Silver Lake Sand Dunes, MI

[Jeeper]

Has anyone here ever take their 6x6 (or 8 wheeler) to the Sand Dune at Silver Lake, Michigan? I just recently got a Scrambler for my kids, and my oldest wants to take it to the dunes this summer. We go every year with the Jeep or dune buggy. I just don't know if the Scrambler would do well in the sand or not. Also, looking at the rules, I'm thinking they would classify it the same as a side-by-side as opposed to an ATV. If this is the case, I would have to put seat belts into the thing. Just woulder what others have done that have been there. Also, does the flag mount to the front or the rear?

Thanks,
Steve

[Model Citizen]

Has anyone here ever take their 6x6 (or 8 wheeler) to the Sand Dune at Silver Lake, Michigan? I just recently got a Scrambler for my kids, and my oldest wants to take it to the dunes this summer. We go every year with the Jeep or dune buggy. I just don't know if the Scrambler would do well in the sand or not. Also, looking at the rules, I'm thinking they would classify it the same as a side-by-side as opposed to an ATV. If this is the case, I would have to put seat belts into the thing. Just woulder what others have done that have been there. Also, does the flag mount to the front or the rear?

Thanks,
Steve

The Scrambler would do fine in sand, but to actually dune you need HP. Since you go every summer with your jeep or buggy, you all ready know what it takes. We took our stock Max II with a 400 JLO to the Glamis Dunes 30+ years ago. It did O.K. (sort of) on the Little Dunes, but we actually were kind of dissappointed that it didn't do better. Not enough ground clearance, not enough HP, the ruts, (even in sand) will rattle your cage, so you can't work up to the speeds you need to keep your momentum on a dune. And if you can't keep speed up on a banked turn, even in dirt, you'll fall out of it. BUT, for the kids to have something to ride around the campground or do some practicing on some very small dunes, they'll have a blast & your Scrambler should have no problem. Don't know what rules Silver Lake might enforce, but definitely put a seat belt in for them anyway. Doesn't make any difference about a buggy whip in front or back, (though, I would think the rear is always preferrable for vision & whipping around reasons), just make sure that it's tall enough with a BIG flag. It's also a good way for the kids to learn some duneing/off roading etiquette & courtesies before they get old enough to ask you for the keys to your jeep or buggy.

Bridget

[thebuggyman1]

I think Bridget said it very well. It would make a nice transport for the picnic basket out to the beach, but I wouldn't even try test hill. Sand is a funny thing, along with HP you need the gearing for wheel speed. I think Whipper is running about 50HP and 50+MPH As far as the DNR rules, you need a rollbar and seatbelts or a helmet.

[Jeeper]

I agree regarding Test Hill, I'm sure it will not make it. But the flatter areas and down by the water I'm thinking would be good. At Silver Lake, all vehicles are required to have a flag, needs to be 10' in air. The placement depends on the vehicle. Vehicles with seat belts and 4 tires, the flag is to be on the front. This is for trucks, sand rails, dune buggys, and side-by-sides (this is where the flag is on my Jeep and Manx Buggy). Vehicles such as dirt bikes and quads the flag is to be mounted to the rear. So, I'm thinking the Scrambler would go to rear (even though it did not come from factory with seat belts), but wanted to know for sure from someone that has been their with theirs.

Thanks,
Steve

[thebuggyman1]

I put my flags on quick couplers for air compressor hoses, easy on and off, and cheap. I use the female end on the flag and the male end on the buggy, that keeps the sand out of the females moving parts. You could set it up with the option for front or rear flag mount. I bet if you asked at the park you'd get half the employees saying front and half saying rear. I have friends with a place on Lake Holiday Dr., they are there almost every weekend. I was told they have seen amphibs on the sand, but it's rare and they don't remember how well they got around. For everyone who doesn't know the area this site is cool Latitude and Longitude of a Point gps coordiates:43.68854,-86.486534
Ive been out on the dunes with the street tires (slicks) and got around fine, I bet baloon tires would do well. Floatation is more important than grip for just putting around.