Lesson Learned; Stuck in Sand

Lesson Learned; Stuck in Sand

While recently looking for a camping spot near Kelso Dunes in the California located Mojave National Preserve our Pleasure-Way cleverly drove into the sand and quickly got stuck. Ford’s poor man’s locking differential, the Traction Control System, activation was not felt or indicated on the dashboard display; as it was experienced on a muddy dirt road in the California situated Carrizo Plain National Monument.

Backing out seemed like the shortest path to firmer ground. We did not plan ahead and bring a tire grade air compressor. Reducing tire pressure to about 20 psi is a common tactic to help not get stuck and to get unstuck in sand. Airing down worked with our 1987 Fireball fifth wheel and Ford pick up at the beach.

With the front wheels turned parallel with the vehicle’s length we removed sand from behind all four tires. We had six Lego type yellow plastic leveling blocks and five pieces of wood; each piece about twice the length of a block. Starting at sand levels low enough that the rear tires could get a grip, we made two runways of blocks and wood headed straight back from the rear tires of the van.

Using higher V-8 engine RPM a reverse run was made until the van was stuck, again.

The blocks and boards were now buried out of sight under the van; in line with the front and rear tires. After retrieving the blocks and boards, the above process was repeated four more times to move at total of about 45’ to driveable ground. This drama resulted in three broken yellow plastic blocks and the spinning tires melted the blocks’ plastic and deposited it around the rear tire treads.

We were set up in our final camping spot as the sun set, but there is less urgency about being stuck when you have a camper containing everything you need to spend some time. Unless the tide is coming in.

Chuck Sorensen
Buellton, California
2012 Excel TS