Thread: Sand driving - tyre pressure

Same as others - 18psi.
I spent 2wks on Fraser, 5 on board plus towing a camper trailer around the place. The year we went, it was "really soft" according to the locals.
I let the tyres down to 18psi when we got off the barge, before the sand. Had to stop about 500m into the sand, as a Prado driver was stuck (said he'd let his tyres down, but they were on 32psi!!).

I never looked like getting stuck with/without the camper. Never any problems, slow and steady driving was fine.
I never had to go lower on the pressures, but felt that I could have done that if necessary (just by the look of the tyre when at 18psi).

DSC off, select Sand Mode on the Special programs, and you'll be set.

Enjoy, it's a beautiful place!

Rob

Originally Posted by l00kin4

I did 2 weeks on Fraser on 19's with a pretty heavy load - 5 on board plus food and gear packed to the brim - on the 255/55's as you have. Had no problems on the sand or coffee rocks at 18 psi, even in places where others were bogged. In only two instances we felt like we might get bogged in really deep sand but we didn't, the D4 just kept going.
David

That's very encouraging David - were you in 4 low and in the sand mode?

Originally Posted by oldsalt

I've adopted a very simple solution to the DSC "off" problem...
cheers

Ha! - you would think that after a few times we would get it wouldn't you

Thanks all for your invaluable experiences - I am now much more confident to let the tyres down to around 18psi even with the heavy load. However we will be going across the island first up - Wanggoolba Creek to Eurong and I will have to go slower and watch out for those roots and tree stumps it seems.

Peter

Originally Posted by Ghost-Who-Walks

Same as others - 18psi.
I spent 2wks on Fraser, 5 on board plus towing a camper trailer around the place...I let the tyres down to 18psi when we got off the barge...I never looked like getting stuck with/without the camper.
DSC off, select Sand Mode on the Special programs, and you'll be set.
Rob

Thanks Rob - very encouraging. With Sand Mode, were you in 4 high or Low? I'm thinking that 4 high is usually ok for most of the runs?

Peter

Originally Posted by pprass

Thanks Rob - very encouraging. With Sand Mode, were you in 4 high or Low? I'm thinking that 4 high is usually ok for most of the runs?

Peter

Hi Peter

It was a few years ago, so the grey matter is a bit hazy on that... My recollection is:
H4 on the beaches where it is hard and fast(er) driving
L4 when crossing the island, around Central Station etc etc. No need to be in H4 for that driving (slow going), and L4 gives you more options, particularly if you suddenly strike something unexpected...

Hope that helps.

Rob

Originally Posted by discomatt69

DSC off at all times, low range if steep sand dunes, really soft or angled beach, manual shift as required, sand mode or rock crawl if really soft. Tires as low as needed because I hate getting stuck, have been down to 8 psi with both cars

Originally Posted by Ghost-Who-Walks

Hi Peter

It was a few years ago, so the grey matter is a bit hazy on that... My recollection is:
H4 on the beaches where it is hard and fast(er) driving
L4 when crossing the island, around Central Station etc. No need to be in H4 for that driving (slow going), and L4 gives you more options, particularly if you suddenly strike something unexpected...

Rob

Originally Posted by pprass

That's very encouraging David - were you in 4 low and in the sand mode?

Hi Peter,

As per Rob and Discomatt's posts above. Hi range most of the time on the hard parts of the beaches - I usually left it in auto, can flick to paddle shifting really quickly if needed. Sand mode / Low Range only in the deeper or softer areas as listed above going across the island or Ngkala Rocks bypass etc.

You'll be surprised at how well the D4 does it all. Enjoy!

DSC OFF DSC OFF DSC OFF (Somebody once told me if you say something out loud three times you're more likely to remember it! )

David

And keep your speed down! If you want to go fast, just don’t.
cheers
David