STUCK IN SAND! Vanlife self-recovery tips and the gear to get out!

Today's Baja Vanlife episode is all about getting stuck in sand at the beach in Baja. Don't go to a beach without watching this video first! We share a real-world example of how to get your promaster out of DEEP sand and the tools you need to self-recover.
Here is all of the gear that we used throughout this video:
Go Treads: amzn.to/3WhZlOa
Stauns Tire Deflators: amzn.to/4dfeExi
Foldable Shovel: amzn.to/4baDtsl
Tow Strap: amzn.to/4bd9390
Tread Pro Recovery Mats: amzn.to/3xSoXaf
Viar Compressor: amzn.to/4aSTeEG
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The Best Vanlife Gear: www.amazon.com/shop/drifterjo...
Spearfishing Gear: www.amazon.com/shop/drifterjo...
Surfing Gear: www.amazon.com/shop/drifterjo...
Lupe's List: www.amazon.com/shop/drifterjo...
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Greg & Jess
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#mexico #baja #vanlife #4x4 #beach #stuckinsand #cabo

[@danieldubois9429]

Thanks to you two! I did not expect such a thorough experiment and demonstration of the relevance of each possible manoeuver to get unstuck from sandy beach. That was exactly what I was hoping to learn. Great job!

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for watching! We figured it wouldn't be good if we didn't get it really stuck. There were some giant 4x4 rigs on the beach in case we got ourselves in too deep but we felt comfortable with the situation. We've had that van stuck worse and managed solo. I think there is always a way out if you stay calm, think, and have the right tools.

[@themainelife7355]

The Army shovel has another function...dragging sand and a lot of it really fast. They use them in the desert. Just loosen the collar by the blade, fold the blade so its 90 degrees to the handle and retighten the collar. It will run circles around the avalanche shovel as you just drag the sand out from under NOT shovel it. That's all we've used for years running the beaches on Cape Cod. Also, don't be afraid to air down more. Race Point Beach on Cape Cod requires 12lbs or less and Sandy Neck on Cape Cod requires 18lbs or less. The tires will "float" on the sand at those pressures. I used to tun a 34ft 2wd motorhome in deeper sand than there. I love your videos, keep up the good work!

[@DrifterJourney]

Good info and thanks for watching. I drag the shovel and move a lot but have never cinched it down 90 degrees. I'll have to try it next time. I've heard a bunch of different psi levels suggested but have never felt good about going under 25 (80 is max for these). I've heard don't go below 25% of max which would be 20psi for ours. I play it safe but I'm sure we could go much lower......just don't want to be making a video about re-seating a bead. 😉

[@smays5106]

So helpful thanks for sharing!

[@DrifterJourney]

Thank you for watching and also for leaving a comment.

[@Scrambler85]

Great video and information. As a avid rock crawler and over lander this was a textbook recovery. I have the same air pump and traction mats. Plus a 1" x 30' kinetic rope. I hate getting stuck with a passion, you are a brave couple. Definitely a thumbs up 👍

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for the compliment! We've gotten stuck in sand more often than we'd like, but I it's good to have confidence that it's a fixable situation. Being prepared is 70% of that - sounds like you've got quite the setup yourself! 👌

[@stephenpearen478]

Thanks for the info. Take care guys.

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for watching Stephen! Have a great day.

[@SteveK6470]

Great informative video that should help other adventurers!

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for watching! Hopefully people will see that it usually just takes determination and time to get out, no need to panic as long as you have the necessary tools to self recover

[@milja903]

Thank you for this video. We just got stuck first time with our van. Luckily a friendly fellow tug us out, but we are now learning how not to get stuck and what to do if that happens again. Your video is our learning material. 😌

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for watching! We got stuck once in the beginning without gear and knew immediately that we wanted to get the proper gear for self recovery. Have fun out there and take a deep breath before going to work next time you get stuck.

[@JonnyDeeFilms]

Here’s to hoping this works for my motorhome as well 😅

[@DrifterJourney]

Let us know what you find out! Airing down is amazing.

[@SunnyTheBoxTruck]

What a great, helpful video! I’m getting the leveler/traction thing and the tow strap, already used your link and got the Air compressor. Build is nearing completion, just a few cabinets and paint and we are done! Might be running a shakedown trip around Memorial Day weekend or right after depending on the closing of my house, yeah!

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks again for watching! We appreciate you using our links and are glad we can share what works for us (and hopefully you). That's great that you're getting close! You'll be out there soon enough.

[@karppadiem7014]

Thanks for taking one for the team. 😉 This was very helpful as I had a lot of the same questions. I like the foldable recovery tracks. Those seem much easier to fit somewhere in a van. 👍 Momentum is our friend. 🎉 -Aimee

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for watching! We love the dual use of the GoTreads and how easily they pack away. Momentum and airing down is your best friend.....and not getting too ambitious.

[@Viajero69]

Great video! I'm heading to Baja shortly in a 2x4 E350 and was looking for this type of recovery info for sand. Cheers!

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for watching! We're glad this helped a bit......also.....stay cool when you visit because it's starting to get hot!

[@Wanna.Wander]

On purpose💜 great tips! Subbed

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for watching! We had received several requests for this video.

[@chrischurch3020]

Excellent video. Very helpful. One thing to keep in mind about the tow point, particularly the front point, is to pull straight, not at an angle. The eye bolt and tow point will bend or fail if you pull at an angle.

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for watching! That's a great thing to add. We always pull straight if we can......sometimes things get wild and we don't have enough to redirect so you do your best. 😉

[@Wanna.Wander]

Oh I’ve done that a few times, but I know how to get out, best of luck💜

[@DrifterJourney]

It's a great feeling to be able to self recover your vehicle when you get stuck!

[@hywaywolf]

Great video. Thanks for posting it. And as hard as it is to not do it, Jess is right, stop the gas before you bury it. I remember many years ago when I was much younger and dumber, I was with a group and one dude stuck his Bronco 2 pretty damn deep in the mud. Towing it wasn't getting it out so he and his crew walked a 1/4 mile to the interstate with his toolbox and came back with a couple pieces of 25' guardrail. Lots of digging, and a tow and 6 dudes pushing got it out. There is (almost) always a way.

[@DrifterJourney]

Wow, that sounds like quite the ordeal! At least there were so many of you there to help get it out. We got really stuck a few weeks later, not on purpose, and dug for almost 2 hours, but we got out!

[@jemjr1628]

Found you from Kevin and Taylor. We will be watching!

[@DrifterJourney]

We're glad you found us! We hope you enjoy our channel. We already planted the seed to try and get them down in Baja again this winter. 🤞

[@LyneaHansen]

Thank you both very much. Watching someone do it, esp having to do it multiple times and stick with it, helps my confidence in sand. And, it’s perfect timing as I took my first trip yesterday to test my build out before I finish it. Thanks!! And sorry for the sweaty, sandy video request 😜

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for the suggestion! We got it really stuck on accident in another location after this video. Our best suggestion is to remain calm and always be prepared. You should be able to get out of most stuck situations with patience and a lot of digging.......and the proper tools.

[@mikepanzarella1193]

Great video and very cool gear! I have towed a travel trailer 24’ endless miles on ocean beaches in Long Island NY. The tow vehicle was a Chevy suburban 2wd. 15 psi in the truck and 10 psi in the trailer. I never got stuck or lost a bead ,we also had standard street tires. I don’t know if this will work with front wheel drive though.

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for watching! That's awesome that you were able to get so many places without issue. I do believe the FWD likes to help us sink but maybe I should just keep airing down more.

[@EZRider063]

Nice inforative video.i gotta get a set of those deflators. In your opinion, do the solid or folding boards work better?

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for watching! The deflators aren't cheap but they are well worth the cost for the convenience. Overall, if I were only buying one set of boards, I'd probably go solid. With that said, we love the GoTreads for their multi-use and ease of use. They have not let us down yet and we use them often as leveling blocks.

[@jcbuffalogal1328]

Great video...Do you still recommend the GoTreads?

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for watching and we do! They are the ones I pull out first when someone is stuck and they work great as leveling blocks. I think they came out with a slightly longer version. I would get those if I was buying some. We still always have our Tred Pro tracks with us too in case things get really wild but the Go Treads have worked in almost every situation.

[@jcbuffalogal1328]

@@DrifterJourney Thx...Great information!

[@DrifterJourney]

@@jcbuffalogal1328 you're welcome! Let us know if you have any other questions.

[@PolarBearXx]

U think ramp metal will work like I have two ramps I ride a tractor to the back of my ford to cut grass I wanna lay them side by side reverse to get traction on tires

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for watching! I guess it depends if they can handle to vehicle weight or not. Sand ladders are an example of something similar. They are bulky but are supposed to work great. Floor mats can help too if things are getting desperate.

[@davidhypes5228]

This is probably a dumb question, but is it really beneficial or necessary to air down the rear tires when your van is only front wheel drive? Just curious. Thank you!

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for watching! I don't know the answer for sure but I imagine it still helps to have all tires "floating" as best as possible. The drive tires are the most important though.

[@stevefuchs5868]

Lesson is let your air down first and never use a front wheel drive rig especially a heavy van ever they get stuck every time

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for watching! We always air down first......except for when we're trying to get stuck on purpose for this video. Although heavy vans with FWD do get stuck pretty easy, you'd be impressed with how many water front camps we've made it to in this rig.

[@Wanna.Wander]

On purpose💜 great tips! Subbed

[@DrifterJourney]

Thanks for subbing!