Sand driving - manual says 'avoid reducing tire pressures'

[bobvance2005]

Everyone who routinely drives in deep sand says it's critical to reduce tire pressures significantly to reliably not get stuck. But the manual on my 2021 FX4 says "When driving over sand...avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower gear and drive steadily through the terrain".

Why is Ford, apparently, against reducing tire pressures for sand driving?

 

[Fastcar]

Everyone who routinely drives in deep sand says it's critical to reduce tire pressures significantly to reliably not get stuck. But the manual on my 2021 FX4 says "When driving over sand...avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower gear and drive steadily through the terrain".

Why is Ford, apparently, against reducing tire pressures for sand driving?

Because most will air down too much and lose the bead. Without bead lockers I wouldn't less than 17 pounds with stock tires and then gently drive out without making sharp turns.

 

[bobvance2005]

Because most will air down too much and lose the bead. Without bead lockers I wouldn't less than 17 pounds with stock tires and then gently drive out without making sharp turns.

Yeah, I get that, but was also wondering if Ford is maybe worried about overheating the elsd (I've seen a few threads on that happening) - not sure if low tire pressures would even cause more stress on the diff, though...just a thought

 

[p38fln]

Yeah, I get that, but was also wondering if Ford is maybe worried about overheating the elsd (I've seen a few threads on that happening) - not sure if low tire pressures would even cause more stress on the diff, though...just a thought

No, if Ford was worried about that the manual would say never to do it, not to avoid it.

 

[scottdm]

Depends on how fine/dry the sand is. When I drive in the Outer Banks of North Carolina I typically air down to 20 psi or so. The sand is very fine and there are deep ruts. If you're driving closer to the surf on hard packed wet sand, you may be fine without airing down.

 

[Fastcar]

Yeah, I get that, but was also wondering if Ford is maybe worried about overheating the elsd (I've seen a few threads on that happening) - not sure if low tire pressures would even cause more stress on the diff, though...just a thought

I wouldn't think that would be an issue.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Everyone who routinely drives in deep sand says it's critical to reduce tire pressures significantly to reliably not get stuck. But the manual on my 2021 FX4 says "When driving over sand...avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower gear and drive steadily through the terrain".

Why is Ford, apparently, against reducing tire pressures for sand driving?

I would suspect there is a safety-related reason.

Have you driven on sand and followed the advice in the owner’s manual?

 

[Squark]

The first time I drove on the Outer Banks I followed the manual and did not air down. I drove into soft sand and quickly got stuck. A local dug me out, had me air down to 15psi, and I never got stuck again. I agree with scottdm above. If it's hard-packed wet sand, it's probably fine. But deep, fine sand requires low tire pressure.

 

[bobvance2005]

Depends on how fine/dry the sand is. When I drive in the Outer Banks of North Carolina I typically air down to 20 psi or so. The sand is very fine and there are deep ruts. If you're driving closer to the surf on hard packed wet sand, you may be fine without airing down.

OBX is where I will be doing some sand driving (haven't yet). Been watching some videos, and yeah, everyone says 15-20psi, if not lower.

 

[bobvance2005]

The first time I drove on the Outer Banks I followed the manual and did not air down. I drove into soft sand and quickly got stuck. A local dug me out, had me air down to 15psi, and I never got stuck again. I agree with scottdm above. If it's hard-packed wet sand, it's probably fine. But deep, fine sand requires low tire pressure.

Yeah... The manual seems like bad advice. Or at least, it should specify "packed sand" or whatever.

 

[Trainmaster]

I've spent many years driving on Long Island beaches, which are generally rutted fine sand. It's pretty hard to get stuck with 12 - 20 lbs of air in your tires. If you don't reduce the pressure in fine sand, you WILL get stuck. I promise. You don't think people buy $300 compressors because they like playing with their tires in the dark, do you?

 

[Deadman]

Its probably because most don't have a compressor on hand, so when they get back on the road, they drive with them at low pressure at highway speeds......

 

[Tmg115]

Ford will never say to air down your tires due to safety. Most people have no clue what they are doing off road. Most people will pop the bead or not air their tires back up when they are done. That's why Ford will never say lower your tire pressure. They don't want another Firestone issue again.

 

[Fastcar]

Yeah... The manual seems like bad advice. Or at least, it should specify "packed sand" or whatever.

I'm thinking that to protect folks who have no clue or experience they write the way they do.

 

[Fastcar]

Its probably because most don't have a compressor on hand, so when they get back on the road, they drive with them at low pressure at highway speeds......

I remember before you could go on the sand at a couple of beach's on Cape Cod you had to have a air tank, shovel, jack and a hunk of 2X12 to go under the jack. They checked for all of it before you entered.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Are you aware of Ford’s history with under-inflated tires?

 

[NukeLife]

Guaranteed it’s because people try driving back to a gas station to air them back up.

VIAIR portable compressor. Best $200 I’ve spent on my truck.
But make sure you grab it by that handle . That sucker gets HOT

 

[bobvance2005]

Are you aware of Ford’s history with under-inflated tires?

lol, fair

 

[bobvance2005]

Guaranteed it’s because people try driving back to a gas station to air them back up.

VIAIR portable compressor. Best $200 I’ve spent on my truck.
But make sure you grab it by that handle . That sucker gets HOT

View attachment 70561View attachment 70562

This has been in my amazon cart for a few weeks now

 

[Mack444]

Sorry to revive an old one. Wondering about sand driving since we are headed to Oregon next week where I can go out on the beach. It will be the first time in the Timberline, last time was in my Excursion. If I air down to 20 to get through some of the soft stuff, how long on the road is ok to drive and below what speed? Nearest gas station is nearly 10 miles from the beach spot. Thanks for advice on this.