Sand crawling—need more air or more tires or both?

[Gvsukids]

I drove my Army 6x6 all over the sands of Somalia with no issues. I also had CTIS, so I could air up/down with the push of a button. Why Jeep doesn’t offer that I have no idea.

Like on the H1?

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[MrJeep]

Well... he was making forward progress and one rule of sand is that if you are still moving forward just keep going. If you stop moving you start digging down.
And I don't understand the too much gas comments. You need gas, high rpms and max power for dry sand like a boat does for water...UNLESS you stop moving forward then you need to get off it real quick.

 

[CrazyCooter]

Well... he was making forward progress and one rule of sand is that if you are still moving forward just keep going. If you stop moving you start digging down.
And I don't understand the too much gas comments. You need gas, high rpms and max power for dry sand like a boat does for water...UNLESS you stop moving forward then you need to get off it real quick.

This guy was using too much throttle for the conditions and high air pressure just wasting fuel going almost nowhere.

2 different ways of throttle control in the sand:

1) High HP and aggressive tires where you can throw sand rearward spinning the tires at a high rate of speed propelling the vehicle forward. Generally you want higher air pressure so the knobs/paddles don't flex.

2)Low HP in which you must use flotation (lower air pressure) preferably with an mild tread tire and not spin the tires. Slicks even work well in this situation because the goal is to not spin the tires.

Low Hp with aggressive tires w/ high air pressure just digs you to the frame and robs HP to turn them.

 

[@californiajeeping]

More sidewall and aired down. Thats the ticket. The sidewall buldge from airing down makes for much much greater bite.

Large rims are useless for this. He can air down to get more contact patch to prevent sinking in a bit but really what gets you out is tire bite and the flex from it.

 

[WetWilly]

More sidewall and aired down. Thats the ticket. The sidewall buldge from airing down makes for much much greater bite.

Large rims are useless for this. He can air down to get more contact patch to prevent sinking in a bit but really what gets you out is tire bite and the flex from it.

Yep, back in the day I ran a 1972 Chevy Nova on the sand drags in Bitlo Fl. I had 1100/15 Multi tracs on the rear, glued and screwed to the rims. Ran them very low at high rpm. Never had trouble getting out of the hole when the tree turned green.

 

[kb5zcr]

I drive 60 miles from pavement and all of it is beach driving several times a year (Padre Island National Seashore, just south of Corpus Christi), I air down down to 17 or so and have made it all the way in 2wd (did it just to see if I could), 4wd is easier.
For soft sand don't be afraid to air down lower than you think, I've gone down to 10 psi before but paid attention on taking it easy while turning. Heck, even my dodge 3/4 ton diesel (very heavy) made it all 60 miles once aired down. The key is don't spin your tires, keep momentum going in the super soft stuff, and if you stop, be sure and start very gently without spinning your tires. My favorite type of four wheeling.

 

[Uparms]

20-17 PSI, Always worked the Delaware coast 9 months a year for me. Don't be afraid of 15-12 PSI.

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