The most important thing is to check what's on the other side of the dune before cresting it. And sand never stays the same. So always check.

 

I've lived near Sand Mountain for almost 24 years. You couldn't be more "right." It never looks the same whenever I drive to it or by it! Great advice for any "newcomer" to riding sand!

Thank you!

jim

 

For a dune rookie, use awd all the time and don't use less than 10psi in tires unknown to you, being used in the dunes for the first time by you. The paddle tires you have are not the best, but will be better than the bighorns.

As others have said, go with someone else that knows the area and how to ride the dunes.

Do not crest a dune straight on, always approach dune crest/transitions at least at 45° angle, slowly. You'd be surprised how far down you'll land just going 10mph straight over a dune slipface razor back.
Just go fast enough to crest the dune without high centering at the top. That is safe when going over dune transitions/slipfaces for a rookie. Then you can see whats on the other side and make a correct choice of where you want to(have to) go.

jmo

 

The treksters are most likely skat traks. Look on the back side of one of the paddles. It will probably say something like "extemes" or "haulers". IMO, with the right paddle count, those are one of the best paddle tires out. Skat gets the "trekster" tire, probably a small tractor tire, buffs off the lawn friendly tread, and vulcanizes how ever many paddles the customer wants on there.
As others have said, its best not to go alone. A friend with another car, or at least a passenger.
Hi range is fine, but pay attention to the rpm's when climbing. If you have the throttle mashed, and the rpm's arent getting up close to 8000-8200, you are likely going to smoke a belt.
I would run in 4wd all the time.
Are you completely new to the off road world? Drive slow and learn the terrain and what you can get away with. The local rental place hear has at least 1 rzr a week in the shop getting fixed because a "newbie" just went out and mashed the throttle.
Watch for another group that looks like they know what they are doing, and ask if you can follow them around. We have people join our freight train (memorial weekend we had 15 cars in a line) all the time.
Have fun...be safe!!!

 

Don't ride alone!! recd 4wd until more comfortable..air down stock tires to 6lbs with no beadlocks..use hi gear most the time..check air filter after each ride..

 

Good advice from all. Thank you so much. I have learned a lot and found someone local to me and Sand Mountain that is willing to do the "boring stuff" to get a newbie enjoying the sand without killing himself. I've lived in the area for nearly 25 years, long enough to watch CareFlight (Medical Ambulance Helicopter) come out of Reno five or six times a day on Holiday Weekends when Sand Mountain goes from a "normal" population of about 12 to around 8,500. I was also a safety officer at the local Naval Air Station and have seen the reports about a sailor that roared up the mountain, flew about 150 feet and died on the landing! I will definitely show it some respect until I have a bit of an idea about what I'm doing. Thank you all for the generous help for a new sand rider and a new member to your forum. I appreciate it. It's nice to find some civility on line!

jim

 

SandShredder,

Thank you for the tire ID. I'm still "lost" on all the possible combinations for UTV toys. My tires have ten paddles. How does that rate on the sand dunes aficionado rating list?

The more I hear from all of you, the more I look forward to getting on the dunes!

jim

 

Just in case any one is wondering, that Trekster is not mounted backwards on my wife's car!!!

:rofl3:

jim

 

I'd just like to add to the good advise everyone had given. Don't let people follow to close to you and likewise to close to the person in front of you. You never know when the brakes are going to need to be mashed. I've been hita few times and a helmet full of roost isn't always fun. Lol

 

McLips,
I've had ATVs for ten years. You are absolutely right about needing "space" between rides. it's my "convention" to never follow anyone up or down unless there is a spot for me to "park" before I get to them. Early on I learned that the guy (or gal) in front of or behind me wasn't going to always make it up or down as they expected to. Sometimes that led to scary moments! I'm in a hurry, but not that BIG of a hurry!

 

While I might offer a different point of view from the previous posters -- A couple of points not yet mentioned that may make for a better day out on the Sand.

When climbing and you start to loose forward momentum --- The safest way to resolve is to keep pointed straight up the Dune and stop. Then back down. If one were to try making a U-turn climbing and loosing momentum -- Half way thru the turn one may loose all traction -- Then gravity takes over ...... You get the picture.

And when stuck -- Always try to free oneself by going forward by whatever means -- Digging - Being towed etc.

I also carry a 1" wide -- 125' tow strap. That way when I pull someone out I don't roost um ........ To bad ..

Going in reverse -- Not such a good idea as the single row reverse chain is rather weak. Forward are all gears -- Reverse is chain drive.

Enjoy the Sand -- I know I do .. .. :rofl3:

:drive1:

 

good point with tow strap..

 

That is an excellent paddle IMO. I have never been to sand mountian, only ran dunes here in oregon. The sand can be different in each area, oregon vs cali vs nev etc etc. That tire with mohawked mud lights is our groups favorite tire set up. Right now i am on bighorns, but planning/saving for paddles. They aint cheap!!

 

never ride alone

 

Jaafallen,

I have only ridden the dunes a few times myself, but here is what I experienced as a dune newbie.

Momentum is your friend, Try to keep it.

I found that playing in the bowls was a good way to gain confidence and learn how much momentum, throttle, turn in, etc I needed with my RZR.

Scariest part for me is running around one bowl and then transitioning over the top to another. I don't do it on the big stuff yet, but I have done it on the smaller dunes, and there is some pucker factor involved.

I would stress the following points:

Don't ride alone

Stay off the dunes after dark at least until you have experience.

Don't go too far outside your comfort zone. If you are riding with experienced dune guys/gals, they will be cresting big dunes. When you get to the top is not the time to decide its more than you want to bite off. Stay within a reasonable comfort zone and that zone will expand(slowly for some of us) as you gain experience.

 

To All,

Please keep up the good work. There is lots of information in this thread that will apply not only to newbies like me but probably to some with a lot more experience than we have.

Thank you to everyone that has contributed. I'm looking forward to putting the lessons to the test.

jim

 

I found that 1 -1.5 hours before sunset is dangerous in the dunes do to long dark shadows hiding things you need to see.


Curt Fargo
Vacaville, CA

 

I first learned that lesson on skis :rofl3:

jim

 

Go with a experienced diner and follow right behind them

 

I bought a 2013 Rzr 900 a few weeks ago. It came with a set of sand tires (Dune Stars and Treksters) that I know nothing about. I live about 35 miles from Sand Mountain, NV, am retired, and have time to play/learn to play on sand (any help appreciated). I know almost nothing about riding in the sand so please excuse the simplicity of my questions.

1. I can find information on Dune Star tires but nothing on "Trekster" tires. Are they "good sand paddles"?Are the dune stars your fronts? if so they are great tires. If your not happy with them, you can always sell them on here. When in doubt, call Dave @ Fullerton Sand Sports

2. AWD or 2WD when on the dunes? AWD works only if the back tires spin and you will find it will turn better in AWD in the sand instead of oversteering. I run mostly in 2wd and when in a tight spot, flip the switch and give it hell

3. How fast can I run (sand or hardpack) in AWD? Take it easy at first and get to know your machine. Dont worry about how fast you can go just yet, but thats my $.02

4. Hi or Low when climbing sand? Anything under 15 MPH for long periods use Low, everything else run in High

5. Any special maintenance after spending a day "on sand"? Depending on usage, check the filter first and foremost. I am dilligent about changing my oil after playing in the sand for a good amount of time.

6. If stuck in a "bowl" what's the best way to get out?Depends on the size of the bowl but try to spiral out if you cant go straight over.

7. What tire pressure for stock tires or sand tires on sand?Stock bighorns 10 in front 7 in the rear. Paddles- 7 in the front 5 in the rear

8.Any other recommendations/suggestions?Get a flag, ride with friends, cell phone or GPS, flashlight, and have fun. If you find that all four tires are digging and your not going anywhere, STOP! its harder to dig out when high centered and your probably have to have someone pull you out. x2 on the tow strap and reverse!

LOOKING FORWARD TO TRYING THIS OUT!!!

Thanks all.

jim