Got my Defender stuck in soft sand on Sunday :(

[robm3]

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!

Edited by robm3 on Wednesday 26th November 23:19

[camel_landy]

Also, what gear did you try & pull away in?? 1st Lo will be far too low... 3rd Lo might be a better bet.

M

[robm3]

yep, 1st gear

I'm so tempted to go back and replicate the problem just to learn.

[jep]

Don't forget to ask Mrs Rob to bring the RR and a tow rope just in case

[A.J.M]

Do it, it's the only way you will learn how to avoid it in future.

Make the wife bring the RR, tow rope and camera though.

[Impasse]

And check the tide times!

[robm3]

Offending Boat Ramp and RR shrugging it off with disdain....

[robm3]

I've got 'form' with sand too

[paintman]

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!)

Edited by paintman on Wednesday 26th November 09:30

[grand cherokee]

robm3 said:

Offending Boat Ramp and RR shrugging it off with disdain....

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?

[camel_landy]

grand cherokee said:

robm3 said:

Offending Boat Ramp and RR shrugging it off with disdain....

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?

Actually... It's probably the auto gearbox that makes the biggest difference in this situation.

M

[paintman]

There are certain advantages with the autobox - mine's an auto.

[robm3]

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!)

Edited by paintman on Wednesday 26th November 09:30

Your post is spot on. Plus I've just brought a hand winch off ebay and those mats. Next up is a folding spade.

[unstable load]

robm3 said:

I've got 'form' with sand too

Plus 1 here, but I managed it with a Unimog and had the ignominy of being rescued by a front end loader.

[Bill]

IME of sand if you're stopped then more throttle just digs you in further. Drop the tyre pressures, low first, diff lock on and let the clutch out slowly so it slips on tickover. Better still drop the tyre pressures early and maintain momentum - not easy on a boat ramp though