Hitting the Silver Lk. sandunes here in Michigan this weekend for the first time and was wondering if anyone had any tips other than lowering the air pressure in my tires?

 

if you're going uphill and you start to slow down turn diagonal to the hill but remain pointed uphill, this will decrease the % of incline.

 

Do not do that out there. The dunes are waaay too steep to be doing that in a full size truck.

Air down the tires. At Silver Lake, I drop mine to 15 front, 13 rear on the OEM Goodyear Wrangler ATS's. I know guys that go as low as 13 front, 9 rear, but they have also popped the beads.

Keep the momentum up, and don't try and make sharp turns at speed with the tires aired-out to avoid popping a bead.

Driving at silver lake is very much like driving in the deep snow we get up here. Momentum is key, don't use too much go-pedal to avoid digging in, and make sure you have a good strap and know how to use it. (i.e. don't choke it around something... ever!!) Some days you can spend all day in the powdery light sand, and Test Hill can be a pain to get up and over if the wind has been blowing (makes a sharp peak at the top), and other days, you can just about idle up the hills and the peaks are so flat you can turn a school bus around at the top. It just depends on the weather.

You'll need to pick up a flag and mounting bracket at DuneLand outside the entrance. You'll also need a state park pass (day or annual) and an '06 ORV sticker.

Have fun and take lots of pics!

 

What Joe Wrote. Watch the trucks that climb before you give it a try. See what line they take and how fast they are going up the hill. You don't have to climp test hill on the first run. You can keep driving past it and go run around on the smaller hills to get a feel for how the truck handles in the sand.

JMC

 

Hey guys wanted to let you know about my dune trip.

It was F-in awesome. My bone stock 1/2 ton short bed 4 by4 KICKED MAJOR ***. It climbed anything and everything out there. What a cool place its is a must see and must do for anyone with a truck!!

Thanks for the advice

David James

 

Glad you had a good time!

I used to be amazed at Silver Lake. A couple years ago, I managed to ride out at Pismo.... WOW!!! Silver lake pales in comparison. The sheer size alone of Pismo dwarfs Silver Lake, and the riding is no comparison.... HUGE sand bowls, massive hills that make test hill look like a ripple in the sand.... awesome riding!!

Once you get to one of the big dunes, Silver Lake loses its appeal. It's just not as exciting anymore.

-Joe