Thread: When to use Low range in sand.

Ok , I'm a rookie too, but I can't see anything wrong with getting in low too soon, there's always 5th gear , and you have all those other lower gears waiting.

I once did 50 K's in low, mostly 4th & 5 the but I could throw it down to 2nd when necessary without stopping. This was mountains, not sand but same idea.

Depends on the beach/sand.

But personally, I like low range. If I'm driving off road at speeds within the range of low range, I'll use it. i.e. if driving through the sand at 30km/h why not be in low range for it. I find that I require less accelerator pedal, get better fuel economy and have lower EGT - all are good things and are indicators that it's less load on the vehicle.

If your on hard stuff and doing high speed then obviously stay in high range.

Yep - having done a lot of beach driving and towing in very soft stuff. I reckon low range is great - makes life easy for low speed work. I usually go through cuttings in low range to make life easy. It allows much higher application of torque.

Cheers

I thought 5th gear was a no no for anything other than steady cruising? Plenty of horror stories on here about r380 5th failing.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using AULRO mobile app

Thanks for the replies. I may have to do some experimenting with low range.
Getting into 5th might be a hard gear for me since I drive an auto... I probably should have mentioned that.
Now in low range, 40 is like the max speed correct?

Max speed is about 60Kph in a V8 but it wont feel comfortable, if you have any mechanical sympathy.
In soft dry deep WA sand, I HAD to go low range or it wouldnt pull well in it.
Also used to drop tyre pressure to 15 or so, much better performance, greater spread, less drag but a pain in the rear.
If you have diff lock, use it in sand and stop the traction control going mad.

If you need first gear, other than when moving off, use low range. If you need fifth gear, use high range. Low range roughly halves the gap between each gear, making it easier to drive in soft or steep terrain. I frequently use low range on the bitumen when towing a trailer.
Aaron

I have found in my car using low range I get quick a long whining noise at around 40km/h. Is this normal or is it looking like I have a TC issue?