Sand Driving with Traction Control Deactivated a MUST

[TruckPowered]

I had no intention of doing this, but fate had other plans for me and I let nature take it's course. Driving on the sandy beach next to the lake was 'fun', and it was beautiful... but something deep in my gut kept grumbling... 'release the beast'. Instinctively, although never having done this, my hand reached for the button to deactivate the traction control, and it was as if the 2,000 lbs battery somehow sent electricity through the steering wheel, passing through my hands and into the base of my spine.

What followed was a blur, some of which I fortunately captured to share with those who need a nudge to seek out this nirvana. As adrenaline surged through my body and I maxed out the ventilated seats to try and cool the sweat on my lower back, an observer waved me down from his minivan. His face was in shock, and his wife held at least 1 (maybe more) fussing children in the front seat of the van with a massive smile on her face. He muttered confidently "That... was... AWESOME. It looked like you were in a commercial out there- the ones where it warns 'DO NOT ATTEMPT: professional drivers on a closed course.'" His was standing next to him, holding sand in each hand as he spun in a circle and let the sand fly, whispering "awesome!"

I couldn't get the smile off my face as we drove back towards one of the only chargers in the area (free to boot), as I had long since left the remaining mileage I needed to get home back in the clouds of sand. Had I experienced trouble at the charger or struggled to make it home, I daresay I would not have regretted the adventure. To clarify: driving like that in the sand DEVOURED power. Felt like I dropped 50 miles in 20 minutes. Worth every kW.

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[rlbussard]

Nice! I am headed to Mississippi on Wednesday. I might have to see if there is a drivable location over there where I could experience this. It definitely looked fun as hell.

 

[TruckPowered]

Nice! I am headed to Mississippi on Wednesday. I might have to see if there is a drivable location over there where I could experience this. It definitely looked fun as hell.

I'm sure driving any capable vehicle on sand like this is a blast, but something about the Lightning just feels so effortless. I am still finding sand in every possible location in/on the truck, so be prepared for that...

 

[Maxx]

I had no intention of doing this, but fate had other plans

Is that the name of your drone?

If people put videos of Rivian with lumber in the back, it is time we see more videos of Lightning having fun out there.

Great work on the video.

 

[cvalue13]

I'm sure driving any capable vehicle on sand like this is a blast, but something about the Lightning just feels so effortless. I am still finding sand in every possible location in/on the truck, so be prepared for that...

have you had the chance in a Raptor? Curious of your comparison.

On one hand, the Lightning has certain aspects of power not available in the Raptor.

On the other hand, the >1/2 the Raptor’s magic is in the suspension/tire combo.

Down Here on the Gulf of Mexico, on many stretches the unkept (bumpy) beach runs parallel to the highway by a few hundred yards away - I first fell in love with the Raptor on the unkept beach, passing folks driving the same direction over on the highway.

Great video, thanks!

 

[broncoaz]

It's almost like it was a rental car I was driving. Good job!

 

[gg1919]

Watching this as a drone pilot, amateur video editor, and future lightning owner with an appreciation for creative writing...

BRA-VO sir. Well done.

 

[MM in SouthTX]

have you had the chance in a Raptor? Curious of your comparison.

On one hand, the Lightning has certain aspects of power not available in the Raptor.

On the other hand, the >1/2 the Raptor’s magic is in the suspension/tire combo.

Down Here on the Gulf of Mexico, on many stretches the unkept (bumpy) beach runs parallel to the highway by a few hundred yards away - I first fell in love with the Raptor on the unkept beach, passing folks driving the same direction over on the highway.

Great video, thanks!

Bringing back fond memories of driving the upper beach to Port Mansfield in high school (~1980) while my buddy drove the lower beach in his ~'68 Bronco. The beach had periodic heaves every 100' or so. He was getting air on every one. Perfect for a Raptor at 50 mph, but nowadays the turtle police will get you!

 

[Solar_EE]

I had no intention of doing this, but fate had other plans for me and I let nature take it's course. Driving on the sandy beach next to the lake was 'fun', and it was beautiful... but something deep in my gut kept grumbling... 'release the beast'. Instinctively, although never having done this, my hand reached for the button to deactivate the traction control, and it was as if the 2,000 lbs battery somehow sent electricity through the steering wheel, passing through my hands and into the base of my spine.

What followed was a blur, some of which I fortunately captured to share with those who need a nudge to seek out this nirvana. As adrenaline surged through my body and I maxed out the ventilated seats to try and cool the sweat on my lower back, an observer waved me down from his minivan. His face was in shock, and his wife held at least 1 (maybe more) fussing children in the front seat of the van with a massive smile on her face. He muttered confidently "That... was... AWESOME. It looked like you were in a commercial out there- the ones where it warns 'DO NOT ATTEMPT: professional drivers on a closed course.'" His was standing next to him, holding sand in each hand as he spun in a circle and let the sand fly, whispering "awesome!"

I couldn't get the smile off my face as we drove back towards one of the only chargers in the area (free to boot), as I had long since left the remaining mileage I needed to get home back in the clouds of sand. Had I experienced trouble at the charger or struggled to make it home, I daresay I would not have regretted the adventure. To clarify: driving like that in the sand DEVOURED power. Felt like I dropped 50 miles in 20 minutes. Worth every kW.

That was a great video- thanks! Did you have any areas of soft sand? Most of that beach looked really packed hard compared to the sand I normally drive in. Did you lower the tire pressure at all?

 

[Solar_EE]

That was a great video- thanks! Did you have any areas of soft sand? Most of that beach looked really packed hard compared to the sand I normally drive in. Did you lower the tire pressure at all?

Took my Lightning on the beach yesterday- it drove easily with the tires at 20 psi- much smoother than my previous F150 and no transmission heating! Sand was pretty hard now but the few patches of loose sand were no problem with the tires aired down.

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