I started one of these for snow, and I think we compiled some really great advice for everyone from our frequent snow jeepers.

Now let's hear about sand and beaches.
I will be working across the street from the coast, and will probably end up on sand eventually, but I figured there are others out there that could use a few pointers as well.

 

First is low tire pressure, probably somewhere between 10 and 15 psi.

Gear selection is important, too low a gear will dig, but you need enough power to keep the wheel speed up. I haven't driven my JK in the sand yet, but I usually end up with 2nd gear low range with automatics.


Simple things..
Never park aimed uphill, when possible park aimed downhill to gravity can be your friends.

NEVER EVER turn your wheels while parked, you want to start out in a straight line, turning your tires makes a ramp that you have to push out of the way, in soft sand that means you will probably get stuck.

What experience teaches...

Starting out in soft sand can be a little tricky, you will start to spin, too much gas digs a hole, but if you stop you are stuck, so you have to learn when to back off a little, and when to trust that the wheel spin will push you forward and not dig you in a hole.

And finally, put it in 4wd and air down before you get stuck. I've seen lots of 4x4s stuck because they only shifted into 4wd, or waited until they were stuck to air down. Over kill is better.

Tom

 

my tip, 4lo and hammer down

 

how will my KM2s handle in sand? anyone know?

 

Completely turn off your traction control that damn thing kept engaging the brakes on me in 4 hi even with the button pushed. It was soft sand but I'll be damned if it didnt suck that way. Turned off the ESP and viola night and day.

 

Air down more with the KM2s or any M/Ts since the side wall is stiffer. I drop mine to about 5-10psi

 

air pressure, momentum and 4-low. Sand can be really stressful on components. Hard on clutches and trans temps if you are running in 4-hi or a high gear.

 

With my rubi i play in the sand a couple of time a year and the dunes in michigan.

I now air down the stock tires at about 8 psi and i can run in high all day long anywhere i go.

i have run as low as 6 psi and i can almost crawl anywhere i want to go.

 

Get a high lift jack with an extra wide base, a pair of sand ladders, a shovel and good winch and a sand anchor so you can self extract. Air your tires down, and keep moving, in the ruts if possible. Don't park too close to the water, or you could wind up part of the beach permanently.

 

I run down to the end of Padre Island Nat. Seashore quite a bit (60 miles of unmaintained beaches and deep sand) and so far I've not gotten stuck...yet.

Heres what I do: Air down before leaving the pavement. I run in 4 low. momentum is your best friend in sand, the more you can carry and maintain your momentum, the better. In deep beach sand, theres a lot of places where if you stop, youre stuck. Its a little like our east tex mud.

As stated before, stay away from the water line. Watch your tracks behind you, if there's water pooling in them, you're too close. Check the tide times before you go, and if you stop to take the kids beach combing, or whatever, keep an eye on the time and the tides. Many prople have lost their rigs because they didn't pay attention and high tide claimed them.

I also carry with me a few items that have come in handy when helping other folks (and probably myself someday) get unstuck.

A sand anchor, as theres nothing out there to hook your winch to.

Four 2x10 boards cut about 3 ft long. these work very well when placed in front of the tires that have dug themselves into the sand. they also make a good base for the hi-lift.

A tire plug kit, there can be a lot of sharp debris on these beaches.

A D-handle round point shovel

Normal winch bag, Straps, shackels, etc.

I also ALWAYS bring a small ice chest/dry box that contains a gallon of drinking water, an extensive first aid kit, four MREs, Sun screen, and various other sundries, just in case. This in addition to the other ice chest I have for cold drinks, sammies and chips, kids snacks.

I guess the point is that self reliance is the name of the game. Cell phone coverage on the southern beaches is spotty at best, and there may not be anyone coming along for a long while, if you do get stuck in the more remote areas of the beaches here.

Also, I always rinse off the jeep afterward. one of those sweeper type lawn sprinklers works well for the underside. (saltwater eats shit, man)

When you guys get down here, give me a shout and we'll get together for a beach run. Do some fishing and BBQ on the beach.