new member - stuck in sand at the beach- help

Im new to this so I apologize for any errors, I just wanted to let you all know how helpful this has been to me. The only unfortunate thing with my 06 prerunner 2wd is that I went to the beach and got stuck, I had to pay a Chevy guy to bail me out, question for all: If I would have had a rear locker only or a TRD differential.. would I have had better luck? is it worth looking dor a TRD differential or limited slip?
Thanks.

 

Locker would've been helpful, but would have been most helpful would be experience in the sand followed by airing down and tire selection.

In sand, don't touch the brakes. Don't use more throttle than necessary to get yourself moving. Don't steer before stopping.

You're basically pushing a small wall of sand in front of the tires constantly. When you jab the brakes or stomp the gas pedal, you build that wall taller/hole deeper. At that point, even if you're on flat ground, you're basically driving up hill. Combine the low traction nature of sand and you have a problem.

Oh yea, and welcome to TW!

 

Wow , what a DB. He should have given you a hand for free. I would have been screw you! I will figure out how to get out myself.

 

Most important thing about sand is to air down the tires. Personally I go 12 in the front 8 in the rear at pismo and go anywhere but I have 4x4 too. Dont stop going uphill, dont accelerate hard dont brake hard.

Dont feel bad about the chevy guy. I charged a guy in a surburban 40 bucks when I pulled him out of high tide and to the gate, well the guy gave me 40 bucks and a case of beer, but essientially its the same

 

Ha, maybe I should start charging people money to pull them out.

 

I've never charged anyone, and I've helped some people get of seriously jacked up situations before.

I always figure it could be me next (and it has been), and I'd appreciate a helping hand.

Hell, I had a tow truck pull me out once (because the cops said I had to, or else I'd be ticketed for "damaging property" [despite the fact that no known owner existed for that empty field...]) and get stuck on his way out. He asked if he could winch off me. I said "sure, for $100 bucks" (what he charged me). He said "Nevermind, I'll wait for another truck".

 

Only assholes charge a recovery fee!


My Locker hasn't let me down yet out here in the desert man. Like mentioned up above, just air down and keep a good constant throttle and your gold...I haven't got stuck in the sand yet

 

x2!

 

Although I have a 4WD, the air pressure trick will work with 2WD as well... Drop the air to 10 psi on all 4 tires for starters, remove any sand from in front of your tires or undersides (differential, etc.) that would block you from rolling. Have tires straight to get moving, then any turning, do gradually... no braking or very light if you must.

Have a good dial air gauge that reads below 10 psi (0-60 or less, best). Have a good (or any) electric air pump to refill the tires once you are out of the sand.

SEE this: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/of...a-beach-4wd-32-psi-15-psi-see-difference.html

 

I'll definitely try the air down trick and see what happens next, will let you know, yeah, I've helped so many before and have never charged either, I'm SURE that maybe I'll repay the FAVOR to this nice human being somehow someday, I wanted to do other things at that moment but I had my elderly mom with me so I just paid the A-hole. thanks all for your time !

 

Yah, it is totally uncool to take advantage of someone who needs help, as long as you weren't trying to get stuck, expecting help. I do suggest your next Taco to have 4WD (and be an Off Road TRD, too)!

Any time I have gotten stuck (lots), I was alone in Baja somewhere, so you just learn what to do to get out... except when I was in mud, air pressure was always the key to getting out. By stuck, I mean 'temporarily immobile'!

The mud scene happened in the middle of the night and I just slept in my car (a Subaru 4WD wagon) and the next morning I scouted and found some boards. I jacked up the tires and put the wood under it. It was in a tidal mud flat and if you had your tires right in the track of the road, that was firm. But, at night, I got off the firm mud and into the oatmeal mud, on one side.

Another scary stuck was crossing a flash flooding arroyo in Baja (Matomi) in my Subaru... back in 1978, and the Subarus little 13" tires sunk in the wet sand while the river was rising almost to the door openings before it came to me that it was sand (underwater sand, but still sand)... and I let air out of my tires... I drove out, just in time! My 70 y/o mother was with me as well on that trip... and she took a photo! She was a great sport and loved exploring Baja, as well.



Here's my '01 Tacoma (26 years later, in 2004) at the same place (going the opposite direction)...