Beach Driving!
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greasefingers
New member
I'll be down the third week of June. There better not be any Red-Flag warnings on the beach. One year they were up five of the six days we were there. My kids were so disappointed that they could not go into the ocean, due to the tides/rough waves.
gonzo
New member
my wife are in the outer banks at least once a month - we love it! unfortunately, our '04 runner does not do near as well as our '93 did, but it is still a blast.
few people are probably aware of this but the best spot to mess around down there is north of corrolla.
about a mile north of the beach entrance you will see a tall dune on your left. behind the dune are a bunch of trails that are a blast, although i would recommend severly deflating your tires and having a buddy truck go with you. the only tow truck guy in corrolla is not cheap.
few people are probably aware of this but the best spot to mess around down there is north of corrolla.
about a mile north of the beach entrance you will see a tall dune on your left. behind the dune are a bunch of trails that are a blast, although i would recommend severly deflating your tires and having a buddy truck go with you. the only tow truck guy in corrolla is not cheap.
I leave for the Outer Banks this Saturday (28th). Rented house Kitty Hawk. I typically go down to the Oregon Inlet and drive out there. I also go up to Corrolla at least once.
Never used the Runner in sand. Driven in the sand 100 times, but I always get nervous the first time when I dont know how the vehicle will do. From everything I read about the Runner, I should be ok...
Nice to be able to park your Runner next to you on the beach!
I think the V8 will help quite a bit in that deep sand....
Never used the Runner in sand. Driven in the sand 100 times, but I always get nervous the first time when I dont know how the vehicle will do. From everything I read about the Runner, I should be ok...
Nice to be able to park your Runner next to you on the beach!
I think the V8 will help quite a bit in that deep sand....
greasefingers
New member
We always stay in Duck, NC. About 20 miles south of Corolla. What gonzo states is so true. Always adventure with two vehicles when going off road if you are unsure about getting stuck or breaking something.
gonzo said:
Ya know, I was up there once a LONG time ago with my 98 Ford Expedition. She did just fine. But it is VERY DEEP and LOOSE sand! Could not find it again after that.... Dont think the 05 4Runner could make it IMHO. I think I got a better power to weight ratio, tires are ok (par), clearance is barely par at 9.1"... Dont think I will try.
BTW: Every owners manual I have read says to leave the tires inflated when venturing in sand. I have never deflated my tires and never gotten stuck..... Well ok, I got stuck in my 2003 Expedition (6000 lbs) with 7 people in it (over 7000 lbs) AND it was wet sand at the Oregon Inlet. I got 3 cocky kids in their MONSTER trucks stuck trying to pull me out. It took a 20,000 tow strap, an old Ford F150 with a 90000 HP engine, and a BIG running start to YANK me out.... Ugly! I was all 4's fully extented into the sand and laying on the frame!
True, anything can get stuck at the wrong time at the wrong place...
The 4Runner *should* do MUCH better than either Expedition... I think/hope??
gonzo
New member
05V8SPRT said:
Just do a google search on tips for driving a 4x4 in sand - all of them will tell you the same thing . . . deflate your tires.
even the outer banks rules as posted here:
(http://www.outer-banks.nc.us/newsinfo/randr.htm) recomend deflating to at least 20-25 lbs.
that being said, i have never deflated my tires simply because i am a tad over-confident and more than a tad too lazy.
don't worry about getting stuck on or near any entrances, there are always more than enough people willing to help tug you out.
if the sand feels soft (which you will know becuase it will feel like the 4runner is working very hard, plowing through the sand) simply roll to a stop (never hit the brakes), let some air out of the tires, back up a couple of yards along the same tracks you just made so that you aren't plowing through the sand from a dead stop, put her in second or third gear and be on your merry way.
it is a blast, so go enjoy yourself.
i should be out there on sunday along with a buddy in a pathfinder.
4wheeln98
New member
Im heading down june 25th just got a nice beach house in buxton close to the beach. Last year i stayed at a camp ground getting ready to drive on the beach to scheck the waves for surfing, where this guy got stuck at the entrance. He was in a 2wd ford ranger. the night before it rained pretty good. he was turned sideways and dug himself to his rear bumper. So being the nice guy i am i pulled him out.
I was down in the Outer Banks this summer with my 98 and it was awesome driving in the sand. I cruised down the beach with the greatest of ease, never had a single problem.
Just remember to deflate your tires and be careful driving on the road if your tires are still deflated.
Just remember to deflate your tires and be careful driving on the road if your tires are still deflated.