Deflation #
Deflate your tires based on the terrain you are planning to cover.
Disable Traction Control, ABS, and Curtain Airbags
These 3 are critical. Disabling the traction control can be done with the button on the dash, but ABS and curtain airbags usually requires you to pull the fuse.
Disable Traction Control, ABS, and Curtain Airbags #
These three are critical. Disabling the traction control can be done with the button on the dashboard, but ABS and curtain airbags usually require you to pull the fuse.
Which Gear #
Most desert driving should be done in High Range (4H).
Low Range should only be used in specific situations when negotiating an obstacle or for self-recovery exercises.
Low Range has very useful characteristics, especially for controlling your vehicle on steep descents by offering excellent engine braking. This means that when you remove your foot from the accelerator, the vehicle is slowed down by the engine and you do not have to use your brakes. Retardation is applied evenly to all wheels through the transmission, and the weight transfer associated with foot braking does not occur.
Steering #
Steering will not be as sharp or as responsive as on a hardened surface. The vehicle will not turn on a dime. There is a small delay between where you want the nose to point and where the car itself wants to go. Basically, you turn and then wait for the rest of the car to catch up before it actually starts to respond. This delay gets worse as the speed of your vehicle increases, as well as the softness of the sand you’re driving on. So, you have to be a little ahead of time—a sort of mini time traveler, if you wish—and be able to predict where you want to be going in the next few seconds rather than waiting until the last moment.
Momentum #
Once you get going, you must remember to think of sand as a liquid surface. You must keep your momentum; in fact, momentum is your biggest friend out in the desert. Once you have an intimate relationship with momentum, it will help you in a lot of situations. What you initially thought were impassable tracts of sand, momentum will take you through.
Tackling Your First Dune #
OK, now that we know how to drive on flat surfaces, let’s tackle some fun stuff—going up a dune!
At first, always try to go up the easy side. Always look for a smooth and straight line up, one that is clear of all bushes, dips, and bumps—basically, as smooth a ride up as possible. Then comes the tricky bit. What you need is power, but in a very measured quantity. Too little and you won’t make it; too much will send you flying off into the unknown on the other side.
So, to make it simple, the thing to do is give it as much as you’ve got at first, but ease off—or totally let go—before you go flying over the crest. Three-quarters of the way up the climb, you should be able to judge from the forward momentum of the car whether you need to keep the pedal mashed into the carpet, back off, or let your old friend momentum take care of the rest with just some gentle blips of the accelerator here and there.
If you run out of momentum while climbing the dune, do not worry or panic. This is called a REFUSAL.
Gently reverse and slowly come back down in your own tracks. Announce on the radio that you have a refusal. Reverse far enough so you can take a second attempt, this time with a bit more momentum.
Coming Down or Descending #
As with all things, what goes up must come down. Going down is one of the easier parts of desert driving and sometimes one of the scarier parts, especially if you’re a beginner. However, don’t become too relaxed about it either—things can still go wrong.
The first basic rule is to keep your wheels and the nose of your vehicle pointing straight down. This might be harder than it sounds. Remember what was mentioned earlier about reversing down a dune—the same thing can happen while going down nose first.
Again, never freewheel in neutral down a slope, and don’t brake too aggressively. This will cause your nose to dig in and, in a worst-case scenario, cause you to flip over. Although this is very rare, it can happen.
Another phenomenon while going down a dune is fishtailing. This is when the rear of your car wants to overtake the front, causing it to slide sideways. The correct response is to make the appropriate steering correction and gently accelerate so the front regains speed relative to the rear. Be gentle—overenthusiasm here can make the situation worse than the initial fishtailing.
If coming down a sharp and steep slope, engage 4LO and 1st gear (or D1 if driving an automatic), then let the vehicle descend with the help of gravity and engine braking. It is better to begin practising this technique on gentler slopes while using D1 or 1st gear. Once you become comfortable with it, you should be able to complete the descent in Drive using controlled braking when required. Nevertheless, it is always useful to know this technique.
Reading the Sand #
Learn to distinguish between different types of surfaces in the desert. You only have to look at a large expanse of desert to notice different shapes of dunes, different colours and textures of the sand, and the presence or absence of vegetation. Each aspect of the terrain tells a story to the skilled driver.
Stretches of sand with a rippled surface are likely to offer a firmer grip than smooth sand. These ripples are formed by the wind, which compacts the sand.
At the bottom of a blowout or a hollow between large dunes, there will often be loose sand that has been blown from the tops of the surrounding dunes. These hollows are potential danger spots, as the sand is soft and powdery and offers little traction.
If you find yourself in a blowout, keep moving—don’t stop—until your vehicle is on the slope of the hollow. Better still, drive through and out of the depression. If you stop on the side of the slope, you can then use the Forward and Back routine to get out.
In the bottom of a blowhole or a hollow between large dunes there will be loose sand that has been blown off the top of adjacent peaks. These hollows are potential danger spots as the sand is soft and powdery and offers little traction. If you find yourself in a blowhole keep moving, don’t stop, until your vehicle is on the slope of the hollow. Better still, drive on and get out of the hole. If you stop on the side of the slope you can then use the Forward and Back routine to get out of the hole.
Going Over the Top #
Driving over the ridge of a dune must be a careful process, especially if you cannot see what is on the other side.
The most important thing to avoid is becoming stuck with the front wheels on one side of the ridge and the rear wheels on the other, leaving the vehicle resting on its chassis (crested).
Most ridges will collapse under the weight of your vehicle, but if one doesn’t and you become stuck, you will need to dig the sand out from underneath the chassis to allow the wheels to regain contact with the ground or accept a recovery from another convoy member.
Look for What’s Next #
The unknown—or the other side of the dune—should always be treated with respect. In the majority of cases, the reality is far less worrying than what you imagine might be there.
Learn to anticipate what lies ahead. If the series of dunes you have been crossing is relatively low compared to the surrounding countryside, it is unlikely that there is a long, steep drop on the other side of the next dune.
Look ahead to the slope after the one you are currently tackling. Is it close or far away? If it is close, then the valley between the dunes will probably be shallow. If it is further away, there may be a deeper valley with steeper slopes.
If in doubt, stop in a safe location and inspect the terrain on foot.
Don’t Panic When You Get Stuck #
Unavoidable, but manageable.
Have a look at the article below:
Desert Stucks and Recoveries – SandScope
Good Driving Habits #
Whether this is your first or your hundredth time on the dunes, everyone can benefit from brushing up on their technique to get the most out of every drive.
Line of Least Resistance #
Try to take the line of least resistance when tackling an obstacle. Whilst smooth slopes should always be tackled in a straight line, there are some climbs where a meandering route following a gradual ascent reduces the overall angle of climb.
Keep Your Distance #
When travelling in convoy, some drivers have a bad habit of driving too close to the vehicle in front. This can create serious problems if the lead vehicle runs into difficulty, must stop suddenly, or needs to reverse back along its tracks, as the following driver has little time or space to react and may become stuck as well.
A reasonable distance to maintain is approximately four to five vehicle lengths when driving over dunes and rough terrain. This provides a clear view ahead and sufficient reaction time if problems occur.
Two-Way Radio Communications #
A two-way radio (walkie-talkie) is essential equipment for any off-roader, as it provides clear and potentially life-saving communication when there is no mobile phone coverage.
The following guidelines are useful when communicating over the radio:
Be Patient #
The other person may not be able to respond immediately. Be patient and give them time to reply before re-sending your call.
Use Short, Concise, and Clear Messages #
As two-way radios only allow one person to speak at a time, keep your transmissions short, clear, and to the point. This gives other users an opportunity to acknowledge your message or request clarification before you continue.
Pause Before Speaking #
When you first press the Push-to-Talk (PTT) button, there can be a short delay before your radio begins transmitting. This could result in your first few words being cut off, so wait a second or two before speaking to ensure your listeners hear your complete message.
Learn the Lingo #
It helps two-way radio communication when everyone understands and uses similar language and etiquette, especially when more than two people are using the channel.
- Over – I’ve finished speaking.
- Say Again – Repeat your last message.
- Stand By – I acknowledge your transmission but can’t respond right now.
- Go Ahead – I can respond; go ahead with your message.
- Roger – Message received and understood.
- Affirmative / Negative – Yes / No.
- Out – The conversation is finished and the channel is clear for other users.
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