How to Drive in Sand With 10 Ply Tires

Sand driving is difficult, but not impossible.

10 ply all-terrain tires are useful for driving through snow, sand and mud. The tires have large treads, which are ideal for driving through uneven surfaces. There are many tricks and techniques to driving successfully through sand. It is likely that you will get stuck the first few times you drive in the sand until you learn the techniques for avoiding deep sand. Because of this, it is important to pack all necessary supplies for getting you vehicle out of the sand before making the trip. Always keep a cell phone or radio on hand to call in case of an emergency.

Things You'll Need

• 10 ply all-terrain tires
• Tire pressure gauge
• Tow strap
• Tow hooks
• High lift jack
• Shovel
• Plywood board (the same size as the bottom of the jack)

Instructions

1. Hook a tow hook to the front and back of the car before going out to the sand to drive. The tow hooks are necessary to help pull the car out of deep sand if you get stuck.

2. Pack the car with appropriate tire gear. Make sure to have a two strap, a high lift jack, a shovel and a plywood board on hand to help remove the car from the sand if it gets stuck. A tire pressure gauge is also essential for ensuring the tires have the correct psi (pounds per square inch) for sand driving.

3. Lower the pressure in the tires to 20 psi. This is the best amount of pressure for driving on sand. Lower pressures achieve greater traction on sand than tires with high pressure.

4. Drive slowly on the top of the sand. You never want to sink into the sand if you can avoid it. Make careful stops and starts. Never start or stop the car suddenly, just as if you were driving on ice.

5. Do not stop the car while on the sand. Stopping gives the car a chance to sink. When you do stop, dig out the sand from around the wheels before starting to prevent the tires from digging into the ground even more.

6. Follow the tire tracks of previous vehicles if there are any tracks in the sand. This sand is more compressed and easier to drive on top of than fresh sand. Wet sand is easier to drive on than dry sand.

7. Reverse the car if you feel the wheels starting to sink in the sand. It is better to back out of deep sand than to try to drive through it.

8. Drop the psi of the tires by 12 points if you get stuck in the sand. Use the high lift tire jack stabilized on the board to raise the wheels one at a time. Remove the sand from below the tires with a shovel. Drive the car out of the rut carefully to prevent digging into the sand deeper.

References

• Off Roaders: Sand Driving
• Dirtopia: How to Drive in the Sand