Kumho tyres in soft sand

Yesterday we wanted to go fishing and local knowledge tells us that the salmon holes are on the main beach about 5 kilometres away and "you'll need to drop your tyre pressures." So, further enquiries suggested 15-20 psi for running along the beach in the pure white, soft sand. This was the first time that I had attempted to use my tyre de-flator. I have been carrying this for at least the last three years, you know, "It'll come in handy one day." Well yesterday was the day. The instructions had glued themselves to each page and when pried apart, it took half of the instructions with it! Who needs instructions anyway?

Figuring out exactly how this tool took a little longer than I thought, fortunately I was able to use an Allen key to assist. That's not in the instructions. Anyway, tyre gauge in hand, the deflator and Allen key. Got all the way around to the last tyre and the deflator worked as it should. Attach the tool to the valve, screw the outer handle anti clockwise, this removes the valve, pressure of the tyre shows by the needle on the gauge, hissing of air indicates air escaping, needle falls to desired level, screw outer handle clockwise to replace and tighten valve, withdraw the deflator and replace valve cap. DONE.. My Kumho road venture SAT tyres are brilliant in sand. They are rated at 70% road use, 20% sand and 10% mud. Let me tell you they worked really well in this sand. Other vehicles that had turned around, found it difficult to get out of the sand ruts then turn around on the softer less compacted sand. We pulled out of the ruts and did a normal turn back into the ruts again with no problems at all. To inflate the tyres again, I will be using the onboard compressor built in to our On The Move Caravans Grenade Series 2. This is normally used for the air bag suspension but has the air hose and external fitting included for the purpose of adjusting the tyre pressures on the van or, in this case, our Toyota Land Cruiser.