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_____________________________ SAND 183 |
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First, he would insist on collecting his 50-cent fee up front. Then, he'd proceed to air down the tires and drive the car out to his air pump. With raised voices and shaking fists, foul would be claimed. That was too easy! But like the man that fixed the mill with a single hammer strike, it wasn't the blow, but knowing where to hit that mattered. He hit high tire pressure every time. AIR DOWN The key to easy movement on sand is to give your 4X big, soft feet. Giant tires come to mind, but most of us don't want the expense and inconvenience of carrying and using two sets of tires.
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other alternative is to air down. But before we go any further, let me
tell you in no uncertain terms, not airing (back) up is dangerous. It is
dangerous to your tires, your wheels, your 4X and maybe even your life.
Low air pressure at sustained highway speeds will cause all tires to
eventually fail. The extreme flexing causes heat build up. This weakens
the rubber and leads to blowouts! What's more, that assumes you're going
straight. High speed turns at low pressure on full-traction surfaces can
roll the tire right off the wheel and probably result in one other roll,
your 4X! I want it to be perfectly clear that safe use of the following
low tire pressure methods is a function of the driver and not the
technique. Believe it, don't prove it! Drive slowly and cautiously when
aired down!
Meanwhile,
back on the sand, I have never experienced low-pressure tire problems. I
drive at reasonable speeds, avoid the rocks and go easy on the turns. A
decade or so ago I trained a beach-community police department how to
drive on the sand. When they learned it took 10 minutes or more to air
down, the chief decreed their beach 4X was not a street pursuit vehicle.
Therefore, it would be run night and day, seven days a week at optimum
sand pressure. That way, they were always ready for the soft stuff. I
have yet to hear of a tire problem from them.