Beaching it

[FourXfouR]

Hey guys,

As I am about to go on a beach holiday I was wondering if anyone had any before and after tips,

eg. Preparation - rust prevention, tools, recovery etc

After - best way to clean, what products to use, is hosing the chassis really enough?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[98lux]

Best thing to do is a beach driving course

[FourXfouR]

I've done plenty of beach driving, just never in my own 4x4, Always used one of my Dads old bombs. We always used to hose underneath and leave it at that.

[Brendan]

You'll probably find some advice about this on the board already but it's a good idea to get some fresh ideas out there. I dont know much but beach work was the first stuff I ever seriously did in my 4WD, and is my favourite. My 2c and stuff i've learned:

Preperation: Hit your grease points up to make sure there's good clean fresh grease everywhere. Make sure you take as a minimum a long-handled shovel, a snatch strap and 2 shackles. If you have one or can swing it get a good quality air compressor. Might be a good idea to flush your radiator before you go as the hard hot work will play havoc on a less-than-ideal cooling system. Take a piece of wood or steel that you can use to jack the car with (sand will just compress under a jack's base).

Go get ahold of those $3 job valve remover tools from SuperCheap Auto. And a spare packet of valves while you're there. Good simple guide to deflating tyres is remove the valve (there's a technique to this without dropping it. Unscrew it until it's almost the whole way out, then place your thumb over the end of the valve remover. the air will 'push' the valve out so just release the pressure on the valve remover slightly and be ready to grab the valve) and count one second for every PSI you want to drop. Run your tyres around 16psi, but don't be scared to run them lower if it's really soft. Just not under 10psi unless you have bead locks, and make sure you resist the temptation to throw rooster tails or take sharp turns at speed because you'll throw a tyre off the bead. if you do manage to throw a bead, don't panic. that's where an air compressor comes in. change the spare and move out of the way of the high-tide mark (in case the water comes in). if you need to re-seat the bead, lubricate the rim with something like soap or the like. hell water will do in a pinch. do the same with the bead of the tyre. now just hit it with the air compressor, move the tyre around until it seats on the bead and no air can escape, then let the air compressor pump it up. make sure you keep your fingers away from the inside of the rim tho, if you've never seen a bead seat (sorry if you have and know this) they will take the tip off your fingers no worries.

if you get bogged dont spin your wheels. clear out the underbelly of the car, make sure diffs, bashplates, spare wheel (if it's under the back of the car), springs etc aren't dug into the sand. Dig a little ramp front and back of each wheel, and do the drive-reverse-drive-reverse shuffle until you start moving out of the bog. just takes practice :)

make sure you check the tides! dont go down the beach on a low tide, drive along the wet sand at the water's edge and get bogged. the water coming in on the tide will guarantee to turn your truck into an artificial reef!

Best way to clean is bucket loads of fresh water. Get under with the garden hose and just go ape (this is where ensuring you have freshly greased grease points comes in handy). Then when ya done if you have one of those long green garden sprinklers park the car over the top of it and turn it on for an hour or so. Might make it grow bigger if you water it ;)

Beach driving is the most fun you can have with your pants one leg on one leg off!

[Brendan]

Ah sorry if you know what ive said already please ignore it:)

[FourXfouR]

Thats awesome advice, thankyou very much for that

I think Im going to invest in a shovel and a set of Staun deflators. I already have a compressor ( I hope its up to the job )

[Troppo]

4130warrior, you gave good advice. I think it is worthwhile having it posted up even if FourXfouR knows it.

I love driving on sand and the beach. My prep includes making sure I have mats covering the carpet to reduce cleaning when I come back. I take extra water to clean the windscreen as saltspray and sand builds up even when it is just parked for camping. Also, extra towels for the seat as someone in the party (often me) will get wet just before I drive back to camp from a fishing spot or something.

Be extra careful with your jack in sand as (a) it can be a bit unsteady even with a base plate and (b) sand getting in it is not a good thing.

All the best with ya trip and don't forget the sunscreen. :)

[Patrolman Pat]

4130 gave great advice. If you park on the beach park facing downhill, much easier to get going again. Coast to a stop rather than hitting the brakes, stops the front digging in. Take a sand/dune flag. Slip Slap Slop. To clean the car hose the underside of the car and if you can put the sprinkler on the lawn and drive over it , or leave it under the car for a while, it'll get rid of lots of sand/salt.

[GQMaverick]

Like patrolman said, use a sprinkler to clean out the underneath. Something high pressure, like a Karcher or similar, just tends to push the sand further up into the cracks and folds under the truck.

And keep the greenies happy, hose it off on the grass!

Oh, people will tell you Fisholine under the Guards etc is a good way to rustproof. It's fine for a day trip. When we go to Fraser for a week, half way through and the Fisholine has been sand blasted off!

Oh, watch out for undulations on the sand too! I don't know how many people I have seen rocketing along the beach at 100kph, come across some "minor" undulations and launch their fourbie into the air! Not a good thing!

On beaches like Double Island, Moreton, Fraser etc, watch out for little kids. They tend not to realise that some of these beaches are the next thing to highways!

[alexlux]

Or German tourists sleeping on the sandy dunes and tracks!

[bravoboy]

You'd be amazed where you will find sand when you come back from a trip. I personally go to carlovers and high pressure every nook and cranny.....spend a decent $20 for a thorough job. Then when i return home use the hose to clean out the chassis rails, start from a hole from one end and hose it for a few minutes....you will see sand and discoloured water coming out of the others holes. Do it until water is clean and if possible hose it through each of the holes, if they are reachable. You can never clean it too much ;D. I hear driving it through freshwater creeks helps too if there are any on your destination, provided they arent too deep ;)

[3F62]

All great advise especially the sprinkler & not the hose, the only thing i could add if it wasn't mentioned is if turning around turn down the beach not up if in softer sand.

Don't forget the BAIT !!!

[Broadys GU]

Patrolman Pat makes a good point with the sand / dune flag. Having lived in WA with the abundance of beach access areas and sand dune areas (Lancelin), a good bright sand flag is essential. I have seen and heard numerous occurences of accidents that just caught people out. Many happen just on the track to the sand. Not saying it won't happen, but it definately reduce the risk.

Tip: Instead of mounting a flag on a dedicated fibreglass pole, put it on top of a taller aerial. 1 pole (aerial) / 1 flag / 1 mount

[crusher]

Go get ahold of those $3 job valve remover tools from SuperCheap Auto. And a spare packet of valves while you're there. Good simple guide to deflating tyres is remove the valve (there's a technique to this without dropping it. Unscrew it until it's almost the whole way out, then place your thumb over the end of the valve remover. the air will 'push' the valve out so just release the pressure on the valve remover slightly and be ready to grab the valve) and count one second for every PSI you want to drop.


IMHO a more simpler option is a set of Staun Deflaters preset to 16psi, don't have to worry about removing anything, just screw em on the stem and leave em

[bad_religion_au]

Go get ahold of those $3 job valve remover tools from SuperCheap Auto. And a spare packet of valves while you're there. Good simple guide to deflating tyres is remove the valve (there's a technique to this without dropping it. Unscrew it until it's almost the whole way out, then place your thumb over the end of the valve remover. the air will 'push' the valve out so just release the pressure on the valve remover slightly and be ready to grab the valve) and count one second for every PSI you want to drop.


IMHO a more simpler option is a set of Staun Deflaters preset to 16psi, don't have to worry about removing anything, just screw em on the stem and leave em


yep makes it simple, just double check your pressures once they click, because some people find they don't always click off at the right time

[Mick.]

Go get ahold of those $3 job valve remover tools from SuperCheap Auto. And a spare packet of valves while you're there. Good simple guide to deflating tyres is remove the valve (there's a technique to this without dropping it. Unscrew it until it's almost the whole way out, then place your thumb over the end of the valve remover. the air will 'push' the valve out so just release the pressure on the valve remover slightly and be ready to grab the valve) and count one second for every PSI you want to drop.


IMHO a more simpler option is a set of Staun Deflaters preset to 16psi, don't have to worry about removing anything, just screw em on the stem and leave em


yep makes it simple, just double check your pressures once they click, because some people find they don't always click off at the right time
That happens to me sometimes. I now have my deflaters set on about 12 psi and when they stop I just let them down to 10 or 8 psi depending on what i'm doing.

Cheers Mick.

[dhula]

What excellant advice.

The only things I can add is take a friend - to snatch you out and share the good times, take your wife and kids - if you have any as they will love the beach, take a camera - for those memories, and take a sence of humor - for when your mate has to snatch you out (he'll get his own back when you snatch him out)

Enjoy and be safe

[hando]

If you are sensible ignore this....

Don't drive like a hooligan and kill someone - So that also means no rides for kiddies on the bullbar and standing in the ute tray with you swerving all over like I see regularly on Blacksmiths beach. That sort of shenanigans will get the beach closed for all and sundry. :P :P :P

[Nitzan_GU]

Don't forget plenty of drinking water and some snacks, if you do get stuck you will soon dehydrate whilst digging yourself out and time seems to vanish so you will probably get hungry too.

Most of all take a sensible attitude and be patient, when you get stuck get out have a drink, take some photos and when your ready, appraise the situation in a calm manner. Never understimate the power of a snatch strap, of course this requires some outside assistance.

Have fun...

[rumpig]

as well as a good dune marker, ie: we take a flag pole that is anchored by four ropes (one in each direction) we take reflective cones that fell into the back of our car whilst going past roadworks once so when you come back to camp at night your camp is easy to find. they can be seen from a fair way down the beach and if you have tried to find your camp in the dark on the beach before you will know what i am talking about. used to spray under 4b with tectol but found that it didn't really dry & just made the sand stick. now use a two part srpay that looks just like a black body paint(can't remember what its called) !st part was like a undercoat, think it was clear from memory than when it dried(didn't take long) you srayed the black paint on. worked a treat and after 2 weeks on fraser was just starting to wear off.

[hando]

Sand driving can be hot hard work for the engine. Keep an eye on your temp gauge and if it gets hot, leave it running (at idle) and get out and have a drink and photos and swim or whatever.

If it gets really bed then you can put the heater on in the cabin. That will suck extra heat away from the engine. Also lift the bonnet for added air ventilation under there. 8)

[Martin]

all excellent advice, however I would caution against removing, or even loosening valves in sand, as the last thing you want is sand in the valve stem.

If you get stuck, always let your tyres down a little more than they were before, even if it is just to drive out. Make sure you remove sand from around tyre sidwalls too, which will reduce drag and improve the ease of getting out.

Unless its really bad, you can usually drive out simply by rocking the car forward and backward with the gears, to compact the sand. this compacted strip will get longer each time, and should allow you to get enough forward momentum to keep going.

One thing you must remember is momentum is your friend, if you feel the sand getting softer or the car slowing, keep the revs up. Gear selection is very important, and in soft deep sand, it is worth being in low range for the extra torque.

One last tip, is the moment your car stops, instead of reving the guts out, or digging yourself in, try reversing in your tracks as far back as you need to until the sand is firmer, then either use a bit more momentum to get you through, or choose another line...

[MudRhino]

I have never gone offroading on the beach before - but I feel after reading this post I will be superman once I do hit sand.

Thanks guys! :)

[converted]

if your doing fraser then do the rainbow beach underbody wash (i have used it for years). dont rely solely on this at will get rid of most of your oil and grease also, great if you you are about to sell the car for a cheap mud clean off too! It costs about $12 but saves at least $20 at carlovers or similar high pressure hose. It runs for about 5 mins, and you drive foward and back to get every possible bit, its the best thing. dont worry about what people say regarding the use of recycled water for these, as i have designed some before and the additives actually strip out the salts in the water.

[stu050]

Oh, watch out for undulations on the sand too! I don't know how many people I have seen rocketing along the beach at 100kph, come across some "minor" undulations and launch their fourbie into the air! Not a good thing!




I was under the impression that there was an 80Km/H speed limit on the beaches?

Stu

[disco_nex]

Gear Selection is important, as I discovered after converting from an auto to manual, keep the engine in the torque range, this will allow the engine to work easier. Though I still wish I had my auto, it does it all for until it overheats!