Is it necessary to lower PSI while on sand dunes?

With 31"-33" tires, when I aired down, it was to about 12 PSI. I've been as low as 5 PSI, but it's not necessary. With 37" MT/R's, I went to 0 PSI most of the time. Never lost a bead, but the sidewalls were pretty thick and didn't bow that much.

I would air down mainly for comfort and would rarely get into 4wd. But I learned how to be comfortable and drive in the sand. If you aren't comfortable, maybe use 4wd. The only time I got stuck was my first time out, borrowing my mom's Exploder...

 

the problem with sand is even on a light hill, if you dig, your fucked... theres no backing out as you just dig more. May as well just air down and not get stuck in the first place.

 

LOL

Too damn busy right now

 

^ not an excuse.

Though, yota axle with rear disks.... spring under, fully caged bed, and SUA and spring shackles so damn long..... god fucking damn, you dont joke around.

 

The difference between airing down and not is very apparent the moment you get on very soft sand. It's a night and day difference if you really want to haul ass over chit too. Do it. Yes it sucks to air down and sit at each tire for 5 minutes at a time but it is a necessary time spent in order to have endless fun out in the dunes.

 

I've been stuck from deciding not to air down. I've also seen the difference. I've driven past stuck 4wds in sand while aired down to 10psi

 

I have driven Cape Hatteras beaches for years. Airing down your tires saves a lot of strain on your truck as well as keeping you from digging in. You may be surprised at how many drivers don't or don't let out enough. Tourist season has more metal stuck on the beach than on the highway. Saw a new F150 go under before a tow got there. My favorite was I pulled out a Escalade with my 95 Jeep Cherokee. I also watched a guy tear the splines off the front axel trying to dig himself out of trouble.

 

I got stuck on the beach when I drove past the 4wd only sign . That was with tiny tires and an open diff. I want to try now with my Trutrac and wider tires aired down and see what I can do

 

My first time I got stuck with my current tire and diff setup just barely getting into soft sand. Aired down then got myself dug out, and the rest of that trip was history as they say.

 

Where I fish on Assateague Island you drive primarily in inbound and outbound tracks. Not airing down tears up the tracks causing them to washboard. Lots of idiots don't air down and make it a rough ride for the lot of us. Not only is a god idea to air down to avoid getting stuck its a common courtesy to others

 

Can sand off-roading, cause front brake pads to wear quickly?

I know no ones posted, here a few years but I just wanted to ask this question.

Occasionally off-roading in Arizona sand but with mixed dirt trails. Heavy stop and go city and highway driving. Seemed to wear last two sets, of front pads out too quickly.

 

yes. typically disc brake pads ride right on the rotor, and crap cannot get under the pad, it just wipes grit
away...... but ...if you bury it in mud and sand, yes grit can get between pad and rotor and now it will grind on it
forever...

so, best bet if if you hear noises on your brakes after going in sand, pop caliper and pad and manually clean grit

 

Thank you

 

Drive around without airing down and see what happens. You might be ok or you might get stuck

 

absolutely necessary. Too much air in the tires and they will just dig into the sand. Less air = bigger contact patch of the tire on the sand, so they ride on top rather than dig in. I air down to 12 psi in sand, more if I need to get unstuck. Have an air compressor in your truck for afterward, you don't want to drive on a hard surface with ~12psi in your tires if you can help it.

 

Flotation, flotation, flotation.....

 

Some years back I had '95 Land Rover Discovery bought Certified Pre-owned from the LR dealer. They invited me to come on a guided 4 wheel outing on a south shore Long Island beach. I can't remember which one now. The Discovery had the stock Michelin hard rubber compound tires. They were not even an A/T tire if I recall, a street biased tire for sure.The guide said to air down to 15psi, lock the center diff and use low range, automatic trans. We drove over all kinds of fine soft sand for quite a long way. Nobody got stuck that day.

 

FINS? or Smith Point?
I used to run the beaches there in my modified Samurai. LSD in the rear, 8psi, 2nd gear low range, modified t-case = no problem.....

 

Gosh I can't remember for sure. I want to say Smiths Point now that you mention it. I had Samurai too, 1986 I think. I Never had that on the beach though. Are you anywhere near Cobleskill now?

 

Guilford, in Chenango county now. I had an 87, 88 1/2, and a 91. I think I was trying to collect the whole set....