Photo: Jonatan Pie / Unsplash
Few experiences in surfing are more satisfying than driving a 4×4 along an empty beach with your mates in search of an uncrowded peak. There are also few things in this world more emasculating than having to ask another man to tow your crippled vehicle out of the sand.
More than anywhere else, the lure of beach driving in Australia tends to strip more and more adventurers of their vehicles. Underlying and changeable hazards are aplenty wherever you go and no matter how experienced or well equipped you think you are, the battle between Mother Nature and The Machine can be a real bitch. So to ensure no one finds themselves in that oh-so-awkward situation again, here are a few tips compiled exclusively by surfers, for surfers.
Be Prepared
First and foremost, 4WD expertise is a must. Knowing which gear to use and when, the correct use of momentum, and changing tire pressure are just a few skills to acquire some knowledge in. Get just one of these things wrong and you will struggle. It also pays to carry a tire pump, a shovel (the longer the handle the better), a tow strap/snatch-strap, a jack, max-tracks (or hessian bags/timber to fit under your tires), and additional food and beer for your passengers (and would be rescuers).
Drive with Confidence
Generally, when driving on the beach you want to keep your vehicle in 4WD high range. Try not to accelerate too fast when taking off in the sand as this will make your wheels spin and you will dig yourself in further. Also make sure to keep the front wheels parallel to the track on takeoff, if they are angled they will need to push more sand, which could lead to you getting stuck. Other than that, the best thing you can do is to be confident, and sometimes a little crazy.
Keep the Pressure Low
The most common mistake that will get you stuck on the beach is not lowering the pressure in your tires. PSI is the most important factor in any terrain. If your pressure is too high the vehicle will struggle to move, feel more bumps, and wear out the clutch. On the other hand, setting your PSI too low is unlikely. Driving with 10 PSI will get you through the softest sand you could imagine, but the risk of rolling the tire off the rim is high. Realistically, one would only take it down to 10 PSI if it was the only way to get out of a boggy section or situation.
The following list is an approximant recommendation for tire PSI:
-General well used sand tracks: 20-25
-Beach sand and soft sand tracks: 13-18
-Driving on sand dunes: 13-18
-Emergency recovery: 6-10
Stay on Track
Another common mistake is trying to make your own tracks in the sand. While carving your own lines on the beach can be quite liberating, it is also fraught with danger. Ideally, you want to drive in the tracks that are already there, as the sand has already been consolidated and packed in. For the same reason, it also helps to drive as close to the water as possible (this usually being the hardest part of the beach) while at the same time try to avoid getting too wet. You don’t want to get saltwater underneath your vehicle as it will rust.
Start Digging
First off, it’s important to realize you are bogged early on. There is no point in spinning your wheels. This just digs you in further and makes any recovery effort more difficult. Second, don’t panic. Stay calm and take your time. Reduce your tire pressure even more than you already have. Remember that the more you reduce your tire pressure the more your vehicle will “float” on the sand. Try to reverse out. The tracks you used to drive in are often solid enough for you to drive out on as well. Slowly drive backward and forward over the same track. This compacts the sand and hopefully allows you to drive out.
Still bogged? Can you flag down another driver? If not, don’t give up, just do it all over again.
Remember, before attempting to drive on the beach or any other tracks of a dubious condition beyond the capability of your vehicle and/or its recovery gear, just check your insurance policy.
