattern that would help).

 

[cris]

I think you are supposed to let you tyres down too, not sure what pressure though. Oh yeah take a shovel too

 

[Australis]

Yup, let your tyres down, and something to get them back up again
when you have left the sand.

If you can take someone who knows how to use a 4x4, and make
them bring everything you need! lol

 

[Renagade]

also follow in some one elses tracks, the sand is harder. DON"T put your thumbs inside the steering wheel, you'll find it steers it'self in the tracks. and take heaps of fuel. you will use alot in a jeep and in 4x4. have fun!

 

[PhilK]

Cool. The barge over has stuff to let your tyres down and reinflate them again, so I'm all sorted there.

I'm not driving far, as it's a uni camping trip so we're literally driving off the barge and up the beach a bit into the campsite, so it's hardly hardcore stuff.. Just wanted to make sure.

 

[Chris1]

make sure u have heaps of petrol, u use heaps more on the sand,...

reverse is useful when stuck.

 

[Minion]

The problem with an automatics in sand is that they can change gears at the most inappropiate moments and as soon as you change gear you will stop in your tracks, in soft sand it's better to manually select your gear. Taking off again once you have come to a stop in soft sand, start off in low range 2nd as first will just dig in, as stated above reversing out can be an easier option as you can then get a run up to get through the deep stuff.

 

[PhilK]

Yeah I've been told to have it in second. There's also a "4-Lo" option.

 

[JungleRob]

Phil,
PM me your email address and I'll scan the sand driving page from the 'Dirty Weekends' book for you.
It's worth spending $30 at TJM on a gauge to check your tyre pressure. It's near impossible to guess accurately.

Speed and flotation are the keys to success. High ratio is best, if possible.
Lower the tyre pressure to 140kpa or 20psi. You may need to go lower (lower tyre pressure = lower speed). Remember to reinflate your tyres as soon as you're back on hard ground.
Stick to any existing wheel tracks - it's a lot easier.
Avoid sudden changes in direction or acceleration. Coast to a stop if at all possible.
Tackle dunes head on.
Avoid braking at all costs when descending a dune, Keep the nose of the vehicle pointing downhill. Don't go fast, but not so slow that the wheels stop rolling, or the vehicle begins to slide sideways. A touch on the throttle will keep the wheels moving and the vehicle pointing in the right direction.
If you get stuck, try and rock the vehicle backwards or forwards, building up a small stretch of hardpack sand that you can accelerate off from. Don't spin the wheels!
Have your recovery gear handy.
Wash your vehicle down after use.

I find low range very useful in the thicker, softer stuff. Just keep your revs up and keep moving.

Hope this helps,

Cheers,
Rob

 

[waruikazi]

Stay on the wet sand if you can, much much more grip.

 

[Nikki.]

I love Driving on the sand , thats how i found the first snake that i've ever seen in my life

 

[Jonny]

Jungle rob pretty much covered it all

here is a short vid of my car at stockton beach

[video=youtube;ogoQOBkzy2s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogoQOBkzy2s[/video]

 

[Stroppy]

Yeah I've been told to have it in second. There's also a "4-Lo" option.

the 4 lo option is actually the low range 4wd selection,,,,, don't stress too much,, by the sounds of things you aren't going too far to get to the campsite,,,,, just remember to lock in your hubs, thats assuming its an older 4wd,,, depending on the size of your wheels you may not even have to reduce the tyre pressures at all........ I drive a ford maverick/nissan patrol, with standard 750 R 16 Dessert Duellers and travel beaches here in SA on occasions,,, when on good compacted sand high range is adequate,,, only in the real soft stuff and shell grid do i opt for low range.........I always carry a long handled shovel and carry a snatchem strap for when the inevitable happens.....sooner or later we all get stuck..........lol by the way regarding tyre pressures........ when traveling in sandy conservation park or national wildlife park tracks I always select at least high range 4wd and reduce tyre pressures to about 20 psi,, this is to preserve the tracks,,, because so many irresponsible 4wd owners tend to have a cowboy attitude and tear up the tracks which is why so many former accesible tracks are either permanently closed or closed at the first sign of rain

Cheers enjoy the camp and keep 4wdriving

 

[Stroppy]

PS yeah Jungle rep did cover it quite well

 

[Stroppy]

PS yeah Jungle rep did cover it quite well

Ooooooops it's jungle rob......lol.......sorry Rob

 

[Jonno from ERD]

The reason you stay on the damp/wet sand is because it is significantly firmer, so you won't sink into it and get bogged.

Drop your pressure down to 25PSI, don't make sharp turns and keep as close to practically possible to the water (don't drive in it!). It's pretty simple and you'll learn as you go.