Stuck in sand...any tools to help?

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Bo Loo

Well-Known Member
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Aug 1, 2007
Messages
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Location
Space coast, FL
Hi all,



Do you know of any "traction mats" or other type of device that could be laid down in front of a tire to help with traction when stuck in sand?



Frequently, the boat ramp I use gets pretty built up with sand and pulling the PWC out can get tricky.



[Broken External Image]:
 
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Will 2x6's work? No, I'm not meaning the question as sarcastic.



I don't know for sure--but my suspicion is that there won't be much available intended for that purpose, simply because of the liability involved. The product would need to grip both your tires and the sand/mud/whatever surface. And if it doesn't grip that surface, but does grip the tire, it's likely to either wrap around the wheel, or get shot airborne behind the vehicle on a trajectory towards who-knows-what (or worse yet, who-knows-whom).



You may be able to adapt something (like some ramps used to load an ATV into a truck bed), but your use likely wouldn't be the product's intended purpose.
 
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After a bit of research, I've found this product. I want to research a bit more, but it sounds promising.
 
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Not to be mean cuz that may be your style but if I was towing things I def wouldn't want car street tires...at least light truck tires of not all terrains
 
I don't have limited slip and finding a 4wd ST in FL is near impossible. I usually only tow about 20 miles round trip about twice a month. The main ramp I use is concrete and not a problem. But, it gets rather busy and I sometimes have to resort to the older ramp. It's not maintained as well and can be a challenge. I haven't gotten stuck yet and I actually helped pull a Nissan out this weekend, but I don't want to have to rely on the kindness of others to get me out. It would be nice to have little extra "insurance".
 
Two thing that worked for me many times.



Drop the load an realign on the ramp off a wet line.



When all else fails drop the rear tire pressure.



Are you floating on or cranking on. Cranking should keep the hubs out of the water and get you higher up on the ramp.
 
I would say the first and easiest step would be lowering tire pressure but not sure if that's possible or a good idea with low profile tires. It's not like you can get much sidewall flex and the sidewalls are probably so stiff that it wouldn't matter if you did air down.



Maxtrax are the real deal. You may also consider BushRanger's X-Trax which are a similar product and easier to store as well as cheaper. There's also aluminum rails that you could throw in the bed.



For the price of these other solutions, though, you can have a locker installed. That would be your best bet if you can teach yourself to drive with a locker.



 
The sidewall won't have to flex to provide more traction, when you lower the pressure the contact patch gets longer more so than wider. But yea I'm not sure about doing so with low profiles.
 
Not disagreeing but to get longer, the sidewall does still has to give some. With his setup, I don't think wider is really possible anyway.
 
Is it just me or does something else seem wrong. With that little of a load I can't even believe that the ST notices it. You should be able to haul that out with a Mini, even with the sand. Does it have any tongue weight when on the ramp at that angle?
 
I would estimate the entire ski and trailer setup to weigh about 900 - 1000 lbs.



I'm now looking at the following:
 
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Bo,



That should be nothing for the ST to pull. You may not have a pulling problem the rear end may be light. I have had this happen with boats on a trailer that were hitch light.



Do you have any difficulty pulling out after you launch?



If the answer is NO, then I would suggest you are loosing you grip because the trailer may be pulling up on the rear of the vehicle. In that case move the ski further up on the trailer or move the axel back. If the answer is YES. Then it is the deep sand on the ramp and what you are thinking about may work, but they are going to be labor intensive.
 
Another option, if you're just looking for "insurance", and if there's something solid in front of you near the launch site--install a front winch.
 
The Rampage Ramps are SMALL. I carry a set in my Rzr just in case, but I question their effectiveness.



I'd go with Maxtrax (they now have a US supplier, so shipping is much more reasonable) or aluminum sand ladders (link below). I bought the latter in 48x12 for when I used to get permits to Assateague Island.
 
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AK,

Those look like the landing mats we laid down. I the middle of 'nam jungles we werent sopposed to be. Especialy close many borders.

Seriously these Runways were were so short. It took our black C-130's, brakes, reverse props and reverse jato's to stop. Then Take of was brakes locked and props and jatos' cranking at 80%. Sometimes I think we scraped the tail.....:bwahaha:



I was was amazed at the power the C-130" have...Smooth
 
My dad spent most of his career wiring the Hercules. Amazing aircraft. I'll stop hijacking now, lol.
 
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