Deep Sand Driving with Dreamland Safari Tours
Off-roading Tips from the Pros!
Find the long-form version of this article on the Dreamland Safari Tours blog.
Deep sand is one of the top terrain traps that you’ll encounter in Southern Utah – particularly if you venture off the pavement to explore those amazing local gems that beckon just beyond the national parks.
Here are some sand driving tricks from the expert off-road guides at Dreamland Safari Tours:
We recommend a high clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle with good off-road tires for sand driving. High clearance means a minimum of 10 inches, and it’s essential that your vehicle have a 4-wheel-drive (4×4) rather than an all-wheel-drive (AWD).
Assuming you have the right vehicle, make sure you are actually in four-wheel drive when you hit the sand – it’s easy to forget. You also need the ability to air down your tires, an understanding of sand driving rules, and a robust safety kit in case you get in trouble far off the pavement without cell signal.
Airing down your tires increases surface area and helps your vehicle “float” instead of digging into the sand. We recommend airing down a minimum of 25% compared to highway pressure. If you feel like your truck is really fighting the sand, you may need to air down more.
Momentum through the sand is essential, but that doesn’t mean you need to drive fast; you just need to keep forward motion. In the right vehicle, with properly deflated tires, you can crawl slowly through sand and even stop in most places. That said, indecision is a key reason why we see vehicles get stuck: don’t go hesitantly into a deep sand patch; make a plan and stick to it.
Speaking of momentum: you may be moving at crawling speed while flooring the gas pedal; that’s okay – as long as you have any forward motion you are not stuck. Once your vehicle has lost all momentum and is no longer moving forward though, you are stuck. At this point you need to get out and fix the problem from the outside. Air down further, dig a trench in front of each tire; crawl under the truck and dig. Only attempt to continue driving once no part of the undercarriage of your truck is touching the sand. If the tires spin but your vehicle does not roll forward, take your foot off the gas immediately so you don’t dig yourself a bigger hole. Repeat the steps above.
Necessary off-road tools. Don’t leave home without them.
Dreamland guides carry an “adventure kit” to address common problems in the field; it includes many tools and a Garmin InReach satellite communicator. If you venture out on your own, you should bring a tire pressure gauge, an air compressor, a shovel, as well as a paper map, first aid kit, extra drinking water, means to start a fire, and sleeping bags in case you get stuck for the night. Or join Dreamland Safari Tours on an amazing, hassle-free adventure far off the pavement in the backcountry of Southern Utah! Call them at 435-334-6933.
