Thread: Reversing / recovery in soft sand

Thanks for all the replies..

The most common suggestion seems to be drop the tyre pressure in stages until your out - which I did not try.

Originally Posted by Xtreme

With 400m to reverse in sand at the rate you describe, I think I would have tried to turn around if possible.

The tide was coming in and the beach ended up being quite narrow – also the sand was a lot softer as soon as you turned off the “tracks”.

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

If its side stepping aim downslope and drive that way if you can, then get it squared up and have another go on a different line. The suspension wont lift a wheel for you, the suspension only pushes down on the wheels stations its not capable of lifting a wheel off of the ground for you..

When the Landy started sliding down the slope towards the water I really got worried but another guy in my office agrees with you and says steer with it and go down onto the harder wet sand – use this harder area to build up speed / momentum and then get back onto the higher tracks. Not to sure if I am brave enough for that yet – seen too many youtube pictures of drowned / swamped vehicles.

Originally Posted by PhilipA

You have probably found out by now that it is a good idea to put a metre of rope on them.

Really good idea – it’s amazing how deep it sinks the Maxtrax – gone!! - your see nothing but churned up beach sand – ½ the time was spent digging & prodding with the spade to find the bloody things. I need to order new ones anyhow because most of the knobs on mine are gone now – clear sign of spinning the wheels which I now know not to do..

Thanks guys - lovely stuff this thing called “experience” plan to take a few mates back this weekend (who won’t sit on the dune) and go get stuck again so that I can try these suggestions out – only one way to learn..

[QUOTE=HarryO;1587359
[FONT=Times New Roman]The most common suggestion seems to be drop the tyre pressure in stages until your out - which I did not try.[/FONT]

HarryO,

Provided you are not planning to do any hard and fast turns you can reduce the pressures way down to get out of sticky situations as this increase the "track" significantly and lets you drive out of most places.

Obviously once you are out re-inflate to you normal sand driving pressure (I would suggest 14 psi rather than 16psi) so you do not roll the tyre of the rim or damage the sidewall etc.

Otherwise sounds like the family had a nice day at the beach.

George

Originally Posted by HarryO

The tide was coming in and the beach ended up being quite narrow – also the sand was a lot softer as soon as you turned off the “tracks”.

When the Landy started sliding down the slope towards the water I really got worried but another guy in my office agrees with you and says steer with it and go down onto the harder wet sand – use this harder area to build up speed / momentum and then get back onto the higher tracks. Not to sure if I am brave enough for that yet – seen too many youtube pictures of drowned / swamped vehicles.

<snip>

Thanks guys - lovely stuff this thing called “experience” plan to take a few mates back this weekend (who won’t sit on the dune) and go get stuck again so that I can try these suggestions out – only one way to learn..

Don't (if at all possible) venture onto the wet sand on a rising tide
On a falling tide isn't really a problem

Getting stuck below the wet-line on a rising tide can prove very expensive

Originally Posted by HarryO

When the Landy started sliding down the slope towards the water I really got worried but another guy in my office agrees with you and says steer with it and go down onto the harder wet sand – use this harder area to build up speed / momentum and then get back onto the higher tracks. Not to sure if I am brave enough for that yet – seen too many youtube pictures of drowned / swamped vehicles.

not quite what I ment, dont drive it all the way down, just while your trying to get momentum allow the vehicle to get a little bit of its own head, work with it not against it to get momentum and then start trying to impose your will on it. a couple of lost feet on the very soft stuff wont matter much unless you're cutting it way to close to to the line. If you dig through the dry layer to the wet stuff thats underneath near the high tide mark on a rising tide youve had it and unless your lucky enough to be pointing in a direction that favors someone snatching or winching you out with their vehicle your not likely to recover the vehicle before it gets wet.

".... Don't (if at all possible) venture onto the wet sand on a rising tide..."



Good reason to keep the HIgh Water line between you and the watery stuff....

- Not this way 'round.


Embarrasment up at Shark Bay.

The general opinion of the Wise Ones here is that a long-handled shovel is more useful than a 'normal' one.

Wow, i am supprised that you carried on for 4 hours and never went below 16psi.... i usualy start at 12 and go down from there, in my county 6-7 is the normal pressure. Long handled shovel is useful but i only carry a spade normally, the only time it gets a work out on the beach is usualy playing in the sand digging holes to try and get our vehicles stuck.

I agree with garrycol about changing from sand mode to reverse out. I have used mud ruts to reverse out of sand bogs with good effect. Sand mode was digging me a bigger hole. Tyre pressures way down of course. Also, you have to at least start by going down hill a little. The slightest slope helps a lot.