Driving LR3 in soft sand?

[99tjrockcrawler]

Did an search already and did not find what I was looking for. We are looking at buying a new LR3 and I was curious how well they do in the sand. I don't mean beach sand but soft sand in the dunes. Is there a way to put tow hooks on the front? how do you get pulled out by the front because all I saw was bumper up front with no way to attach a rope or chain? Is the winch option from landrover worth it?

Are there any people on here that do serious off-road with these things not just the local dirt road. My wife and I do a lot of off-roading and I have never seen these out there so I was just now sure how good they are.

Thanks for any advice

 

[roverman]

There actually is a tow hook in front, it's behind the lower air dam, which comes off very easily. Haven't been in soft dune sand, but that's all about weight and tires really. And this is a heavy truck with crappy tires.....but it does have SAND mode!

 

[davez26]

Are there any people on here that do serious off-road with these things not just the local dirt road. My wife and I do a lot of off-roading and I have never seen these out there so I was just now sure how good they are.

Thanks for any advice

I wheel mine as much as I can, and I know Nathan does. Off-road, it has been awesome, from high Mosquito Pass, to the Great Sand Dunes, to Moab, no troubles. The car does everything you want it to do off-road, then you can cruise home @ the end of the day in comfort. Box-stock it is very capable. The one thing that sticks out as not that great are the factory tires. They are acceptable, but could be better.
As for sand, when we hit Medano Pass headed to the Great Sand Dunes, the sand was very soft. Sand mode is a tremendous help, keep the momentum up, and turn the DSC off. Of course airing down can do quite a bit as well.
The tow points are hidden behind covers front and rear, and are pretty stout.

 

[qwertmonkey]

I don't have any personal experience....yet....but allow me to offer my $0.02.

With the LR3's Terrain Response system, you can select "Sand" mode. It adjusts the throttle, diffs, and vehicle height. Heres some info directly from Land Rover's site. Isn't it amazing what you can find if you look for it?

The LR3´s all-terrain Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is designed to help keep the driver firmly in command.

· Applies corrective measures if vehicle slides—reduces engine power, applies ABS braking to individual wheels to help maintain control.
· Offers option to deactivate DSC when in deep sand, etc.

Heres a link for all the videos that explain the LR3's off-road performance.

http://www.landroverusa.com/us/en/Vehicles/LR3/Vehicle Features/Off-Road Capabilities.htm

Again, if you seek, you will find....

 

[nwoods]

Mine did great in Pismo, once I aired down to 15 PSI. I found 3rd gear in Low Range to be the best all around gear, downshifting to 2nd near the peaks of hills to keep the Momentum up.

Lots of photos here: http://blog.nextstepdesigns.com/?cat=15

FWIW, there are a few people who've indicated that in deep sand, they did not like the Sand mode. I can't give an opinion, mine doesn't have Terrian Control other than a size 13 shoe.

 

[nwoods]

Oh yeah, definately turn DSC off, but you need to do that in pretty much all off road scenarios, not just sand.

 

[toddjb122]

Good to know that others are also finding its nice to turn DSC off in sand. (and its not just me...seems that qmonkey found that on a LR site as well).

I'll go out on the beach in SOFT sand, not packed down by other drivers or rain. Well I don't feel as comfortable as I have in other trucks in the past (due to better tires or lighter weight), I still pretty much go anywhere I want as long as the tires are aired down considerably. Do that, and you can go where you want.

 

[hooknows]

Well, I have a newer 2006 V6 LR3 and have taken it in quite a bit of sand. It has stock tires also. I always put it in sand mode and off road height adjustment. It does great with just driving through soft sand here in Florida. I don't know if it is sugar sand but it would be like the softest stuff you find on the beach...if that helps. I have gone up and down some pretty high hills and fairly steep. That is the good news. However, there are a couple hills that are about 10-12 feet high and VERY steep (maybe 60 degrees) that I can't quite get all the way up but my friend has a Ford F150 4WD and he can go up them no problem. I got my front wheels to the top every time but just couldn't get the rear tires quite all the way up. BUT, I had DSC turned on and the tires inflated to 42 psi. SO, now that I know about DSC, I am hoping once I turn it off I will be able to get up the hill also!! I'll be trying soon and let you know. Oh yeah, the guy with the Ford has more of an all terrain tire also so I'm sure that helps too. He also has a V8 but I don't know if my engine is the problem. I'd love any replies back on what I can hope for as far as seeing a difference without DSC on or any sand driving tips...

 

[nwoods]

Your engine is definately NOT the problem. Do the following:
1. Air down your tires to at least 20 PSI.
2. Turn off DSC
3. Turn off Sand Mode and choose Mud instead
4. Put it low range
5. Manually shift to 3rd gear and punch the throttle and tackle that hill soldier!

(if you need to, down shift to 2nd as you apex or near the top)

Explainations:
1. Airing down will almost double your tire contact area = more traction!
2. This wants to throttle down your engine when it detects wheel spin
3. Sand mode gives you responsive throttle, but keeps traction control on, even overiding your manually turned off DSC setting. The thinking is that you want to start more gentlely to prevent wheel spin on take off. In reality, wheel spin is productive in sand, not to mention fun!
4. Low range locks your center diff and splits the power up equally front and rear, allowing your front wheels to pull you up instead of just the rears pushing uphill in the sand. Pulling is good. Like how FWD cars go good in snow...
5. I have found 3rd gear gives enough speed and yet keeps the rev's up for max horsepower, very neccessary in the sand.

 

[roverman]

Agree w/everything except #3 nwoods. DSC can be turned off in sand mode-at least per the manual. The pickup probably did better b/c of the tires and his light rear end. Air down and go get 'em.