Got my Defender stuck in soft sand on Sunday :(
Discussion
Sorry, no pictures but was pulling a jetski trailer out at a boat ramp. It was low tide so car was ankle deep in water (trailer about 2 ft deep). Bottom part of ramp is all Sand. Trailer had dropped into a hole on one side.
Anyhow I neglected to lock the diffs, choosing instead to select low range (inexperience with Defenders). I think only two wheels spun but couldn't see which and next thing I know I'm buried.
Lightbulb came on, diff's not locked!!, shifted the second lever across to lock diffs but to no avail, it just buried me deeper.
Thankfully a bloke had a Landcruiser there with a winch, pulled me out eventually.
Lessons to be learnt here:
Soft Surface - Diff Lock Straight Away.
Buy a hand winch - be self sufficient.
Use my Range Rover cos it's never got me stuck on that ramp (I can only conclude modern electronics are superior to manual systems)
Get some lessons to driving on sand!
As my helpful wife pointed out, it's the second time I've got a Land Rover stuck in soft sand and had to be rescued by a Toyota Landcruiser -- The Shame of It!
Anyhow I neglected to lock the diffs, choosing instead to select low range (inexperience with Defenders). I think only two wheels spun but couldn't see which and next thing I know I'm buried.
Lightbulb came on, diff's not locked!!, shifted the second lever across to lock diffs but to no avail, it just buried me deeper.
Thankfully a bloke had a Landcruiser there with a winch, pulled me out eventually.
Lessons to be learnt here:
Soft Surface - Diff Lock Straight Away.
Buy a hand winch - be self sufficient.
Use my Range Rover cos it's never got me stuck on that ramp (I can only conclude modern electronics are superior to manual systems)
Get some lessons to driving on sand!
As my helpful wife pointed out, it's the second time I've got a Land Rover stuck in soft sand and had to be rescued by a Toyota Landcruiser -- The Shame of It!
Edited by robm3 on Wednesday 26th November 23:19
Puts you in mind of the various pics posted here & elsewhere over the years of assorted 4x4s stuck on sandy beaches with the tide rising around them.
Not surprised your RR didn't have problems as there is much electrowizardry going on with the brakes.
With a 'normal' one (I have a 1986 RRC) you only have the options of high & low range and difflock. Even with difflock engaged - which only locks the centre diff, NOT the axle ones - if a wheel on each axle can spin then that is what will happen & you will be well stuck. The power will take the line of least resistance. Called cross axled & if you look at this clip you will see the rear n/s and front o/s wheels are just spinning.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FInWlxJUl6I
I keep a pair of mats similar to these in the boot & they've come in handy a couple of timeshttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-PAIR-Car-Van-Truck-Tyr... The fun can be getting them in position so the wheels will go onto them if you're stuck...(so I carry a folding spade as well!)
Not surprised your RR didn't have problems as there is much electrowizardry going on with the brakes.
With a 'normal' one (I have a 1986 RRC) you only have the options of high & low range and difflock. Even with difflock engaged - which only locks the centre diff, NOT the axle ones - if a wheel on each axle can spin then that is what will happen & you will be well stuck. The power will take the line of least resistance. Called cross axled & if you look at this clip you will see the rear n/s and front o/s wheels are just spinning.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FInWlxJUl6I
I keep a pair of mats similar to these in the boot & they've come in handy a couple of timeshttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-PAIR-Car-Van-Truck-Tyr... The fun can be getting them in position so the wheels will go onto them if you're stuck...(so I carry a folding spade as well!)
Edited by paintman on Wednesday 26th November 09:30
grand cherokee said:
robm3 said:
a lot of 'purists' show disdain the the RR 'system'lets be honest in 99% of situations it will be better than a human - remember when 'purists' showed the same disdain for ABS?
M
paintman said:
Puts you in mind of the various pics posted here & elsewhere over the years of assorted 4x4s stuck on sandy beaches with the tide rising around them.
Not surprised your RR didn't have problems as there is much electrowizardry going on with the brakes.
With a 'normal' one (I have a 1986 RRC) you only have the options of high & low range and difflock. Even with difflock engaged - which only locks the centre diff, NOT the axle ones - if a wheel on each axle can spin then that is what will happen & you will be well stuck. The power will take the line of least resistance. Called cross axled & if you look at this clip you will see the rear n/s and front o/s wheels are just spinning.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FInWlxJUl6I
I keep a pair of mats similar to these in the boot & they've come in handy a couple of timeshttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-PAIR-Car-Van-Truck-Tyr... The fun can be getting them in position so the wheels will go onto them if you're stuck...(so I carry a folding spade as well!)
Your post is spot on. Plus I've just brought a hand winch off ebay and those mats. Next up is a folding spade.Not surprised your RR didn't have problems as there is much electrowizardry going on with the brakes.
With a 'normal' one (I have a 1986 RRC) you only have the options of high & low range and difflock. Even with difflock engaged - which only locks the centre diff, NOT the axle ones - if a wheel on each axle can spin then that is what will happen & you will be well stuck. The power will take the line of least resistance. Called cross axled & if you look at this clip you will see the rear n/s and front o/s wheels are just spinning.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FInWlxJUl6I
I keep a pair of mats similar to these in the boot & they've come in handy a couple of timeshttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-PAIR-Car-Van-Truck-Tyr... The fun can be getting them in position so the wheels will go onto them if you're stuck...(so I carry a folding spade as well!)
Edited by paintman on Wednesday 26th November 09:30
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