Yes, you can drive a 2wd vehicle on sand. But all the beaches or desserts can’t beat with a 2WD vehicle. You have to reduce your tire pressure and keep the necessary speed for momentum through out the sand.
But there’s a huge probability of getting stuck your 2wd vehicle on sand than a 4wd vehicle.
So that before you enter your 2wd vehicle to sand, you must know the following things.
Otherwise you will end up causing huge huge troubles.
In this article I am going to talk with you exactly what you should know and thoroughly keep in your mind before hitting sand with your 2wd vehicle.
To clarify the things, I’m going to keep all the things in following order.
Contents
Before entering to the sand
The first thing you should get into your head is, you can’t tackle every sand dune or sand terrain with your 2wd drive vehicle.
It’s impossible. Why am I saying so ?
Because there are sand trails that can’t beat even with a 4wd drive.
If any one try to drive through that kind of trail with a 2wd drive vehicle, that vehicle will be buried down and sit it’s chassis on sand even in seconds.
In that case you have to obey the golden rule of off-roading in any terrain. IDENTIFY YOUR TRAIL FIRST.
So here It’s a privilege to identify the sand track before putting your 2wd vehicle on to a certain trail.
How to get a basic idea that you can drive on relevant sand track or not ?
There are so many sand types out there in different tracks.
Mainly sands in desserts are a whole other story when we are talking on sands on beaches. Even beach sands also differ in various locations.
But the main thing you have to be concerned about before putting your 2wd on sand is, is it possible for your vehicle to get the necessary traction in that sand.
In beaches there are mainly two types of sands. Soft, powdery sands and hard sand.
If you have ever walked on a few beaches you may have experienced what I am talking about right now.
For off-roading with your 2wd vehicle you should avoid these soft sand beaches. They will bog your vehicle down to your axel and trap you in place.
So you should be careful about that and try to choose a track with somewhat hard sand.
To get an idea about the sand type first you can take a walk along the beach for a while before putting your vehicle.
You can watch other vehicles riding on the sand to get the basic idea.
When you walk on the sand, if you feel more resistance, boggy and it’s hard to walk, never ever put your 2wd on that sand.
If it’s hard to even walk, your vehicle will never make it.
If the sand is tight enough and you feel like you can drive through it. oh yes! then you can go to the next step.
What are the accessories you should bring for sand off-roading ?
I had talked about the accessories, techniques and all the things you should need to know in depth in my “sand off-roading for beginners” article. I’ll put the link of that guide at the end of this article.
As a quick recap I’ll put the main things again in here.
- You may need some traction aids like maxtrax recovery tracks
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- A shovel (with long handle will useful)
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- Snatch straps and D shackles
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At least those things should keep with you before hitting sand with your 2wd vehicle for your safety.
Another thing is you are going to drive a 2wd vehicle on sand. So there’s a huge probability of bogging down you on sand.
So preparation is most important.
Most important advice from me is don’t go alone with your 2wd vehicle. Try to go with another 4wd vehicle. In a case of stuck it will be necessary for your support.
Otherwise if things seriously gone wrong and stuck, you may be unable to take your vehicle out until you could find another recovery vehicle.
Because recovery aids are also able to support within their limits.
How to tackle sand with your 2wd drive ?
Traction is the king in sand driving. Try to Keep necessary steady momentum throughout the sand, but be cautious about your speed and surroundings.
On the beach there may be people and kids out there.
Reduce tire pressure. It will reduce bogging down and give more traction to your wheels. After reducing tire pressure you have to re-inflate tires before hitting tarmac road. Otherwise your tires will damage.
You can read my “best portable air compressor” article to get a better idea about portable air compressors if you don’t have one.
Engage differential lockers, if your vehicle has them. It will allow your both drive wheels to spin at the same speed keeping you moving on sand smoothly.
Non- aggressive tread pattern tires will also help you to tackle sand efficiently.
When airing down make sure to do it considering your tire type. Because normal tires with thin side walls may not work well for more airing downs. So do it according to your tire type.
Normally we reduce tire pressure for about 18 – 16 psi in vehicles which are replaced with suitable off-roading tires.
Before entering any beach or sand trail, check for off-roading on that location is legal.
There are many beaches restricted for off-roading due to various reasons.
Mostly considering the prevention of vegetation and wild life like turtles and so on. So consider that fact and check about those restrictions first.
Bonus Link
There are so many things and techniques you should know for a headache free sand off-roading.
As mentioned above I had talked about all of them including how to recover your vehicle easily, if you stuck on sand in my “beginners guide for sand off-roading”. To Check that click here.
You can go for a cool, fun and risk free 2wd sand off-roading journey, after armed with relevant knowledge.
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Have fun and safe off-roading !!
