Best tyre pressure for beach driving (How to not get bogged)
If your 4WD gets bogged on sand, there’s a good chance you are running your tyres with too much air in them. Every vehicle and beach is different, but often people are far too conservative when it comes to deflating their tyres enough for beach driving.
There’s nothing more frustrating than getting stuck behind a bogged 4WD on the beach, whilst they struggle to move half a meter because of the wrong tyre pressures.
There is a correct tyre pressure for beach driving, and it depends on your vehicle, tyre size and how soft the sand is!
Why do you let your tyres down for beach driving?
When you let air out of your tyres, the surface area of rubber contacting the ground increases. It gets slightly wider, and a lot longer. From full tyre pressure down to around 15PSI your surface area nearly doubles.
This means that instead of the weight of your 4WD being distributed over each tyres small footprint (and forcing the tyres to sink), the load is spread over pretty much double the area, and allows the tyres to float over the top of the sand.
The best tyre pressure for sand is the one that allows you to drive over it easily and safely.
What happens if you don’t let your tyres down enough?
Asides from dramatically increasing the chances of your vehicle getting bogged on the beach, you work your engine considerably harder.
A 4WD that has to bulldoze its way through soft sand as a pose to allowing the tyres to float over the sand will often run much hotter, and can easily cause engine damage if you aren’t careful.
This also results in using a lot more fuel than if you adjusted your pressures properly.
You will find that you dig huge ruts with tyre pressures that are too hard as well, which will make it very difficult for anyone else to follow in your tracks.
Asides from the giant ruts, tyres that are not deflated enough spin and create bumps on the track. You might not think it makes much of a difference, but its a terrible feeling trying to follow a track whilst you are getting thrown up and down!
After a big Easter at Yeagarup the tracks were so badly chopped up that it was almost impossible to get enough momentum to drive up the exit dune.
The bottom line though, if you don’t have the PSI for beach driving you risk getting stuck. If this happens to be as the tide is coming up, you are putting your pride and joy at risk.
How do you know when you have the right tyre pressures?
It takes a bit of practise to get the tyre pressure correct. For some beaches, you barely have to let the air out at all.
For many beaches in WA though, you won’t make it more than 10 metres from the entrance without proper tyre deflation.
When your 4WD tyres are deflated correctly for beach driving, you should be able to roll without any acceleration for at least a couple of meters.
If you take your foot off the accelerator and the vehicle almost immediately bogs down and stops, you know the tyres are digging in and not floating, like they should be.
Your vehicle shouldn’t be struggling to drive on the beach either; even the softest beaches can be driven by most 4WD’s without any issues. If your car is struggling, go down a bit more and you will be amazed.
If there are signs asking you to reduce your tyre pressure to a certain amount, please follow them. They are there for a reason, and you will chop tracks up without the right pressures.
What’s the best tyre pressures for beach driving?
I tell most people the recommended tyre pressure for beach driving is 16 PSI, and lower as required. Even heavy Land Cruiser and Patrols (like my 80 Series is when it’s loaded up) can be safely driven along the beach at 16 PSI.
For light weight vehicles, like Jimny’s and Sierra’s, you can start off at around 12 PSI. I would not go above 35 – 40km / hour at these pressures!
Be aware that if you corner quickly, your chances of rolling a tyre off the bead increase phenomenally. You should never brake hard, or turn quickly on soft sand anyway, but even more so when you have low tyre pressures.
The heavier your vehicle is, the more air you should keep in your 4WD. Likewise, if you fit bigger tyres, you gain flotation and may not need to deflate them as much. The right PSI for beach driving takes a bit of trial and error, and vastly depends on how soft the beach is.
Another thing to remember is the temperature of the air in your tyres. This varies considerably, and your tyre pressures will change a lot depending on whether you read the gauge after driving for a while, or when the tyres are cold.
You can read more about this at Do you check your tyre pressures hot or cold?
Don’t be afraid to let more air out
If your vehicle is struggling at 20PSI on the beach, let some more out. If you go down to 15PSI, that’s 25% less air in the tyres. 5 PSI might seem like very little, but it makes a world of difference.
If you really get in trouble, don’t be afraid to let your tyres down to 8, or even 6 PSI. Obviously, you need to be very careful at these pressures, but they will get you out of trouble if you are buried to the chassis rails with an incoming tide!
I have run my 80 Series Landcruiser at 8 – 10 PSI several times, when the sand was very soft. I don’t like doing it, but with the soft sands we get over here in WA sometimes you have no choice!
Have you been stuck on the beach?
I’d love to hear your stories; leave a comment below. What tyre pressure do you automatically drop to for beach driving?
Hey Andrew,
Yep, they make a huge difference, and sometimes it takes a practical scenario for that to really hit home. Going from 18 PSI to 15 is only 3 PSI, but its nearly 20% less air, which is incredible
Cheers, and all the best
Aaron
Tyre pressures make a world of difference – our Pajero recently had an issue with the 4wd system on the way out to the beach (while on a sand track), only had 2wd to get out onto the beach and back. We started with 18 PSI, got a bit stuck when we had to stop at the bottom of a sand bowl, but after a few attempts and taking another line we got out. When we got on the beach I read that exiting was more difficult, we lowered the pressures to 15 psi and made it out no problem.
Hi Greg,
With all due respect, you won’t be driving on any soft beach in Australia with any tyres on any normal 4WD without letting air out. You’d sink to the axles within a matter of seconds.
All the best
Aaron
Not sure about letting the air out just to drive on the beach.. easier with the right tyres
Thanks Aaron, yes it was fun and educational. The clutch got a bit toasty but it’ll be ok. Thanks for confirming the pressures.
Hey Jeff,
Sounds like you had a bit of fun, and learnt something in the process. Jimny’s are one of the best 4WD’s for beach driving, and even at 15 – 20 PSI they will walk through most beaches. You can easily go down to 12 PSI though as needed, and lower if you really get stuck, but I doubt that will happen.
All the best
Aaron
Just took my Feb 2020 Jimny to the beach for the first time. Did not have a tyre gauge with me. Tims Thicket in WA. Made it through the entrance to the beach ok but started to struggle on the beach, at this stage the tyres were still at road pressure. Stopped to let out air but without knowing what pressure is was going to I played it very conservative. Got to a point I estimated to be about 20 -15 PSI and set off again. Made it out of the beach after a couple of embarrassing attempts. Went to refill the tyres at the first servo and found I’d gone all the way down to 32 PSI from 36 for road. So, I need a tyre gauge or at least carry my compressor so I tell WTF I’m doing. Reading a few threads I’m picking up that Jimnys are good on the beach between 8 and 12 PSI. Would anyone agree with this?
Hi Ross,
It should do, for most cases. I would take a cheap tyre pressure gauge too, and if for some reason you need to go lower just use a stick or key to let more out.
All the best
Aaron
Hey Aaron,
I have a stock 2018 Ford Ranger XLT dual cab with stock tyres. I’m planning on doing some beach driving down in Esperance for the first time in a couple weeks time with the family. I bought Staun tyre deflators which are set to 18PSI from the factory. Will this pressure do?
Cheers for your help,
Ross
Hey James,
Sand driving is one of the hardest things that you can make a 4WD do. If your cooling system isn’t up to scratch, its a quick way to identify any issues.
If the vehicle feels like its struggling at all, you should go down more on the tyre pressures. The roll test is done at slow speed – say under 20 – 30km/h. I reckon you may find 16 PSI a better beach driving tyre pressure.
All the best
Aaron
Hi Aaron,
Just wondering what speed are you travelling at when you’re doing your roll test? Took my 80 series cruiser 285/75-16 tyres lowered to 20psi on the beach for the first time. Didn’t get stuck but got a little bit warm in the soft stuff. Also will be taking the trailer out next time, any tips for towing on the beach?
Cheers mate
Hey Cwb,
I’m glad you enjoyed it.
All the best
Aaron
You’re a very patient man Mr Schubert. Thanks for the info. Good tip about the thongs.
Hi Fiona,
Without knowing more about the vehicle, I’d probably start at 20 PSI, and go down to 16 PSI if you are having a hard time, and lower as needed.
You just need a 12V compressor, which can be purchased from most auto shops, BCF, 4WD shops etc. How much you spend depends on how often you are going to use it.
All the best
Aaron
Thank you for the article/info. Also a newbie looking to take our Isuzu MU-X on sand at Straddie and Fraser. What would you suggest as the start tyre psi with car loaded with camping gear and with car empty? Do you also have suggestions for equipment for reinflating the tyres?
Hi Craig,
I’m not familiar with that beach, or how heavy your vehicle is, or what tyres you are running. 20 PSI is a good starting point, and if you find the vehicle rolls to a stop very quickly when you take your foot off the accelerator you can go lower. 16 PSI is fine unless you are going quickly or turning fast, and you can even go lower as required.
All the best
Aaron
Hi,
What tyre pressure is recommended for a Holden Colorado7 on Hawks Nest beach ?
I was thinking 16 as apparently it’s fairly soft sand?
Regards
Craig
Hi Alisha,
I don’t know much about the Dodge Nitro’s, and I’ve never seen one on the beach. Are they 4WD? 20 PSI might be OK, but we usually start around 16, depending on the tyre and rim size.
All the best
Aaron
Hey Mick,
Bare foot mate, every time!
Aaron
If I’m walking up Fraser Island in my double plugger thongs and one of them has a blow out, should I go full bare foot or just wear one?
I have a Dodge Nitro and am going to Fraser Island. Im a beach driving newbie. Would 20psi be ok to start with. Also has anyone take my type of car on the sand. Im very nervous.
Hi Daryl,
It all depends on how much weight you have in the vehicle, and the tyre size you are running. I’d start at 20 PSI and go lower as required. The beaches may not be too soft.
As long as you are gentle on the throttle and steering (and speed) you can easily go down to about 12 PSI before it starts getting risky
Aaron
Hi, we have just brought a 2010 Nissan pathfinder (ti). I want to do a bit of beach fishing on the Mid north coast (NSW). What would be the recommended tyre pressure for this vehicle.
Hi Ashley,
Again, it depends on lots of factors. Start at 25 and go down
Aaron
My 4wd has 285 55 20 on it what tire pressure should I start with to go on the beach.cheers
Hi Ashley,
Depends on the beach, the 4WD and how much it weighs. If its relatively soft start at 22 PSI and work down from there if required. With such big rims you want to be careful how low you go, as you will pinch the tyre or roll a bead off much easier.
Aaron
My 4wd has 285 55 20 on it what tire pressure should I start with to go on the beach.cheers
Hey mate,
Yep, higher pressures make your vehicle run much hotter on the beach; it is one of the most stressing places you can drive for your engine.
Aaron
I don’t know if I am alone but I find that if my tyres are anything above 16PSI my car (TB42 GQ Patrol) my car tends to cook.
You are most welcome mate!
thanks for the info!
Hi Dave,
There’s nothing worse than having to get out and let more air out of your tyres, especially if you are bogged with an incoming tide! I’ve only ever flicked the lockers on once on the beach, but will use them regularly in mud/rocks/gravel tracks.
Have a good one!
I always go down to 12 psi and have never had a problem with tires coming off the rim. I carry Maxtrax just in case but have never had to use them. BTW its better to engage lockers before you get stuck rather than after, it doesn’t compromise your manhood !!