Driving a stock Tundra in sand.

Has anyone done it? How much did you deflate if any?

I will be in a few areas this summer with either lake sand or ocean sand and didnt want to do something I should'nt have.

Thanks

 

Definitely air down and hopefully you’re 4x4. I’d say around 15psi…

 

Indeed.

 

It'd be wise to have recovery gear with you as well in case you're in a situation where you lose traction. Once you start spinning, don't let her eat. Also, a way to air up your tires as soon as your off the sand will help so you're not driving far on pavement at 15psi.

 

If you're on the beach, stick to the wet sand, and don't leave your truck idling.

If you're in the desert, definitely air down

 

What does the idling do?

 

I do this almost every weekend in the summer. Air down to 20psi, 4-hi, and you'll be fine.

 

The truck vibrates enough to dig you into the sand. In the desert you have all the time in the world to dig yourself out. On the beach you have until the tide comes in or you lose your truck. I've seen lots of guys lose their trucks because they were idling at low tide and didn't notice their truck sink up to the axles in the sand. The tide will free the truck from the sand and then suck it out into the ocean. All you can do at that point is try to anchor it so you can at least get an insurance claim.

 

That would be a bad day.

Thanks!

 

I got all the recovery stuff I need for our trip to the Outer Banks including: a set of traction mats, portable air compressor, recovery hook/strap setup and I will be trying out driving in sand in Conneaut Ohio at their beach. Inflating and deflating the tires will be a PITA if we go into town too often as it will be an 8 mile drive on the beach until you hit cement again, so I don't plan on too much of that. I've buried my truck up to the rockers in a wet muddy cornfield one morning at about 05:00 goose hunting. Took the big John Deer to get me out. Not fun.

 

All these years and I had no idea there was sand to drive on in Conneaut.

When I had a 14 Tacoma, I drove out on the beach in outer banks and it was easy. I didn't air down (I was naive) and I never had an issue if I stayed in the tracks that are already there.

 

Interesting, I hadn't thought of that!

 

When we go down to OBX we usually air down to 18 psi. Ease the throttle and no hard braking. The tundra does great in sand.

 

Someone linked the Deadman a while back. I've never used one but the videos make it look like a must have for any recovery kit.

 

Not stock, but I had my '07 on the Oregon sand dunes last weekend. 275/70 AT's aired down to 17psi. 4hi and turned the nannies off. She ripped!

Even got to pull a buddies RZR Pro R out of a nasty spot.

 

I feel like sand isn’t that much trouble. I’ve lived near a beach for years going 4-5 days a week for miles at a time running stock air pressure and 2wd. Never had an issue just driving around in my Mazda B2500.

I’ve seen threads on TW about this also over years and I just don’t think it’s an issue. I get better precautions but don’t feel much action is needed.

is it just me? Granted I’m just driving, not going up in dunes or anything

even gone in my Tacoma and didn’t see an issue

 

Also s4 keeps the trans temps happier.

 

This is like a nightmare I have sometimes.

 

Due to the insane amount of people at my usual beach hotspots on Memorial Day weekend, I'm taking the fam to the National Seashore where it's 4WD ONLY. Won't be nearly as packed.

I have an air compressor, shovel, and my spare to use as an anchor with the winch (if necessary). Last time I went down there I didn't need any recovery gear whatsoever but best to have and not need than the other way around.

 

I never had any issues in my 04 Tacoma. Only needed 4x4 to get on and off the beach as the access point was pretty gnarly. I never aired down, and never had any issues. I never did any of the dunes or anything silly though. Lots of guys broke their trucks fucking around like that. I was just cruising for shellfish