umpqua
GOLD Star
So I had a fairly embarrassing situation on my hands a couple of days ago. I went to the beach and got the Land Cruiser stuck pretty much to the axles in sand.
Last week I bought new BFG All Terrains. 33x10.5x15. I know that they were aired up to ~40psi. Went to the beach and went up on a small (6') incline that quickly leveled out. Just a nice place to sit in the sun and enjoy the beach. Lot's and LOT's of other folks around in various 4wd's running around in the sand. When it was time to leave I tried moving forward and the Cruiser immediately dug for China. Stuck. Not quite to the axles just yet. Ok, there was a guy in a F150 that offered help. I tried to winch (8K lb warn)myself to him but the winch appeared to give up....quit puling. Long story but the F150 and a Dodge truck along with a pile of people pushing from the back were able to get me out.
I know that it would have been helpful if I would have aired my tires down (15psi??). But, I didn't have a way to air them back up. Yesterday I ordered an ARB compressor so that will solve that problem in the future. I do think that my 4x4 was working. The green 4wd light was on. When trying to get out I noticed that the front left tire WAS spinning so that seems to have been engaged. In a couple of months when I recover from the new tires and the compressor I am going to install front diff locks. The truck is heavier now with all of the "overlanding" gear although I don't know the exact weight.
So I don't even know if I have a question but does this sound like a potentially reasonable outcome of going on the sand. It sure doesn't seem like anyone else was having an issue. Should the winch have given up with this heavy truck buried nearly to the axles? The truck was running and the battery appeared to have a full charge.
While this WAS embarrassing, it was better to experience this with help available instead of having the issue in some remote beach area of Mexico.
I don't have a high lift jack....yet. No shovel. I know.
Anything that I should be thinking about? I'd like to prepare for any possible eventualities. Should I have the winch and 4wd checked or simply chalk it up to being a moron.
Again, I'll appreciate any perspectives.
Last week I bought new BFG All Terrains. 33x10.5x15. I know that they were aired up to ~40psi. Went to the beach and went up on a small (6') incline that quickly leveled out. Just a nice place to sit in the sun and enjoy the beach. Lot's and LOT's of other folks around in various 4wd's running around in the sand. When it was time to leave I tried moving forward and the Cruiser immediately dug for China. Stuck. Not quite to the axles just yet. Ok, there was a guy in a F150 that offered help. I tried to winch (8K lb warn)myself to him but the winch appeared to give up....quit puling. Long story but the F150 and a Dodge truck along with a pile of people pushing from the back were able to get me out.
I know that it would have been helpful if I would have aired my tires down (15psi??). But, I didn't have a way to air them back up. Yesterday I ordered an ARB compressor so that will solve that problem in the future. I do think that my 4x4 was working. The green 4wd light was on. When trying to get out I noticed that the front left tire WAS spinning so that seems to have been engaged. In a couple of months when I recover from the new tires and the compressor I am going to install front diff locks. The truck is heavier now with all of the "overlanding" gear although I don't know the exact weight.
So I don't even know if I have a question but does this sound like a potentially reasonable outcome of going on the sand. It sure doesn't seem like anyone else was having an issue. Should the winch have given up with this heavy truck buried nearly to the axles? The truck was running and the battery appeared to have a full charge.
While this WAS embarrassing, it was better to experience this with help available instead of having the issue in some remote beach area of Mexico.
I don't have a high lift jack....yet. No shovel. I know.
Anything that I should be thinking about? I'd like to prepare for any possible eventualities. Should I have the winch and 4wd checked or simply chalk it up to being a moron.
Again, I'll appreciate any perspectives.