I have driven for miles and miles on the beach sand out on Chappaquiddick Revervation on Martha's Vineyard. This reservation requires a special $$$ oversand permit. Sand driving just takes a little getting used to.
At the ranger gate, they tell you to air down to 15 psi and you will have no issues. This worked fine on my jeep. Previoulsy also drove my ford expedition on the beach without and air guage but it felt a little sketchy, like it was digging in with the small over inflated tires. At Chappy I watched a land rover freelander not heed the rangers advice to air down and quickly get stuck up to the axles. The ranger came over in his F350, told him to let the psi down to 15 and he was able to drive the Freelander out of the ruts with the help of his friends pushing him out. :cry:
Stay above the waterline where the tide washes in if you don't want to get stuck- it depends on the conditions and density of the beach, in New England this turns out to be good advice. On the beach, there are usually tracks made in the sand by previous vehicles, in the TJ, you can just get in the track and go for miles in 4WD high or low with out even needing to steer the jeep. The only issue is when you approach another vehicle, someone has to be polite and turn out of the track so the other vehicle can pass. Starting, stopping and turning on the beach takes some getting used to, but you get the feel for it pretty quickly. I also heard you can break a tie rod end if you are two forceful with your steering manuvers in and out of the tracks.
Bottomline- If you air down and stay above the waterline, it's pretty hard to get stuck in a jeep on the beach!
Ciao!
Ted
