Take a stroll on the beach in your 4x4
When we think of the beach we think of it as a place to relax, rest and maybe even get a sun tan. The beach is also a common place where you will see a 4x4 also out for a stroll. Driving on soft sand is not the easiest of things to do but with some preparation and knowledge of safety you can make this a fun and enjoyable experience.
Before you take to the beach make sure your winch [http://arbil4x4.co.uk/category.php?category=20] is working properly as you never know when you may need it and if it has not been properly maintained it will not be of any use if it does not work. Also make sure you have your full recovery tools including shovel.
As soon as the surface becomes softer than a road surface, switch to 4x4 drive. Once you leave the sand remember to turn off the 4x4 drive because if you don't, it will cause unnecessary stress on the driveshaft, gearbox and transfer cases as well as cause unnecessary tyre wear.
Another point to note is to reduce the tyre pressure just before you go onto the sand. By doing this it influences your vehicle performance as the more air you let out, the more tyre will be on the sand, and the better floatation you will get. Some drivers panic and get scared about driving on the soft sand. If this is the case then just drive on the hard sand next to the water. However, you should note soft sand can appear everywhere.
Whilst driving on the sand, keep the speed down and concentrate instead of relaxing whilst driving. Concentration is required because you may begin to drift and you need to be able to come out of it. When the sand goes around the front wheels, the force comes back through the steering wheel which will spin with a big force. Remember not to wrap your thumbs around the steering wheel because this might break you thumbs.
One of the most common mistakes while driving on sand is to use high gear without leaving any reserve. This will most probably caught you stuck in the sand. If you use lower gear, you can respond more quickly. If you're beginning to be stuck, don't keep the power and dig a bigger hole. Try to stop the vehicle and reverse out on a fresh track. If it didn't work and you did get stuck, you'll need another vehicle to get you out. Be prepared for this situation by buying a good set of recovery hooks.
If you got stuck and there is not another vehicle to help you, the first thing to do is to clear the sand away from the front tyres. Use your shovel if you packed one. If you can't drive out, use anything you can to support the vehicle, such as, car mats etc. Drive off slowly only if all four wheels are safe on the firm sand.
Before you take to the beach make sure your winch [http://arbil4x4.co.uk/category.php?category=20] is working properly as you never know when you may need it and if it has not been properly maintained it will not be of any use if it does not work. Also make sure you have your full recovery tools including shovel.
As soon as the surface becomes softer than a road surface, switch to 4x4 drive. Once you leave the sand remember to turn off the 4x4 drive because if you don't, it will cause unnecessary stress on the driveshaft, gearbox and transfer cases as well as cause unnecessary tyre wear.
Another point to note is to reduce the tyre pressure just before you go onto the sand. By doing this it influences your vehicle performance as the more air you let out, the more tyre will be on the sand, and the better floatation you will get. Some drivers panic and get scared about driving on the soft sand. If this is the case then just drive on the hard sand next to the water. However, you should note soft sand can appear everywhere.
Whilst driving on the sand, keep the speed down and concentrate instead of relaxing whilst driving. Concentration is required because you may begin to drift and you need to be able to come out of it. When the sand goes around the front wheels, the force comes back through the steering wheel which will spin with a big force. Remember not to wrap your thumbs around the steering wheel because this might break you thumbs.
One of the most common mistakes while driving on sand is to use high gear without leaving any reserve. This will most probably caught you stuck in the sand. If you use lower gear, you can respond more quickly. If you're beginning to be stuck, don't keep the power and dig a bigger hole. Try to stop the vehicle and reverse out on a fresh track. If it didn't work and you did get stuck, you'll need another vehicle to get you out. Be prepared for this situation by buying a good set of recovery hooks.
If you got stuck and there is not another vehicle to help you, the first thing to do is to clear the sand away from the front tyres. Use your shovel if you packed one. If you can't drive out, use anything you can to support the vehicle, such as, car mats etc. Drive off slowly only if all four wheels are safe on the firm sand.
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