What's the Difference Between a Dune Buggie and a Sandrail?

A dune buggy is a recreational vehical with large, wide tires that are designed for use on beaches or sand dunes. In order to increate the power-to-weight ratio, dune buggies are designed with either more engine power, a lighter frame, or both.

Whereas dune buggies usually have open chassis, they are often modified from an existing vehicle. The older Volkwagen Bug is a popular choice because it has a rear-mounted engine and a robust front suspension.

Sandrails, on the other hand, are built from a tubular open frame chassis that has an incorporated roll cage. You typically won't find windows, doors, or even body panels on sandrails, and they almost always have rear wheel drive.

Regardless of what you call them, dune buggies, sand rails, and other off-road vehicles such as go carts are growing in popularity by leaps and bounds, especially in the U.S.