Going to the dunes soon, tips on prep and after?

Thinking about going to the sand dunes sometime soon. Any recommendations on prep work and after driving on the dunes? I know to air down tires before and air it back up after. Also, does the paint get damaged from the sand? I heard mixed opinions on if the sand affects the paint

 

jack, tow rope, 12 x 12 x 3/4 plywood, water

 

Curious, this is my first time going to the dunes, what is the plywood for?

 

In case you get stuck, have to use a jack out in the desert in a pinch, etc. Make sure to check all your suspension bolts with a torque wrench before and after if you're planning to really push it.

 

But also beer.. it will make the jumps more fun. and potentially a flag?

 

Sand CAN affect the paint but not if you either get it off quickly or cover the truck in mud before you hit sand. Either one will do in a pinch it's more if you try to microfiber wash the sand off. Liberally use a power washer from a larger-than-normal distance to knock sand off before clay barring to get that shit all the way out of there to avoid leaving a bunch of scratches and swirls taking the sand off

 

What do you think is quick? Like in a few hours? The dunes I want to go are hours away haha.

 

High Lift jack with a 6' metal fence post to pound into the sand for anchor.....large axe or sledge hammer.....shovel..!

AND beer....

 

Decent portable air compressor (not one that plugs into a 12v power outlet in the cab) but one with alligator clips to go directly onto the battery posts. Good air pressure gauge, valve core removal tool and/or air down tools. Dune flag and fire extinguisher. Power wash your truck especially underneath/ frame/suspension shortly after once you're all done.

 

I'm honestly not a fan of dunes in a truck, maybe with full long travel and a supercharger. Not worth the trouble of airing down or potentially getting stuck.

 

Stay out of the water if you are going to dunes on the coast. Stay off the wet sand.

Watch your transmission temps. Driving in deep sand is the equivalent of constantly driving up hill.

Pick where you stop smartly. Roll to a stop - don't jab the brakes - you will dig in.

 

Great advice guys.... and I also suggest that you should NOT play near that salty water..!! Might get the "squeaky" spring thing when done..... Pressure wash them well and apply dry graphite..!

 

Grew up in the sand dunes.
Seeing that you are in Tempe, I assume you are going to Glamis?
Make sure you buy a pass before going as the ticket is EXPENSIVE and the LEO's there are extremely overworked and rightfully cranky.

Be sure to have:
Shovels
Tow Straps
Multiple flashlights one with a strobe function preferably
A flag with orange or red at the top
Bring blankets, water, and snacks just in case something brakes and you are stuck somewhere overnight.
Air down to 14psi in all 4 tires. Bring a pump to re inflate.
When able, always stop at the top of a hill facing downward.
DO NOT STOP AT THE BOTTOM OF A BOWL

Be prepared for your truck to be a total dog as the sand will rob your truck of Horsepower.

Most importantly, in the sand, momentum is your best friend. You cant get stuck if your are moving. you only get stuck when you try to start moving.

When in doubt, Throttle Out!

And have a damn good time. I may be making a trip out there in about 2 weeks with about 6 tacos. PM Me if you want to join us.

 

Yeah as long as it's not on ling enough to cause rust which would be a week or two pretty much, I usually just powerwash when I get home though! You'll be fine getting that far for sure.

 

If you have the money and may go a lot, I’m surprised that nobody mentioned traction boards!

https://expeditionportal.com/buyers-guide-traction-mats/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/recovery-tracks-traction-boards-etc.408237/

But then, it’s your first time, so a beer and lawn chair for you, and a shovel for your friends are good enough.

But Av8rJack gave you a nice invite, you should take him up on it for pointers and safety, too, as more cars the safer!

 

Just be careful, I'm sure someone will link you to my thread... I went to the dunes and ended up with sand in my gas tank (per my dealer) 3 times. Conveniently the issues the truck had (fuel circuit failures) only occurred after the truck was washed, even a week after the dunes.

If you have a Manual, keep it in a lower gear, 4x4 is your friend especially off the starts. 95% of you getting stuck is when you stop and try to get rolling again. if you're an auto, use S mode and lock it in a lower gear, if the truck shifts to a higher gear while your trying to get up a dune, these 3.5's will bog down hard, keep traction control off for both trans types (all the way, hold the button for 3 seconds until you see the OFF on the dash light up) as the trac control will cut your throttle. Momentum is your best friend when trying to get up a dune. If it's a place like Pismo, learn which way the wind blows and where the steep side of the dunes are (away from water at pismo=steep AF) don't stop in a bowl, its stupid soft sand and will swallow you. Our stock suspensions don't handle wash boards well, go slow... I hit one at like 20mph and was smashing bump stops and it was not pretty sounding, or looking. Keep the windows closed, especially the sunroof... dirtbikers will fly by you with paddles and launch sand all through the interior. Air down, carry supplies, water, etc. Always park facing downhill, go straight down the dunes, as if you start sliding sideways you can roll due to the mount of sand that accumulates on the leading edge of the tire... if you start sliding down, turn downward and goose it a bit. if you get stuck going up, stop the second you start spinning, and hit reverse. if you dont start moving backwards, stop, your stuck lol.

 

Air down, check your 4wd system operation BEFORE going and make sure it's in 4wd before you hit the sand. Low range is MUCH easier on your drivetrain in soft sand, feather the throttle when you start out moving from a dead stop.

If you are going over hills, be careful, air will take it's toll on your truck and on the flipside, if the top is crested, do not high center it. [and yes, everyone will make fun of you before someone takes pity on you and pulls you off.]

 

always point your vehicle down hill.

Are you going to glamis?

If so here link to buy a pass.

https://fareharbor.com/isdpermits/items/33165/

 

I know this is an old thread but I'm going to ask anyway. I don't understand the comments about sand damaging paint, etc. I've spent many weekends at sand dunes riding ATVs and UTVs, I never had sand cause any problems. Sometimes we spent up to 4 days and I didn't wash the vehicles until I got back home. I ask because next month I have a trip planned and need to drive over a couple miles of sand. Does anyone have any input/experience they would like to share regarding sand?

 

This https://youtu.be/bIyCjeftp58