How to Drive 2WD in the Sand Like a Pro | Van Life Tech Tips

Afraid to drive on deep sand because you have a 2WD vehicle? Fear no longer, FEAR NO BEACH! Here are all our van life tech tips and pro driver advice, everything you need to know, do, and get to help you stay on top of the sand ... or to get you out of it if you're stuck! Whether you're a beginner looking to improve your technique or an experienced driver seeking to level up your skills, this video is for you.
Elevate your driving skills, take your 2WD van or truck to the next level. We're sharing pro tips and techniques on how to drive your 2WD on deep sand with confidence and skill. Learn the essential skills you need to navigate beaches and dunes, and become a master of sand driving.
#offroading #2WD #dunes #prodriver #offroader #vanlife #overlanding #offroadadventure #lifeonthemove #chevyexpress #diyvanbuild #travelvlog #travelcouple #slowroamers #globetrotterlife
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[@Beer30247]

If you're next to a body of water always carry a gallon container you can use water to fill around your tires and in front or back where you're driving or backing up The wet sand is perfect traction six or eight buckets of seawater Will fill your trenches and pack that sand down for traction it'll pull you right out in most cases you won't even have to dig the sand just pour the water to the direction that you're headed and fill the hole where your tires are a good 5 gallon bucket works better

[@SlowRoamers]

Yeah! I’ve heard of this method before, I didn’t think of it for the video. However, I’d rate this method a little lower on which methods to use first seeing as you can be in sand way out in the desert, nowhere near the water and wasting valuable drinking water isn’t always the best option, and if you haven’t aired down your tires, it may get you up onto the sand, but one is likely to sink once again shortly after. Aside from that, it’s an excellent method to getting unstuck! Thanks for your input!🙌🏻

[@simon6703]

Here’s my tip. When you come to a stop, or are getting bogged down, do not turn your front wheels. Keep them straight!

[@SlowRoamers]

That’s a good one! Definitely, if you’re taking off and have your wheels cranked, they’re just gonna push that sand. Great tip!🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@TerryManitoba]

That happened to me a week ago. I was on a packed ocean beach track. I decided to turn around. I turned - stopped perpendicular to the track - turned my front tire and proceeded to back up. I Did NOT move. Just turning the front tire bored a hole in the sand creating a small berm to climb over. I stopped the spinning Immediately dug out the berm and I was Gold... Lesson learned. Turn the tires when moving - Not when stopped!!! About a month ago I made an appointment for a week from now to install an ARB locker on my 2WD Transit van.👍

[@SlowRoamers]

Lesson learned and not exactly the hard way! Not bad😁. You’re gonna LOVE that locker.

[@TerryManitoba]

@@SlowRoamers the real lesson was learn when I was in the desert and actually got stuck - got out after a good 1/2 hour of shovelling skills-:) & big rock under the spinning tire got me out. That happened a month ago 👍

[@Bellasafari]

I learned that life lesson! No 3 pt turns in the desert! 🎉

[@G4NoChallenge]

great advice and tips BUT i recommend 2wd vehicle drivers to NOT adventure onto sand as there is a good chance your vehicle will become stuck and a more than likely chance if it is soft sand - in this vid he is talking while his vehicle is on a stony/pebble beach and that provides a whole lot more traction than sand. Also, so many 4x4 drivers get stuck in sand thinking their vehicle can go anywhere! In Europe I wrote two books on 4x4 driving, a ten part series for Off Road magazine, did demo driving for just about all 4x4 manufacturers, trained expedition teams and drove almost countless deserts of the world myself and now tour in my 2wd Mercedes Sprinter campervan - but keep away from sand!

[@formosa41]

I would ad if you're stuck in really soft sand...grab a bucket and dump some ocean water to wet your exit path. It will firm up the sand in the trenches you dug with your shovel. One more tip...don't be the last one to leave the beach. That way you'll always find someone to help pull you out. Ok, last tip...for real. Those kenetic straps are great, but make sure you attach them to really secure locations on both vehicles. Watched a well meaning Excursion launch a motorhome's front bumper through the back window of the Excursion.

[@SlowRoamers]

Great tips, i particularly like the second one. 🤣 I missed one and three unfortunately, but they’re valuable tips. Unless you have a big steel bumper with proper tow points, or using a solid mount, you’re gonna have a lot less than a car hurtling at your rear bumper.

[@septichank4489]

@@SlowRoamers The water trick should possibly be #3 on this video......air down, have the traction, use the bucket and water---a huge help!

[@davidkier259]

Alex is spot on, and this information applies to 4x4 drivers just as much! Anytime I got stuck, the solution has always been to let more air out of the tires! I have never been pulled out, if there was even another vehicle around!

[@SlowRoamers]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 Thanks Dave! 😁

[@Bellasafari]

My issue with airing down is clearance. PRomaster have such LOW clearance! Of course the beach is different, But desert, we are dealing with ruts, berms, rocks…AND sand:) Not sure I want to go for the 3K lift job.

[@SlowRoamers]

@@Bellasafari yeah, that’s certainly a challenge. We’ve seen a fair number of promasters hung up or stuck for just this reason. I’d say in that case, choose your roads accordingly. Airing down will lose you 1-2” of clearance which is a lot for an already low vehicle. However, if you’re on sand or a reasonably well graded gravel road, you won’t need to worry much. We have to straddle deep ruts because our rear differential hangs so low, it’s not ideal and we have tough enough tires to deal with the extra abuse that comes with having a tire hanging off the side of a track comes with. A lot of off-road travel is properly judging a roads surface condition and driving accordingly, that comes with time and practice.

[@Bellasafari]

@@SlowRoamers Yes I saw your low r differential!. I definitely need more recovery gear. I swear every time I am sweating beads on a road I shouldn’t be on, I will NEVER do that again. LOL I have too much Texas grit/grind and bear it in me for that though! Happy travels!

[@davidp6780]

Great video! I had a 71 VW bus for 35 years (drove it to Panama and back twice) and probably 150K miles in Baja minimum. Having a 2 wheel drive to learn about sand is actually a “gift” as you learn how not get stuck further out in a 4 x 4. Very basic and very helpful advice. All the stuff every Beach driving Mexican in Baja knows, and us tourists never get experience with. Thanks señor, DP

[@SlowRoamers]

Thanks David! I often make a similar statement about 2WD. If you get stuck in a 2WD you’re likely in a more recoverable area whereas if you’re stuck in a 4WD you’re likely out far or in deep, making it that much harder to get you out. Thanks for watching!

[@jomicheleseidl2033]

Really good instructional video, and I know a lot of people are very nervous about driving on loose sand. It would be helpful to have you show the best places to attach a tow rope on each vehicle. I remember seeing people attach the chain or tow strap to their bumpers which would then be pulled off or damaged.

[@alistairjackson7658]

Good idea! Agreed, would be very helpful.

[@SlowRoamers]

That definitely would have been a good one to add. Some vehicles don’t even have two points which boggles my mind, I’ve had to crawl under a Ford Escape and attach a tow strap to an engine cross member to get enough purchase to pull.

[@alistairjackson7658]

@@SlowRoamers 🙄

[@wahlet]

After getting stuck the first time I drove my van on a Baja beach, I got motivated to learn how to do it right. Thanks for the tips!

[@SlowRoamers]

No better time to learn than the present!🤣🤣

[@thejackofalltravels8267]

You just helped turn my Sprinter Into an All terrain vehicle 😀

[@SlowRoamers]

Heck yeah!🙌🏻🙌🏻 Get some!

[@buscampers]

Great advice. When I first took my 4Runner onto the beach to fish I dropped the tires down to 20psi and had a hard time getting back up the hill on the way out...12-15psi was the sweet spot.

[@SlowRoamers]

Heck yeah!🙌🏻 with you T4R you can easily drop it to 10psi and then you’ll be unstoppable.

[@ruthjackson5378]

Great teaching video. Hey, maybe you could do one for all the B.C drivers who think snow is just really cold rain. ?????!

[@SlowRoamers]

Bahahaha, that would likely require me to be back in BC when there’s snow, so that probably won’t happen.

[@oaktopalm911]

Thank you so much for these tips and tricks. We will ship our van next week to Canada and want to be in Baja around next February. Really looking forward for that trip. Btw, your channel is one of the reasons we are going on that crazy journey. 😉

[@SlowRoamers]

Amazing! So glad we’ve inspired you guys to come this way! Keep an eye out for us up north, that’s where we’ll be this summer. 😊

[@alistairjackson7658]

Wow, that's awesome!!!

[@applesbighatranch6906]

Alex! Thank you again! for your efforts. They are inspiring. I will be following suit, here, later this year with an Eaton Detroit Truetrac install in my 2WD "prelander"... I wanted to augment your fine advice to air down! and share the fact that it's not so much the tire's contact patch becoming wider as it does grow considerably longer, although that may be harder to notice. Either way, it's fine advice. Too, Method Racing Wheels now offers some of their cast aluminum wheels with what they call "Bead Grip" which helps to keep the tire's bead seated against the wheel bead. Bead Grip is not "Beadlocks" but it's almost as good. You seem to have great success using that particular steel wheel to very low PSI. Great stuff!

[@SlowRoamers]

Great points! I like the sound of Method wheels, maybe if I become famous on YT I’ll be able to afford them.🤣 Having narrow rims will help clamp the bead tighter as well. Have fun with the new locker, you’re gonna love it and thanks for watching!!🙌🏻

[@alistairjackson7658]

I love a "meaty" comment like this. Thanks for taking the time to engage and trade stories and advice. Great stuff, Apples Big Hat Ranch! 🤠

[@sylvainlaforest4393]

Those are all good points and thanks for sharing. One thing I would add is to be aware of the tide line, it would suck to get stuck and have the salt water come up and damage the vehicle.

[@SlowRoamers]

I’ve seen many people neglect this seemingly obvious point. Guess I’m gonna have to make another video about that.🤦🏼

[@FarrellMcGovern]

Great video. A lot of those tips also transfer over to snow recoveries. Living in Ottawa and Montreal, I have had to deal with deep snow, and getting myself and others unstuck. Having a decent sized shovel is a really important one for helping others get unstuck. I've seen people with those little folding shovels take as long as half an hour to dig themselves out enough to get unstuck...and I've helped people with the same amount stuckiness (is that a word?) get out in 10 minutes or less because you can move so much more snow. Thanks for the video!

[@SlowRoamers]

You’re absolutely right. Sometimes it’s all about the simple things. Thanks for watching!🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@moscaman559]

The kinetic rope is a solid must have ….. good all around info. 👍🏼

[@SlowRoamers]

Thanks so much! I tried to make it as accessible for everyone as I could.🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@luisramirez2263]

Heavy as honk!

[@SlowRoamers]

Heavy as HONK!🤣🤣🤣🙌🏻

[@locomotivebreth1910]

For desert trips -- in addition to a tow strap, traction boards, shovel etc -- I often carry a Scott Wyenth hand winch and a DIY ground anchor. So far I have never needed to use it.

[@SlowRoamers]

I’ve considered these and may add a land anchor to our repertoire of recovery tools.

[@alistairjackson7658]

If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to watch Stuck & Alone | Did We Go Too Far? It's an excellent recovery video.

[@matthewgraham4451]

Ending a trip on the Jacks Fork River near Eminence Missouri. I got my 1989 Ford Ranger 2wd stuck, not on sand, but on a gravel bar. (Basically sand, but with significantly bigger grains ;) Got stuck while turning, in what I thought was not a sharp angle but the rocks were not packed. I WAS able to back all the way off. Had a camper shell and I could smell my clutch burning before figuring out that I could back up, but could not get going forward at all again. We shuttled a canoe about 25 miles up the river and were going to canoe back to my car. We paid a local outfitter to drive my truck. I'm not sure if he couldn;t drive a stick or if he was having trouble with the fact that my seat was stuck way forward but we could hear the guy grinding my gears and audibly having trouble getting up the big hill he was driving up. Wish he would have said he couldnt drive a stick, so I assume it was not malicious or that he could drive a stick but not well. haha. I knew it was taking its toll on my clutch and transmission. We had to drive about 60 miles on state highways and county gravel roads back to Highway, We were coming into Salem, about 30 miles away and when I went to downshift to slow down I felt my gear shifter become really loose and heard a grinding sound. Luckily we were able to coast into a gas station, push it about two blocks to a shop right before they closed, get a hotel about a block away, which had a restaurant in the parkin glot. I realize how lucky we were to have this happen where it did, and not burn out my probably already stressed clutch. We would have had to walk miles and possibly more miles to even get to a house or paved road, let alone to a house. Two strangers looking scraggly and dirty walking up to someone's house can be dangerous, not just because of the dogs!!!! Haha Short story I learned this the hard way, which could have been way much more inconvenient. I have not been able to pass this along to anyone stuck...YET. People who live around there obviously know the tricks, and I see people driving successfully on loose gravel bars with no problem. So I watch, and try to learn more. I learned this lesson the hard way, which is how I learn all my life lessons, because I don't listen to, or sometimes trust the one who is giving me the advice. This is how I write and also speak. I learned alot more watching this and for that I am very happy and confident I wont get stuck on gravel or sand ever again. Shouldn't have said that I guess. LOL Thank YOU.

[@SlowRoamers]

Best of luck with your future sand driving endeavors!

[@bossmann7592]

great chat🤙

[@alistairjackson7658]

I agree! This vid has had more comments than any video before it on Slow Roamers. That's awesome!!

[@SlowRoamers]

Thanks for watching!🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@tikienvy4814]

“Lockers and stuff.” Thank you, professor! Actually, I just learned more about driving on sand than I’d ever known before. Thanks for the video and the “smooth sand-jazz” bed playing underneath! Was that comment about having to film in the shade because your camera was getting too hot “flexing” for the freezing Canadians back home?

[@SlowRoamers]

Ooof, professor eh? Yikes, not sure I’m ready for that responsibility.🤣 Glad you learned something and enjoyed the smooth sand jazz. It’s been quite hot here, when I was shooting it was 30°C. So I guess it was a subtle flex for my cold Canadian comrades.

[@alistairjackson7658]

@@SlowRoamers I'm not jealous, nope, not me. Why would I trade minus temperatures, wind, hail, snow and rain for basking in the sunshine on a Baja beach? Why would any Canadian comrade wanna do THAT??? 🤣

[@SlowRoamers]

I already told you, get a flight, meet us down here!😂

[@jeffrwheelock]

Good stuff guys

[@SlowRoamers]

Thanks Jeff and thanks for watching!

[@da.vo.6758]

nice work Alex!

[@SlowRoamers]

Thanks Dave! Are you guys back in the cold already?

[@da.vo.6758]

@@SlowRoamers yes indeed, a bit surreal to say the least. I trust you guys to carry the Baja torch, we'll live vicariously through you for the time being!!

[@SlowRoamers]

Dude, we got you! Proud torch bearers. Looking forward to seeing you guys again this summer. 😊

[@da.vo.6758]

Look forward it as well! A visit or a little trip or such would be a hoot!

[@SlowRoamers]

Let’s do a rip around your area!

[@Fparrish]

Alex really let the air out of this vid 😂🤙🏼

[@SlowRoamers]

Ha! Good one. Sorry to take the wind out of your tires…

[@craftonadventures]

Nice tips buddy!

[@SlowRoamers]

Thanks for watching!🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@aristeohiguera9448]

Que Chingon!! Muy buenos consejos.

[@SlowRoamers]

¡gracias! No he visto un vídeo con consejos fáciles de entender, creo que esto ayudará a mucha gente. ¡Gracias por ver!

[@bidog4505]

I was an architectural landscape student when younger, there were 3 different views when drawing up plans, overhead, on grade and worms eye, your excellent footage from under your rig might be considered worms eye, either way it was a very informative perspective, well done.

[@SlowRoamers]

Aha! Ok, that makes sense now!😁

[@septichank4489]

Excelent vid...really well made! You guys in Baja? Love it thanks!

[@SlowRoamers]

Thanks for watching! We’ve since left Baja, on our way up north.

[@UTeeNye]

Make sure you pressure wash undercarriage each time you drive through beach. salt will rust your frame if you don’t.

[@SlowRoamers]

An excellent suggestion. We’ll certainly be giving the van a proper clean once we return to a place that has car washes.

[@VideosOffRoad]

Great video. All excellent information! 😊

[@SlowRoamers]

Thank you and thanks for watching!🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@ambienteterrazas]

I've only been stuck in sand once, I was new to my 4x4 so i though by engaging 4lo the car would do the rest (I know i was a kook) and you are right since then only by airing down i've gone thru almost anything without an issue, that been said i still get a little nervous with sand, love the tips and that you don't name spots :D

[@SlowRoamers]

You’ll be amazed at what your vehicle will pull through with 4WD and aired down tires. Especially if you’re light weight and have low gears. Glad the tips helped, thanks for watching!!!🙌🏻

[@forgottenknowledge8917]

My van is fwd. Drives on sand fine.

[@SlowRoamers]

🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@lifeguard92646]

Really good video, thanks for all the tips.

[@SlowRoamers]

Thanks Damien, glad you liked it!🙌🏻

[@birdden4x4ambulanceoverland]

Great video , I think you will definitely help someone have more confidence in the sand.

[@SlowRoamers]

I can only hope.🤣 Thanks for watching guys!🙌🏻

[@bidog4505]

Love the worms eye view, excellent info!!

[@SlowRoamers]

The worms eye view eh? You’re gonna have to explain that one to me the next time we sit down for a beer.🤣

[@diegoarmijo1426]

Excellent and informative. Very timely for me as I have a ford transit 250. I haven't been stuck in it and this will me from getting stuck, hopefully. I will be updating to a rear differential lock. Thank You!

[@SlowRoamers]

Hey Diego, thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed got some new info to use!🙌🏻

[@irakmarin4911]

The best way to learn is go and stuck many times on the HONK! sand. 🤣

[@SlowRoamers]

Bahaha! Deeping HONKing sand, Fine HONKing sand, even mixed HONKing sand!🤣🤣🤣

[@snipershot71]

Yo yo...great van build...i have a high top and was wondering how you attached your roof and insulated the fiberglass top

[@SlowRoamers]

Hey Bobby, thanks for watching! I’ve got a full build series that includes the insulation and sheeting of the interior of the hightop.

[@ianf8005]

How much of a difference does the locking diff make on soft sand? My goal is soft Baja beach sand, so wondering if I can get away without it...

[@SlowRoamers]

We had no issues last year when we were down in Baja. I’d say you’ll be just fine. If you did find yourself really bogged down, the locker would definitely help your recovery, but so does more digging.😁

[@mermaidvanvb]

TY, here now in bt 2wd Sprinter - i aired down for the 16k on Baja Cape - but not really sure how low is Too low on a Big A$$ Sprinter. ** a lift & good shocks also help!! Anythoughts ?

[@SlowRoamers]

For just gravel driving pressure we go to 20psi up front and 25psi in the back. Your van maybe be heavier, so you might need to stay a little higher psi for the gravels roads, but going to perhaps half of your road pressure will get you a notable change in ride quality. Clearance and suspension is good, for sure, but I wouldn’t spend that money until you’re certain of what kind of driving you intend to do.

[@OmarHassan-pj4bh]

Hey guys do you reckon you need a locker to drive on sand or can I get away with an open rear diff?

[@SlowRoamers]

You can totally get away with an open diff, but it would be good for you understand the characteristics of an open diff. Really, the best point in this video is airing down low when going out on the sand, the rest is great but very secondary to the first tip.

[@1HandyGuyMJ]

I have a 2005 Chevy express 2500 and I was told by 2 shops one that was a rear end shop they don’t make an ARB locker for my van. I was wondering what locker you are using? And if you like it? (AKA if it works and is not going to break.) Thanks for the video I have been stuck in the sand before I put a winch on and never got stuck after (so I haven’t needed it yet).

[@SlowRoamers]

I swapped out the whole rear axle for a Dana 70HD3 Super, it came with what I thought was a g80 locker. Turns out it’s a PowerLok LSD and from what I can tell it works great. Haven’t broken loose yet and we’ve really seen some gnarly trail.

[@1HandyGuyMJ]

Yes I was thinking of buying a complete axle housing and all also to get a locker, I just haven’t made the time to look into keeping my rims bolt pattern. Thanks for the info, you guys are very motivation for me and the kind of driving I do in my van. I love to take my van hunting and just go up into the mountains.

[@SuperFartingUnicorn]

Is there a sweet spot / safe range for tire pressure on paved roads in between driving on beaches? I have a Chevy express as well that I’m I’m planning on taking to Baja later this year. Typically I just follow the factory psi of 60 front and 80 rear but I figure that would be a bit overkill 😅

[@SlowRoamers]

On the road I run my tires at 50/55 front to rear. As for low psi, it’s not advisable to run tires with low psi on the road as they’ll heat up much quicker and any kind of corners heightens the risk of losing a bead.

[@SuperFartingUnicorn]

Makes sense, thank you!

[@bruceturner2629]

know when the tide is supposed to come in and how high it will come

[@SlowRoamers]

Always a good plan. There’s a surprising number of people that don’t know ow tides work.🤣

[@ianf8005]

What size tires are you running?

[@SlowRoamers]

285/75/16 kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5Czl3hniah0g8k

[@themeroguski]

Great vid, do you have any recommendation for dualies? I would be concerned to drop PSI anywhere below 40PSI in fear of rubber rubbing (;-)) and potentially creating hotspots in the side walls. Thank you!

[@SlowRoamers]

I’ve never dropped pressure in a dually; however, it’s same principle. I think, if it’s for a short period of time, driving with the sidewall rubbing won’t damage the tire. On a gravel road for a long period of time, it would be best to not drop down as far. I like to drive at around 20psi on gravel roads, it takes the edge off the bumps but maintains a a decent tire profile.

[@themeroguski]

Thank you @@SlowRoamers , we got stuck few times in Alaskan mud last year, digging out in raising freezing tide was no fun. Entered Baja 3 weeks ago, really appreciate your insights in driving in soft sand. As much s we appreciate it, we hope to not be in the need to put them in action ;-)) Cheers.

[@SlowRoamers]

@@themeroguski Hey, I can't agree more! Have the skills, hope not to need them! Kind of the same thing with a winch. Happy travels, if you see us, say hi!

[@Bellasafari]

Is your van front or RWD?

[@SlowRoamers]

RWD! 😁

[@Bellasafari]

@@SlowRoamers does any of your advice change if a FWD?

[@SlowRoamers]

@@Bellasafari excellent question! No, not really. It’s the same for FWD,RWD & 4x4 vehicles. All of these little things are the basics of any kind of off-road/ gravel vehicle travel. 😊

[@Bellasafari]

@@SlowRoamers got it~ thanks for the informative vid!

[@SlowRoamers]

@@Bellasafari my pleasure, thank you for watching!

[@davemenard5089]

"Partner" is so tiresome. Be brave young man, she’s your girlfriend.

[@SlowRoamers]

You’re not the first to comment on this, but partner is a term we’ve both agreed on. She’s more than a girlfriend but not yet my wife. All in due time.

[@davemenard5089]

@@SlowRoamers I know it sounds modern and progressive, but for me it just sounds watered down especially if married. I’m old schooled :) You guys are getting a lot of things right. Good luck out there ✌🏼

[@SlowRoamers]

Yeah, no worries, I figured as much. It means different things to different people. It simply makes sense for us. 😊 Thanks for watching!

[@77uhlen]

when you said "one wheel drive" I knew you were clueless. By the way, driving on the beach in Mexico is illegal. You will not only be fined - your vehicle will be impounded. Good luck getting it back!

[@SlowRoamers]

You should maybe come down to Mexico, sit on the beach and drink a cold cerveza, it might help. Have a nice day.

[@SlowRoamerMeg]

Thanks for teaching me how to drive on sand honey 🍯

[@SlowRoamers]

You’re welcome, beautiful.🥰