Tips for sand /beach driving

[Qwerty]

ah ok yeah in that case 18-20 be fine coz although it's "sand" it's not really the "sand" we refer to when thinking of boggings.

The inland tracks might be softer ?

Maybe 16-18, we do have stretches of beach here that are Rock hard and do 60-80 kmh.

I also like 14psi as makes ride nicer, which our leaf spring luxes need all help they can get!

Hell I do 60-80kmh on 14psi on Tarmac (to and from beach / town) never has a problem just got to be very careful cornering and gently.

[Rocket55]

I shudder to think how many are driving around all day every day with a "soft" tyre on their cars (less than 20psi) and are blissfully unaware of it.

I've driven plenty of times back to town etc, as well on aired down pressures (12-16). As you say just need to be a bit mindful of it when launching into corners.

[Qwerty]

my mrs is pretty bad for that , Smart bird with head on her shoulders ... but with cars, nuhhuhh.

ha rocket i recently drove down to bremer bay, had a slow leak in a tyre ... after 3hrs she was at 10psi... thought she was a bit pully pully to the left!

Fortunately was a tyrepower in katanning I pulled into who were open and able to fix it

[Richolux150]

Lots of practical driving tips here.......Just a few points to emphasise ............

1. 12 PSI is putting around pressure......if you have to travel any distance or at cruising speed then get em back up around 18 or 20......

2. Beaches are very dangerous places to drive...........if your not paying attention to the beach conditions, mucking with your electronic gizmo's.......and need to suddenly swerve around kids or incoming waves then you are a fair chance at a roll over.........

3.We adhere to a basic speed rule...
80 klm/h within 80m of people
40 klm/h within 40m of people
20 klm/h within 20m of people and so on.....
The sound of approaching cars is often drowned out by the ocean and the wind....

4. Don't stick your beach umbrella up in the middle of the beach where most of the cars would want to drive..

Yep I know this sounds a bit like common sense and common courtesy.

Each time there is a Vehicle incident on our beaches it gives the authorities an opportunity to place further restrictions on beach 4x4 driving......

Just my 2 cents worth with over 40 years beach driving experience...

[Qwerty]

everything richo said haha.

One of the big issues we see all the time is young bucks flogging it past others who are set up (usually hanging a beer and metallica finger salute thinking we're going to respect them). THis may make me sound like an old fuddy duddy but for f*cks sake just slow down, you arent going to lose momentum.

Happens ALL the time ... they get close, see that we're a bunch of youngish blokes ... and they nail it to impress! I normally give a death stare in return.

One day when you've got a kid, or dogs, or even just straight out adults ... you'll understand and get it.

[BIGFOOTJR]

Just get a hover craft

[aandy]

I just "did" fraser, used 17psi from inskip point until back at inskip point.
I was fully prepared to go way lower as I needed to last time on the island but recently its all packed sand

[Stu.wrf450]

My trucks auto is there anything I can do to stop gearbox from overheating ?
Obviously I'll have it in L4 as much as possible.

[kyle300exc]

Older thread Stu but good info related to autos overheating viewtopic.php?f=12&t=289&hilit=auto+over+heating

[Qwerty]

My trucks auto is there anything I can do to stop gearbox from overheating ?
Obviously I'll have it in L4 as much as possible.

pretty much what is in this thread, treat your auto like a manual .. by that i mean, know what gear you want, select it, stay in it ... especially if in anything soft / steep ... don't ever wait for the auto to make a decision because by then it's too late (just the same as it would be in a manual if you let the engine practically stall before grabbing a gear)

As you approach a hill climb, or a soft boggy bit of beach... know your gear before hand , stick to it... keep a steady momentum (even go a bit slower if you're revving out....momentum is key, not speed).

i spend a lot of time in H4, 3rd. Rarely need low range except in steep climbs or boggy scary bits

[BR65]

Is it ok to travel long distances in H4 3rd? That's where mine seems to sit most comfortably beach cruising.

[Krat]

That's fine, as long as the revs are in a comfortable range and the hilux is getting you to where you want to go.
I always think that soft sand and dune driving is probably the hardest treatment that you will put the lux through. In saying that, though, I don't mind giving it a short thrash to get you through what you need to.
I found that they get a whole new sound to them when the revs get up near that red line. But for a very short time , who cares.
Have fun and stay safe.

Kev.

[Stu.wrf450]

Thanks for the info:))

[Qwerty]

sure is Stu, as Krat said. Holding a gear is fine (so long as its relevant and not bouncing off limiter). WHat hurts auto's more is leaving it in D and forcing it to constantly change in sand (which apart from stressing the auto out, is just bad driving... you'll be bogged in no time if its soft)

Krat the V6's sound lovely too at 4k-5krpm under load working way through a boggy patch

and yep there's nothing harder on a 4wd drivetrain than soft sand.

[Krat]

Krat the V6's sound lovely too at 4k-5krpm under load working way through a boggy patch

I'm glad that the V6 gets a note as well, I would imagine the 4.0 ltr would sound a bit nicer than the D4D around that red line mark.
It would be nice to get that sound at normal driving revs

Kev

[Richolux150]

Oh Yeah...before you get back on the road clear all the accumulated wet sand from inside and outside your rims otherwise it will throw the balance out of ya rims n shake ya false teeth out

[Richolux150]

Krat the V6's sound lovely too at 4k-5krpm under load working way through a boggy patch

Must admit the best thing about my v6 Rodeo was the note she barked out of the sports exhuast at about 5k rpm...