During a recent retreat to Abu Dhabi’s Liwa Desert in the Empty Quarter, the largest uninterrupted sand desert in the world, I explored the sandy landscape with a 4 x 4 desert safari.

We all have experience with sands. A few grains of sand in our shoe are enemies of feet. A few dozens of square meters of sand become children’s playground. When countless tons of sand forms plains, dunes, valleys and stretch into horizon without end, the views become breathtaking and timeless. Suddenly, we feel so tiny in front of the sea of sand.

The desert tranquility was interrupted when two of our Land Cruiser 4-wheel drives bashed into the sand. The key element of desert safari is to lower the tire pressure. See our driver was releasing the tire pressure.

According to him, the desired tire pressure is 10-12 psi, compared to 35 psi of standard tire pressure. It is easy to understand that lower tire pressure will increase the contact area of the tire with ground.

I did some calculation using these numbers, assuming the weight of a Land Cruiser is 6,000 lb.

When the tire pressure is reduced to 10 psi from 35 psi, the tire/ground contact area increases 3.5 folds. The big increase of contact area enables the Land Cruiser to drive in sands, climb sand dunes and slide down. SUV becomes a boat in the sea of sand.

Here is our Land Cruiser at the top of the towering dune. My internal organs were totally disoriented during the rapid downing.

Wish you were there in the SUV so you could hear the wild screams from all three of us:
I, myself and me…