TRAILER IN SAND

[oztrax]

Hi i have a D1 TDI 300 trying to pull boat trailer thru sand,
trailer wheels just fit into tracks of car, but pulling trailer and boat thru
sand is difficult. I realize tire pressures play a large role in saND DRIVING,
but letting down 6 tires is a LETDOWN especially for a drive of 10 meters or so.

Seeking driving advice here:

1. let trailer tires down only

2. let all tires down

3. let just front car tires down

4. let no tires down and fit an ARB rear diff lock
(bought one 2nd hand for $500)

5. winch/tow strap trailer via snatch trap or similar
(end up doing this now)

regards
OZ:bangin::bangin::bangin::bangin:

[goingbush]

This demonstrates why a lot of people get unstuck (well perhaps wrong adjective) thinking that they can go anywhere with an 'off-road' trailer or caravan.

diff lock wont make much difference as all wheels will have similar traction or lack of

let the tyres down, (or lay sandbags down )

[loanrangie]

Maybe a ground anchor and winch ?

[libertyts]

I think your only real options are as mentioned. Let your tyres down, lay down some kind of track (sandbags, lots of "PlankTrax" :p) or winching out.

I realise these are all fairly painful solutions for a 10m trek, but they are really the only ones that are going to be effective every time. As has been mentioned, the lockers isn't really going to help you much, in fact I can see you digging in further thanks to the trailer on the back.

I am one of those guys with the opinion that lockers are only useful on sand in a very small amount of cases, but that's only my opinion and experience. Others will definitely disagree here.

Thanks

Chris

[oztrax]

thanks folks,

does anyone have anymore detail on the plank trax ?
my mate suggested some sort of portable trak device, once vehicle moves
it usually keeps going, wit trailer its just getting started thats difficult
(especially with the tide coming in :P

OZ

[jazzaD1]

what about letting the tyres down and a bit of momentum?

[Kevin B]

Take a look at these,

MAXTRAX: Vehicle Extraction & Recovery (http://www.maxtrax.com.au/)

But still let your tyres down..

[Mick_Marsh]

May be a silly question but why deflate the trailer tyres? They're not driven. They don't require traction.
Deflate the four driven tyres on the 4WD I can understand.

[Kevin B]

May be a silly question but why deflate the trailer tyres? They're not driven. They don't require traction.
Deflate the four driven tyres on the 4WD I can understand.

It helps with the footprint making them wider

[Mick_Marsh]

Wouldn't deflating the trailer tyres increase the friction within the tyre thus requiring more force from the 4WD to tow the trailer?

[Eevo]

Wouldn't deflating the trailer tyres increase the friction within the tyre thus requiring more force from the 4WD to tow the trailer?

yes but having highly inflated tyres will dig into the sand which produces even more friction.

[disco 3 door]

Hi All,
One thing not mentioned is what is causing the issue, tyres or axle creating the friction. If it is axle you need to fit higher tyres, but can then create launching issuses.
Regards Shane.

[snowbound]

Doesn't work like, mit spreads the weight thus it sinks less which creates less drag. Best example I guess is snow shoes?

[disco 3 door]

If axle is dragging in the sand it will make the vehicle get stuck the same way you get hung up on your diffs of any vehicle.

[superquag]

Snowshoes are a good analogy. You need 'length' increase, and this is where high(er) aspect ratio tyres help. - think about them when you next need trailer tyres, no great gain in throwing about $$$ now...

I'm guessing your biggest bugbear is RE-inflating, especially after only 10 metres or so. Both time.... and hassle.

Do the co$t/use analysis of a SCUBA tank and suitable regulator(s) to instantly re-inflate SIX tyres...

- Compare the time & effort (and fuel cost!) of buying and running one or two decent air pumps... with the convenience of carrying a tank plus a short hose/inflator, which can bring you right up to highway pressure in a matter of seconds.

If your trailer axle drags.... then find a better launch surface!

Just a thought.

[libertyts]

In regards to the "PlankTraxs" it's a bit of a jab at the MaxTrax. It is pretty much a "plank" of wood with some roofing screws or the like screwed into it. Costs a couple of dollars compared to the ~$300 for a set of MaxTrax.

Go to Planktrax - 4x4 Earth (http://www.4x4earth.com.au/forum/d-i-y/14543-planktrax.html) if you like to see an example. It has become a bit of an inside joke for anyone that is on the 4X4Earth forum.

Chris

[superquag]

Like the progression from wood to modern material, - plastic crates. - The company name/logo on the side would give it away if left on.... :angel:

Great link, especially to the 'necessary' gear... bumper dumper portable toilet (http://bumperdumper.com/bumper2.htm)

:D:D:D

[streaky]

I've pulled my 2 wheel trailer in the sand plenty of times and have found that deflating the 255's on the trailer gives much better floatation. My Discovery has 265's...I also let them down to about 18-20psi.

The PSI in the trailer tires depends on the weight I'm pulling but since they're not turning left or right like the front driven wheels of the car I let them down untill they start to bulge a bit. On the road they run at 36psi....off road is about 16psi (or untill they start to bulge at the bottom)

My trailer and the Discovery both have same steel rims so I don't need a spare trailer wheel.

[oztrax]

thanks people,

all good info, BUT remember whilst the tires pressure are being let down, the TIDE is coming in !!!!

So i need a quick solution, takes me ages to let 4 tires down let alone 6, at least the ARB air locker will give me a compressor onboard :) :) :) :eek2::eek2::eek2::eek2:

[superquag]

... I'd be interested to know exactly how long it takes to deflate a tyre, by whatever method you use. There may be a faster way, - other than doing it in advance.. or getting in a few minutes earlier so the tide is less of a worry....:angel:

[JohnF]

Like the progression from wood to modern material, - plastic crates. - The company name/logo on the side would give it away if left on.... :angel:

Great link, especially to the 'necessary' gear... bumper dumper portable toilet (http://bumperdumper.com/bumper2.htm)

:D:D:D

what happened to just taking a spade for a walk in the bush

[oztrax]

goes`something like this :

1. realise in trouble so remove valve cap and poke schraeder with small screwdriver

2. taking too long so get someone else to poke screwdriver into valve

3. look around for small stick to poke into second tire

4. look at tide level and wish i had 4 gadgets to quickly release tire press

5. realise there has to be a more efficent method


:toilet::toilet::toilet::toilet::toilet::toilet::s pudnikconfounded::spudnikconfounded::spudnikconfou nded::spudnikconfounded:

[mick88]

goes`something like this :

1. realise in trouble so remove valve cap and poke schraeder with small screwdriver

2. taking too long so get someone else to poke screwdriver into valve

3. look around for small stick to poke into second tire

4. look at tide level and wish i had 4 gadgets to quickly release tire press

5. realise there has to be a more efficent method


:toilet::toilet::toilet::toilet::toilet::toilet::s pudnikconfounded::spudnikconfounded::spudnikconfou nded::spudnikconfounded:


Buy a box of matches.....remove valve cap and wedge a match in along side the valve to keep it open...then proceed to the next wheel and do the same.....by the time you get around the vehicle the one you started at should be down to a low enough pressure.
A box of 50 matches will allow you to do this 8 times if you are doing six wheels! ;)

Deflating trailer tires (along with towing vehicle tires) in sand is the way to go.

Cheers, Mick.

[superquag]

"...Buy a box of matches.....

- So they still make them ?

:firedevil:

[Mick_Marsh]

"...Buy a box of matches.....

- So they still make them ?

:firedevil:

In Indonesia.

[rangietragic]

staun tyre deflators?;)

[disco 3 door]

I've pulled my 2 wheel trailer in the sand plenty of times and have found that deflating the 255's on the trailer gives much better floatation. My Discovery has 265's...I also let them down to about 18-20psi.

The PSI in the trailer tires depends on the weight I'm pulling but since they're not turning left or right like the front driven wheels of the car I let them down untill they start to bulge a bit. On the road they run at 36psi....off road is about 16psi (or untill they start to bulge at the bottom)

My trailer and the Discovery both have same steel rims so I don't need a spare trailer wheel.
It is a boat trailer & they normally run a tyre of any sisize from 10" - 13" to keep trailer low for easy launching or retrieval. I think 255 on boat trailer may be a bit big.

[tangus89]

staun tyre deflators?;)

Exactly, best 80-100 bucks you will spend. screw them on just before you get on the sand (30 secs), they are to required pressure in about 1-2min. I have two sets, set to different pressures.

cheers

[slug_burner]

goes`something like this :

1. realise in trouble so remove valve cap and poke schraeder with small screwdriver

2. taking too long so get someone else to poke screwdriver into valve

3. look around for small stick to poke into second tire

4. look at tide level and wish i had 4 gadgets to quickly release tire press

5. realise there has to be a more efficent method


:toilet::toilet::toilet::toilet::toilet::toilet::s pudnikconfounded::spudnikconfounded::spudnikconfou nded::spudnikconfounded:

buy one of these, they unscrew the valve center and allow you to release the air quicker.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/06/175.jpg

You let down your tyres as you get to the sand before launching your boat.

If you decide to wait until you get stuck when getting the boat out of a rising tide, then use the matches and just set fire to the boat and tow vehicle, it will save you from having to retrieve a flooded vehicle. On second thoughts, unhook the boat, jump in and wait to float away that way you will only need enough matches to set fire to the car.