Date:         Thu, 21 Feb 2013 16:37:54 -0500
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: 2WD Beach Driving
Comments: To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAHTkEuJnMVGeERjXkk5rejdemH-2BWhy7czuSTx02C+iFzwQCQ@mail.g
              mail.com>
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At 03:09 PM 2/21/2013, Don Hanson wrote:
>   Driving a 2wd Vanagon in the sand would take some skill and finesse.  If
>you are a knowledgable sand driver, you shouldn't have too many
>problems...unless you make a mistake..

Things I learned in the minor amount of beach driving I did in New
England (medium-fine quartz and ground shell sand mostly):

Don't have 185 tires on.  Be prepared to air down if needed.

Bring a spade and some sort of traction mats, carpet or whatever.

Stay on damp sand if possible as it's much firmer.  Of course this
means that if you *do* get stuck you're going to be dealing with
water at some point.

Keep your speed up.  It takes time for the sand to flow sideways from
under your tires.

Do not make sharp steering movements.  Every degree the front wheels
are turned reduces the force tending to rotate them and increases the
force tending to make them plow through the sand.

Beware of  even small piles of seaweed, grass and other wrack that
can pile up in front of your front tires, making a little portable
hill that they can't climb over.  Once they stop turning, your're toast.

Yours
David

Do