Itachi-san in the sand?

[jpod]

I may crew for a balloon in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta this fall (Oct 4-12) and might use Itachi-san as a crew support vehicle.

Last time I did this (1988?) I used an 86 Isuzu Trooper that really would go almost anywhere. But that truck (named Suzi) was over qualified for that particular job. This is an ancillary role that doesn't require always getting to the balloon no matter what.

Most of the off road driving will entail short straight traverses of flat loose, but not deep sand, some of it with short grass cover. I don't think I'll have trouble, but want to do some advance thinking and planning.

Has anyone driven an AWD Honda (Pilot, Element, CRV) around the desert (or beach)? Has anyone driven one off rode on Albuquerque's west mesa or any other grassy high desert areas?

I'll be getting some advice from veteran crew members but I know there are some very knowledgeable members here. Any feedback would be appreciated.

[Badgerland]

While I haven't driven in sand, I DID take mine out into the corn fields that had been harvested and bombed around during hunting season. There was a bit of moisture on the mud but not sticky-slimy stuff at all....handled fine. I think if you lower your PSI a few, to say 22-25psi you will be fine.

[Alpine]

Has anyone driven an AWD Honda (Pilot, Element, CRV) around the desert (or beach)?

Yes, my gen 1 has done a fantastic job each time we have taken it on the beach. Follow other's tracks and keep up your momentum - that's the key. Use common sense and know the limits of your car, and you shouldn't have any problems. Each time we have gone beach driving, we have never gotten stuck.

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/6269/230023810full1fr.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/5888/230023813full8ij.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/5853/230023815full0nv.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/7307/230023816full4ic.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/881/230023817full0ur.jpg

[Alpine]

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/596/230023818full0eg.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/386/230023819full7fk.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/7029/230023820full8hl.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/2600/230023821full4ke.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/8496/230023823full8pq.jpg

[Alpine]

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/9664/230023824full0bw.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/1999/230023825full2wf.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/268/230023826full8gv.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/7907/230023827full6mo.jpg

I hope all of those pics is enough to convince you to go for it and don't worry! :D

[jpod]

badgerland, thanks for the feedback. I will lower the PSI a few pounds. And since posting this I read a post that advised turning off the VSA. I'll probably do both.

Alpine, thanks also for the feedback. Most of this soil will be about the consistency of a packed down track. I think Itachi-san will make it.

Those are really good pics too. At the bottom of the last pic you pretty much say just go for it. After seeing those pics, what I'm ready to just go for is a trip to Austrailia.

Thanks both,
JPO

[Craving This]

Great pics!!!! i would love to take the V on the beach... my last car the xb i brought up to daytona and drove on the beach but i haven't been back to drive the V..... last time I heard we weren't allowed to drive on the beach but hmm i might have to investigate it.... GREAT PICS!!!!!!

[Alpine]

Alpine, thanks also for the feedback. Most of this soil will be about the consistency of a packed down track. I think Itachi-san will make it.

Your V will handle it just fine if most of it is packed down track.

The hardest parts would be at the beach entrance and exit where the sand is deepest and softest. Here, momentum is the key. Keep your revs up. If you find yourself slowing down too much, give it more gas, but if you get stuck DON'T keep giving it gas coz at this point you'll just dig yourself in even more. Instead, try reversing out and then get a run up and try again, keeping the momentum up. Use other's tracks to keep your tyres on the hardest parts possible on the entrance and exit.

Good luck and have fun!

[Dahmer]

awesome pics man. I've always been sketched out about driving in sand - isn't it the most hazardous to get caught up in EVERYTHING and seize EVERYTHING?

[X-Brawn]

Just DON'T park over any grass or other debris and you should be fine. Last thing you want is the heat from undercarriage components is causing a fire. :D

But, you'd probably need weeds up to the axles before that happened.