Soft/Deep Sand Driving Tips

Just got stuck big time in some soft and deep sand the other week. Was stuck for 6 hours and had to be winched out.

Any tips to keep me out of trouble next time? Also, any upgrades I should do to ride on sand better?

edit: truck is 2023 Tacoma SR on 265/70/17 Goodyear Wrangler MT’s, and I just got some kinetic ropes, shackles, and a set of MaxTrax.

 

Looks like you dug yourself in. When you feel the tires start digging in, stop and do something else. Did you air down? Dropping your tire pressure to 10-15 pounds will help a lot. Of course you'll want to air back up soon after hitting pavement again so you should add a pump to your stuff.

Kinetic ropes and traction boards would have helped, but you need to know how to use them.

If you can have more than one vehicle or a group helps a whole lot. Certainly if they are experienced.

 

Airing down as said above will be the best advantage.
My truck is 2wd and I’ll go most anywhere in sand aired down to 10-12psi. Just gotta drive smart.
Stop pointed down hills, carry momentum, and when starting to get stuck, straighten your wheel if possible. Don’t floor into it like said above. From your picture, that looks exactly like what happened there.

expect to get stuck. Use maxtrax for easy self recovery if not dug in too deep. If you do dig down by accident, use a shovel or the boards themselves to dig out a mellow “ramp” on each tire back to level ground.

you live and learn, and get better every time. I’ve been driving dune and beach sand for about 6 years, and still get stuck once a trip to pismo.

 

10-12 PSI is all you need.


100% stock, I promise. I was just running in 2wd to do some roosters up hills.

 

Was at 15psi, which worked well enough for the beginning section of the beach. Went out on a little adventure, got stuck and floored it. First time, lol (yikes). Lucky enough to live in Hawaii, had 3 cool braddahs help me get unstuck but to no avail. Had to wait for the 4th to winch me out. Great experience, learned lots! Got some brand new max trax, kinetic ropes, and an assortment of shackles.

wish me luck next time lol

 

As I said live and learn bro !
Sand is great fun.
Having the recovery equipment to either help your self, or have others help you is very valuable

 

https://youtu.be/0AyaTD6Osf0?si=Y6fPUSRgUmQ9onJ2

Haven’t tried this yet, but I’m sure these guys know everything there is to know about sand.

 

That's pretty impressive, that truck was buried in blow sand (the worst kind).

 

I learned that from Matt's OffRoad Recovery videos! To continue with a subtle biased old white man comment:

"Nice sandals. I wonder if they come in a men's style?"

 

Biggest tip is don't go alone. Especially on the beach. Trucks are prone to getting stuck in our nice powdery sand