Help: Driving in sand? Advice?

jnieberlein

Secret Squirrel Diesel
Aug 17, 2009
689
0
16
West By God
There is some sand driving in my future, any advice? I haven't driven in sand in years. Any air pressure recommendations?
 

TROJAN366

Gold Rush
Jan 13, 2012
2,474
1
38
MASS
I go out on the beach all the time. Lower PSI is always better. I drop down to 18-20ish but if its real soft sand or you are running a narrower tire you can go down as low as 12-15.
 

Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
Staff member
Oct 21, 2009
21,670
5,817
113
Phoenix Az
Drop that air pressure LOW. You want that tire to squish out so you float on top of the sand.

Momentum is also key. Without it, you can get stuck in a hurry.
 

Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
Staff member
Oct 21, 2009
21,670
5,817
113
Phoenix Az
Traction bars would not help, at all. They do not actually add grip to the tires lol

but they damn sure stop alot of that damn chatter/axle wrap you get back there when you go hitting the gas in 2wd with tires full of air :D.
 

02greysixer

Active member
Jun 4, 2011
1,829
7
38
North Central FL
but they damn sure stop alot of that damn chatter/axle wrap you get back there when you go hitting the gas in 2wd with tires full of air :D.

That's what I was getting at ^^
I know the don't add traction but they make the trucks usable in some cases without 4wd since they aren't hopping and chattering like crazy. I can't speak for everyone but I know the 5 Duramax's I've been around will wheel hop to the point of self destruction in even semi packed sand. So I always go for the 4x4 in even the slightest bit of sand, where if I had traction bars I could just spin through short sections instead of going to 4x4. I live in fl, if it's not muddy is Sandy so I know sand, and I rarely have the chance to air my tries down for it :D




Traction bars would not help, at all. They do not actually add grip to the tires lol



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adeso

wait, what?
May 30, 2011
1,569
0
36
Minot, ND
Don't drive near spots that look like they have been recently been disturbed, or near large pieces of trash, look out for suspicious people or anyone watching the road holding a cellphone. Watch for wires coming up out of the ground. Should keep you safe playing out in the sand
 

Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
Staff member
Oct 21, 2009
21,670
5,817
113
Phoenix Az
Don't drive near spots that look like they have been recently been disturbed, or near large pieces of trash, look out for suspicious people or anyone watching the road holding a cellphone. Watch for wires coming up out of the ground. Should keep you safe playing out in the sand

where the hell do you play in the sand??? mexico?!?! :eek:
 

McRat

Diesel Hotrodder
Aug 2, 2006
11,249
26
38
64
Norco CA
www.mcratracing.com
Yup, keep moving, the faster the better. Avoid turning or braking. If you have a warning, drop pressures to 20PSI in both the truck and trailer, and kick into 4x4.

The issue with sand, is that if the tires sink, you are actually trying to go uphill. The faster you go, the less they sink. The bigger the footprint, the less they sink.
 

minisub

6-5/6-6;Whatever It Takes
Sep 11, 2006
474
0
16
Cleveland, OH
A decent jack, shovel, tow straps and a 12x12 board for the jack would be good to have in the bed....also a source of air for when you come off so you don't have to either wait in line or drive 20 mph to the nearest service stop.
 

Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
Staff member
Oct 21, 2009
21,670
5,817
113
Phoenix Az
Btw, ABS is your enemy in these trucks in the sand. I learned that the hard way long ago when climbing hills and what not. A quick in clip of one of the front sensors later and you can stop much better lol
 

DAVe3283

Heavy & Slow
Sep 3, 2009
3,727
296
83
Boise, ID, USA
Btw, ABS is your enemy in these trucks in the sand. I learned that the hard way long ago when climbing hills and what not. A quick in clip of one of the front sensors later and you can stop much better lol
Couldn't you just pull the fuse or unplug one for a less permanent solution?

Because on the road, ABS is helpful. At least on my truck, but I only have 33" tires, so I can lock them up pretty easy.
 

Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
Staff member
Oct 21, 2009
21,670
5,817
113
Phoenix Az
Couldn't you just pull the fuse or unplug one for a less permanent solution?

Because on the road, ABS is helpful. At least on my truck, but I only have 33" tires, so I can lock them up pretty easy.

All you gotta do is plug it back in and it will go back to normal after driving over 15mph. I'm talking unplug the connector that's at the frame leading to a wheel speed sensor. Quick, easy and no lasting side affects unless you don't plug it back in
 

Ne-max

I like turtles
Nov 15, 2011
3,361
64
48
Lincoln, Ne
A decent jack, shovel, tow straps and a 12x12 board for the jack would be good to have in the bed....also a source of air for when you come off so you don't have to either wait in line or drive 20 mph to the nearest service stop.

Well said. I had a couple pieces of plywood my first time in the sand and they saved my ass.

To the OP. Be careful where you stop, watch you temps super close, put panty hose over air filter, and remember your in a 7000+pd truck.