Beach Driving - Tips and Tricks for all Levels

[Golly Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Golly]

I thought I might start a thread on Beach Driving. (I searched, but couldnt find anything dedicated to it, if I missed it I am sure Piggy will let me know :mrgreen: )
What I am looking for is Tips and Tricks from all the members, both new to beach driving and also from the veterens of the art.
Yes, there are courses for people to do, but courses won't tell ya the little tricks that "saved your bacon" that some of you may have come up with on any given outing.

So lets see what we can come up with my fellow PPoint friends.

The floor is yours..... 8)

[Signature035 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Signature035]

Re: Beach Driving - Tips and Tricks for all Levels

......I never go onto the beach (particularly alone) without my Max Trax.

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

Re: Beach Driving - Tips and Tricks for all Levels

I've found that a lot of new 4WDers get into trouble because they don't drop their tyre pressure low enough, and then once stuck they are relucant to drop them any further. Typically I run 15psi (MTZs) on soft sand, but I've been in some situations on remote beaches where 5-8psi has been required. Of course you need to lkeep the time at very low pressure to minimum required and avoid turning as much as possible.

Apart from tyre pressures, I have found that backing off the throttle when you feel the tyres starting to dig ,allows the tyres to get back on top of the sand and has much better results then trying to just power through and digging yourself in further. It also means that when you do get stuck recovery is easier because you haven't burried the car.

Leachy

[two+four Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close two+four]

Re: Beach Driving - Tips and Tricks for all Levels

Going forwards and backwards a few times in the same spot to compress the sand to give you a better run up at a soft beach exit point or a nasty dune can help to.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Beach Driving - Tips and Tricks for all Levels

......I never go onto the beach (particularly alone) without my Max Trax.

Max trax failed me totally in a recent bogging, Wasnt at all impressed.... Considering the ease of getting it out as it was downhill, and we had dug it all out already!

[Signature035 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Signature035]

Re: Beach Driving - Tips and Tricks for all Levels

Hey Team Piggy,

MaxTrax have seriously saved my butt on 2 occassions (late night fishing, and staying up the beach too long), and I have used them probably 20 times in the past few years, mainly to help out others. As I have metoned previously, more so I don't need to put any strain on my vehicle, snatching.

The only time I tried them, and couldn't help, was when a 90 series had dug himself in so deep, he was resting on the axles. The body of the vehicle needs to be clear when using Maxtrax, so the vehicle can 'drive' out.

The big thing is though, if tyre pressure is wrong, nothing is going to help, not even Maxtrax.

Just my comments after a few years Maxtrax use......and 20 odd years beach driving.

[Madkore Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Madkore]

Re: Beach Driving - Tips and Tricks for all Levels

When coming to stop in the sand, avoid hard braking, and if possible, stop by coming to a slow roll. That way when you go to take off again, you don't have little hills to get up over, as little hills quickly turn into big hills.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Beach Driving - Tips and Tricks for all Levels

First and foremost "DROP YOUR BLOODY TYRE PRESSURES!!!!" I am sick of pulling idiots out at my local beach entry trying to get thru with 40+ PSI !!!

If you havent dropped your pressures first, you should even be on the sand! Makes it float, takes strain off the vehicle, doesnt rut the place to hell !

[kimcam Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close kimcam]

Re: Beach Driving - Tips and Tricks for all Levels

Our family, and a couple of others, are off to Robe next weekend to do the Beachport to Robe run, so I will watch this thread closely and hopefully get some useful tips. This will be our first offroad adventure in our recently aquired Prado.

I plan to take plenty of photos and post a trip report on our return.

Cam

[Golly Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Golly]

Re: Beach Driving - Tips and Tricks for all Levels

Great news Kim, thats why I started this thread, a bible so to speak for new comers like you and I haha.. Have a ball, and please do put up a Trip Report thread in the forum.

[samo Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close samo]

Re: Beach Driving - Tips and Tricks for all Levels

the best advice is to read all the above posts, tyre pressure is the most important thing, if it aint low dont go, depending on sand type, gear selection is also important, which leads to momentum, always carry enough to get you over a dune, but not so you get 3 foot off the ground when you hit the crest ( unless its a kodak moment). carry sufficent gear for self recovery, eg maxtrax, bullbag, shovel, snatch strap, hand winch air compressor etc, if you do start bogging down give it a little more throttle, if this dont work. stop and back up and give it another crack, dont sit there with the foot firewall and burry the thing, makes you look like a dickhead, and its harder to get out. if you can get out and drop your tyre pressures, i have been as low as 8 psi in the prado to get me out of some spots, of you do also start to bog rock the car back and forward to go back over your tracks and compact the sand, also to tell people where you r going and remember to check the tides. cheers samo

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

Re: Beach Driving - Tips and Tricks for all Levels

Off the top of my head...

• Whilst you have some forward momentum, keep going.[/*:m:25ib39wd]
• When downward momentum exceeds your forward momentum get off the gas immediately and prepare for a recovery.[/*:m:25ib39wd]
• Avoid using your brakes (except for the obvious extreme situation). Allow your car to coast to a stop.[/*:m:25ib39wd]
• Avoid turning the steering wheel too much (let your car be guided).[/*:m:25ib39wd]
• Park with your nose pointing toward the surf and go over your tracks a couple of times to form a nice firm platform.[/*:m:25ib39wd]
• Park well away from the surf (usually with the tailgate close to the dunes).[/*:m:25ib39wd]
• Always, always, always, carry your own recovery gear.[/*:m:25ib39wd]
• Follow the tracks of those who have gone before you.[/*:m:25ib39wd]
• Thumbs outside steering wheel.[/*:m:25ib39wd]
• Expect to get bogged, plan for it, and enjoy the problem solving involved in the recovery. Oh and make sure your passengers expect it too [/*:m:25ib39wd]
• When stuck, a good sense of humour helps [/*:m:25ib39wd]
• Noisy engines and horns cannot be heard over the surf. Slow down when passing fishermen/children/dogs/etc.[/*:m:25ib39wd]
• Lights on means you can be seen for miles.[/*:m:25ib39wd]

LFaR.

[Signature035 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Signature035]

Re: Beach Driving - Tips and Tricks for all Levels

LFaR.
Thats one of the best summaries I have ever read, Thank you.

[Just*Managing Member Find all posts View Profile Close Just*Managing]

Re: Beach Driving - Tips and Tricks for all Levels

A Loooong Handled shovel. Don't fall for the space saving of one of those little fold up thingy's. When it's pooring with rain & you need to get on your knees to dig out mud or if it's 50 degrees in the shade & you are bogged to the axles, you'll be so glad you opted for a long handled job. I went for the ones that screw on so they are full size when put together but apart, fit sideways in the back of the Prado. (Anaconda sell them although I picked it up years ago from the original supplier in Melbourne. Got some strange looks flying back to Perth in a suit carrying a bright yellow shovel

[Golly Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Golly]

Re: Beach Driving - Tips and Tricks for all Levels

Awesome information people, keep it flowing in !!

Question ? Manual Diesel, what gear for cruising on beach and what ratio, HL or LL ?

Excellent ideas, so impressed !