Beach/Sand Driving?
 

Hey guys,

I am going to the Outer Banks this June. Staying in the 4x4 section.

I made the trip last year in a Jeep SRT8 with little trouble as I have some experience with off road driving techniques and basic common sense.

The question: has anyone here driven on the beach with the 20" staggered sport wheels setup (275/315) without airing down? I wonder if their footprint is enough to carry the weight of the X5 without airing down.

Thoughts?

Well, common sense tells me you have not :rtfm: !!!

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:bustingup :D :rofl: :slap:

Wide tires have the same area footprint as narrow tires, it is just a different shape, namely wider and not as long.

Depends a lot on the type of sand, and your driving techniques.

I'll let others chime in on how it does with those specific tires. Some of our Australian posters have the most experience with this.

Thanks. I did read about the length of the footprint versus width.

Probably just better to play it safe and air down. Though, my SRT8 with run-flats did pretty good! Lol! Yeah, i know... Who the hell takes an SRT8 on the beach!??! Long story... I didnt want to, but had to. She did just fine though by using the rest of my common sense and driving abilities. Though wouldn't want to do it again. The biggest problem was the low ground clearance of the front spoiler. Otherwise, it wasn't bad.

I drive my x5 in the beach of south jersey in a regular basis. Initially i drop air to 20. Now not even bother. Just switch to sequential and hold the dtc button for 3 seconds. You will be just fine.

A few links for the OP:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...uck-beach.html

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...deep-sand.html

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ain-beach.html

Not sure I would air down with the run flat tires, as the self-supporting sidewalls will defeat the purpose to a certain extent.

Considering you didn't have any issues with the SRT8 I think you'll be fine in the X5. I've driven a few E53s on beaches in the past, as long as you stay away from the sugar sand and water you shouldn't really have any issues.

Just use this and you'll be ok

What about under body protection? How is the X5 equip for that?

Thanks for the feedback and input guys! I have seen that video of the guy stuck in the water. I have zero intention of going anywhere I can't get myself out of. I also will look to only travel at low tide on the hard sand far enough away from the water line.

The only problem with low tide is that it precedes high tide. Be safe.

OMG... you mean these cars can go in SAND? Who knew?

My only travel will be to the house from dry land. And then vice versa. I am not looking for an extended expedition anywhere else. I also have all the right tools to air down, dig out, tow out, air up... No worries.

And yes... The X5 should be put through its paces on the sand!

If you still have run flats, airing down will give you almost no benefit. The stiffer side walls will not allow the tire to flatten out. Also I would guess that a non run flat 35 series tire will not deform mutch either.

If it is just to the house and road, you should be ok to follow the existing path.

On the X I am running the Conti DWS's.

I had run flats on the SRT8 that I took to the OBX last year and little issue with. I didn't air them down by the way. Didn't see any reason to considering what they are made to do.