All you really need to have for an ideal place to ride your dune buggy or sand rail will be a large, open sand area. You obviously don't want other types of vehicles around, or lots of plants, trees, rocks, uneven ground, or changing terrain with patches of mud interspersed, for example. These spots can be easy enough to find when you know where to look, but that doesn't mean you should just pull over on the side of the road and let loose anytime you see some open space.

Many areas are restricted to off road vehicles of all kinds. It could be to protect the natural wildlife and plant life, or it could be for safety or any number of other reasons. Either way, you need to be careful to only utilize areas which are both safe and legal for you to take advantage of.

That's why more and more, groups are taking their dune buggies and sand rails to specified parks, sand boxes and open dunes where all of the conditions are there that you need. The terrain will be perfect and uncluttered, everything will be safe and legal, and there will be plenty of open sand for everyone to use to the max.

The hotbed for these dunes is definitely the southeast of the country, southern California, Arizona and Nevada, but many other western states have some ideal spots as well, like Oregon, Utah, Washington and Texas. But from Kansas to Michigan to Oklahoma, you can always find a good sand dune locale when you know what to look for.

The best places to ride a dune buggy are highly sought after and famous with riders and drivers from all over the place. For example, a few of the biggest names include the Glamis Dunes, as well as the other dunes in the Imperial Sand Dunes recreation area including Gordons Well, Buttercup and others, Ocotillo Wells, Nellis Dunes, Rasor Dunes and OHV area, Little Sahara Recreation Area in Utah, St. Anthony Dunes in Idaho and on down the line.

You'll find that some of the most popular parks and recreation areas may have fees, and that goes towards maintenance and ensuring that the space can be utilized for that purpose. Many others though are open access, and you'll find that the hotspots get pretty crowded in the right seasons. So while it's tempting to just look for some open sand and go to town, you should be wary of most places, and stick with the right kinds of specified areas, popular sand boxes and OHV recreational areas.

The first thing you have to always remember is the unique landscape and terrain that you'll be driving on. Open sand is, of course, different from the highway, but it's also different from rocky, mountainous terrain, mud, and all other types of terrain that you could encounter with various types of off road vehicles. That's why you shouldn't buy something that is generally an "off road" tire, but you should be buying something specifically built to handle sand.

With dry, light sand, the whole idea of your vehicle is to be "floating" as opposed to sinking in. Generally wider tires are superior for providing maximum traction and floatation, because your spreading out the weight of the vehicle. But still, you need to dive in a bit deeper to see exactly which tires might be a good match for you and your vehicle.

To maximize your capabilities, most drivers purchase different front tires from rear tires. Particularly with a rear mounted engine, you need to get that base of traction and support in the back, while the front of your vehicle is basically for just controlling, turning and directing the car.

That's why many sand dunes utilize paddle sand tires in the back. When you look at the design, you'll see why they are called paddle tires, they look just like a paddlewheel you might find in an old fashioned riverboat, for example. Instead of an intricate working of treads and ribs, it's just rows of paddles straight across a wide tire. This will help you flip up and stay above the sand.

In the front then, maybe individuals prefer thinner tires, even smooth ones. This will help you control precise turns, and while minimize the amount of sand you're kicking up. Not only does this keep you "floating", but it also helps to prevent sand from flying in your face, in your eyes, in your mouth, and all over the place. You could instead opt for wider sand tires in the front, but it's a matter of personal preference and what kind of performance you're looking to get.

Hopefully by now you know a little bit more about buying tires for a dune buggy or sand rail. Avoid all purpose off road tires, and opt for sand specific tires. Rear paddle tires paired with smooth, narrow front tires is a popular combination, but choosing four wide, high traction sand tires to outfit the entire vehicle is a safe bet as well.

Dune Buggy, Sand Rail Tires Recently Sold

First of all, the fact that the name "dune buggy" didn't come out of nowhere. It comes from the Volkswagen Bug, or the Beetle, and it's this very car that was the genesis of the first dune buggies. With the small size of the vehicle, the light weight of the frame, the strength of the suspension, and the rear position of the engine, it made for a perfect starting point for some modifications for off road, sand and dune riding. A Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle is the ideal choice, and will make for the smoothest transition.

There are many other reasons today that choosing a VW bug is still a great way to begin building your own dune buggy. You'll find an abundance of spare parts available at low prices to help with your construction and modification process. You'll also find many DIY kits and modules that will save you some of that legwork and enable a quick journey from point A to point B. The Type 1 engine is also air cooled and the vehicle doesn't have a radiator, both making it easy to modify and enjoy a high success rate.

Now that you know where to start and why you should go in that direction, you need some help actually getting the job done. The main thing to remember is that a dune buggy is all about the basics. It should be stripped down as much as possible, offering you something that is very "bare essentials". You'll get rid of clutter and have more room, provide yourself with more boost and power by removing weight, and more.

What you really need for a completed dune buggy is the frame or shell, the engine, suspension, steering wheel, tires, brakes and then a place to seat. Everything else can get the ax, or be modified to your choosing. Of course, while the Type 1 VW Beetle engine makes for an ideal starting point, you can also purchase relatively cheap, upgraded engines for your dune buggy to give it more power.

The direction you end up going in is entirely up to you. You can make your dune buggy as decked out or simple as you want. You can just strip down a Type 1 VW bug to the bones, fix up the engine, and be good to go, or you can deck it out with more modern pieces, parts and components, and upgrade the style, design and look. It can be a challenge, but it's all doable for even those with only a minimal of experience, and it will be extremely rewarding when you see your new dune buggy and remember where it came from.

Dune Buggy, Sand Rail Items Recently Sold