Thread: Sand driving - tyre pressure

I dont run the 19's on my D4 when off road so can't offer advice on that issue but with the 18 steel wheels and BFGKO'2 I found 16 front and 18 rear was perfect for the really soft stuff at SA ( Robe, Beachport, Cape Jaffa etc. ). Heaps softer there than anywhere on Fraser.
First trip on sand and I had it bogged to the sills a couple of times and hated it compared to my Disco 1, no feel on what the car was doing and it just didn't handle the soft stuff anywhere near as easily or as well as the older car or how I expected.
4 days later with a bit more practice with the electricery and getting to know the car it was OK and as good if not better than the Disco 1
I guess it all comes down to what tires are on the 19's as well but I would think low 20's would be OK. Just be very careful of the coffee rock when on the beach

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.

I was a bit hesitant initially too with the heavy D4 on sand - my previous experience was in a Hilux on 10R15's so much lighter. Now that I've adjusted to the D4 I feel very confident with it.

BUT I did pinch a sidewall- admittedly my fault- inland on a tree root so it is worth bumping the pressures up a little if you venture off the sand. I bought 18" Compomotives after this as I often find myself on rocky trails too.

Word is too that the LR OEM wheels have a very clever / good beading system that makes it quite unlikely that you'll roll a tyre off the rim.

David

I think it almost impossible to roll a tyre off a LR alloy rim due to the bead retainers.

I have been to 18psi often on the beach and sandy tracks with no ill effects. Agreed that the sidewalls appear very low but I have not damaged a wheel or tyre yet.

What Discomatt said. I run around 16 and 18psi. I’ve gone down to 8psi when in a really bad spot bogged sliding into the ocean. Never lost a bead.

Originally Posted by pprass

Also I understand that switching off DSC is just about mandatory, but I keep forgetting to switch it off again after restarting the car - just something that I have to remind myself every time.

Yes, unless you do this you will almost certainly get bogged.

Martin

Can I ask what vehicle settings people use in soft sand and 19” tyres.
I to have been reluctant to go below mid 20’s psi.

Originally Posted by rhinosm

Can I ask what vehicle settings people use in soft sand and 19” tyres.
I to have been reluctant to go below mid 20’s psi.

DCS 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

If you haven't aired down to 10psi it because you haven't had to pull a heavy trailer or camper from stationary in deep soft sand... as for normal.sand driving without towing if its soft and deep then you still air down (on my D2 that's around 20-22psi). If it recently rained and soft sand is harder then close to road pressures is fine. I love hearing mates say they did Fraser at near road pressures...it just means rain, not towing, not having to stop mid track or going up a cutting when some goose comes down the beach and doesnt give way and luck thrown in.

Cheers

Cheers