Airing Down Class A for Sand

[jeremywatco]

Hi All,

Heading out to Glamis for the first time in 10 years and for Halloween weekend... and first time in a class A (formally a 4x4 with Toybox).

I've never stayed in the washes before, always stayed off Gecko road out in the dunes.. again.. with 4x4.

So I am headed to the washes. I'll be solo the first day with the wife joining me the next day in our 4x4. I'll be in a 32' Gas Class A pulling a 16' trailer with a RZR on it. Worried about getting stuck, I know when I used to camp in the dunes I would air everything, trailer included, down to like 10PSI and would be fine. I am planning on camping down the washes. Again no idea what to expect as I've never been there before and I will be arriving the Thursday before a huge weekend.

So I guess my question is this.. should I air down my rig? I've never aired down a dully before. Do I air down all the tires? Outside tires? Dont bother?

Thanks for the info. Just trying to avoid having to barter away beer for a tow.

Thanks!

[4x4van]

2gypsies wrote:

jeremywatco wrote:
But in years past I pulled MANY DP's out that were buried up to their frames with my 4x4 Duramax.

So if you pulled many DP's out you know what can happen. You're not immune.

Here's a YouTube on Glamis parking. If this is the type of place you'd park then you'd be just fine. It looks like Quartzsite. Been there often with our 40' DP MH.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhMlbX-ZzxY

Yup, that is indeed the "washes" at Glamis. Plenty of big rigs, both toyhaulers and motorhomes in that video. Didn't see a single one that was stuck in the video (not saying it doesn't or can't happen, just that it's not the norm).

[wvabeer]

I wouldn't attempt it. Stay on firm soil.

[2gypsies1]

jeremywatco wrote:
But in years past I pulled MANY DP's out that were buried up to their frames with my 4x4 Duramax.

So if you pulled many DP's out you know what can happen. You're not immune.

Here's a YouTube on Glamis parking. If this is the type of place you'd park then you'd be just fine. It looks like Quartzsite. Been there often with our 40' DP MH.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhMlbX-ZzxY

[4x4van]

To those who have no idea what the "washes" at Glamis are: No, you don't camp in the washes. Rather, the washes are kinda like "entrances" to large flat camping areas. Flash floods aren't applicable. Second, while driving a class A in "sand" is never recommended, thousands of people camp in the "washes" with every type of rig imaginable just fine every year; the "washes" area is not all sand. A few get stuck; most do not. The ones that do are typically not real aware of how to drive on anything other than pavement or are complete idiots. They are, however, valuable for entertainment purposes!

For the OP; I wouldn't air down, but I would walk your route (or unload your RZR and scout your camp site) first. Most of the areas are fairly hard packed; watch for and use areas that have well worn paths. Then, once off the main road along the tracks keep moving steadily without hard turns or hard braking. Keep up your momentum, don't try to get close to the dunes, and you should be fine.

[Executive45]

This. is what a flash flood looks like....Dennis

[dedmiston]

I doubt you're going to get any real experienced info here. I would post someplace where the members have actually spent time in Glamis.

The Toy Hauler forum here used to have a lot of Glamis riders, but not so much anymore.

I would try one of the groups on Facebook or post at https://www.glamisdunes.com where the Glamis experts are.

[jeremywatco]

T18skyguy wrote:
In my younger years I practically lived out there. I wouldn't take it into sand, especially when towing. They don't call them a wash for nothing. God forbid you get a flash flood. If you get stuck bad enough nobody in a 4x4 with winch will get you out. Their wheels will spin/drag cause they will be much lighter than you. If you need a huge wrecker to pull you out your looking at probably $1000 to $2000 dollars.

I hear you. But in years past I pulled MANY DP's out that were buried up to their frames with my 4x4 Duramax.

[Chum_lee]

rgatijnet1 wrote:
The biggest problem with airing down is that it lowers your chassis clearance. Once you chassis touches the sand/ground it is all over. You will no longer have enough weight on your tires to provide any traction.

X2! How did the "wash" form. My 50 plus years of desert ratting has seen a few flash floods. It's true that Halloween is not flash flood season in California deserts, but hey, anything is possible. Now combine being stuck up to the axles in sand and 20 seconds advance notice of an eminent flash flood. At least it's all over real quick.

Chum lee

[T18skyguy]

In my younger years I practically lived out there. I wouldn't take it into sand, especially when towing. They don't call them a wash for nothing. God forbid you get a flash flood. If you get stuck bad enough nobody in a 4x4 with winch will get you out. Their wheels will spin/drag cause they will be much lighter than you. If you need a huge wrecker to pull you out your looking at probably $1000 to $2000 dollars.

[rgatijnet1]

The biggest problem with airing down is that it lowers your chassis clearance. Once you chassis touches the sand/ground it is all over. You will no longer have enough weight on your tires to provide any traction.

[2gypsies1]

I'd have more concern about parking in a wash. This is a no-no in the desert. Isn't there higher ground and more stable surface to park?

[Blackdiamond]

I have only been to Glamis once, stayed at the washes, was in a 4X4 pulling a trailer.

I have a set up very similar to you now, I WOULD NOT TAKE IT TO THE WASHES, you will get stuck. I have been stuck at Ocotillo and it took be 6 hours to get out. Airing down these types of tires doesn't help much. Go to Gecko.

[justinhscott]

I have a 28 foot class C. We air it down to about 18 psi and drive it on the beach on Cape Cod multiple times every summer. Beats the **** out of your tires. Drive in 1st or 2nd gear. I wouldn't want to tow a trailer over sand. Good luck!

[wa8yxm]

My Recommendation is do not air down for sand.. DO NOT DRIVE ON SAND

Sand comes in two flavors

A nice hard packed where you might as well be driving on concrete and the kind you get stuck in. Airing down won't help you with the latter you WILL get stuck.