Page 25 - Jeep Jamboree Ultimate Guide To Safe Common Sense Off-Roading

SAND

PREPARING FOR SAND
The most important aspect of driving on sand is your tire’s flotation.
The more tread you have touching the sand, the better. You will need
to air down your tires to some extent in order in increase your tire’s
footprint.

There is quite a bit of strategy when it comes to driving in sand. Air
pressure, momentum and throttle application are the fundamentals
that will ultimately keep you moving.

Soft, loose sand robs the power and traction from your 4X4 vehicle. So
it’s imperative to keep steady forward momentum to lessen the chance
of getting stuck. There are so many variations of sand out there that it’s always a good idea to check out
the area by foot. If your feet become completely submerged, imagine how much your half-ton rig will
sink. Regardless, if you do plan to drive on sand you should always remember the following:

• Once your vehicle is in motion, keep your vehicle at the highest comfortable gear to maintain
momentum.

• If you do need to stop while still in the sand, it’s important to park your vehicle in a spot where you can
easily gain momentum, such as a slight downhill slope.

• Avoid sharp, sudden turns. These may cause your tires to dig deep into the sand.

• If you are unable to move forward, DO NOT apply more throttle. This will only worsen the situation by
causing your tires to dig down deeper into the sand.

• If you lose momentum, try to back up your rig gently. If your tires start to spin, stop immediately. You’ll
need your shovel, a tow strap, or a winch. You may have to dig out around the wheels. If there’s water
near, wet the sand in front of the tires to provide firmer terrain to grab onto. You can even place your
vehicle’s floor mats under the tires for traction.

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