Thread: No reverse drive when bogged in sand

Were you in low? And by Traction control off you mean DSC?

I recently had the same issue (first time in the sand)

D3 was bogged with no reverse drive, I thought I had engaged low range but it turned out that low range wasn't engaged, once engaged I dragged out the D3 with no issues (driver error)

Sand driving has been mentioned many times on this forum

• Reduce tyre pressure 13psi > 15psi I went with 15psi to give myself some room to drop the pressure further should I need to.
• Select sand mode
• DSC turned off - Ensure this is turned off is you select a different mode or turn the car off then on again

I'm no expert but after reading many threads on this forum there are some great peaces of advise from guys & girls with far more experience then me.

Originally Posted by theh33d

I recently had the same issue (first time in the sand)

D3 was bogged with no reverse drive, I thought I had engaged low range but it turned out that low range wasn't engaged, once engaged I dragged out the D3 with no issues (driver error)

Sand driving has been mentioned many times on this forum

• Reduce tyre pressure 13psi > 15psi I went with 15psi to give myself some room to drop the pressure further should I need to.
• Select sand mode
• DSC turned off - Ensure this is turned off is you select a different mode or turn the car off then on again

I'm no expert but after reading many threads on this forum there are some great peaces of advise from guys & girls with far more experience then me.

Most cases you'll get away with 18psi even on 19" tyres. I've only ever been bogged once at that pressure and that was when I was pretty new to the car, in a completely unknown environment and in very, very hot, dry sand.

18psi gives you a bit of room to play and a bit of shock absorption should you hit a rock or root. Rim Pinch is a big risk on lower profile tyres.

Originally Posted by Celtoid

Most cases you'll get away with 18psi even on 19" tyres. I've only ever been bogged once at that pressure and that was when I was pretty new to the car, in a completely unknown environment and in very, very hot, dry sand.

18psi gives you a bit of room to play and a bit of shock absorption should you hit a rock or root. Rim Pinch is a big risk on lower profile tyres.

I agree. I've never gone below 18 and had little trouble in very soft sand. On the couple of times I have been stuck, usually due to not lowering to 18 psi, I have selected Rock Crawl and the car has just walked straight out after letting the tyres down to 18psi. This gives maximum traction control if there is any grip on even one wheel, which sand mode doesn't do, so it will find grip and pull you out. This is even more important if you use Max Trax.

The last time I got stuck at Boranup Beach south of Margaret River due to being forced off the compacted track by a Cruiser bogged in the middle of the track, the right hand side of the car was in very deep soft sand but there was firmer sand at wheel level on the left. Rock Crawl found traction on the left side wheels and I was off and able to get back on the firmer track. On that occasion my tyres were on 18psi when I got stuck.

You will not be able to move if you are in high range. You need to select low range to get out of that situation in sand. Also mud ruts or rock crawl will most likely be better than sand mode once low range is selected. That is my experience anyway.

I’ve gone to 8psi on the 19” when bogged in a bad place with water on the march towards me. Lots of digging and tracks, 8psi and saved my bacon. Didn’t lose a bead.

Originally Posted by Tombie

Were you in low? And by Traction control off you mean DSC?

Dsc off, not in low...

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

I’ve gone to 8psi on the 19” when bogged in a bad place with water on the march towards me. Lots of digging and tracks, 8psi and saved my bacon. Didn’t lose a bead.

I've read the LR wheels are a very tricky design allowing for serious deflation without popping.

Whilst I found the 19s pretty good I found changing to an 18 with 285s far more versatile for the type of off-road driving I do, which is mainly the SE QLD Islands (so mainly sand with a bit of rock and root). I drop them to 16 or 18 on the barge (so they would already be slightly warm) and literally forget about them. That pressure and tyre combo will get through most things without having to change pressures or worry about rim-pinch.