Driving on the Beach

[xwhenximxgonex]

What's up, guys? I have a quick question about driving on the beach. I realized I could ask this in any forum, but I figured I'd as my fellow 4runner owners!

So the beach by me sells beach permits so you can drive on the beach. There are 2 types of passes, yearly and 3-day. I was thinking about the 3 day.

Questions:
1. Exactly how bad is it to drive on the beach with all the sand and salt around?
2. Would a few times do any damage? I haven't decided on a pass, but I may just get the 3 day...

Thanks!

 

[Buckles]

What's up, guys? I have a quick question about driving on the beach. I realized I could ask this in any forum, but I figured I'd as my fellow 4runner owners!

So the beach by me sells beach permits so you can drive on the beach. There are 2 types of passes, yearly and 3-day. I was thinking about the 3 day.

Questions:
1. Exactly how bad is it to drive on the beach with all the sand and salt around?
2. Would a few times do any damage? I haven't decided on a pass, but I may just get the 3 day...

Thanks!

I have driven on the beach many times with every vehicles I have owned. I have never once had any issues related to driving on the beach.

Just make sure you rinse your undercarriage after the trip and you should be fine. I always rinse it to get the salt and sand off it. Prevents corrosion and just keeps things clean.

 

[Jaketino]

I like to take the sprinkler to the bottom of mine after driving on the beach. I also like to hit puddles when it rains since the water will go the same places the sand went. It rains a lot here in the PNW so it's easier for us to do this.

 

[Quatre Coureur]

With sand it's often about keeping up ur momentum. Closer to the water the sand is packed and its not a problem. However dry, deep sand will require A LOT of flotation if u plan on stopping in the middle of it. That's why momentum is critical to make it across the deep, loose stuff. Just my .02 from years of navigating Baja and Glamis. :lookout:

 

[fourwd1]

The sand and salt will get into every nook and cranny, and you can't wash it all away.
It will add to the rust problems Toyotas already have.
Years of camping and fishing on Assateague Island have taught me that.
I'd never again take anything but an old beater out on the beach.

 

[toyo]

Took my 4R on the beach in St Augustine and Daytona earlier in the year. I will never do it again. The sand literally gets everywhere. I had dropped my spare tire to get to something else. The entire spare was covered in sand on top. Inside the frame rails, engine area was real bad. Never ever again.

 

[Mr.B]

you mean you have to get a permit to do that? we just called it "going to the beach" back home. some of yall are being sissies about all this salt water shenanigans. my runner spent 12 years on a rock in the middle of the pacific ocean. there is no frame rust, surface rust on the inside of my bumpers, and one cancer spot on one skid plate. no biggie at all.

 

[Robmills72]

Just avoid driving through water on the beach and stick a sprinkler head under the truck afterwards and you should be set to go.

 

[Mtn.Rush]

I have taken every truck I've owned on the beach and never had a single problem. Air down to 18-15 psi, go easy on the accelerator and have fun. Make sure you have some recovery/tow equipment and when you come off the beach wash it (along with the undercarriage) when you get the time.