My first bit of advice, do not wheel alone. Someone always gets stuck, especially newbies. Expect it as part of the fun. A good long tow strap and shovel is good to have. The standard TJ jack using my cooler lid as a base is all I use out there for lifting. I have had to change tires before. Carry lots of water, it gets thirsty out there. 10lbs is usually okay for the tires, I have run at 5lbs too. Carry a compressor. Now, speed is your friend. Gravity is your friend. If you are going up a steep dune and you know you aren't going to make it, immediately steer down hill before you lose momentum. If you get stuck at an extreme sideways angle on a steep hill, open the downhill door, it may keep your rig from rolling until you get it down. It is better not to get stuck like that, know when to hold them, know when to fold them. We use tall flags on our rigs and we use GMRS radios (no CBs here). If you get stuck alone, put it in low range, steady throttle and steer from side to side. That usually will get you out. Jeeping on sand is more like snow mobiling. I do not use my AC out in the dunes, a JK needs to unplug the traction control relay under the hood. The small ruddy dunes are harder to navigate than the large ones. You need enough speed not to get stuck, but not so much that you go airborn into the unknown. There is a reason our sport has names like rock crawling. You crawl. We say dune bashing or smashing. You tend go much faster over bumps, rough ride, some puke. Only put people you hate in the back seat. I don't use my rear seat out there. BTW, the lighter the rig, the better, ditching the doors, top and rear seat makes a dramatic floatation difference, but know this, no doors or top = lots of sand inside the rig. I usually run in 2nd gear high range, rpms 2500 to 4000. BTW, always pack an awesome picnic lunch. No adventure is fun without a little gluttony. Lastly, have fun and remember, when in doubt as to what to do in a situation, cram the pedal to the metal.
