Thread: Beach Driving for an amateur

Originally Posted by DEFENDERZOOK

gotta agree with that.....

So Disco's are better in sand? Is it to do with Auto's being better than manual's in sand or is there another reason why a defender's worest surface is sand?

I'd have to disagree...

Never had a single issue with the Defender on sand, nor the disco Auto I had.
In fact, I'd say the defender does it easier.

99% of the time I dont even use the CDL on sand, especially at Robe.

And my defender certainly is no light-weight 2.7t with no gear in the thing!

Tombraider

Until you get used to sand let your tyres down 18psi is a good safe in between not getting stuck and not rolling tyres off rims, don't use low range you don't need it all you will end up doing is digging in you need momentum in the sand tyre tread is also not as important as pressure however the more agressive the tread the more it will dig so adjust your driving to suit, be gentle on the throttle and try to drive smoothly to keep your momentum up. Sometimes you may even need to accelerate coming down a dune, as sand can slow you up that much at low speed as the sand builds up in front of the tyre(you accelerate to maintain control), think of a boat getting up on the plane, when you get going it will smooth out. CDL only if you feel you need it but otherwise high range only. You will have a ball every Defenderi've seen on the beach loved it and there owners raved , Toyo Troopies suck on the sand though.
Also got a little sierra with 31/10.5 tyres thats not as good on sand as the tdi disco(it's pretty good though).
Relax and enjoy.

Agree with Wortho's comments, and you're probably getting too much advice now.

No idea what the beach in question is like, but on most Australian beaches...20psi, will see you through, it easier to air down if you need it, than to air up if you have to.
I have been driving on sand for probably 20 years and have only used low range and CDL on a handful of occassions.
Open eyes, sensible speed, smooth acceleration and soft (if any) braking is the GO.
If you have momentum, you can get through the finest, softest sand even at high tide!!
Look out for children, W*nkers, backpackers and "washouts" where rivers/streams/freshwater runs into the sea.

Take a good recovery kit - especially straps, shackles and a Shovel - and enjoy yourself!!

Yep I`d start at aound 18, and if it struggles a bit you can always go lower. Beach sand is usually pretty firm, so you should`nt struggle to much, out here in Dubai now that the temps are in the mid 40s every day the sand is very soft, so I go straight down to 12psi and occasionally 10psi, I have`nt had any problems at all at those pressures, but just keep your speed down and don`t hang off the steering wheel, it wont be very as responsive at those pressures so don`t fight the wheel, just let it turn in its own time.

The biggest problem comes when people don`t have access to compressed air or dont have their own compressor and try to stick to road pressures, this is a fatal mistake as you sink straight in and it sapps all your power, when you deflate you ride over the sand not just sink into it and fight it.

As for corrossion, the best thing is give it a good pressure wash when you get home, and also chucking the sprinkler under you car is a good way of washing all the salt off.

Originally Posted by tombraider

<snip>

And never listen to a Victorian for advice on driving sand, thats like asking a Nun for sex advice

<snip>

Tombraider

someones gotta use that in a sig, priceless.

Dont drive in the water
Dont sink your car near the water line as it may be in the water when tide comes in
Reverse up the beach wiht nose pointing to water if your going to be turning around
Dont make sharp turns on steering wheel
Tyre pressure at least 18 may need to drop down as low as 10 depending on sand conditions, weather and so on
Dont play on beach by yourself best extraction from being stuck in sand is another vehicle
Dont snap strap out at high rate of knots likely to bury recovery vehicle as wella s bogged just gently acceleration
4wd can walk itself down the slope of the beach to the water be aware this can happen at all speeds
Drive where possible in another set of tracks they have compressed the sand and if the tracks conitnue its a fair chance you can make it whereever the tyre tracks lead as well
High range 4wd preferred over low range and High 2 -3 is fine for most beach work
In manual try to avoid changing gears and where possible dont change gear when you feel your going to be bogged its generally too late your better off letting vehicle coming to halt and reversing back and taking another run at that section in lower gear
Driving in sand makes all your car components work hard
Make sure your cooling system clean and full before you start
Just wash your car with fresh water as soon as possible as coming off the beach
Ive driven from Robe to mouth of Murray River about 150km the beach is fine but can narrow at places so tide times can be important consideration
Be aware people do fish from beach so dont drive over them or the fishing rods

WA has better beaches than anywhere else in Australia to drive on

Mark

Originally Posted by tombraider

Bad call I've done Robe about 20 times.... Never aired below 28psi.... Never needed to.

And never listen to a Victorian for advice on driving sand, thats like asking a Nun for sex advice

Tombraider

As we Vics don't have too much sand to drive on - I can see your point...

A little birdy tells me that Rob might have driven in the odd bit of sand though......

When it comes to sand... Robe has every variety.. from rock hard sand you can drive the commodore on...... to the sort that comes half way up your shins when you walk in it!... depends on the particular beach and the conditions on the day.

RPM is right... there are places at Robe that will mean 20 PSI is too high...a mate had his Rangie bogged on one of the softer steeper beaches - with only 22psi. The Local old fisherman sitting on the rocks nearby told us... most of the time that particular beach 12 psi is the go... He was right.. when we tried other cars at 12... Beautiful.... just had to be careful about speed.

So ther is no right pressure for "sand" you need to adjust for the conditions... no matter how clever you may think you are..

Mark