sand dune climbing

[akram Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close akram]

hi guys,

i need some tips on sand dune climbing, specially about proper gearing or transmission.

couple of days ago, i wanted to climb a sand dune which is almost 60 degrees and approxmately 250 meters long.

i switched off the tsc and vsc and deflated the tyres to 15 psi.

first, i used the auto transmission mode (d) and started from 200 meters away from the dune. but i end up in the middle of the dune.

after failing couple of times, i tried locking the center differential lock. i couldnt make it either.

one of the guys advised me to deflate the tyres to 10 psi and switch transmission mode from auto to manual (s) and stick to 1 until i reach the top of the dune.

i tried it and it worked. I didn’t even need to start aggressively from distance.

but the rpm went really high and the engine was really roaring .

my question, is this a proper way to handle such situations. was it to much on the engine or transmission?
is there a better way

any advice?

i have a 150 series vx

[lafona00 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close lafona00]

Re: sand dune climbing

18 max I agree.
Switch off TSC and VSC I agree.
Diff Lock on I agree
Manual mode I agree I always do it, but I don t select any gear at first. If I cannot do it then I stay in a selected gear... most of the time second gear.

[samo Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close samo]

Re: sand dune climbing

low tyre pressure, heaps of right foot, manual shift auto box and straight up and down, dont be afraid to wring its blood neck. cheers samo

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: sand dune climbing

The secret to driving up sand dunes is momemtum. I use 18psi for soft beach sand but, as others have stated, you might need to go down to 12 or even 10psi. Don't be affraid to get the revs up to redline and sit there for 20 or 30 seconds until you clear the obstacle. The diesel won't mind and it won't go past the redline easily anyway. I usually go up in 2 or 3rd low range. Be careful not to try to turn sharply at speed otherwise you may peel the tyre off the rim.

Always know what's on the other side before you launch up the dune. I flew off an 8 metre sand ramp once. No cargo barrier and everything in the back came into the front. Only damage was a popped indicator and slightly bent bash plate (98 prado).

[RogueAussie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RogueAussie]

Re: sand dune climbing

dont be afraid to wring its blood neck

LOL ... Drive it like you stole it aye?

[switched Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close switched]

Re: sand dune climbing

I generally stick to leaving it in 2nd gear (on the auto box), lock the centre and turning on the second start I think its called (basically locks first gear out as it tends to be too much torque down low causing wheelspin etc).

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Re: sand dune climbing

Aah is that what the 2nd start button is for???

Agree with all of the above.

I have an auto and use the manual sports mode, 2nd low, lots of momentum and you should be right....but must admith wasn't even sure what the 2nd start button was really for....I assumed it had something to do with being bogged and guaranteeing you started in 2nd gear or something.

[samo Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close samo]

Re: sand dune climbing

2nd start just locks out 1st gear, ie you start in 2nd gear so the gearbox will slip abit more to allow you move off without putting all the power and torque off the mark. good for taking off in slippery conditions, or digging holes in the sand. thats my understanding. cheers samo

[akram Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close akram]

Re: sand dune climbing

i didnt even need to go gor low gear.

first high was fair enough.

i have another desert trip next weekend. getting excited

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Re: sand dune climbing

I love digging holes!!

[rhojef Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close rhojef]

Re: sand dune climbing

Don't worry about wringing the neck of a modern ecu controlled engine.
Rev limiter will kick in before it really gets into trouble.
My bike goes to 128ks in first, then nearly throws you over the bars. :twisted:
I learnt to drive 35 years ago, surfing and fishing, from Stockton up to Seals rocks and everywhere in between. the advantage of being young and stupid was you really did push the vehicle to its limits.
Learn't lots about when to be gentle as well. Just seem to have trouble remembering that bit.

[akram Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close akram]

Re: sand dune climbing

Don't worry about wringing the neck of a modern ecu controlled engine.
Rev limiter will kick in before it really gets into trouble.
My bike goes to 128ks in first, then nearly throws you over the bars. :twisted:
I learnt to drive 35 years ago, surfing and fishing, from Stockton up to Seals rocks and everywhere in between. the advantage of being young and stupid was you really did push the vehicle to its limits.
Learn't lots about when to be gentle as well. Just seem to have trouble remembering that bit.

thanks rhojef

couple of days ago, i was in the desert again. this time, the dune was even higher and the sand was extremely soft.

i tried different things and failed so many times. finally, i made it to the top. that was when i used low. i approached with s mode third gear and when i was about to lose momentum few meters to top, i put it into second and it made it.

have couple of videos, i will edit them and share it with you guys.

[akram Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close akram]

Re: sand dune climbing

unfortunatelly, there weren't many videos. but maybe this can give u an idea how our desert looks like

we were 3 jeep wranglers, one fj cruiser, one 120 prado and my 150 prado

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi_g-f2--PQ

thanks