Forum Discussion

FireGuard's avatar
FireGuard
Explorer II
Mar 10, 2017

DRW with TC in sand

I'm curious how a DRW with a large TC towing an ATV trailer with a weight around 3k lbs compares to an empty truck towing a large toy hauler weighing 12k lbs plus?
I know the wheels don't track as well as a SRW but I would think with the weight on the truck and having to drag less weight through the sand would be better.
What are the best techniques to make a DRW perform in the sand?
Is it possible to air down enough to drive 3-4 miles without damaging the tires or maybe use spacers to create more space to air down?
Truck Campers
  • Surfrat's avatar
    Surfrat
    Explorer
    Mar 13, 2017
    Ok while I drive on beaches I think the question is just about sandy areas. I do know there is sand and there is sand. The sand on most of the Long Island beaches is very soft and powdery, further up the coast the sand can be very coarse. I find the coarser sand harder to drive on? Thus needing lower air pressure in tires. I use 30 in rear and 20 in front on my F350 4x4 dually.


  • ticki2's avatar
    ticki2
    Explorer
    Mar 13, 2017
    Kayteg1 wrote:
    I remember my 2001 F250 was rated at 11.XXX lb.
    Empty weight over 9000 with flatbed installed.


    Fords fleet pfd rates the 2001 f250 at 8800 gvwr , the f350 srw at 9900 gvwr and the f350 drw at 11200 gvwr .
    these were 49 state ratings with a note that CA was 200# less across the board . Apparently you had a very special f250 .

    There are some members on the forum who frequent Assateague with rigs that weigh more than 10k , perhaps it is not enforced . Hopefully they will chime in , or as Reddog suggested I'll start a new thread with the question .
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    Mar 13, 2017
    I remember my 2001 F250 was rated at 11.XXX lb.
    Empty weight over 9000 with flatbed installed.
  • kohldad's avatar
    kohldad
    Explorer III
    Mar 13, 2017
    From the way I read the regs, it is based on GVWR so doesn't matter if the camper is on or not. This will rule out any 1-ton made in the last few years regardless of SRW or DRW. Not sure about 3/4 tons because I haven't even looked at those specs in years.
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    Mar 12, 2017
    4WD superduty supercab is about 9000 lb empty.
    The aluminium models seem to be about 1000 lb lighter, but still lot of weight to start with
  • Rubiranch's avatar
    Rubiranch
    Explorer
    Mar 12, 2017
    Kayteg1 wrote:

    Seems the technique is to keep the speed and correct gear.


    X2
  • Rubiranch's avatar
    Rubiranch
    Explorer
    Mar 12, 2017
    Bedlam wrote:
    You would be surprised how well big slicks work in sand.


    I had a cousin years ago who had a built VW sand rail. He used the slicks off his super stock Nova.

    People used to marvel that he ran slicks.

    Sand sucks unless you're built for it.

    Good luck.
  • ticki2's avatar
    ticki2
    Explorer
    Mar 12, 2017
    cross21114 wrote:
    ticki2 wrote:
    cross21114 wrote:
    A lot of TCs use the beach at Assateague Island in Maryland. You cannot use dual drive tires because they cannot be aired down enough.


    DRW's are no longer restricted at Assateague . Not being able to air down was not the issue . There is a weight restriction of 10,000# GVW which is interesting as most TC's even on SRW are over that .


    Good to know. Thanks for the correction.


    It just changed in the last year or two , before that drw was not allowed . It would be interesting to hear from those that go there , how or if they enforce the the 10k# weight restriction . Hard to imagine any drw's , or many srw's with a TC being under that weight .

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