Thread: A question for the regular beach drivers.

dont go near the water and you wont get salt water on it.

Drop your tyre pressures is the first thing to do. I run 16psi on sand, but WA sand can be soft.
Engage centre diff lock, if you have it.
Stay out of the water.

It's not a bad beach to drive on although the accesses can get a bit chopped up so airing down is near a necessity (SWMBO who had stuff all sand driving experience had no trouble in our old manual 200tdi D1 on 205's running about 15psi) and keep an eye on the rising tide if you're at the Old Bar end. It's been a while since I've been up there but you used to be able to get your beach permit from the general store if they weren't "too busy", i.e. holiday time, to sell you one, so if you can get one elsewhere do that. From memory both of the van parks had beach access, I know the Weeroona van park did and both had vehicle wash down areas.

Your screen icon would suggest differently! (or maybe that is snow...).

Anyway - if you have never driven on sand, give it a go. It is excellent fun. You might get bogged - it's not the end of the world. Dig it out and keep trying. You'll get the hang of it pretty quickly. If you are going with others - even better, because they can help pull you out if you get stuck.

Keep out of the water and you'll not have to worry about rusting. I've driven my Disco 1 on beaches from the first year I owned it (1997) and no rust on the chassis at all. Hose down after the holiday - all good.

Thanks for that spudboy. And yes, my avatar picture is in the snow. I guess I'll have to man up, realize I'll get a little sand in the car and just enjoy the experience. My mates have a new Pajero and a 04 Playdo.
Regards
Robbo

Originally Posted by robbotd5

Evening all.
Here's the thing. We have 2 weeks off in April and we are taking the van up to Manning point. We are there with a couple of friends and they have put the pressure on me to take my beloved Disco on the beach. While I love the beach, I don't like the thought of getting sand everywhere and possable salt water on it and getting bogged. I have never driven on a beach before and neither has my disco. Is it worth it? And words of advice?
Regards
Robbo

Just my experience. Drive to the tides. Low tide will give you harder sand, high tide will push you up into the soft stuff. If your cooling system is not 100%, the soft stuff will give you high temps. . Tyre pressure is king. 25 PSI at the most. If you have to drive off the beach to a camp spot through soft sand, over a dune, 2nd gear low range, keep the revs up. And don't believe the story that sand , on a beach, will not rot your vehicle, just clean it like a demon when you get home. Is it worth it? HELL YEAH!. Bob

Originally Posted by robbotd5

Thanks for that spudboy. And yes, my avatar picture is in the snow. I guess I'll have to man up, realize I'll get a little sand in the car and just enjoy the experience. My mates have a new Pajero and a 04 Playdo.
Regards
Robbo

The D2 will slay those vihicles on the beach

ENJOY
Andrew

There are some simple treats the seasoned gurus are not tossing your way - the tiny little things that go unnoticed and can make a difference
- in really soft stuff when you want to stop, coast to a stop, no brakes or engine braking.
- when you plan to (coast to a) stop, have an eye for the lay of the land related to when you will want to get moving again. No harm in having the nose of the vehicle so it's a pointing a little downhill as you come to rest
- turning the steering hard is like putting on brakes when in really soft stuff, plan nice sweeping turns where possible