Question about offroading in sand?

[oneworld]

Was planning on hitting the beach this weekend for soem off roading, can anyone share some info for driving in the sand, tire persure and what 4 wheel placement to be in for easy driving. their will be a lot of soft sand > do I need to let air out of the tires? Any help will be greatly appriciated. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

[oneworld]

Was planning on hitting the beach this weekend for soem off roading, can anyone share some info for driving in the sand, tire persure and what 4 wheel placement to be in for easy driving. their will be a lot of soft sand > do I need to let air out of the tires? Any help will be greatly appriciated. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

[hummer dude]

air down to 17 psi

[oneworld]

It will be a very far drive from the area of beach to the next gas station to refill the tires, maybe 20 or more miles on pavement > that seems kinda of low 17psi?

[Hummer Guy]

Do you have the off-road package? (those vehicles have rim protection that help keep the tires on when airing them down) You can keep it in 4 HI Lock, and you may even want to turn the traction control off if its loose sand so you sort of 'swim' through it and have a little slip...if it gets rough just remember to keep your momentum up http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[shipbldr]

Buy a 12vDC air pump at Walmart for $12.00

Go to beach, air-down to 17-20 psi, get great traction.

Done at beach, re-inflate tires to normal pressure.

Go home smiling. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[timgco]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by shipbldr:
Buy a 12vDC air pump at Walmart for $12.00

Go to beach, air-down to 17-20 psi, get great traction.

Done at beach, re-inflate tires to normal pressure.

Go home smiling. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

$12.00 pump? Come on. Those things can't fill up a beach ball let a lone 4 tires. If you plan on off roading often and will need to air down, go buy a portable quick air compressor from 4 wheel parts. They come in a case and are very reliable. They are $200 to $300 but are worth every penny if you plan on getting into the hobby of off roading.

[DWPC]

Check with local folks on airing down. Airing down to about 50% of normal pressure has always been considered SOP by experienced offroaders for sand. I'm curious of the contrary advice posted. Is it a widely accepted practice?

In sand, keep it in Hi, and keep it moving. In Low Range, you'll just dig yourself a nice deep hole.

Carry a recovery straps and gear AND KNOW HOW TO USE THEM. They can cause serious damage if improperly used.

As for portable air, the little 12V compressors are pretty lame; you'd be an hour refilling your 33s. A portable air tank is much more convenient.

Remember: sand is an abrasive!

Question: Is the air-pressure monitoring system just a warning light? Or will it be a nuisance when one needs to air down?

[oneworld]

yes I have the the off road suspension, with Lux pac ( is their any other way http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif) and I feel that airing down is risky, have the Dualer 33'S stock, will have freinds not worried about getting stuck as much as f---ing up the new truck, and was currious as to what you Hummer Dudes recomend, not my first time wheeling either

My other ride has long been beaten and stuck, but it rarely lets me down, always able to get itself unstuck with a little help

[Hummer Guy]

The good thing about sand is that its almost like driving on a cushion...but if you start creating a lot of dust or crashing into dunes w/ your front end you run the risk of getting sand where you shouldn't be...I wouldn't worry too much about damage to the truck...

[H3 Hummer]

I went to the beach next to the Pacific ocean and the hummer did great. I actually was able to drive, hook up other trucks and drive and pull them out.

The other vechicles included front wheel drive cars (don't ask) and a Blazer

The information about the air pressure is a good idea. The reason is that when you take out the air pressure the tire will be more flat on the sand and not dig into the sand. I put mine at 25 and was just fine even in heavy stuff. The H3 will beep at you and the warning light will come for low air, this is not anything wrong though. Just don't go to low. Do air them back up though before going on the roads especially if high speeds. For about $35.00 you can find a tank that is not to big. Fill it up before you go at a gas station and when you leave the sand dunes just pump them with that to 30 or 35. You can also, get the ones as mentioned that fit in the cigarette lighter, but they will take a long time and can over heat and turn off.

If you do use the cigarette one you should run the engine so you don't run your battery down. I think the H3 has protection built in so you can't but don't want to test that out in the middle of no where.

Where are you going to? Check out my pictures in Long Beach, WA.

[oneworld]

Heading south to the pine barrons in Jersey and to Island beach state Park. So the idea would be 4 wheel High (locked or unlocked) using the 3,2,1, gears for the automatic. Probably 1 or 2 maybe not sure > just looking for the best results with the least wear on the rear, > with all the rears going I dont want to be part of the (need a rear replacemant club) http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[Hummer Guy]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by oneworld:
So the idea would be 4 wheel High (locked or unlocked) using the 3,2,1, gears for the automatic. Probably 1 or 2 maybe not sure QUOTE]

Locked -- just make sure you're on the sand when you engage. Honestly I'd probably just keep it in Drive for a smoother ride..

[f5fstop]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by sfox:
The reason I won't advise someone to go below 20psi is that their normal operating pressure should be high 30's to low 40's. So half of that is 20psi. Going down to 17psi you are risking dropping it well below half and without beadlocks, you are getting into the realm of bead-popping IMO.

S </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Have to agree with all he said.
I have off-roaded in dry quick sand in Utah, and never went below 20 psi and only two times have I had a problem. Once, I made the mistake of stopping, and used a hi-lift jack to get myself out, the other time, I stalled in a pit, and a H3 pulled me out.
Also, you can purchase one of the small cigarette lighter compressors, that cost around $40.00, and they will fill up a set of Jeep tires in less than fifteen minutes (Hummer tire might take twenty). Slow yes, but better than running on low tires while driving a highway.
The air tanks are inexpensive, but if you air down all four tires to 20, will they have enough to blow all back up to 35?
I always off-road in the desert and when airing down I find the time to inflate the tires a great time to drink water and eat power bars.

[Surferjo]

I live on Long Island and the only wheeling I do is in sand. In my 18 years of Jeep wheeling I have been stuck in crappy LI beach sand more times than I care to mention. We have really blown sand here. Super large grains so it doesn’t pack at all and adding water can sometimes make it worse. I would have to assume that you have some similar stuff in Jersey being that your not that far from me.

I have 31” MTR’s on my Wrangler now and depending on the situation I usually don’t air them down at all. Please keep in mind this is based on certain things.

If you are sure you are not going to get behind some tool in a Liberty who will slow down or get stuck constantly you may be ok.

Its been said in earlier posts but the key is smooth and steady. Try to stop as little as possible and keep your turns super wide. Auto Trans is always better for sand since you get much less bucking.

I decent size board is also a nice thing to have as you can it for traction like the rug. Don’t forget a good towrope. The longer the better.

If you have to air down just remember you do have 33” on there, these are wide meats weather you air them down or not.

You could go down to 25 and still drive a ways on the road without a problem. Those portable pumps are ok if you have the time. I have one but I only use it to get my PSI up to acceptable highway level.

Good Luck

[H3 Hummer]

slow and steady is the key. Good point. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif


Once you get down to the water it is no problem because it is packed there. Also, dont forget about the tide http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif and get stuck on your own hummer island.

[f5fstop]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H3 Hummer:
hummer island. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sounds like a new fall reality series. Just make sure the censors know it is about a vehicle, and not something else.http://hometown.aol.com/f5fstop01/images/leaving.gif

[oneworld]

Hey thank ye all for the good info, can I ask a stupid question > how do you guys make the faces on your posts do all that cool stuff. Am I just a computer idiot? http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_redface.gif

[entheos]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by oneworld:
Hey thank ye all for the good info, can I ask a stupid question > how do you guys make the faces on your posts do all that cool stuff. Am I just a computer idiot? http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_redface.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You didn't even wait for the really stupid answers! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Not all sand is the same (as some have alluded to above). If it has an even distribution of particles (usually the result of glacial action) it will pack well. Littoral (Beach) and river sand is typically more sorted and does not pack well, though moisture allows it to pack a little due to capillary action, too much can result in quicksand. Tires with less pressure actually roll easier in loose materials, so your mileage will improve (from 14 to 15 mpg). http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Moral: Have a seive analysis on the sand to tell exactly the nature of the sand and fill the tires accordingly. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Really this "info" is necessary only for non-Hummers, Hummers can go through anything! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif