What is the best 4x4 setting for sand?

I have been reading all the posts on the 4x4 stuff and really going from one to the next they in a way just sound mixed up.

I see this in print.

UP TO NINE DRIVE MODES

1) Normal street driving: H2 TRAC ON and VSC is on.
2) Slippery conditions, to get moving from a stuck: H2 AUTO LSD ON (VSC is off under 30 mph). Press VSC button once while moving or stopped.
3) Spinning tires prefered: H2 VSC OFF/ TRAC OFF. Press and hold down VSC button 3+ seconds, while stopped.

4) Loose dirt, sand, snow: H4 TRAC ON and VSC is on.
5) Spinning tires prefered, off pavement: H4 VSC OFF/ TRAC OFF. Press and hold down VSC button 3+ seconds, while stopped.

6) Spinning tires prefered with low gearing torque: L4 (with A-TRAC off)
.

ALL Tacomas have 1-3. ALL 4WD Tacomas have 1-6. ONLY 4WD OFF ROAD TRD Tacomas have 1-9.

My truck is a 2011 sr5 4x4 sb and 2012 sr5 4x4 lb. (NOT TRD)
Looking at this in the case of the next snow storm to make a list for the wife, and just for info on sand, heavy sand at the OBX surf fishing, having the truck loaded down.

The reason I bring this up is in the past few years We have been seeing more and more of the newer trucks and SUV's having problems on the beach. The brakes will be rolling smoke just driving down the sand or they get stuck or in a bog and it is like the truck is fighting itself not letting the tires ever turn.

I say this coming from full size trucks and Diesels with LSD, or lockers, lockout hubs and a shifter.

You get in this truck and have a knob to twist and several buttons......
Mine does not have the Atrac button I see people talk about but I was able to hold down one of the other buttons and get a trac light.

If I'm reading everything correct, lets say for dirt, gravel, sand trails, you want the stuff on, (4)

but for heavy snow or like beach driving when you will get a good bit of wheel spin, you want it off to save the brakes? (5)

There is only one setting in 4L everything is turned off?

Thanks, just want to save the brakes if that is a problem as we spend a week on the beach fishing at a time.
If it is better to just stay in (4) for normal beach driving and use (5) for heavy thick stuff or if you get stuck and need more wheel spin...
Just let me know what you have found to work best.....

I did do a search, but it turns up so much stuff on it, and some sounds outdated.

 

That is a question no one will answer the same. I run sand all the time, for me and the deep ass sand down here., wheel speed is critical, I turn all nanies off, 4 high, only first and second gear. Lots of throttle keep you momentum up.

 

4Hi and air down the tires. I don't have any of that electronic bullshit

 

Won't need breaks in OBX too much, air down to 15, 4hi, enjoy.

 

Paging DavidK.

 

If you going south, Hatteras island, do some research prior. 12 looks like this yesterday.

 

I'll be following this, I don't know what is "best" but after a several outings in the sand I found what works for me.

I have a 2012 DC TRD Offroad and do most of my sand driving in Fort Fisher NC. It has some deep sand areas but is fairly well traveled so there are always tracks to ride in.

All I do is switch to 4HI, on fully inflated tires and I've never had an issue. If i were to add some weight to my truck, i'd deflate the tires. I've intentionally dug myself in and was able to easily pull out by engaging the rear locker. Like gearhead said, I keep my speed up.

 

Low PSI and 2wd for fun factor

 

Good page to get up to speed on the, "road" down there....

 

You have it right for your '11 SR5.

As far as which mode to be in and in what conditions, it's preference.

Something not related to traction control or stability control, is tire pressure. As others have mentioned.

 

As mentioned, a lot depends on the driver as well as the truck. Sand driving should be done with lower tire pressure (15 psi being about optimum) and a moderate wheel speed. You want the tires to move you and grab as it progresses forward, but too much wheel spin and you just spin the sand out and bury yourself. One trick to sand driving, IF you are beginning to lose momentum is to rock the steering wheel back and forth to help get bite and movement. You don't want too much "sawing" so imagine a piece of tape on your steering wheel at 12. Now rock that tape left and right from 10 to 2. This helps when you lose momentum. As long as you are moving and not digging in then you won't need this. I have seen this method help a lot.

As for which gear etc to put it in, I suggest 4hi (as mentioned) and not using the any traction control, as wheel spin is your friend in sand.

 

It was not a question about using brakes at all, I know that....
I have years and years of offroading, I know about air down, I have, air sticks, Quick air 2, unboard welders, Power tanks, run air tools, max axe, high-lift.........

Just never had a truck that will try to think on its own and power down or put the brakes on by its self......

Cape lookout is where I fish most of the time... Most of the tree huggers have killed the fishing at Cape Hatteras Point.
Started fishing in the sand about 1986, been offroading from about 1980. Started with a 68 Jeepster....

 

Bama Toy, did you have words in your post? Couldn't seem to get my eyes focused on the....words

 

Damn that's confusing......glad I've got an 08 with 4h and 4lo!

4h, speed and air down like everyone else has said!

 

Most of my friends have the older ones, had 4h 4l 2h, some with shifters and others even had lockouts.

I knew mine had LSD but really did not know it had all the other Junk, if I can call it that.
I'm not a big fan of all the extras, but I like the truck.

 

It's one button...

 

Hatteras looks like hell. I used to ride down there all the time. Geez.

Same here. I always catch a glimpse of that cruising around here.



So many options in off roading. I would think 4 hi would work just fine. As you said you have the experience though.

 

Yeah, I think you pretty much made all the right conclusions.

1) If you DO NOT punch that VSC button, the brakes will be getting engaged automatically (AND ALSO some decrease in engine power).

2) If you punch that VSC button QUICKLY, you get the VSC OFF and LSD ON lights on the dash. Which means the nanny doesn't fool around with the engine power, BUT still does engage the rear brakes.

3) If you hold the VSC button for 3 seconds, ALL nannies are off. No automatic application of rear brakes (LSD).

At least, that's how I understand it. I haven't had this 2012 in deep snow or sand yet.

I can see how the brakes will be smoking if you DO NOT hold that VSC button down for 3 seconds. The LSD function will still be on, applying rear brakes. You'd be trying to get the rear wheels to spin, and the system is fighting you.

Yeah, 4L everything is off.

 

You are getting sleeeeepy.....VERRRRY sleeeeeepy....You will now give me your Tacoma and sign over the title, feeling it was a gift for such a pretty set of bewbs!

 

TRAC off, ATRAC off, 2WD. If I get stopped in a shitty place and can't throttle out I'll flip it to 4-hi to get started again, but there's really no need for 4WD once you're moving...