Thread: 20" at tyre pressure on sand

Gday Gary
I don't have any experience with 20" tyres, but I take my 255/55/19's down to 18 psi without any issue. I think you could go at least to 20 psi, and lower in an emergency.

On my last beach trip I didn't drop psi in the tyres and it got through easy (not towing anything). A 3.0 D4 should be similar. Check the conditions first, and remember momentum (not high speed) makes crossing to the hard stuff much easier.

Good luck.

I've been down to 16 with my 20in scorpions. I wouldn't go any lower than that unless I was bogged. I did cross really soft sand coming off Straddie at 18 rear 20 front and didn't even flinch

Do not be afraid to go low on sand with low profile tyres.

At lower pressures the risk is "pinching" the sidewall. If you are careful and sensible you can go much lower if you are getting stuck.

I used to have 19s and have run short distances at 10 lb. Just don't hit any hard objects at speed. It sure beats digging the car out.

At Beachport it is all about momentum. So put some air back in once you are able to go faster again. 18 lb in my 19. 15lb with my 18s. The pressures rise as the tyres warm up so check regularly (or get a tyre pressure monitoring system).

And a last tip for Beachport, travel as light as you can. Recovery gear and lunch, leave everything else behind. Weight makes a big difference on the beach.

And another last tip. To maintain momentum, you will frequently drive fast enough that the suspension will lower. Very annoying unless you have GOE type rods or a diagnostic tool (eg IIDTool) or Llams. Choose whichever (I have the rods and IIDTool. I use the rods for longer trips or the diagnostic tool for a brief excursion.)

I have had my 20's down to 16psi briefly in really soft sand but like others I later discovered I was fine in sand (eg at Straddie) at 18psi (entry/exit from Main Beach); BUT worth walking the entry / exit first to check no drop off - first time I did it I hit a ledge pretty hard and winced - but all was OK

And remember to turn of the DSC on the dash centre.

I ran my 20's at 18 psi on Stockton. I managed to bury it once in some really soft virgin sand while playing on some of the big dunes, however a gentle pull backwards and I was soon free.



There was also another dune that I couldn't clear when my mates Jackaroo running 16" wheels at 16 psi could. I could have dropped pressures further but it was quicker just to drive around. We drove some pretty soft dunes and along the beach was very soft and rutted and I had no problems.

I checked the tyres (265 50 20 Nitto Terra Grapplers) regularly throughout the day and they were coping fine. I wouldn't have any hesitation dropping lower to get through a bad patch however I think 18 psi is a good pressure for general use on sand.

Geedublya

What's your opinion of the Nittos - that's what I have earmarked for my next tyre on the 20" rims.

Cheers

Thanks everyone's inputs. I feel better when I heading to Beachport tomorrow. GOE's booklet mentioned to better use commander shift during long climb, any one can share your experience? No much experience on sad yet, might give a go on terrain control before using manual control.

Happy New Year!