beach driving tips

[brendan_h]

ive got a suzuki sierra. 32s ect and im going on holidays and going to go beach driving on stockton. it will be the first time driving on sand and just after some tips.

what tire preshure should i run at?

ive sprays most parts undernether the car with fish oil (need more)
my only problem with fish oil is that it is sticky, wont the sand stick to it? ive also sprays a little bit on the body can it be washed off/buffed or somthing. is fish oil good enough to stop rust?


thanks

[bogged]

tire pressures - trial and error, but a zook - it aint much of an issue.

Momentum is the key, but not SPEED... just keep going.

see if some dudes from ehre in Shitney can meet up, and give you tips on the day

[RockyF75]

DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE DROP YOUR PRESSURE

thats really the only tip that you need But i'm still amazed at the number of people who just dont get it. BTW, 25psi IS NOT A DROPPED PRESSURE

For a zuke, start at 15, cause its a light car as it is. I've run 8psi without any probs and wouldn't hesitate to drop them as low as 2-4 if I got really stuck.


EDIT: as far as fish oil goes, your supposed to do it a fair bit before you go. I did mine a week or two before going on sand, and as you said, sand stuck everywhere Annoying, but not the end of the world. Wash whole car thoroughly as soon as you get home thats all. And you will get sand everywhere, inside and out.

[bogged]

For a zuke, start at 15, cause its a light car as it is.

yea? That low? 20 patrols I took to Robe, most started at 22, adn ended at 18psi, one to 10psi once bogged.

[RockyF75]

For a zuke, start at 15, cause its a light car as it is.

yea? That low? 20 patrols I took to Robe, most started at 22, adn ended at 18psi, one to 10psi once bogged.

But a trol is heaps heavier, the weights going to make the tires bag better.

Fair enough the zook engines got less weight to drag around, but why strain it if you don't need to? its not exactly a power plant to start with

[brendan_h]

i dont particualy want the sand sticking everywhere lol but i supose worth protecting. will i be able to go in a little bit of water without problems or shouold i just stay away? by washing the car you mean high pressure like them self served high presure wash you can use soap and degreaser ect?

[Yom]

But i'm still amazed at the number of people who just dont get it. BTW, 25psi IS NOT A DROPPED PRESSURE .

Nor do you, it seems.

8psi might be ok for a little light car but if I deflated the dueler at on my gq to 8psi it would look as if i had a flat tyre.

Tyre deflation as bogged posted is entirely trial and error. Differently loaded vehicles with different tyres will be different and respond differently at different tyre pressures.

There'll be people OTHER than just small 4x4 drivers come along and read this thread, it would be helpful if there wasnt misleading information in it.

edit: i was beaten. but my point stands

[RockyF75]

Thats why I said start at 15

8psi is fine for my car, it only weighs around 1500kg.

But its relative anyway. Same tire on different cars should still be/look the same at any psi, its pressure not volume. If you understand what I'm trying to say.

BTW, looking like a flat is the idea. Greater contact patch on the sand. And 8pound in my A/T's looks pretty much flat. Haven't rolled one yet.

[Yom]

i dont particualy want the sand sticking everywhere lol but i supose worth protecting. will i be able to go in a little bit of water without problems or shouold i just stay away? by washing the car you mean high pressure like them self served high presure wash you can use soap and degreaser ect?

You're in quite a pickle.

Avoid the water. Water will spray into places you probably havent fishoiled, and also into places which sand can be easily washed from.

Its an old school suggestion, but drive through some mud before you hit the beach. The mud will provide somewhere for the sand and salt water to stick to - that way you can simply wash off the mud when you get home.

A few old fellas I've met have used this technique for yonks without issues.

[Yom]

Thats why I said start at 15

8psi is fine for my car, it only weighs around 1500kg.

But its relative anyway. Same tire on different cars should still be/look the same at any psi, its pressure not volume. If you understand what I'm trying to say.

BTW, looking like a flat is the idea. Greater contact patch on the sand. And 8pound in my A/T's looks pretty much flat. Haven't rolled one yet.

15psi would roll one of the dueler at's off the rim on my car. The sidewalls are VERY soft. I would not put any confidence in the ability of the bead to hold at 15psi.

So again, not all cars are the same nor are all tyres. Every bit of information i've ever been told or read has always been to start high, and lower them until you get it right.

Generally in the bigger vehicles the first pressure to try is 25psi (most AT tyres on the bigger vehicles will be running anywhere betwen 34 and 42psi on the blacktop). For little cars like the Zooks I would imagine they'd run tyre pressures between 28and 35psi for the blacktop? In which case youd probably start at 20psi and work your way down from there. Of course depending on loading, tyre type, sand conditions (obviously you dont need to deflate as much if its pouring rain and the sand is compacted nicely)

Good discussion.

Cheers

[RockyF75]

Yeah stay the hell away from salt water.

But if it's been raining stockton has some mad fresh water lakes closer to the tree-line. Still going to have some salt in them from the sand, but its minimal compared to driving through seawater. It also helps to wash off the sand

[brendan_h]

thats going to be a bit hard but ill try. will the sand come off easy?

i will start my prssures at 15psi and going from there. also running bf muddys

[Yom]

thats going to be a bit hard but ill try. will the sand come off easy?

i will start my prssures at 15psi and going from there. also running bf muddys

It will all go straight for your eyes, followed by your hair, then your ears and then your armpits. Somehow you'll probably also find it in you pants.

Thats usually where sand and mud ends up before it actually hits the ground when you're cleaning anyway.

[RockyF75]

Thats why I said start at 15

8psi is fine for my car, it only weighs around 1500kg.

But its relative anyway. Same tire on different cars should still be/look the same at any psi, its pressure not volume. If you understand what I'm trying to say.

BTW, looking like a flat is the idea. Greater contact patch on the sand. And 8pound in my A/T's looks pretty much flat. Haven't rolled one yet.

15psi would roll one of the dueler at's off the rim on my car. The sidewalls are VERY soft. I would not put any confidence in the ability of the bead to hold at 15psi.

So again, not all cars are the same nor are all tyres. Every bit of information i've ever been told or read has always been to start high, and lower them until you get it right.

Generally in the bigger vehicles the first pressure to try is 25psi (most AT tyres on the bigger vehicles will be running anywhere betwen 34 and 42psi on the blacktop).

Good discussion.

Cheers

But think of it.

Say you have two cars, a zuke, and a patrol. Both have the same A/T's. One car weighs twice as much as the other, or almost. So you would say the heavier car should loose less pressure. But I reckon they should have the same.

Cause the "pressure" in the tires will be affected by the weight on top of them. So, if you dropped the zook and the troll's tires down the the same pressure, the zook would actually loose more air in volume, but still show the same pressure - because there's less weight bearing down on the tires. Follow me? I think i lost myself

[brendan_h]

haha ive learn that when i went washed my car after a mud run. more mud on me then the ground

[RockyF75]

thats going to be a bit hard but ill try. will the sand come off easy?

i will start my prssures at 15psi and going from there. also running bf muddys

It will all go straight for your eyes, followed by your hair, then your ears and then your armpits. Somehow you'll probably also find it in you pants.

Thats usually where sand and mud ends up before it actually hits the ground when you're cleaning anyway.

If he's camping on Stockton the sand will already be in his hair, eyes, food, crack, etc etc

Last time I camped on the beach it took about 3 washes to get the sand outta my hair

[brendan_h]

wont be camping just driving. is there a map of stockton? and i herd you need a licence do go on beach how much is it and where from?

[RockyF75]

You'll have to roll yourself down one of the bigger dunes while your there, that will ensure good sand coverage - camping or not

Lavis lane is the road most access the beach from. The big servo at the start of that road sells the permits. Cant remember how much, less than $30 a year or so when i last went.

As far as a map goes. The oceans east, the tree line's west, newcastle is south (full of hom0s) and anna bay is north (full off h0meless people)

[Mark2]

Forget the fishoil on the underbody. Sand will stick everywhere. By all means put it in internal cavities like doors, sills, roof turret etc. I wouldnt bother for a one-off beach trip. Just wash the car properly when you get back. With a Zuk this means pulling the rubber mats and floor bungs then hosing it out. Spend at least half an hour underneath with a hose.


Stay out of salt water. If you have to drive through it, idle through if possible to keep the spray/splash of the underbody.

[mule75]

i start at 12psi and sort it from there depending on how soft it is. in summer when it's dry and soft i normally end up at 8-10 rear 10-12 front on a 75 series cruiser. if it's real bad i'll go a bit lower. beachport(next to robe) is almost our second home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jeeps]

For a zuke, start at 15, cause its a light car as it is. I've run 8psi without any probs and wouldn't hesitate to drop them as low as 2-4 if I got really stuck.

Totally agree. That's why all the experts say to drop your camper trailor pressure 4-8 psi lower than the towing vehicle because the trailor weighs a lot less and the tyre footprints on both the vehicle and trailor should be the same for beach work !

I usually start at about 15/16psi and sometimes go to 12-14psi and the wrangler is a hell of a lot heavier than a zook. Don't be afraid! But just don't corner too hard once you go down around 10-12psi

Also, go for a nice long drive on the driest dustiest dirt road you can find. Once you get a layer of nice dry soil under there the sand won't be as willing to stick to the oil

[zagan]

thats going to be a bit hard but ill try. will the sand come off easy?

i will start my prssures at 15psi and going from there. also running bf muddys

Sand is easy to wash off the 4wd it just takes a few gos to get rid of most of it.

I would suggest using some sort of rust protection, I didn't use any and it takes bugger all time to get the rust happening even with doing it the 1 time + even washing straight after won't stop the rust from happening.

Those eletric rust stoppers might be good if you can fit them first, but not everyone has the $500 to $1000 for them.

The rusting has held me back from going out to the sand, even though driving in sand is great fun.

[grimbo]

In a Sierra 15 psi is almost road pressure I'd be dropping down to around the 10psi mark, but that's just me.

[Dee]

If i was running my 33's on my patrol, yep, 18 psi would get them to bag nicely for some hard wheeling, (ive never NEEDED to go that low though)

On the zuk, I drop them to at LEAST 10 psi when ever doing any hard wheeling (it is my weekend wheeler anyway). Had them at 8 front, 5 rear on the last glasshouse trip.
But for beach driving, I dont even bother.

Sand... been there, done that. Its summer time, and hot weather/dry sand & labouring the engine through it = overheating.
I've even had to stop my diesel GU to cool down once it started heating up on a trip back at high tide.

now I plan my trip around the tides, extended soft sand driving isnt fun. At low tide, apart from the cuttings its like driving on road.
As for cuttings etc, some momentum will get ya there. zuks are so light they tend to float across the top of the sand anyway

[brendan_h]

thanks for the replys. i will be probably going beach about 4-5day in a row. ive sprayed fish oil everywhere so befor i end my holiday ill give it a good wash. anyone know how to get the fish oil off? just degreaser?

[Ben]

With the Wrangler I normally drop them to between 15-18 (only because it does so well on sand), having said that last time I did Robe with some locals we ran 10psi with no issues, just don't corner hard (hell no one should corner hard on sand!).

With the heavy Jeep Grand Cheros on 17inch wheels we dropped them to 20 - 22, but if they got seriously stuck we took them down to 15 with no problem so long as they were sensible.

The key (as has been said) is momentum (not speed). Keep moving, even if it's only a little, no heavy braking, and plan your gearing ahead so you don't have to drop down (I'm talking manuals here), or change quickly as you can bog in. Depending on your gearing a lot of people find high 4 good, I had to go low 4 because I had stock gears and 33s. This time around in March with new gearing I'm sure I'll be in high 4.

Just say away from the water and you'll have a ball!

[HotFourOk]

Yeah stay the hell away from salt water.

But if it's been raining stockton has some mad fresh water lakes closer to the tree-line. Still going to have some salt in them from the sand, but its minimal compared to driving through seawater.

How does sand affect the salt content in the water?

[RockyF75]

Yeah stay the hell away from salt water.

But if it's been raining stockton has some mad fresh water lakes closer to the tree-line. Still going to have some salt in them from the sand, but its minimal compared to driving through seawater.

How does sand affect the salt content in the water?

Get a bit of beach sand, and put it in our mouth. It tastes salty

[HotFourOk]

Yeah stay the hell away from salt water.

But if it's been raining stockton has some mad fresh water lakes closer to the tree-line. Still going to have some salt in them from the sand, but its minimal compared to driving through seawater.

How does sand affect the salt content in the water?

Get a bit of beach sand, and put it in our mouth. It tastes salty

How is there inland fresh water lakes on Fraser (A Sand Island) then?

[j-top paj]

For a zuke, start at 15, cause its a light car as it is.

yea? That low? 20 patrols I took to Robe, most started at 22, adn ended at 18psi, one to 10psi once bogged.

thats because a trol weighs 3 times as much as a zook.
i run my GU on 18 and its fine. i run my paj on 10 and its fine. but the zook needed 16psi or i kept poping beads

BUT it also depends on the type of tyre u run etc...