Thanks again to all - Ran this weekend (Sunday) before the big rain and definitely had an easier time... The larger tires really seemed to make a difference and i did not air down at all but I also felt like I was on top of the sand more than plowing it...
I did turn off ESP since I was running in 4 HI and used 2 & 3rd gears and didn't want any slip to engage the brakes - am guessing that is the correct approach.
The sand seemed more packed with the rain that had come through earlier in the weekend.