I have plans to go camping and 4 wheelin this spring at Pismo Beach. My question is how well will M/T tires perform aired down in the sand dunes?
Haven't been there in 20 years, but last time I aired down the tires with marginal results. I remember seeing some jeeps with paddle tires but this won't work since I will be towing the Rubi ( if I get it by then ) behind a motorhome. Are A/T tires better in deep sand? With the 40:1 tranfer case will I have to stay in high or will I bury myself in the sand with low range? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

Not sure about Pismo, but I wheel frequently in OBX sugar sand (some of the softest, deepest sand known to man!! haha). I run Mickey Thompson MTZ 31s on my Cherokee and aired down to 18-22psi keeps me afloat just fine. Of course, ATs will fair much better and you'll have less of a chance of digging in BUT if you already have MTs, you should be fine. The only time you should need the low-range (especially if you've got a 4:1) is if you do indeed dig in. Best bet id keep it in 4HI. You'll be less likely to get yourself into trouble and will get momentum a bit easier.

 

This is on a Offroad park - sand pretty wet; mtrs on the rubi at 16 PSI - gear on 4 lo - trying to pull out another stuck rig.... it just went down instead of backwards.


It totally depends on the sand's conditions but I'd say on the beach, as long as you are aired down to about 18 or less you should be good and 4HI should be used.

 

Thanks for the reply and the info. I thought that high range would be better.
Pismo has a sand highway ( main trail w/ harder packed sand ) to get back to the dunes. The competition hill climb is soft windblown sand. Last time I was there had to take a 1/4 mile head start to get up the hill in 4 high. ( F250 )
Forget cruisin' over the dunes as I might have sunk never to heard from again.

 

You'll be fine. Just bring a shovel and something to stick under the tires incase you get stuck. If you've got a winch, just bury your spare tire as in anchor point.

 

Hahaha... nice! I know it may sound like an 'ass' thing to do, but I don't pull ANYONE out in the sand unless I'm already floatin. It all depends on how the sand feels. I've been through different tires and some work much better than others BUT if I'm already having issues, I won't offer help to anyone.

 

I run mostly sand dunes. For me, the MTs have always been great. From MT/Rs, Swampers, and Claws, I have always gotten great results. Don't be afraid to air way down. On my TJ I use to run 4 psi, on my Z71 I ran 10 psi. It is all about airing down until you see a fair bit of flex. The guys who can't make the hill just need to air down some more.

 

A little off topic, but responding to the help NOBODY guy. You should always do whatever you can to help a fellow jeeper. You never know when it could be you that is in need of that help. Having a .... unwilling to offer a helping hand for fear of getting dirty or whatever is ridiculous, selfish and unacceptable. If you're stuck in sand, let more air out until you can drive out. Going down to 2-3 psi in an emergency is fine as long as you air up before continuing on. On a jeep, 4-6 psi is not a problem for cruising the dunes. Just remember to not turn your wheels sharp at speed to avoid rolling the tire off the rim at such low pressures. Again, lower pressures are OK in emergency to get out of a stuck as long as you air them back up before you get back on any hard pack surface or gain any real speed. You would be amazed the difference in traction between 10psi and 5psi.

 

It is all about tire pressure. I run in some pretty soft stuff, and I never get stuck just driving around. The only time I would get stuck would be when I get high centered on the top of a hill. At that point a friend in need is a friend indeed.

 

I know it sounded bad... but trust me> there are places I have been where you cannot stop PERIOD. Some of the sand on the islands is knee deep sugar and you will sink QUICK. I never said I'd hang em out to dry... I'd definately ask if they wanted to get someone out there with an extraction towtruck. Some spots are just so soft... airing down makes little difference. If I can't find firm ground within my ropes reach, there's no use trying as then 'everyone' will be stuck. The towtrucks in the Banx have HUGE pto winches with thousands of feet of line. They can sit on bridging blocks or railroad ties and tow someone to safety. Unfortunately, it's gonna cost the stuck driver $75+. If I feel comfortable that I'm not already diggin in, I have no problem lowering pressure and lending a hand. People already know this when going out to the remote beaches. You've either gotta be running a purpose built rig (and get ridiculed on every Jeep forum out there for running 17.50 wide tires) or expect to get stuck. I've paid that $75+ ( actually $135 cause it took 2 towtrucks) so I've felt the pain!