Driving in sand

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

IRSmart

I drink and I know things
TOTM Winner
Joined
Jan 1, 2018
Posts
1,786
Reaction score
2,233
Location
Westminster, MD
Ram Year
2018 Power Wagon
Engine
6.4L Hemi
Any PW owners on here beach their wagons? I will be replacing both my Cherokee and my Charger AWD for my Power Wagon shortly. I drive my Jeep on the beach several times a year, so I am very familiar with how to do it. I constantly see trucks with cab mounted campers, so I know weight isn’t an issue where I go per se. but my jeep also weighs almost 3,000 lbs less than a Power Wagon does. I also know not to get cocky and drive easy on the beach. I’ll be replacing the stock Goodyears with likely the same tire in a 35x12.5/17 for the added footprint (and let’s be honest, the added cool factor as well!). But how do these do in beach sand? Is regular 4 high enough, or do you guys go to 4LOW? (I needed 4LOW in my Jeep or else it would SCREAM at 3500 RPMs the whole way down the 12 mile beach). I tried doing a google search to see if anyone else routinely beach drove their Power Wagon, but every time I searched “Power Wagon beach” I came to articles that said “Power Wagon stuck in sand” and that doesn’t instil confidence in me lol.
 

Docpaulo

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2017
Posts
304
Reaction score
74
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 6.4
You need to load up the bed otherwise you could get stuck... the light rear can lose traction...

Bring a shovel and you can always load up the bed if that happens

All depends on how deep into the sand you go.. and how soft it is...

A sand anchor may be a good idea
 
OP
OP
IRSmart

IRSmart

I drink and I know things
TOTM Winner
Joined
Jan 1, 2018
Posts
1,786
Reaction score
2,233
Location
Westminster, MD
Ram Year
2018 Power Wagon
Engine
6.4L Hemi
You need to load up the bed otherwise you could get stuck... the light rear can lose traction...

Bring a shovel and you can always load up the bed if that happens

All depends on how deep into the sand you go.. and how soft it is...

A sand anchor may be a good idea
I always have the proper and required equipment, including a shovel.

Also, someone once told me that your spare tire when combined with a winch can be a very effective sand anchor when buried deep enough given how wide it is. Since I’ll be going to a 35” tire which won’t fit in the spare wheel well, being used as a sand anchor will be just about all that tire is good for anyway.
 

CostaRam

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2016
Posts
349
Reaction score
95
Location
Costa Rica
Ram Year
2011
Engine
5.7 HEMI
Depending on what transfer case the power wagon has, i would not recommend to drive too much on softer sand.
What you would like to have to drive frequently on sand is:
- a full and always locked transfer case (not a AWD type clutch operated transfercase)
- manual shift stick for the 2x4, 4x4, 4x4 low
- (manually) lockable front wheel hubs
- Limited Slip Differential(s) or even better fully lockable rear and front differentials
- wide tires with the ability to lower the pressure without that they slip from the rim
- enough weight on your rear axle, perfect would be 50/50 between front and rear axle

M/T tires are not particularly good on sand as the dig in, sand tires are more than road tires with narrow cuts between the blocks and low
treads.
Good, specialized sand tires are Mickey Thompson Mini MAg or Baja Pro, Michelin XS

I used with good results and in deep, soft sand:
Pirelli Scorpion A/T (old type) Toyo Open Country A/T, Yokohama Geaolandar A/T
On fine grain, hard sand the Firestone Destiantion A/T works fine as well, we use it every day to haul the dive gear to the beach

Chris
 
OP
OP
IRSmart

IRSmart

I drink and I know things
TOTM Winner
Joined
Jan 1, 2018
Posts
1,786
Reaction score
2,233
Location
Westminster, MD
Ram Year
2018 Power Wagon
Engine
6.4L Hemi
The Power Wagon’s 4x4 system is definitely a fully locked 4x4 system with no slippage allowed front to back through the transfer case. However, I do not know how the front and rear differentials act when not locked, if they’re a limited slip or open diff system, so I guess 4LOW with the lockers on may be desirable in that situation. And I’ll have beach gear in the bed, but it will be difficult to even out the weight distribution completely on a 7k lb truck.
 

Chrisy

Military
Joined
Mar 26, 2017
Posts
149
Reaction score
129
Location
Charlottetown PEI Canada
Ram Year
2017
Engine
Hemi 6.4
I live on an island surrounded by various types of Sandy beaches. I own a 2017 PW with "2 offset fuel 18" wheels and 35" MT Baja tires. I have a few hundred pounds in the back of camping and survival gear, as well as winching and townig gear in a decker drawer system. In very dry sand I have used the 4low and locked the front and rear differentials. When I am going to be doing a lot of dry dunes and travelling with my local jeep buddies I have lowered my tire pressure down to 35psi for extreme traction. I haven't got the truck stuck at all yet, either in sand, mud, or four feet of snow. I love this truck!
 
OP
OP
IRSmart

IRSmart

I drink and I know things
TOTM Winner
Joined
Jan 1, 2018
Posts
1,786
Reaction score
2,233
Location
Westminster, MD
Ram Year
2018 Power Wagon
Engine
6.4L Hemi
I live on an island surrounded by various types of Sandy beaches. I own a 2017 PW with "2 offset fuel 18" wheels and 35" MT Baja tires. I have a few hundred pounds in the back of camping and survival gear, as well as winching and townig gear in a decker drawer system. In very dry sand I have used the 4low and locked the front and rear differentials. When I am going to be doing a lot of dry dunes and travelling with my local jeep buddies I have lowered my tire pressure down to 35psi for extreme traction. I haven't got the truck stuck at all yet, either in sand, mud, or four feet of snow. I love this truck!
would you recommend going lower than 35 psi? the owner's manual says to go down no lower than 15 which sounds like a disaster for a vehicle of this size. i was thinking no lower than 20. and it seems that these have a limited slip rear, but locking seems to be more beneficial. i was thinking locking just the rear so that when i turn, the fronts won't be digging in as much as they will still allow for differential wheel spin. thoughts?
 

CostaRam

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2016
Posts
349
Reaction score
95
Location
Costa Rica
Ram Year
2011
Engine
5.7 HEMI
Differentals ar your friend on non slippery grounds but your enemy when slippery

Your truck probably brake the spinning wheel to transfer torque to the non spinning wheel (the non power wagon 1500 do that)
Not a very good system but it doeas the trick and is a cheap add-on for the manuafcturers.

Before you spend thousands in installing 4x4 related things you may try your truck in the sand to verify how he behaves.

Also, it seems that the Power Wagon has all the necessary stuff and a BW 44-47 transfer case, so you should be fine with good tires.
Here is a video how the 4x realted stuff on the 2017 Power Wagon is working: https://youtu.be/ziwJUY_6Nzk

However, even this version will get stuck, just a matter on how deep and soft the sand is!

Chris
 

Low_Sky

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2015
Posts
374
Reaction score
298
Ram Year
2015
Engine
6.4L
I beach my wagon occasionally. On stock duratracs, I could count on needing to air down to about 30 psi or the axles would hop badly under hard throttle (going up dunes). I’m on 35x12.5” tires now, 40 psi front and 35 psi rear and haven’t had problems with axle hop yet, but I haven’t done many beach miles on these tires either.

Our beaches are a mix of sand, shale and gravel. Mixed sand/shale is the worst.

97041ae8eeca76104037a6667b68f18f.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

RAM DRVR

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2017
Posts
525
Reaction score
644
Location
Mid left coast - Oregon
Ram Year
2023
Engine
CTD
I have lowered the psi to 20 when on the sand with no issues on my old PW. I do stay to the used trail areas and don't venture far from them and don't hammer it too much. I also always go with another (or more) vehicles to be safe............

I've have been stuck once, but it was in my Jeep Wrangler TJ when I stopped on the upside of a big drift and I could get going again.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
IRSmart

IRSmart

I drink and I know things
TOTM Winner
Joined
Jan 1, 2018
Posts
1,786
Reaction score
2,233
Location
Westminster, MD
Ram Year
2018 Power Wagon
Engine
6.4L Hemi
What’s the consensus on lockers? Rears only I am guessing? Or is it overkill, just stick with 4HI and trust the LSD?
 

Docpaulo

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2017
Posts
304
Reaction score
74
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 6.4
What’s the consensus on lockers? Rears only I am guessing? Or is it overkill, just stick with 4HI and trust the LSD?
Play it by ear... every beach is different... and every time on the same beach can be different
 
Joined
Oct 22, 2017
Posts
67
Reaction score
60
Ram Year
2016
Engine
Hemi 6.4
go somewhere "safe" and with friends and PLAN on getting stuck. This gives you an opportunity to learn how to drive in different types of sand, and how to get out.

This way when you get stuck on the trail somewhere/you're just trying to "get somewhere" you will feel more confident and less stressed if you do get stuck.
 

Brakelate

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2013
Posts
1,236
Reaction score
732
Location
South/Central Utah
Ram Year
2018
Engine
6.4 Hemi
I have used my 2013 in A LOT of sand. Both damp, on the lake shore, and in super hot, talcum powder dry terrain in the summer.

This truck LOVES sand. But, technique and experience will get you farther than mechanical aids. Let gravity, and momentum be your friends, a slight incline can make a huge difference.

The True Key, is to AIR DOWN! Anywhere near factory recommended pressures just creates a wheel hopping, jack hammering massive afternoon of frustration. Dropping down to 25 psi transforms the truck into a completely different and massively capable machine.

Due to running alone much of the time in very remote areas, I use the air pressure, low range, lockers, and lastly the winch as increasing levels of a sort of 'Safety Net'.

The 2013, with it's revvy 5.7 and 4.56 gears could get around nicely in 4Hi. When things started to strain too much, 4Lo would get me going. If trying to go into motion from a bad spot, 4-Lo with it 'all locked up' would work. I found that Manually locking the shift lever toggle down, limiting it to 2nd gear was best, providing enough wheel speed, and prevent the truck from upshifting, bogging, losing momentum and then downshifting and starting all over again. Lock it in where it will just use 1st/2nd then use your foot to modulate the throttle to keep it from bogging, or spinning up and hitting the rev limiter when you do break free.

That was with the stock wheels and BFG A/T's. I ran them at around 20 psi all summer, and never had an issue, other than a little wallow and heavy steering at low speeds on pavement. If I were to travel long distances at freeway speeds, or carry heavy loads, I obviously would air up.

I then went with a wider, lower weight rated General Grabber Tire, and they are outstanding flotation tires.

My rule of thumb is, if I am in 4lo, all 'locked up', and can still make more forward distance, than the rate at which I am sinking, I would just stay in the gas, and let the truck work.

Bottom line, DO NOT fear airing down! I haven't ever peeled a tire off a wheel, pinched a sidewall or had any other issues. Plus, with reduced pressures, you get that 'free' extra few inches of suspension travel in the form of sidewall squish, making for an absolute Cadillac ride!

Believe me, stopping to air up is just a very small price to pay when it comes to transforming the performance of your truck in sand. That 20 minutes of airing down and then back up returns ten-fold when it comes to all the time and frustration saved digging, yanking and winching when one is too hard headed to simply bleed some air off.
 
OP
OP
IRSmart

IRSmart

I drink and I know things
TOTM Winner
Joined
Jan 1, 2018
Posts
1,786
Reaction score
2,233
Location
Westminster, MD
Ram Year
2018 Power Wagon
Engine
6.4L Hemi
i've got a lot of beach experience in my Jeep, and I'm not afraid to air down. i would normally take my Cherokee down to 15 psi, but i am afraid to air down the PW that low. Speeds are normally kept at 25 mph or less, so I'm thinking best combination is 25 psi, 4LO with the rear locked to aid in turning. Assateague island has typical beach sand. not that talcum powder type sand you find in desert areas, but it isn't super grainy either. it's mostly straight line driving except for when i turn around at the end of the 12 mile beach. hopefully the extra 3K lbs of the PW help keep the truck cut it's own path in the sand. when i drove my KL on the beach, i could literally take my hands off the wheel and let the ruts in the sand guide my jeep the entire time. it was a bit of a PITA if i had to change "lanes" as the Jeep didn't want to go against the ruts at all.

To aid in my beach driving (which was a driving force behind my desire to upgrade to a pickup once i lost my Jeep) I will be going to a 35x12.5/17 Goodyear Duratrac and I'll have a strap, my spare for a sand anchor if needed, shovel, jack, and my staun tire deflators for when we're waiting in line for the beach entry. after all, a 35" tire at 65 PSI takes a few minutes to air down to 25!
 

Brakelate

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2013
Posts
1,236
Reaction score
732
Location
South/Central Utah
Ram Year
2018
Engine
6.4 Hemi
I REALLY like that the PW's LSD works all the time, while having the selectable locker as well.

I also have a '16 Rubicon Unlimited on 35's, and noted that even with the optional 4:10's , it really wants to run in 4LO in the sand. Our previous Rubcion, on stock rubber, also required use of 4LO, even with it's 3:73's and smaller wheels / tires.

Something else about the lockers; I think running along in the Power Wagon, with the Lockers off, just relying on the LSD seems to produce good results. Running the Lockers, it seems to break through the smooth upper 'Crust' of the sand, and want to sink in. Cruising the PW, 4Hi with just the LSD out back working, it seems to want to stay 'on plane' and float along and not work so hard at just a little bit higher speeds.

You also have to remember that both the Rubicon and Power Wagon have that damned nannie feature that over rides both the locker selections. And although the swaybar disconnect is available in 4Hi in both, the Lockers can only be accessed in 4LO, and even then only when the vehicle speeds are pretty low. Though the Jeeps safeguards give you a little more speed. They intervene, unlocking everything at like 25 in the Jeep, and 19 in the Power Wagon if I recall correctly. That, which too, seems assbackwards.

I just picked up a '2016 PW, so perhaps I can run over this weekend and see how those power plants / gear ratios compare to one another.

Until then, here is a vid of the latest Rubicon in action;
 

Ernie Espinoza

Junior Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2018
Posts
12
Reaction score
14
Location
Bay Area
Ram Year
2018
Engine
6.4
I’m not usually one to write posts….. But I wanted to throw my 2 cents into this topic. I have a 2018 PW stock still with its 33” tires. I took my truck to Pismo Beach in Southern California earlier this August 2018….. one of the quads broke town about a 30 minute drive into the dunes. I aired down to 25 psi on all four and headed out into the sand. This truck kicked ass…. I was extremely surprised how well this heavy monster did on the sand. Now I know how to drive on sand… where to stop and where not to drive into…. But I made it to the quad… loaded it onto the back of the truck and drove it out to our camp site…. Before the quad broke down, I tried driving on 4LO with both lockers engaged. It was a stiff drive and on turns, the truck tends to slow down. On sand momentum is your best friend. So I kept it on 4HI and let the LSD do it’s thing and it was did it well…..
 

Attachments

  • 2018PW.pdf
    1.9 MB · Views: 12
  • PW-Tire.pdf
    527.5 KB · Views: 8

ghost0623

Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2014
Posts
82
Reaction score
22
Location
New York
Ram Year
2015 Ram Power Wagon
Engine
6.4 Hemi
I have 2015 PW w/ stock suspension and tires. As long as you air down and 4hi you shouldn’t have problem. I haven’t got stuck in past 3 years


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
194,926
Posts
2,864,180
Members
155,296
Latest member
VLG6963
Top