In a message dated 2/8/2011 3:23:20 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
mcneely4@COX.NET writes:

So far  as 2WD, the physics of the situation is not dependent on how many
wheels drive  the vehicle.  It is a matter of surface area vs. instability of
the  surface.  Increase the surface area, there is more friction surface
and  less ability to "dig in."

I have done a lot of sand driving on the outter banks of north Carolina  ,
mostly in old jeeps, some in subies and some in an old 66 VW  westy.  we
would lower the tire pressure down to about 12 lbs.with the  2wd  bus I would
have to stay in the tracks or get on the hard edge of the  ocean.   There
were some guys who drove old VW bugs out there,   big old ball tires lowered
pressure and would stay out of the deep stuff. I  never saw them have a
problem.  I have seen others bury the car up to the  axles  LOL. I saw a syncro
westy vanagon that was out there for a week.  meet the guys in town at the
store , only reason they came in was they ran out  of beer.  Saw a CJ7 jeep
some fool drove on top of the dredge dune hill and  sink it so far he had to
step on the back of the seat to get out of it. saw  another get trapped on a
sandbar with 20 foot deep channel between him and  shore, only had 365 miles
on it. it was fubared    later   mark d