Taking your car out on the beach is an exciting adventure. It is a completely different way to see your surrounding and get up close to the water. But it does come with its risks. Have you seen the videos on the internet? There is always someone who isn’t paying attention or hasn’t gotten their car ready for the beach. They end up bogged and needing assistance to get back out of the water or off the sand. Don’t be that person. It is crucial to look after yourself, your car, and those around you if you decide to drive on the beach. Here are a few tips on what to do when bogged on the beach and how to prevent it.
Reduce the pressure of your tyres.
Before heading out onto the beach, it is a good idea to let some air out of your tyres. By deflating your tyres, it will help you not to get bogged in the sand. The pressure in your tyres can greatly affect how you drive on the sand. If your pressure is too high than you are likely to hit the sand hard and not be able to go anywhere.
When turning around, do it downhill.
If you are trying to drive up hill on the sand, you will find it becomes a lot more difficult. If you need to turn around whilst you are on the sand, try and do it on a downhill slope. Start your turn whilst you are on the high side and end it on the low side, this way you are not be at your slowest when you are hitting the steep part of the hill.
This will make the turning process a lot easier and reduce the risk of getting bogged.
Keep moving.
Whilst you are on the softer sand or heading upwards in the sand, keep the car moving. If you are slowing down too much or stopping in the softer parts of the sand you are more likely to become bogged. Keep your eyes ahead of you and scan the area that you are coming up to. By knowing the conditions of the sand ahead of you, you can work out the best times to accelerate and get the momentum there ready to get over the riskier sections.
What do I do if I do get bogged?
If, even though you followed the above (or you didn’t) and you get bogged, now is the time to stop revving the engine and trying to get out.
Rather than trying to continue creeping out and accelerating, it is time to admit defeat and stop. By continuing to try and get out, all you are doing is pushing your tyres deeper into the sand, making it harder for the recovery process.
Most importantly look out for the safety of yourself and those in your car. If you are bogged in the water or in a section where the tide is starting to come in, your safety is the main priority – not the car.
Also look out for the safety of those around you. If you have another car there to help recover your vehicle by pulling it out, make sure any bystanders are a few metres away so that there is no risk of straps or car parts coming off and hitting them.
Look around your car and determine how you got bogged. Did you not let your tyres pressure down enough? Is something broken?
Sometimes all you need is to dig away a little sand and reduce your tyre pressure and you are good to go. Other times you need recovery gear or someone to tow you out.
So why not go and get your car ready and take a drive out on the sand. You won’t regret it (unless of course you get bogged)