RV FEATURE
SAND DRIVING
Driving in sand can be fun and a practical way to get to remote beaches . In the desert , driving in sand is often the only way to get to the destination you want .
Before driving onto soft sand , put your 4WD into low-range , as the torque multiplication effect will allow you to maintain momentum when travelling slowly . Taking off will be easier too , as you have better control of wheel-spin , which is how you can get bogged .
Just by walking in soft sand , you ’ ll realise the resistance it can create . To drive safely in soft sand without becoming bogged , you ’ ll have to reduce tyre pressures . Go to about 20psi first , and see how well the vehicle copes . If it still gets bogged down easily , drop pressures to about 15psi . Any lower than this on most tyres , you ’ ll risk rolling a tyre off the rim .
While sand might seem soft , you ’ ll soon find that it can be like concrete if you drive too fast on it . Corrugated or chopped-out tracks can be hard to negotiate , so while as ever momentum is your friend , don ’ t go too fast . You will likely bottom-out the suspension and possibly do damage to your vehicle .
Remember that steering won ’ t be as responsive on sand as it is on the bitumen , so don ’ t make sharp last-minute turns at speed to avoid obstacles . You will likely hit them .
When climbing over dunes , always keep the vehicle ’ s nose pointing up or down the dune , not across , as that risks a roll-over .
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