My favourite past-time is ‘beach driving’. Aussies have to be the luckiest people on the planet. You could spend a lifetime doing just a one-lap tour of our country’s coastline. And that wouldn’t include a peek at the more than 7,600,000 square kilometres in the middle!
Here are some things I have learnt along the way. If you think of more, please let me know.Starting with your vehicle….
The make, model and age of your 4WD are not nearly as important as its reliability and safety.
Remember that soft sand usually places much greater loads on your vehicle’s engine transmission and driveline; due to the greater rolling resistance.
Minor cooling problems can become major issues when the engine is working hard.
If the engine overheats, the results can be serious and very expensive to repair.
Have your 4WD regularly serviced and inspected by a competent mechanic. Even though it will seem like a waste of money when everything is found to be okay, it is usually far cheaper than the experience of a major and unexpected breakdown.
Load your vehicle evenly. Distribution of the weight carried will assist traction and help the vehicle’s stability.
Before hitting the sand, become very familiar with your 4WDs steering, handling, power (or lack of it!), and the input required to change from 2WD to 4WD, and back again.
Many 4WD owners are not aware that, in some vehicles, drive-train stresses can make changing back to 2WD almost impossible: A situation that is rarely mentioned in the maker’s handbook.
Most 4WDs should not be driven in 4WD on a hard surface, so take to the time to learn about the procedure. An experienced owner, or a well-run 4WD club, would be good places to start.
Follow the rules….
These days, many beaches require the purchase of a permit before you can drive on the sand. If you are not sure if a permit is required, or who issues them, Google “beach permit” and include the name of the beach in the search box. If you forget to get a permit before setting out, there’s a good chance that the closest newsagent or service station will be able to issue one.
The permit will be will be issued subject to some rules and restrictions. Read these before you drive in the permit area. Driving over any sort of vegetation is always a No-Go, and there may be regulations regarding vehicle speed, sand dunes, and where you should travel on the beach.
Remember, doing the wrong thing can result in a hefty fine, tarnish the image of the 4WD community, and result in further restrictions regarding access to remote beaches.
Tyres and pressures….
Beach sand is funny stuff. With sufficient knowledge, and proper preparation, you can have a great time and get far away from the madding crowd. Without the essentials, a fun day – or days – can turn into a nightmare.
Rule No.1: Let some air out of your tyres to increase the ‘footprint’ area. This reduces the weight per square cm and also increases the ‘length’ of the contact area. Contrary to what many people will try to tell you, it is the increase in length, rather than width, which improves a vehicle’s ability to cross soft surfaces.
Follow the rules….
These days, many beaches require the purchase of a permit before you can drive on the sand. If you are not sure if a permit is required, or who issues them, Google “beach permit” and include the name of the beach in the search box. If you forget to get a permit before setting out, there’s a good chance that the closest newsagent or service station will be able to issue one.
The permit will be will be issued subject to some rules and restrictions. Read these before you drive in the permit area. Driving over any sort of vegetation is always a No-Go, and there may be regulations regarding vehicle speed, sand dunes, and where you should travel on the beach.
Remember, doing the wrong thing can result in a hefty fine, tarnish the image of the 4WD community, and result in further restrictions regarding access to remote beaches.
Tyres and pressures….
Beach sand is funny stuff. With sufficient knowledge, and proper preparation, you can have a great time and get far away from the madding crowd. Without the essentials, a fun day – or days – can turn into a nightmare.
Rule No.1: Let some air out of your tyres to increase the ‘footprint’ area. This reduces the weight per square cm and also increases the ‘length’ of the contact area. Contrary to what many people will try to tell you, it is the increase in length, rather than width, which improves a vehicle’s ability to cross soft surfaces.
Take a look at some photos of horse-drawn coaches, or cars sold in the early part of the 20th century. Notice that they are fitted with very tall and skinny wheels. Yet, they were capable of driving on very sandy or extremely muddy roads that (today) we would call ‘tracks’. And just as it does on a snow ski, it is the length of the contact area that makes the difference.
Rule No.2: What is the best pressure for sand? Like most things in life; it all depends. The correct pressure will be the one that allows the vehicle to travel across the surface with the least amount of effort. Generally, 15psi is considered to be the ‘safe’ minimum.
Rule No.2: What is the best pressure for sand? Like most things in life; it all depends. The correct pressure will be the one that allows the vehicle to travel across the surface with the least amount of effort. Generally, 15psi is considered to be the ‘safe’ minimum.
Pressures lower than this may allow the tyre to unseat itself from the rim. While a tyre with a ‘highway’ tread pattern is the favourite for beach work, and one with a ‘mud’ pattern can work like a grave digger, the correct pressures, and right driving technique, are the most important factors.
Rule No.3: Always carry a decent tyre pump. You will not hesitate to let some air out of the tyres, if you know you will be able to pump them up again. Driving on the road, with low tyre pressures, is not wise. You will need to travel slowly to ensure the extra flex in the sidewalls does not overheat the tyres.
Rule No.3: Always carry a decent tyre pump. You will not hesitate to let some air out of the tyres, if you know you will be able to pump them up again. Driving on the road, with low tyre pressures, is not wise. You will need to travel slowly to ensure the extra flex in the sidewalls does not overheat the tyres.
If you plan to drive on sand regularly, buy the best-performing air pump your budget will allow.
Behind the wheel….
Plenty of momentum is essential for most sand driving situations. Choosing a gear that will provide enough power to drive the vehicle forward can be tricky. You will need one that isn’t tall enough to cause the engine to ‘labour’: And a gear that is too ‘low’ could provide so much power that it will cause some of the tyres will dig holes into the sand.
Try to avoid sudden acceleration, sharp turns and hard braking. ‘Smooth’ should be your motto. Where possible, follow existing wheel tracks, as the compacted sand will (generally) provide a firmer base, and put less stress on the vehicle.
Sand dunes can be dangerous. Always drive straight up, or straight down. Trying to negotiate them at an angle, can be a recipe for disaster. Many beach-driving injuries, and deaths, are the result of not knowing how to tackle sand dunes. If you can’t make it to the top, reverse down in your existing tracks.
Be sure you know what is on the other side of a sand dune. The few minutes it will take to get out and check will be well worth it if it turns out that there in someone on the other side, another 4WD is approaching in the opposite direction, or your intended route is impassable.
The general rules of the road apply when driving on sand. Keep to the left (where possible) and use your indicators to signal your intention. Even in daylight, it can pay to have your headlights on to increase ‘awareness’. At night, keep in mind that dips in the sand may not be lit up by your lights, and there could be someone in the area. Obviously, you should never drive between the waters’ edge and a person who is fishing.
Before you park on sand, give some thought to how you will leave. It’s usually best to park with the vehicle facing downhill. This should allow you to take off smoothly and get up to the speed you need. Know your tides. Getting stranded on dry sand, or sinking in salt water, is not fun.
Beach driving can be one of the most enjoyable things you can do in a 4WD. You just have to abide by some rules, be well prepared, learn a few techniques, and be considerate of the environment and other people.
Behind the wheel….
Plenty of momentum is essential for most sand driving situations. Choosing a gear that will provide enough power to drive the vehicle forward can be tricky. You will need one that isn’t tall enough to cause the engine to ‘labour’: And a gear that is too ‘low’ could provide so much power that it will cause some of the tyres will dig holes into the sand.
Try to avoid sudden acceleration, sharp turns and hard braking. ‘Smooth’ should be your motto. Where possible, follow existing wheel tracks, as the compacted sand will (generally) provide a firmer base, and put less stress on the vehicle.
Sand dunes can be dangerous. Always drive straight up, or straight down. Trying to negotiate them at an angle, can be a recipe for disaster. Many beach-driving injuries, and deaths, are the result of not knowing how to tackle sand dunes. If you can’t make it to the top, reverse down in your existing tracks.
Be sure you know what is on the other side of a sand dune. The few minutes it will take to get out and check will be well worth it if it turns out that there in someone on the other side, another 4WD is approaching in the opposite direction, or your intended route is impassable.
The general rules of the road apply when driving on sand. Keep to the left (where possible) and use your indicators to signal your intention. Even in daylight, it can pay to have your headlights on to increase ‘awareness’. At night, keep in mind that dips in the sand may not be lit up by your lights, and there could be someone in the area. Obviously, you should never drive between the waters’ edge and a person who is fishing.
Before you park on sand, give some thought to how you will leave. It’s usually best to park with the vehicle facing downhill. This should allow you to take off smoothly and get up to the speed you need. Know your tides. Getting stranded on dry sand, or sinking in salt water, is not fun.
Beach driving can be one of the most enjoyable things you can do in a 4WD. You just have to abide by some rules, be well prepared, learn a few techniques, and be considerate of the environment and other people.
