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the most important issues for driving any vehicle in the sand are tire pressure, tire width, clearance, and then hp/torque.
i've driven 5000# trucks on the beach and 2500# trucks. 4-cyl., and v8's. using air pressure, i was able to get around most places w/ the 4-cyl. the softer the sand, or pebbly sand as well, the lower the air pressure. although normally too much hp is bad in the sand, it can be a valuable asset on larger, heavier vehicles when going up inclines, in ruts, or light sand. also, smaller hp engines have to work harder in off road conditions and can overheat easier. a tranny cooler is a must. and, turn your o/d off while on the beach. this is bad for a tranny as it is constantly in and out of o/d.
clearance becomes an issue on some beaches or trails that are prone to deep ruts, especially around turning areas. a vehicle like an outback will not have the necessary clearance in these types of ruts. clearance impacts the front and rear drivetrain/"pumpkins", but also allows for far more sand to get into axles, wheel bearings, etc., that normally are not touching as much of the sand on higher suspension vehicles, like trucks. jacking a car or truck that is resting on the fuel tank, pumpkins, lower engine, or frame is not fun. additionally, a vehicle like a subaru does not have the necessary suspension for heavy off road abuse that can occur on some beaches.
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