Driving Through Sand - VSC On on Off?

[trouttouter]

Hey guys. Been reading the forum for sometime and did a few of the mods. I have an '04 2wd V8. I am going hunting this weekend and will be driving through some loose sand. Would it be better to have the VSC on or off, and why?

 

[2003Can4runner]

Definitely OFF. The VSC will cut the throttle and you will lose momentum. You want lots of momentum in sand.

 

[M1911]

Off. How much loose sand are you going to be driving on? On a beach?

When driving on the beach, you really want to lower your tire pressure to about 15 psi. You double the size of your contact patch and are much less likely to dig in and get stuck.

 

[trouttouter]

Thanks guys. I thought that was the case. I am planning on dropping my tire pressure when I get to where I am hunting then airing up before heading back home. I haven't gotten my A/T tires yet, so I'll be taking it easy.

 

[M1911]

Thanks guys. I thought that was the case. I am planning on dropping my tire pressure when I get to where I am hunting then airing up before heading back home. I haven't gotten my A/T tires yet, so I'll be taking it easy.

Actually, on the beach you are probably better off with regular road tires than A/T tires. I take my 2003 V8 4WD 4Runner out on the beach on Martha's Vineyard for two weeks each summer. My summer tires are Michelin CrossTerrains, which are a highway all-season tire. They do just fine and I've never come close to getting stuck.

While driving on the sand, treat it as though you were driving in snow -- do everything gently. Don't hit the gas hard, don't brake suddenly or turn suddenly. If you start to bog down, stop before you dig in, try to back up in your own tracks.

 

[PlanetAlaska-]

I leave the VSC on when I drive on the beach. Never had any problems, but I do have 4WD.

If you hit some dry loose sand, you may have problems in 2WD, and in your case, I would turn VSC off, and try to get as much momentum as safely possible without spinning the wheels. The worst is when you go uphill even on a slight incline (for ex. on your way out of the beach).

For additional safety, I would carry a tow strap.

Also, if you air down (recommended), do you have a portable compressor to re-inflate?

 

[M1911]

For additional safety, I would carry a tow strap.

And shovel and jacking plate.

 

[trouttouter]

Just to clarify I meant push in the "TRAC OFF" button and holding it for 3 seconds. I always carry a tow strap. I've been able to help some people out and it comes in real handy. I have a portable 12v compressor to air back up before getting back on the concrete. It is mostly packed dirt roads where I'll be driving, but there are a few trails that have loose sugar sand over packed dirt. I won't even try the deep sugar until I get my A/T tires. It isn't the beach... Also, thanks for the advice in driving in the sand. I have a '79 CJ7 that handles all of my boat pulling in the sugar sand, so I am right at home at staying out of trouble or getting "unstuck" (i.e. reversing in your tracks, etc.). Thanks!

Here is a pic of my 4Runner in St. George Island with my old Pathfinder 17T.