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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
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Mood: Wondering what is next???
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Stuck in Baja again
The subject maybe beat to death, but my searches has not uncovered much. I was looking for a recent photo of a class "C" stuck on a beach. I was going
to ask a question or two, but cannot find it.
Have you been stuck??
What technique did you use?
I intend to use HooK's suggestion and pre-install hooks front and rear in case I get help.
I have a feeling with what little I know about sand, I'm going to be in big trouble sooner or later. 
Maybe a list for sand survival?
My big concern is for my motorhome. but anything at all is good for this rookie.
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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#1. Don't go in the sand or tide flats with your motorhome !
With or without a winch, 2x8's are ok for the front wheels but sand grates under the drive wheels are much better to get unstuck. A really big winch
could help if you had something to tie off to; a 4x4 tow vehicle to get help would be better yet.
If you get stuck, do not mess around. Air down the tires and place the grates before even trying to get unstuck. (Place the 2x's and grates before
airing down and the tires will settle partly onto them as they flatten)
I have helped monster motorhomes get unstuck with my F350 a few times but, even with the winch, I couldn't have got them out if they were stuck good
or if I had to pull from a soft surface. Your only hope will be a truck from the city or another diesel pusher.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64857
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Let as much air out of the tires as needed to cause them to buldge and thus 'float' rather than dig into the sand.
Bob and Pat Hale and Bob's brother frequently drive their full size (2WD) motorhomes onto the 'bottomless' sand beach at Shell Island... It is quite
amazing to see... Bob thinks nothing of it... it's all air pressure...
Mind you, I would not do this without a companion rig along to wench you out if your tires didn't float the way Bob's does.
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
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Mood: Wondering what is next???
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Diver
#1. Don't go in the sand or tide flats with your motorhome !
Thanks Diver, but,but,but Turtle and toad does it. |
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
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Love That Wenching !
Nothing quite so satisfying as being Wenched out .
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
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Mood: Wondering what is next???
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Let as much air out of the tires as needed to cause them to buldge and thus 'float' rather than dig into the sand.
Bob and Pat Hale and Bob's brother frequently drive their full size (2WD) motorhomes onto the 'bottomless' sand beach at Shell Island... It is quite
amazing to see... Bob thinks nothing of it... it's all air pressure...
Mind you, I would not do this without a companion rig along to wench you out if your tires didn't float the way Bob's does. |
David... Do you know if Bob has spacers between his duellys so they don't rub at low air, also when on dirt roads.
I am making a list of things, because not much use for a motorhome in Baja if you cannot live on the beach. 
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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I think I have previously written......
.....about the degree of astonishment I had at how many places an aired down class C with duallys would go. I was dropping em down in the 20s and was
actually getting across 6-8 inch sand in Vallecito wash. I mean, literally hundreds of yards of the stuff. I took my old 24 footer up Bow Willow, So.
Carrizo and even Canyon Sin Nombre. Just a standard Dana 60 rear end, I believe.
Ya gotta learn your limits, though, Al.
Diver, how much are sand grates and how much room do they take up storing them in a rig? I only use 2x8s cause they are cheap, readily available and
store fairly easy.
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Al G
| Quote: | Originally posted by Diver
#1. Don't go in the sand or tide flats with your motorhome !
Thanks Diver, but,but,but Turtle and toad does it. |
Maybe T&T goes in the sand but not the tide flats.
Sorry, but I didn't recommend that you play in the sand because you are asking the question. Once you have some Baja-time on your rig, you will be
like T&T and won't have to ask. Until then, better to stay out of the sand !
A few years back, I happened upon a gentleman in a brand new 4x4 automatic suv, looking stuck in the sand near San Quinton. When I asked what was the
problem, he said that the truck was stuck, it would not go up the little sand hill.
I didn't see where he was dug in and his tires were down so I suggested he get in and gently give it some gas while applying a little pressure on the
brake pedal.
He ran up the rpm's and no wheel spin. I told him to release the brake and try again; still no wheel spin.
I asked what gear he was in and what the rpm's ran up to but he had no tackometer in his new SUV.
I got in and slowly pushed the gas peddle toward the floor and the thing almost jumped up the hill. He hadn't been giving it enough gas peddle ! He
wasn't even stuck !
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
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I really want to thank you Diver. There is a lot of wisdom in your post. I know there are risks I will be taking. Only trying to learn the ways out if
possible. I know there is a lot of knowledge on this board and if I only learn 70-80 % (oh will my brain Hurt) I maybe will avoid the big hook most of
the time.
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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My biggest recommendation for baja travel is to prepare as reasonably as you can and then just use common sense. You will likely not get far enough
off-road that some nice person will come help you if you have a problem; it is the Baja way.
Besides, Rving Baja can't be that hard, even those dang Canudians do it all the time and they have frozen brains !! 
I still remember the feeling of those tightly wrapped and nervous fingers squeezing the steering wheel on my first trip south. I also still remember
the wonderful feeling of comfort and relaxation driving home on the same roads a few months later. After a road few trips, it will be your Baja too !
Why is it that I seem to start planning my winter Baja trips each spring, as soon as I get home from the last trip ?
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
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"Besides, Rving Baja can't be that hard, even those dang Canudians do it all the time and they have frozen brains !! "
to funny
You forgot to explain "Sand grates" where do you get them and what are they made of?????? Please
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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Bedman
Senior Nomad
Posts: 523
Registered: 9-4-2002
Location: Orange County, CA.
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Al,
If you have dually's on the back, you can almost always "Back out" of trouble. The dually's float pretty good. Not so with the singles up front.
Air pressure is important. I run 90 psi on all fours on asphalt. When I have to cross soft sand I air down to 35psi. But each tire and coach are
different. Watch your tire as you air down. You'll see when it starts to flatten out on the bottom. ALWAYS air up as soon as possible and I mean " AS
SOON AS POSSIBLE", not 5 miles down the road...but as soon as your passed the soft stuff. Tires don't like low air pressure and you will damage them.
I have seen many Mohos (all of mine and some others) stuck in soft sand. Most of the time I just backed out of the problem. Always walk the soft stuff
ad get a feel for it. After you walk a few miles (100 yards at a time) testing, you learn what you can and can not do. Once you make the decision to
drive further, don't have second thoughts half way through it and stop. Don't turn your wheels, Unless you HAVE to. Steady going wins the race. I have
backed up 1/4 mile to get through soft stuff and then 1/2 mile again, on the way out.
Bedman
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
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Bedman... Thanks, I thoudht you could air them down on dirt roads so I won't try that. What you say makes sence. My highway pressure is 105# rear and
95# front. Thought I could get down to 70 for sand. 35# would be a lot better. Would the air bags help or hurt?
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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Oso
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2637
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: on da border
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Mood: wait and see
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There are 2 kinds of Baja off-road travelers; those who have been stuck and those who are going to be stuck. The latter category includes the former.
Many old timers prefer a come-along to a winch. Finding one big enough for a MoHo could be an issue. As Bill says, a wench may be better. She may
not get you unstuck but who cares?
All my childhood I wanted to be older. Now I\'m older and this chitn sucks.
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Mexray
Super Nomad
Posts: 1016
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: California Delta
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Mood: Baja Time
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MoHo blues...
...we used to tow our sand rail behind our 24ft E-350 MoHo (460 Eng w/C6 auto tranny) down to Pismo every chance we got for a long weekend.
One 3-day'er, we left on a Friday evening and go onto Pismo late - these were the 'old days' before the State got involved and took over the dunes!
Anyway, as we drove down the beach (still with highway pressure in all the tires, and pulling the trailer) in the dark, we kept repeating the Pismo
Mantra...."Beware the Red Sand"! The 'Red Sand' on Pismo is the course, pebbly stuff that acts like the rollers on a chassis dynamo when you roll
into it...AKA 'Quicksand'!
It was a holiday weekend, and there were already lots of rigs from So-Cal ahead of we Nor-Cal types. We had to thread our way through the various
visiting sand Campos, staying above the high tide line, looking for that 'perfect' spot to park our 'fannies' for the week end.
You know what's coming, don't you - or you wouldn't be still reading... About
2/3's the way through the Campos, I spotted a nice open area to wind my way through, and I was lured right into a camouflaged patch of the dreaded Red
Sand!
My stomach hit bottom, as that unmistakable movement from the rear drive axle as it hops up and down on the sandy Dyno Rollers...Quick, floor that old
460 with the big old toilet bowl 4-barrel carb and try to power our way through the soft stuff! You guessed it, no way...before I could lift my foot
we no longer needed the rear springs to keep us level, as the frame rails were now embedded in the sand to keep us from rocking! Hey, Patricia, what
say we bed down right here for the night - looks like a nice neighborhood, and we have a nice ocean view - down there about 10 feet away!
The next morning, after unhooking the trailer, and digging some sand castle moats in front and back of the tires, we aired down as much as we could
and tried again...but alas, 'No-Way, Jose' was back on the scene.
By this time, there were several other fellow sand rail buddies around with their folding chairs occupied and steered in our direction. Hey, everyone
likes attention, right! Well we were the morning's entertainment for the coffee brewing crowd.
A couple of guys with big burley 4X4 pickups tried to pluck us back onto the top of the sand, but couldn't get enough traction - and those wimpy
electric winches just couldn't move our 'elephant' E-350, even after we unloaded all the beer!
Then some guys with freaky looking Jeeps took pity and chained on to us using a PTO powered winch and some frayed looking cable. The used TWO other
jeeps chained behind as anchors! That did the trick, and we popped right up on the firmer sand stuff! Those guys wouldn't take any of our money, but
they sure were coveting our beer supplies! We decided we could always take the Sand rail back into town for some more beer, and those guys looked
awful thirsty, so a trade was made and there were smiles all around. 
Beware the Ides of March, and the dreaded 'Red Sand'...
[Edited on 8-29-2006 by Mexray]
According to my clock...anytime is \'BAJA TIME\' & as Jimmy Buffett says,
\"It doesn\'t use numbers or moving hands It always just says now...\"
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
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Great story Mex ray.. I am now a born again red sand guru, maybe??
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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thebajarunner
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3718
Registered: 9-8-2003
Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
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Mood: muy amable
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Sand Grates?
I have no idea what a sand grate is!
However, a couple years ago this subject got thoroughly thrashed here and I gave the following advice:
Go to your local steel supply center. Ask them for two pieces of expanded metal, you will need it cut to size. Perhaps 18" wide and 4' to 5' long.
They may not cut for you, and you will have to get a fab shop to do it for you. You will also need them to 'condition' the edges, as the cutting
process will yield a razor sharp edge.
They are easy to bolt down, under a spare, under a bed, wherever. When you need them they are wonderful to place in front of the drive wheels, of
course you need to remove the sand berm you have created, and drive out of the hole. You should get at least the length of the metal mat, and with
some momentum even get out. If not, then re-place and keep moving ahead.
(Oh Boy!!! Here come all the queries..... "Hey Runner- what is expanded metal?")
Just go to a steel store or a fab shop, they will show you and you will have an "aha moment"
(P.S. I am part owner of Modesto Steel Co., so if you are in the area we can fix you up real quick!)
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
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Mood: Wondering what is next???
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| Quote: | Originally posted by thebajarunner
I have no idea what a sand grate is!
However, a couple years ago this subject got thoroughly thrashed here and I gave the following advice:
Go to your local steel supply center. Ask them for two pieces of expanded metal, you will need it cut to size. Perhaps 18" wide and 4' to 5' long.
They may not cut for you, and you will have to get a fab shop to do it for you. You will also need them to 'condition' the edges, as the cutting
process will yield a razor sharp edge.
They are easy to bolt down, under a spare, under a bed, wherever. When you need them they are wonderful to place in front of the drive wheels, of
course you need to remove the sand berm you have created, and drive out of the hole. You should get at least the length of the metal mat, and with
some momentum even get out. If not, then re-place and keep moving ahead.
(Oh Boy!!! Here come all the queries..... "Hey Runner- what is expanded metal?")
Just go to a steel store or a fab shop, they will show you and you will have an "aha moment"
(P.S. I am part owner of Modesto Steel Co., so if you are in the area we can fix you up real quick!) |
Hey, Bajarunner.... Back in the 70's I bought the steel for my stock car hauler from you. I know where your place is and may take that drive to get
the Ramps.
I thought we were talking about some sort of chain link, maybe even bicycle chain type link.
OOPS Why am I in the box again
[Edited on 8-29-2006 by Al G]
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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Coarse expanded metal with a border works fine.
So does a set of punch-holed ramps like off an old landscape trailer.
(Thats where mine came from.)
Sounds like the runner can fix you up !
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
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Great info, but can you tell me how much water you pour under your tires? I have heard this is a common remedy.
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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