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Posted by Ed Tavernier on Friday, March 20, 2009 at 09:26:33 :
In Reply to: OT sand driving posted by Bob in Indy on Friday, March 20, 2009 at 08:07:48 :
Bob,
I would go a bit lower...10-15 pounds with standard street tires. The fatter the tire, the easier it is to float on the sand. The key to sand driving is being gentle. Accelerate gently, and try not to brake...the sand will bring you to a stop fairly quickly. Your Tahoe is most likely an automatic, which will help you immensely. Make sure you bring a shovel as you most likely will eventually get stuck. If you find you are bogging down gently back off the throttle, and you can usually back up a bit.
Drive in the tracks of others. You will see tracks in the sand in most areas. These tracks have compacted the sand somewhat and will make it easier to drive on. In most cases you will not need to do much steering as the tracks previously laid down will steer the Tahoe.
Most beaches are sloped toward the water. Try to drive in the most level areas. Driving across steeper sideslopes will require more steering effort and make it more difficult to follow previously made tracks.
MOMENTUM is key. Driving up the rise of a dune you MUST build up speed first. Accelerating gently in advance of an upslope is much easier than digging your axles free!
There is an area between the waterline and the soft sand close to the dunes that is much firmer, and easier to drive on. Be careful as getting too close to the water the sand may be less stable and compacted and again easier to get stuck in.
With experience you will find that the low range is not necessary most of the time. It is actually easier to drive on the sand at higher speeds, as the momentum keeps you fromm digging in and.."growing roots"
You will enjoy it. You will most likely see locals, and don't hesitate to ask their advise. They will show you that a steady foot will keep your back from getting sore.
Eddie
ps I only get stuck in the sand 1-2 times every day!
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