Starting with Sand

[Coldjensens]

We just got our gladiator and are new to serious 4x4 sport. We have done a little offloading in a big heavy RAM but mostly just snow and forest trails and I turn around when anything looks scary because I did not want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere and I had no idea where my truck could get through or not. With a Jeep, it seems that if you do not get stuck on occasion, you are not really using your jeep to its potential (or you made a dumb mistake - which is how you learn). We will join the Jeep Adventure Journey Academy at some point to learn more about what our jeep can and cannot do and how to approach driving in various conditions. (Snow we pretty much have down. I have been driving in snow since I was 12.)

However we are not going to wait for months until we can swing a trip to the academy before we go try out the gladiator. We figure that the best first effort is sand dunes. Better than mud or rocks, because it should be easier and less cold wet and messy if we do get stuck. Sand will not damage your jeep the way getting hung up in rocks or even trees will (right?). We will go in April when they first open the dunes so we do not have a crowd to dodge. Hopefully there will be some traffic so we can get help if we get in trouble.

I am making a list of what we probably need for this first time getting a bit crazy off road. I am looking for help for what we do or do not need. Also anyone know some good video instruction for driving in the dunes? You tube has videos on how to get unstuck, but nothing so far on how to avoid getting stuck to begin with. I have figured out that you need to keep moving and not slow or stop unless you are on level compacted sand. Also be careful of peaks and bowls that do not have tracks through them. That is about all I know of this type of driving.


The things I think I need are:

Tall flag.
thingies to let air out of tires to a specific level (10 PSI).
A good quality compressor to put air back in.
Recovery Boards (Probably mid level - I hope to not use them a lot).
Winch (Badlands Apex)
Anchor for the winch or one of those deadman things. I am thinking the anchor is more likely to get used. I am not in shape to spend all day digging.
Sunglasses.
Courage.

Anything here I do not need? Anything I should have that is not listed? Oh an I need to finish reading the manual so I know how the jeep works. It is very different from my trucks.

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[Escape.idiocracy]

The pre set tire deflators work- ish…. A core puller with guage usually gets the job done faster and is more accurate. While accuracy isn’t everything when deflating…. Depending on how low your going it is somewhat imortant.

we have had the Currie version of this for 20 years and still works great!
https://a.co/d/1sP7DP8

 

[GA D90]

Ditch the list and have fun!
Sand is fun…. Air down, turn traction control off, momentum.
A decent compressor, tire gauge, shovel, tow strap.
Have Fun!

 

[Volt0]

Sand will not damage your jeep the way getting hung up in rocks or even trees will (right?).

It’ll be in different ways, depending on the kind of sand, temps, and whether you’re close to salt water. In MI, that’s all freshwater, correct?

anywho, you’re brakes might start squeaking b/c of the sand ( which can be abrasive ), and you may want to keep an eye on your tranny temps ( I.e. 4-lo may be a better option; talk with some local experts ).

you may also want a good recovery hitch, soft shackles, and one of those dynamic recovery ropes. To be extremely clear => no momentum recoveries with a drop-ball hitch and a static tow strap!!!

 

[Volt0]

Potentially, for ride quality, you could bring some 18mm wrenches/sockets to disconnect that front sway bar ( and maybe some rubber twisty ties to hold it up out of the way )

 

[Jaxmax]

I don’t run dunes other then at beach crossings, traction boards are actually more important in sand , I use trailhead deflators set of four screw them on by the time I am putting the fourth one on the first is close to the setting, it does not need to be exact and beach conditions change , I rarely go past 18psi, but that is not dune driving.
The most important thing is sort of in your title “Starting with sand”….. slow and easy and try to never stop going up hill, and when I stop I always put it in reverse for a couple feet to get a smoother start. Sand is fun, you don’t have salt or “wet quick sand”, just remember light right foot and when you start digging in stop before flooring and burying your Jeep.
Welcome to the Jeep world it’s strange but fun place!….Jack

 

[Uparms]

Learn how to count down on the first wheel then do it for the rest,Count down while you air down. Start at 20-17 PSI. You may never need less then 17. Don't worry if you need 15 psi. Shovel. Buy all the other fun stuff you want but make wide turns, stay above the water lines till you know your areas ( if on the beach ). Again, wide turns.

Don't forget to put in 4 WD before you get on the sand. I could drive a mile down the beach in 2WD ,10- 20-30 mph. I could tell I forgot to put it in 4WD when I came to a stop. Sinks an inch. Puti it in 4WD and away it went, 05, TJ-Unlimited on 32s.


Get a valve tool ( cross) just to help press the air valve. Don't be playing with valve removal till you practice and have the right tool / gauge to get it back in right and fast. 15 years on the beach and ain't never pulled a valve, or ruined one.

Yes get a pair of deflators. have 2 gauges in your jeep. Get a valve cross. Yes shovel and yes a good 20- 30 foot tow strap.

 

[Uparms]

Learn how to count down on the first wheel then do it for the rest,Count down while you air down. Start at 20-17 PSI. You may never need less then 17. Don't worry if you need 15 pso. Shovel. Buy all the other fun you want but make wide turns, stay above the water lines till you know you areas ( if on thr beach ). Again, wide turns.

Don't forget to put in 4 WW before you get on the sand. I could drive a mile down the beach in 2WD,10- 20-30 mps. I could tell I forgot to put it in 4WD when I came to a stop. Sinks an inch. Puti it in 4WD and away it went, 05, TJ-Unlimited on 32s.


Get a valve too ( cross) just to help press the air valve. Don't be playing with valve removal till you practice and have the right tool / gauge to get it back in right and fast. 15 years on the beach and ain't never pulled a valve, or ruined one.

Yes get a pair of deflators. have 2 gauges in you jeep. Get a valve cross.

 

[Uparms]

Staun was one of the originals at least for me. Only need 2.

https://www.amazon.com/Australian-O...ocphy=9007459&hvtargid=pla-2281435180058&th=1

 

[wcberry]

This has worked great over the years. Easy to use. Removes the core but doesn't let it go shooting across the parking lot. So it is fast.
https://a.co/d/8G7vw4f

 

[Uparms]

Forgot one other thing Cherry tire knocker for the truck stop. Cleaning out tread.

 

[Gvsukids]

Start out by driving to the lake and around on the flats. Then begin on side hills before climbing anything bigger. We'll be up there for Jeep invasion.

4-lo may be a better option; talk with some local experts ).

4lo isn't going to give you the speed. 4HI is what to use.

Potentially, for ride quality, you could bring some 18mm wrenches/sockets to disconnect that front sway bar ( and maybe some rubber twisty ties to hold it up out of the way )

Some people do, we don't. Safer to not.

You may never need less then 17. Don't worry if you need 15 psi.

Here in Michigan, 15psi is max and 10-12 is optimal.

 

[Capt.]

We just got our gladiator and are new to serious 4x4 sport. We have done a little offloading in a big heavy RAM but mostly just snow and forest trails and I turn around when anything looks scary because I did not want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere and I had no idea where my truck could get through or not. With a Jeep, it seems that if you do not get stuck on occasion, you are not really using your jeep to its potential (or you made a dumb mistake - which is how you learn). We will join the Jeep Adventure Journey Academy at some point to learn more about what our jeep can and cannot do and how to approach driving in various conditions. (Snow we pretty much have down. I have been driving in snow since I was 12.)

However we are not going to wait for months until we can swing a trip to the academy before we go try out the gladiator. We figure that the best first effort is sand dunes. Better than mud or rocks, because it should be easier and less cold wet and messy if we do get stuck. Sand will not damage your jeep the way getting hung up in rocks or even trees will (right?). We will go in April when they first open the dunes so we do not have a crowd to dodge. Hopefully there will be some traffic so we can get help if we get in trouble.

I am making a list of what we probably need for this first time getting a bit crazy off road. I am looking for help for what we do or do not need. Also anyone know some good video instruction for driving in the dunes? You tube has videos on how to get unstuck, but nothing so far on how to avoid getting stuck to begin with. I have figured out that you need to keep moving and not slow or stop unless you are on level compacted sand. Also be careful of peaks and bowls that do not have tracks through them. That is about all I know of this type of driving.


The things I think I need are:

Tall flag.
thingies to let air out of tires to a specific level (10 PSI).
A good quality compressor to put air back in.
Recovery Boards (Probably mid level - I hope to not use them a lot).
Winch (Badlands Apex)
Anchor for the winch or one of those deadman things. I am thinking the anchor is more likely to get used. I am not in shape to spend all day digging.
Sunglasses.
Courage.

Anything here I do not need? Anything I should have that is not listed? Oh an I need to finish reading the manual so I know how the jeep works. It is very different from my trucks.

Before airing down....do you have bead lock rims? Better find out.

 

[Volt0]

4lo isn't going to give you the speed. 4HI is what to use.

4-low in my JTM, I would think, would give enough speed; for a JTR I would agree, unless maybe manually shifting. I don’t know how the sport is geared.

@Gvsukids I’m sure that you have more sand time than I do; would you be manually shifting to hold gears a bit longer in the loose stuff? Turn off traction control and stability control?

 

[Gvsukids]

4-low in my JTM, I would think, would give enough speed; for a JTR I would agree, unless maybe manually shifting. I don’t know how the sport is geared.

Sport is geared the same as the Mojave. 4lo isn't enough speed to climb the hills at Silver Lake

@Gvsukids I’m sure that you have more sand time than I do; would you be manually shifting to hold gears a bit longer in the loose stuff? Turn off traction control and stability control?

I've tried that method, but the computer won't downshift the gears in manual mode fast enough at the top of the hill. Off-road plus is very helpful for that reason.

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