Took my 4Runner out to Cape Cod recently, and decided to go on the beach with it. (Well, that's not quite true.... one of the reasons why I got the 4Runner in the first place was to take it on the beach at the Cape...) The discussions here about driving in sand were very helpful. There are a number of criteria you have to meet to get a permit on the National Seashore on the Cape, mostly dealing with safety equipment. The biggest thing is the air compressor. I got one at Sears (Sears item #02875115000, Mfr. model #75115) which looked like the most powerful cigarette lighter (12V) version. There were a couple of 115V models that looked better, but I wasn't sure how much power I could draw from the 115V plug, so I went with the 12V model. The thing worked great! It took about 5 minutes per tire to air back up from 12 lbs to 32. While you need a compressor in the truck to get a permit, if you go on the beach at Race Point in Provincetown, you don't have to use it because they have a whole string of compressors you can use. But I went on at the Head of the Meadows access point in Truro, and there aren't any public compressors there, so I needed my own.
The sand on the Cape is very loose. The closest thing I can compare driving in it to is driving in deep snow, although I think you get better traction in the snow. Just keep the speed down and the air pressure in your tires to 12 lbs, and things are no problem at all. There are a couple of pretty steep paths you have to take over the dunes to get to the beach, and the 4Runner handeled them like they were nothing. All in all, the 4Runner did exceptionally well on the beach. I was more than impressed. The fishing sucked, unfortunately, but the ride was absolutely the best.
One piece of safety equipment you have to have to get the oversand permit is a 10x12 inch board to put your tire jack on in case you get stuck. I went to Home Depot and got a scrap piece of 2x12, which turned out to fit perfectly between the wheels in the back. It made a great work board for all the baits and hooks and other things you have to deal with when fishing on the beach.
Also - a friend of mine went out to a beach at the mouth of the Orleans town cove, which I guess is also part of the National Seashore. This part is actually a peninsula which is only accessible by boat or 4WD. My friend said there were a number of vehicles out there, and almost all were 4Runners! I guess the 4Runner is really the ubiquitous beach buggy. There sure are a lot of the out at the Cape.
Can't wait to go back!
The sand on the Cape is very loose. The closest thing I can compare driving in it to is driving in deep snow, although I think you get better traction in the snow. Just keep the speed down and the air pressure in your tires to 12 lbs, and things are no problem at all. There are a couple of pretty steep paths you have to take over the dunes to get to the beach, and the 4Runner handeled them like they were nothing. All in all, the 4Runner did exceptionally well on the beach. I was more than impressed. The fishing sucked, unfortunately, but the ride was absolutely the best.
One piece of safety equipment you have to have to get the oversand permit is a 10x12 inch board to put your tire jack on in case you get stuck. I went to Home Depot and got a scrap piece of 2x12, which turned out to fit perfectly between the wheels in the back. It made a great work board for all the baits and hooks and other things you have to deal with when fishing on the beach.
Also - a friend of mine went out to a beach at the mouth of the Orleans town cove, which I guess is also part of the National Seashore. This part is actually a peninsula which is only accessible by boat or 4WD. My friend said there were a number of vehicles out there, and almost all were 4Runners! I guess the 4Runner is really the ubiquitous beach buggy. There sure are a lot of the out at the Cape.
Can't wait to go back!
