Oregon Sand Dunes in the Hafi

[westernair]

OK so I just found out I will be going to the sand dunes in two weeks, I am thinking it would be a great idea to bring the haflinger and try it in the sand.
While I don't have sand tires I was wondering if others have tried it with the skinny stock tires.
I just put my NOS Maloyas on about 100 miles ago.

If I could find a set of lug nits for my lancia wheels I could pickup a set of sand tires but have not found any yet. Anyone have any?

Lastly anyone have a set of mounted sand tires they want to sell that is on this side of the Mississippi river?

[undysworld]

My neighbor just showed up at my shop yesterday with a John Deere Gator with old 50 width slicks on old Chevy uni-lug wheels mounted onto the rear end. I realize this has nothing in common with sand tires, and I have no idea of lug spacing on a hafi. But I mention it in case you're able to find some other wheels that would mount on your truck. Perhaps you can find some more pedestrian wheels that you could outfit with some big old fatties...

Either way, have fun!

[Garrycol]

The important thing is tyre pressures not tyre width - as the haffie is fairly light weight I would go to about 10-12psi on the sand. Avoid swerving in case you roll the tyre off the rim.

Cheers

Garry

[westernair]

So a skinny tire will flair out enough at 10 PSI to handle the sand?
I realize that the truck is only 1450 lbs but with my arse, the wife and gear I can be upto 2,000 lbs.

[Garrycol]

So a skinny tire will flair out enough at 10 PSI to handle the sand?
I realize that the truck is only 1450 lbs but with my arse, the wife and gear I can be upto 2,000 lbs.

Shawn should be fine - the common falicy is that you need fat tyres but is not really needed as these just push more sand in front of the wider tyre - what is needed is a longer footprint rather than a wider footprint when tyres are deflated - now for sure you will get stopped so have a long handled shovel to dig out in front of the wheels and the best advice I can give is that if you come to a halt to not spin your wheels as you will just dig your self in - stop immediately and get the shovel out. If tyres pressures are still up let them down a bit and there is every chance you will drive out.

Look at the size of tyres on these vehicles - all original tyres and not sand tyres. This is at Stockton Beach about 100miles north of Sydney. None of the vehicles had issues with standard narrow tyres in the dunes but we were running about 12psi.



The first 20 secs of this vid (same trip) will give you an idea of the sand and the rest is some fun we had nearby after the beach
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilgsMrgevuM

Some more vid of the area - the nice sounding 101 in the distance around 40s is me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD08aQNKQGk

So if we can manage the soft sand in 2 ton plus vehicles with standard tyres you should be Ok in your Haffie - but be prepared to dig if required.

Garry

[westernair]

Well at the dunes this week after leaving Jim's place (NW Mog Fest). Deflated the tires down to 7 psi. On the flats next to the water the truck did good. On the softer sand we had to put it in krawl, get out of the truck and walk/push it up the hill to the parking lot.
On my phone right now will post a pic or two up when I get home.

[westernair]

[Garrycol]

Great pics - looks like you had a good time - and the haffies seems to have handled the conditions pretty well.

Cheers

Garry

[audiocontr]

Im always amazed how quickly the sand slows you down. Totally different driving experience!