2wd in the sand?

i took my 05 pre runner out to pismo and i think it all has to do with airing down and the weather, when its really hot and the sand is super dry you get stuck a lot more often, i was running 33x12.5 pro comp xtreme AT at 12 psi

 

Hey BURG did u ever learn if its good idea or not?

 

there's a few vids around pulling em out

 

No worries...

Next time, don't spin the tires if you stop moving forward... because the next direction you move is down.

Clear away the sand from infront of your tires (it acts like a block and if you are blocked from moving forward, you move down). If you did dig the truck down, then clear away sand from any contact with the truck, like the differential.

Deflate your tires... 10 psi is the place to start if 2WD... go less if that isn't enough... like 8 psi... Not much more is needed... You give it some gas for torque... with the tires deflated, they will not spin easily and will walk over the sand... keep moving until you are on firm ground... Don't turn sharply as there is a risk of popping the tire off the rim when under-inflated. Re-inflate.

Get a good dial air gauge that reads 0-60 psi or even 0-30 is more accurate when down around 10 psi. Get a good, fast electric air pump that connects to the battery... the cig. lighter ones take 3 times longer, but that is better than a hand pump!

 

i just go down to 12 psi and im golden. i can pretty much do what ever i want and not pop a tire off the bead. and i stay in 2wd untill i need it btw

 

Since we don't get to go four wheeling every week here in SoCal (no snow/ dirt roads), I go into 4WD as soon as I am off pavement even though I don't need to,,, you know to 'lube the parts'.

After a while or to test the benefit of 4WD (specially in sand), I will go back to 2WD until it struggles.

Lowering the air pressure only to avoid using 4WD doesn't make sense to me... it greatly increases tire wear and reduces mileage. I DO lower the pressure when needed in 4WD, like on the beach in Baja... and it works wonders!

 

Hard Sand and 2wd > Epic Fail

Soft Sand And 2wd < Epic Fail!!!

 

dumb.... Believe it or not I took my prerunner to Port Aransas last year and I played in the sand plenty and didnt get stuck ...



if your worried about it then just:
A. dont go in the sand
B. make sure you have someone with you that can pull you out
C. drive 40+ mph and float over that gay ass sand
D. be a man and find out for yourself


regardless, everyone should have a recovery strap in their truck at all times. If you do get stuck hopefully someone will be nice enough to pull you out after peeing on your tires and laughing at you.

 

After reading David K's write up on tire pressure difference I've dropped mine down to 12 for sand and haven't been stuck since. 2wd, rear locker.

 

10-4 on that. Don't wait for a pull. Drive yourself out.

 

you may have trouble. i got stuck on the beach here. but i wasnt aired down.

 

I voted don't try and here is why

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix8GbEdmdUc&feature=g-user-u

 

They don't even let non-4wd on the beach here (you need a permit and they check your truck), which is probably a good thing with the crazies here the beach would be rutted up and people breaking their ankles walking around lol. The hardest part here is going back up the dune/hill to the road, its fluffy and deep sand. I see people driving near the water on the compacted sand in 2wd with no problems.

 

I've been down there a few times in my niece's 4 wheeler and I have seen big ford 4 wheel drives stuck maybe sand levels are different at different areas but anyone who would try this beach with a 2wd is either drunk or stupid.

 

In the sand that I frequent you don't need to ask the question, the sand will answer it within 7 feet of entering it. some sands are so fine and deep, no airing down in 2wd is going to help. Like mud, there are several different kinds of it. Do all airing down, locking in, and what ever you need to do before going in, give yourself the best chance at making it at least. Momentum is key to forward progress in the sand, don't stop, keep going if you can to a place where " feel" the sand letting you go.

 

Yea it depends on how the beach is, changes every year/hurricane. I would try to stay on the compacted sand near the water or on other trucks tire tracks. I guess it depends on how you drive too I think we all know that 4wd and aired down tires still are not idiot proof!! I've yet to drive on the beach but I've had my share of sand in the Croatan National Forest

 

I would not try the beach in a 2wd. I have seen too many get stuck. If you must give it a try though air down your tires as far as you are willing to go. No more than 18 psi for sure. Be gentle with the throttle and try to avoid stopping in the soft stuff. The worst part will be when you try to break out of the ruts in the sand that are created by other vehicles. Better get a little speed up for that. Whatever you do don't let the tires spin the sand. You will dig down to the frame quickly.

Tires tread does not make much difference. Smooth street tires work well in sand since they tend not to dig as much as rougher treads.

 

LOL!!!!!!!

 

in hawaii, @ 30psi, and in 2wd, i was driving along in the sand and started to slow down and started to get stuck, until i switched to 4wd and that pulled me out. I got a mini battery pump but was too lazy to air down. lol

 

It's all about air pressure. About 15#. Clearance is pretty important as well. 2wd will work most of the time but towing on the beach on the east coast is expensive.