There is nothing better than exploring Western Australia’s coastline, especially knowing you have a comfortable, fully-equipped Crikey Camper trailer to spend the night in. However, when travelling along the WA coastline, you might need to drive on soft sand. Beach driving is the ultimate rite of passage for anyone exploring Western Australia, and it’s often the highlight of the trip. For first-timers, the thought of driving on sand can feel a bit intimidating—what if you get bogged, what tyre pressures do you run, and how do you avoid looking like the tourist who’s stuck 20 metres from the beach entrance?
At Crikey Camper Hire, we provide you with a robust 4WD camper hire vehicle and the critical knowledge necessary to safely navigate the challenging WA terrain, turning any trip off the bitumen or sand crossing into an enjoyable experience.
5 Reasons to Adjust Tyre Pressures Before Sand
Before your wheels roll onto the beach or sand, it is important to first pull over and air down your tyres. When driving with a fully loaded 4WD camper hire, this step is even more important, as it can dictate how the whole vehicle handles, especially with an increased mass.
Here’s Why Dropping Tyre Pressures is Vital When Travelling on Sand:
- Load Distribution – Lower tyre pressures increase your tyre’s footprint, effectively spreading the total weight of your vehicle (including the off-road trailer rental).
- Greater Traction – The greater footprint allows your tyres “float” on top, so you’re less likely to bog down in the first 20 metres.
- Beach Preservation – By spreading your load, you minimise the depth of the tracks your 4WD Camper Hire leaves on the sand, helping to preserve the beach for future travellers.
- Protecting Your Hire – Softer tyres cushion your suspension, reducing wear and tear on your 4WD and Offroad Trailer Rental.
- Enhanced Comfort– The reduced pressure makes the ride feel significantly less bumpy and more comfortable.
Important tip! Crikey Camper Hire recommends starting at 15–20 PSI (perhaps 15 in the front and 18 in the rear). If you’re still struggling, let a little more out—but avoid dropping below 10 PSI.
⚠️ Essential Safety Information: Once you’re finished on the sand, always reinflate your tyres back to normal road pressures before heading onto the bitumen. Driving at highway speeds on soft tyres is dangerous—low pressures make your tyres flex and heat up quickly, which can cause a blowout. It only takes a few minutes with the onboard compressor, and it could save your trip (and your tyres).
Help! I’m Stuck! – What to do When Your 4WD is Bogged
If you find yourself bogged – and this can happen to everyone – the procedure is simple: don’t slam the throttle and spin your wheels, and don’t panic. All that does is dig you deeper and create more work with the shovel. Instead, here are three tried-and-true recovery methods:
- Shovel and Clear – Locate your provided shovel, and dig sand away from in front (and behind) your tyres. This gives your wheels a clear path to roll onto.
- Reduce the Air – If you’re bogged, your tyres might still be too hard. Drop a few more PSI to increase the footprint, but remember to never drop below 10PSI.
- Snatch Strap Assist – If there’s another vehicle handy, use your snatch strap and rated shackles to gently pull your 4WD free. It’s quick, safe, and a good excuse to make friends on the beach. Make sure you use your equipment, not theirs. That’s the unwritten etiquette!
Pro tip: A calm head and steady throttle usually beats frantic wheel-spinning every time. Try moving the vehicle forwards, then backwards a few times to compact the sand beneath, creating a firmer base from which to drive out. Accelerate gently until you feel you have traction
Your Crikey Camper Hire is Fully Equipped
When you book a camping car rental Perth package from Crikey Camper Hire, we set you up with everything you need for a safe and fun day on the sand. Every 4×4 rental vehicle package comes fully equipped with:
- Shovel
- Snatch strap
- Rated shackles
- Tyre deflator
- Air compressor
That means you’ve got the gear to air down, recover if you get stuck, and reinflate to safe road pressures when you’re done. We also have additional accessories available to hire to complement the included equipment with our 4WD camper hire.
Freedom Awaits in Your Off-Road Camper Hire Adventure
Whether you’re exploring Cable Beach, the Pinnacles, or a secret stretch of WA coastline, you’ve now got the knowledge, tools (and the wheels) to enjoy it safely.
Beach driving is all about freedom, adventure, and yes—even the occasional bogging. Embrace it, laugh it off, and remember: the sand is where your Crikey Camper Hire experience really comes alive.
Are you ready to explore everything WA’s coastline has to offer? Discover our fully-equipped off-road trailer rental and 4WD camper hire packages today, and book the ultimate coastal getaway.
