Thread: SAND DRIVING FROM BEACHPORT TO ROBE

I've primarily stayed with high range. Tyre pressures are the biggest factor. First gear high range with the centre diff locked will pretty much pull through anything.

Spend half a day practicing... take an air compressor and experiment with tyre pressures and gears.

as already posted. air and high range, its a simple drive really with some fun bits at the end. biggest thing is not using to much power and spinning the wheels. momentum is good

15psi all round and dont worry too much more about anything else other than flicking the CDL on.

other nice to have/knows

Dont be heavy on the brakes or the noise keep the steering inputs light and make sure you right up on smooth fast gearchanging if it gets really really soft.

make sure you have a decent aircompressor and tyre gauge. IF your going to do it regulalry invest in a tyre deflation device. I got a set of staun deflators in return for a recovery effort. Great to have, not sure if they're worth the $$ they want for the genuine ones tho.

a long handled shovel and some carpet or a decent fold of shade cloth are also handy to have.

if youve done beach work in the disco its the same in the deefer but your a bit longer.

Originally Posted by cewilson

I've primarily stayed with high range. Tyre pressures are the biggest factor. First gear high range with the centre diff locked will pretty much pull through anything.

Exactly

The difference in,for example,having tyre pressures at 18psi,instead of 22 psi is amazing.
I have done most of my sand work in the D2,auto,so don't know too much about the defender.Son's puma had no probs at all on recent trip to Fraser,he never used low range at all.

Momentum is also important,once you slow down in the soft stuff,its all over.Practise quick gear changes.

I remember a few years back,everyone was having trouble getting off the beach at Tewantin,cars were stuck everywhere,defenders included.The sand was very soft.I lowered the tyres on the D2 to 18psi,left it in high range,CDL in,& it cruised through like a walk in the park.
We then went to help the other vehicles,& they didn't want to lower their tyre pressures,so we went on our way....

Good luck...& when those Tojo's stop,you just drive around them

My recipe for sand driving in medium stuff is 18psi all round, centre diff lock in and working between 1st to 3rd high. If the sand's hard I'll run a higher pressure and higher gear.

In the very soft stuff I go down to 12psi all round, centre diff lock and low range 2nd to 5th (unless you're going very slowly I find 1st Low to dig in too much). I've not been able to get stuck using this (and I've tried hard!). At high tide at Teewah beach I've pulled a heap of 4wds out...they're amazed at why I don't get stuck - I tell them it's a mixture of vehicle setup (low tyre pressure and diff lock) and skill...and of that low tyre pressure is up at the top!

Oh yeah and in terms of kit...good compressor (I've got a portable ARB unit - 10/10 in my books), tyre deflators, shovel, snatch strap and shackles (with suitable recovery points) and if you really want either sand tracks or maxtraxs (useful for getting other people out )...

Once you get use to it sand driving is heaps of fun - especially in a Defender!

Thanks for all the replies i am looking forward to sticking it up the Tojo's and i will put a report on the forum how the weekend went.

Thanks Declan

Hi
I spend a week at robe every year and came back yesterday.

That trip is actually quite easy.
Do not panic. My mates Suzuki Grand Vitari just did it.

I prefer High range with cdl engaged and tyre pressure low. 18psi.
In low range its torquey but not needed, high 2nd is good enough for my 300tdi Disco and only on a few occasions did I use low range as there were some very rocky paths to negotiate and with low pressure you just wanna squeeze over the rocks also some paths have quite deep ruts at the moment.

A sand flag is recommended as tracks are narrow and quite a few cars will come other way so beware.
Driving under high tide line is easier and o.k while with other cars but be aware if stuck and tide starts to come in.

Have fun. I did.