Tip and Tricks for Silver Lake Sand Dunes (1 Viewer)

[MrInternational]

Please forgive me if this thread should be moved some where else. Tomorrow I am planning on driving out and exploring Silver Lake Sand Dunes OHV in MI. Running 33" KO2's and based on everyones experience on running through deep soft sand, and other then airing down to say 10-12 psi and don't slow down on hills, any other tips or tricks to avoid getting stuck, especially on the test hill?

Photo below is right before I bought it and was still rocking 35" Nitto Grapplers

 

[whitec13]

There are a few guys you should reach out to from Michigan over on the Lake Michigan Land Cruisers Clubhouse page.
@VSPro9 knows his way around quite well.

MI- Lake Michigan Land Cruisers

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[VSPro9]

Please forgive me if this thread should be moved some where else. Tomorrow I am planning on driving out and exploring Silver Lake Sand Dunes OHV in MI. Running 33" KO2's and based on everyones experience on running through deep soft sand, and other then airing down to say 10-12 psi and don't slow down on hills, any other tips or tricks to avoid getting stuck, especially on the test hill?

Photo below is right before I bought it and was still rocking 35" Nitto Grapplers

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Was there this weekend it’s very whooped out at the base on the east side of test hill (easier side) drive slow through the whoops then give it all the beans once you don’t have to worry about smashing into one.

Never ever drive sideways across a hill. If you start to slide down because you drove too close to the edge then just stop and ask someone passing by for help.

You have zero chance of continuing up a hill after you’ve lost forward momentum. If you’re bogged down and don’t have any forward momentum just stop and slowly and carefully back down. Continuing to spin your tires will just frame you out

STAY OUT OF THE PUDDLES. Half are 6” deep the other half are 4’. Some start 6” and abruptly become 4’ not worth it.

Other thing is if you are there on a weekend keep your head on a swivel, drive defensive, been a few crashes that could have been prevented. If you see a bunch of people standing on a hill (not test) keep an eye out for pre runners moving fast. Spotters with radios are probably coaching the pre runners in for jumps. You’ll see people line up to create a safe aisle in the landing zone.

General courtesy outside of the directional zones is to run a racetrack pattern…. You go south in the marked directional zones, you’ll go west at the southern boundary then the woodsy area is multi directional but most often northbound.

There’s onsite air for airing up at the dnr station a half mile east of the dunes.

Any other questions let me know!

 

[MrInternational]

Thanks for the heads up! Hoping to go tomorrow when it isn't so busy to get a good feel for it all. Excited to try it all out and just generally explore the area. Regarding test hill, is there any tricks to it like better to use 4Hi vs 4Lo to tackle it? Or just in general driving around?

 

[whitec13]

I know one thing about sand and 100 series - don’t get down to your frame unless you have a winch and/or a friend with one. Same goes for snow. She’s a beached whale on her belly.

 

[VSPro9]

Thanks for the heads up! Hoping to go tomorrow when it isn't so busy to get a good feel for it all. Excited to try it all out and just generally explore the area. Regarding test hill, is there any tricks to it like better to use 4Hi vs 4Lo to tackle it? Or just in general driving around?

I use 4lo on test simply because it’s impossible right now to carry momentum with the whoops. If you’re struggling at 12psi drop to 10. The off-road shop next to the entry can remount a tire if you debead. And they’ll help you mount your flag too.

Basic formula is clear the whoops slowly, gun it til you’re 15-20 feet from the top, scrub momentum so you don’t rocketship off the top.

If you stop at the top make sure the vehicle is visible from the bottom, and it’s better to be a bit nose down if it’s crested so the weight of the vehicle will help drag you over the top when you get back in and drive again .

Probably won’t be anyone out tomorrow, so be careful, it’s a long walk back to the dnr station to ask for help

 

[MrInternational]

I know one thing about sand and 100 series - don’t get down to your frame unless you have a winch and/or a friend with one. Same goes for snow. She’s a beached whale on her belly.

Got a winch but hopefully won’t need it!

 

[MrInternational]

I use 4lo on test simply because it’s impossible right now to carry momentum with the whoops. If you’re struggling at 12psi drop to 10. The off-road shop next to the entry can remount a tire if you debead. And they’ll help you mount your flag too.

Basic formula is clear the whoops slowly, gun it til you’re 15-20 feet from the top, scrub momentum so you don’t rocketship off the top.

If you stop at the top make sure the vehicle is visible from the bottom, and it’s better to be a bit nose down if it’s crested so the weight of the vehicle will help drag you over the top when you get back in and drive again .

Probably won’t be anyone out tomorrow, so be careful, it’s a long walk back to the dnr station to ask for help

I imagine I should lock the center diff also?

 

[whitec13]

Got a winch but hopefully won’t need it!

Always the plan! Have what you need, but hope to not use it

 

[whitec13]

I imagine I should lock the center diff also?

@VSPro9 correct me if I’m wrong, but the GX automatically locks the center diff when shifted to 4Lo?
Not the case with the 100’s.

 

[VSPro9]

Got a winch but hopefully won’t need it!

Nothing to winch to out there unless you wa t to try the spare tire as a land anchor trick

 

[VSPro9]

@VSPro9 correct me if I’m wrong, but the GX automatically locks the center diff when shifted to 4Lo?
Not the case with the 100’s.

Mine doesn’t, but i also have a bunch of check engine lights so who knows.

 

[VSPro9]

I imagine I should lock the center diff also?

You can try it, i don’t think it makes a lot of difference, you need speed and momentum in the sand not traction

 

[GerLC100]

@VSPro9 correct me if I’m wrong, but the GX automatically locks the center diff when shifted to 4Lo?
Not the case with the 100’s.

my 99 LC does it, also states it in the manual. I think this is the reason why some people play with a connector to decide themselves when to lock and when not.
the rear is "manual".

 

[baltistyle]

I didn’t see this listed, but also never brake hard to stop because that will dig your tires into the sand further than they need to be. Always coast to a stop or use very light brakes. Have fun. You won’t have any issues if you follow all the advice given. A winch won’t help unless you have a truck to attach to. Make sure you have a shovel, a Jack, a platform like maxtrax to either put the Jack on or use for traction. A kinetic rope or toe strap is also nice to have if you need to be pulled backwards. Usually there is a required list of items to enter parks like this.

 

[MrInternational]

Just an update, just got home after spending the afternoon at the dunes. I admit, I did check out from doing the test Hill. Ran the rest of everything in for low with the center locked at about 12 PSI in the tires.
A couple of these smaller hills after the Whoopie’s, Towards the north end of the park, almost got me, however, with constant throttle and some sawing I made it up and over OK. I saw a few new Ram test trucks trying to hills as well and a couple got stuck in needed rescue.

Thanks again for everyone contributing to this thread, I used all the tips and tricks that everyone recommended here which made my time a lot more and less stressful!

 

[VSPro9]

Just an update, just got home after spending the afternoon at the dunes. I admit, I did check out from doing the test Hill. Ran the rest of everything in for low with the center locked at about 12 PSI in the tires.
A couple of these smaller hills after the Whoopie’s, Towards the north end of the park, almost got me, however, with constant throttle and some sawing I made it up and over OK. I saw a few new Ram test trucks trying to hills as well and a couple got stuck in needed rescue.

Thanks again for everyone contributing to this thread, I used all the tips and tricks that everyone recommended here which made my time a lot more and less stressful!

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Glad you had a great experience, if you want to check out more cool stuff in michigan join mitten state tours on Facebook. I host free overland trips and trail rides throughout the state

 

[Mike NXP]

I know one thing about sand and 100 series - don’t get down to your frame unless you have a winch and/or a friend with one. Same goes for snow. She’s a beached whale on her belly.

True that.....If anything other than all four wheels is touching the ground on these rigs you're gonna have a bad time . Need to know when to lay off the gas pedal and apply a little less razzle dazzle

Those sand trails look awesome, I need to get some wheel time on that type of stuff one day