How to Turn Back on a Beach

[@MiniLuv-1984]

Two things I learnt - compacting the tracks and patience! Thanks Robert.

[@pabichpawel]

Building a platform is one of the most useful techniques I’ve learnt. Many beaches explicitly prohibit driving above the high tide water mark. The reason being that wildlife, eg. turtles, might have its nests there.

[@backdoc94]

Great content as usual. I am still learning new skills ever after 30 years of off road driving.

[@stuartkcalvin]

Thank you Robert, a few nuggets in that VLOG :)

[@julianascher1796]

thank you for this tip! perfekt! learned a lot!

[@danielmatthews3420]

Thanks

[@davidholmes3323]

Nice and simple.

[@tpv59]

EXCELLENT.

[@Chris_the_Muso]

I often prefer the damp sand because it's usually packed more firmly, however if it's just been deposited such as can happen after a storm it may be extremely soft and deep. If it's a bit soft low down I go further up the beach (also for passing oncoming traffic on the left as required CCW). If you're in the damp sand and the dry sand further up is very soft it's OK if you want to use it to turn around. Drive straight up into the soft stuff as for a U-turn (if there is room) and if it seems too soft stop when you are at right angles to the beach, then reverse back down into the firm sand to complete a 3 point turn. The worst time I ever had was with a group on Moreton Island. We'd crossed the dune track at the far north to get to the eastern side. The tide was coming in but we had a couple of hours (close timing) but a few in the group decided they didn't want to risk it so we had to drive up the dunes to get out. It was very soft and my Hilux slipped sideways off the top of the dune as I was in the rear (dune track messed up by that time) so I had to drive down into the pan to avoid tipping over. Got out on the second try, it was a learning experience for sure. I suspect that dune track was closed for re-vegetation and never re-opened to vehicles - there was talk of it at the time but I haven't been back in a good while.

[@maxgood42]

You make it look easy . 👍

[@L2SFBC]

It wasn't too hard, just patience required. Very easy to spin in and bog down.

[@maxgood42]

@@L2SFBC It's interesting that sand can be compacted like that.

[@L2SFBC]

yes, works on sand and snow, but not really mud.

[@maxgood42]

@@L2SFBC Being from the NT my experience is mostly rocks dirt and MUD so I avoid sand if I can but this very interesting.

[@g0fvt]

A very well explained video, FWIW I learnt some tricks using an RC rock crawler on a local sandy beach. They really are a great way to learn, if they get stuck you can walk over and pick them up. Sand does not scale but I am sure anyone that plays with the RC models will get an insight.

[@L2SFBC]

I think it does scale quite well, and often use RC and LEGO models in my videos, and I totally agree RC 4x4 driving helps in real life...provided you don't simply solve every RC problem with momentum. What tricks did you learn?

[@g0fvt]

@@L2SFBC an Axial SCX10 with the stock tyres, and not excessive power. Definitely learnt how you can climb steep sand slopes by doing a series of traverses, the U-turn at the end of each traverse needs some inertia to complete. Don't be too obsessed with making too much progress upwards in each pass, you can easily lose speed and dig in. Sorry a bit of a vague description but certainly it gives you a feel for what you are fighting.

[@L2SFBC]

That's great, I use a TRX-4 as it has lockable axle diffs!

[@nealesmith1873]

Great tips!

[@ian9toes]

I was recently brought to a stop on a side slope on Stockton Dunes on 15psi, 4.8L GU Patrol loaded up a bit. I dropped the tyres to 10psi but still every back and forth put me further down toward an even steeper part of the dune. What got me out was full throttle in 1st low snaking my way up straight up. I let it get a little momentum sideways before putting my foot down and turning up more vertically.

[@L2SFBC]

that's it...sometimes you can drive ALONG but not UP, and sometimes UP but not ALONG.

[@BuckJoFiden]

Looks like your on way to the Murray mouth mate. I’ve had to drop down to 8 or 10 psi to get cars out of trouble. Nothing more exciting than riding the soft stuff on the edge of the dunes with an incoming tide that’s sending waves up into your path occasionally 😳 Sometimes you can plan the run but nature for some reason will do it’s best to consume your vehicle. Great tips! Keep ‘em coming 👍

[@L2SFBC]

Thanks and agreed!

[@markh6676]

useful content 👍 Robert, what have you done for underbody rustproofing on the Ranger? Could be a topic for a future vid.

[@L2SFBC]

just wash it

[@stuartkcalvin]

Rangers don't rust, they just keep going.

[@jchirnside]

Genius. Above all don’t loose your head 😂

[@NigelNaughton]

Good tips..Have you every been in a situation where things were getting close to being catastrophic on the beach? That would be terrible to get swallowed up by the tide.

[@L2SFBC]

Yes, but not my car :-) In those situations I would do exactly the same as what I have shown in various sand recovery videos...but the temptation is to rush. The problem is that one impatient wheelspin, or too early a try before everything is ready, can undo minutes of hard work preparing the recovery. It feels wrong, but taking time is faster in the long run.

[@operation4wheelz]

Ranger Retreat drills… 😉

[@stuartkcalvin]

A Toyota would deploy Starling and beg for a 4WD recovery vehicle; oh, and a Patrol.

[@operation4wheelz]

@@stuartkcalvin haha. Probably

[@060racing8]

I typically just do the good old scandi flick

[@L2SFBC]

I'd pay good money to see that done on that beach :-)

[@060racing8]

@L2SFBC I drive a Subaru with a controllable centre differential. Typically, go back to a 35 65 split, get the car turning in early, hard sand and move back towards a 50/50 split coming out in the soft sand. But you don't need any of that fancy stuff. It doesn't seem any different than doing a doing a u turn at the top of a dune. Would not suggest doing it on a touring rig close to its gvm

[@MiniLuv-1984]

@@060racing8 Yes, light is might, but can't tow the 2t trailer. I've taken my forester to a few gnarly places and every time its surprised me, but with the camper trailer, the big heavy 4x4 is the only choice for me (to be legal and relatively safe).

[@Theprofessor1212]

Do the vehicles which are triple locked have any advantage on sand ? Like the G wagon or the Grenadier ?

[@L2SFBC]

Not really no. Cross-axle lockers have little utility on sand, really only for dune ascents that are scalloped out. Centre lock...ALWAYS!

[@trickster8635]

Centre lock is nothing more than ensuring equal drive is going to front wheels and rear wheels. No different to manual engagement of front drive in older style vehicles. As soon as you get into loose gravel or sand - lock the centre.

[@L2SFBC]

Yes. Why I don't like the term "triple locked".

[@joezephyr]

Is there a difference between using chains on snow compared to chains on sand?

[@L2SFBC]

Yes. There is no point using chains in sand as it is too loose for the chains to bite into. Snow is harder packed and can be icy, so the chains can bite in.

[@denismoir810]

You are going too slow , momentum is the key, you will always crab sideways at the speed you are going

[@L2SFBC]

Traction and space limited, can't go any quicker.

[@denismoir810]

@@L2SFBC true local conditions etc come into play