First time beach driving

[jwkilgore]

I'm planning a vacation to Cape San Blas and will get the beach driving permit. I've been occasionally offroading for years, but never long periods on a beach.

I already have basic offroading supplies like straps, shovel, General Grabber 275/70 tires, hi-lift, etc.

I plan to purchase:

• Maxtrax (2)
• Viair 300P Compressor
• Boulder Tools Rapid Tire Deflator
• NOCO Boost Plus (1000A) jump starter

Questions:

• Am I missing anything critical?
• My cranky family will be waiting as I inflate/deflate the tires. Do people generally recommend a single rapid deflator, or multiple pre-set valve stem deflators? Which is faster?
• Does anyone have any recommendations for brands / devices other than those shown?

TIA

 

[NautyBruiser19]

I'm planning a vacation to Cape San Blas and will get the beach driving permit. I've been occasionally offroading for years, but never long periods on a beach.

I already have basic offroading supplies like straps, shovel, General Grabber 270/70 tires, hi-lift, etc.

I plan to purchase:

• Maxtrax (2)
• Viair 300P Compressor
• Boulder Tools Rapid Tire Deflator
• NOCO Boost Plus (1000A) jump starter

Questions:

• Am I missing anything critical?
• My cranky family will be waiting as I inflate/deflate the tires. Do people generally recommend a single rapid deflator, or multiple pre-set valve stem deflators? Which is faster?
• Does anyone have any recommendations for brands / devices other than those shown?

TIA

As long as you air down your tires(18-20 p.s.i.) and watch some videos on the basics of what to do and what not to do while driving in sand, you'll be alright and you'll be light years ahead of most people who casually wander onto sand. I would tell you to also know how to properly use the crawl control as a last-ditch effort to get unstuck before getting pulled out, but it looks like you don't have that.

As for my personal opinion on the items you listed:

-Maxtrax (I would recommend going with much cheaper off-brand boards. There are many Youtube videos testing different brands, and the off-brands are sufficient for most people. I personally have a brand called XBULL)

-Viair 300P Compressor (I have a Viair 400P-Automatic and love it. Takes a little over 2 minutes each tire to air up from 18 to 34 p.s.i.(265 Nitto Terra Grapplers). You might want to use money you save on cheaper traction boards to upgrade to this model which has an auto shut-off. Much more convenient!)

-Boulder Deflators (I went with the more reputable "OG" on these; Staun from Australia. I didn't want to mess around with cheaper off-brands on these, especially hearing complaints about off-brand versions. I don't have direct experience with the Boulder, so take it for what it's worth)

-Noco Booster (Noco is a solid brand of boost packs. I personally chose an Audew based on recommendations. Haven't had to use it to jump yet, but use it all the time as an auxiliary battery charger for USB devices)

I would also suggest getting the family involved and have them help deflate the tires if you choose to get the individual deflators. It's simple and fun! Oh yeah, don't forget to wash the undercarriage really well when you're done to get rid of as much sea water as possible.

Hope this helps, and enjoy your trip. The wife and I did beach driving on Padre Island National Seashore in a rental a few years ago and it was really fun!

 

[LeesWagon]

We go down to the beach like every weekend down at bolivar.

Momentum is your best asset. lol.

 

[kyounpark]

following to learn more

 

[jwkilgore]

Thank you for the advice.

-Maxtrax (I would recommend going with much cheaper off-brand boards. There are many Youtube videos testing different brands, and the off-brands are sufficient for most people. I personally have a brand called XBULL)

For just sand use I fully agree. Honestly using the shovel to dig a "ramp" in front of the tires should be all I would need if I buried myself. But these have been on my list for a while, I do a lot of off-roading in rocky areas and want a set that will seriously stand up. That said, the "off roading" cost for this trip is increasing rapidly, so maybe this is one area where I back down.

-Viair 300P Compressor (I have a Viair 400P-Automatic and love it. Takes a little over 2 minutes each tire to air up from 18 to 34 p.s.i.(265 Nitto Terra Grapplers). You might want to use money you save on cheaper traction boards to upgrade to this model which has an auto shut-off. Much more convenient!)

I'll look into this, but $100+ for the simplicity of using a trigger vs toggling a switch on the compressor just doesn't seem like a good value. Maybe when I eventually go to full 285-75R's. Also I realized that since our house will be right near the beach I won't have to inflate/deflate multiple times a day. I can go between like 18psi on sand to 28psi for the road. Or, since I suspect the beach sand will be somewhat packed and the paved road speed limits are quite low, just go down to 24psi or so and keep it there until we need to get back on the highway.

-Boulder Deflators (I went with the more reputable "OG" on these; Staun from Australia. I didn't want to mess around with cheaper off-brands on these, especially hearing complaints about off-brand versions. I don't have direct experience with the Boulder, so take it for what it's worth)

Good advice, were I going with the individual automatic individual tire deflators. So this is something to save up for. But for this trip, I'm thinking just get the single-tire rapid deflator for the reasons listed above.

I would also suggest getting the family involved and have them help deflate the tires if you choose to get the individual deflators.

Why have kids if you don't make them work? I'm really looking forward to just loading up the vehicle and driving until I find a nice spot... soooooo much more appealing that pulling all the gear my wife requires in a rented beach wagon.

Momentum is your best asset. lol.

Absolutely... the last time I drove on loose sand was in a 2wd Toyota Rav4 when I took a wrong turn. I was flying down this 1-lane "road" through soft sand, drifting around curves, panicking because I knew that if I ever stopped I'd never get moving again. Luckily the path I was on ended at the same parking lot as the main road.

 

[BlackCloud]

Wouldn't drive on sand alone w/o this:
Deadman Off-Road: Creators of the Deadman Earth Anchor

 

[Bluesky 07]

I've driven my 4th Gen on South Core Banks (Cape Lookout National Seashore) twice (1st pic) and at Huegenot Memorial Park (2nd pic) in Jacksonville (photo below) with the same items you listed. Zero issues even in deep, loose sand. My recommendation is stay in 4HI unlocked and save 4LO and your locker in case you need it (I never did).

(The only "moment" we had at Cape Lookout was of my own making; my wife had her window down and the sunroof was open when I misjudged how far a wave had come up the beach. The splash got her pretty good and a little came through the roof too. :doh

Don't forget aftercare - give your truck a thorough fresh-water rinse, body and underneath, to get rid of as much of the sand and dried saltwater spray as possible.

Have fun!

 

[Muskrat14]

All of the above including, stay out of the water. They make look like so much fun on car commercials but it’s terrible for your vehicle.

Had a blast w mine at the Outer Banks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wcjeep]

Agree with compressor. Skip the maxtrax. Recommend soft shackles and kinetic energy rope. Make one the soft shackles the Xl version. Sand is highly variable from one location to another.

Is there cellphone coverage? FRS OR GmrS radios come in handy. Be careful of towing modern sedans. Lack of towpoints and plastic could damage their rig. Many people seem to aim for running over your tow rope. Cheaper for them to pay a tow truck versus you chipping in for their body damage and/or your ruined tow rope.

Where I live a ticket will be issued if your tires hit the water or any growing vegetation.

 

[jwkilgore]

Update for those interested:

• Gulf County Florida beach driving permit increased this year from $300 to $400 for a non-resident annual pass. No temporary passes. They are clearly using the cost as a way to limit the number of vehicles out there.
• No Maxtrax due to recommendations, increased permit cost, and limited space on the trip down with a family of 4 + large dog.

 

[yourfriendcasey]

I'm planning a vacation to Cape San Blas and will get the beach driving permit. I've been occasionally offroading for years, but never long periods on a beach.

I already have basic offroading supplies like straps, shovel, General Grabber 275/70 tires, hi-lift, etc.

I plan to purchase:

• Maxtrax (2)
• Viair 300P Compressor
• Boulder Tools Rapid Tire Deflator
• NOCO Boost Plus (1000A) jump starter

Questions:

• Am I missing anything critical?
• My cranky family will be waiting as I inflate/deflate the tires. Do people generally recommend a single rapid deflator, or multiple pre-set valve stem deflators? Which is faster?
• Does anyone have any recommendations for brands / devices other than those shown?

TIA

Depending on where you're going, you might need a dune flag. Only speaking from experience as this is a requirement at Oceano Dunes, CA. Not sure if this is typical for other beach spots.

Can confirm the boulder tools rapid deflator is a good buy. Definitely just be careful when taking the center pin of the valve in and out, you don't want to permanently screw up the valve. I think these are way better than the multiple preset deflators, at least from my experience. My friend has them but I almost always finish the job first. It's also time consuming to get them set to the right PSI and most aren't very accurate. If you want to go to say 11PSI for the beach, youll have to set them for that first. Then when you go somewhere else and want to air down to only 20psi for example, youll have to set them first. So they aren't very versatile.

If you drive in the sandy water at all like I have done (its really fun to rip donuts in the surf, though not advised by most), stop somewhere immediately after and spray off your undercarriage/ anywhere that got wet from the salty water.

If you're ripping through the dunes at all, watch out for the side opposite of the way the wind is blowing from. The sand here is extremely soft. Also the dunes tend to have huge dropoffs on the back side and are hard to see until the last second.

ENJOY!

 

[jwkilgore]

Is there cellphone coverage? FRS OR GmrS radios come in handy.

Be careful of towing modern sedans. Lack of towpoints and plastic could damage their rig. Many people seem to aim for running over your tow rope. Cheaper for them to pay a tow truck versus you chipping in for their body damage and/or your ruined tow rope.

Where I live a ticket will be issued if your tires hit the water or any growing vegetation.

Very good question on cell coverage, so I checked CellMapper and OpenSignal. Both show good coverage at the rental house and beach there, but poor coverage at the prettier beach on the west side. Looks like a set of FRS or GMRS radios is getting added to the list.

I do not tow or pull people for the very reasons you listed, mainly the potential damage to their vehicle, unless they have fully exposed tow points. No modern sedan has those points. The last time I tried to unstick an XTerra I failed; someone in a LandRover succeeded using my tow strap, and damaged the guy's front bumper.

I will not be leaving any allowed travel paths. I know the value of dune grass to preserving the beach, and I don't want to damage my vehicle with salt water.

Apologies if I missed it but does this only work if you have a winch?

Yes, you would need a winch which I do not have. This just provides a solid anchor point when there aren't any trees or rocks around.

 

[jwkilgore]

Depending on where you're going, you might need a dune flag. Only speaking from experience as this is a requirement at Oceano Dunes, CA. Not sure if this is typical for other beach spots.

Can confirm the boulder tools rapid deflator is a good buy. Definitely just be careful when taking the center pin of the valve in and out, you don't want to permanently screw up the valve. I think these are way better than the multiple preset deflators, at least from my experience. My friend has them but I almost always finish the job first. It's also time consuming to get them set to the right PSI and most aren't very accurate. If you want to go to say 11PSI for the beach, youll have to set them for that first. Then when you go somewhere else and want to air down to only 20psi for example, youll have to set them first. So they aren't very versatile.

If you drive in the sandy water at all like I have done (its really fun to rip donuts in the surf, though not advised by most), stop somewhere immediately after and spray off your undercarriage/ anywhere that got wet from the salty water.

If you're ripping through the dunes at all, watch out for the side opposite of the way the wind is blowing from. The sand here is extremely soft. Also the dunes tend to have huge dropoffs on the back side and are hard to see until the last second.

No ripping through or over dunes or through the surf here unless you want to get arrested. This is entirely for the convenience of not having to lug all my family's beach gear for 450-yards from the house to the nearest water at the private entrance, or using a public entrance and fighting for a spot. Just pull onto the beach and drive until I find a good spot. Forgot something? Drive back and get it.

This is one of the drive-on locations I want to use several miles from our rental house: 29.7356, -85.3945

I do thank you for the input in the deflators, though. I won't be going all the way to 11psi because I'll be on a reasonably hard-packed sand "road", but time saved is time saved. Also I'll add a few spare valve stems to my off-road kit just in case.

 

[GarySp]

It sounds like you will be doing essentially the same driving as I have done in Delaware, no joy driving or "playing" just on and off the beach, I go to surf fish. I haven't used the T4R yet but should be the same as the FJ Cruiser I had, I don't air down as much as recommended, no lower than 25 PSI, since I have a house a few miles from the beach access and do my airing up and down at the house. Again this is not dune driving or ripping around, Delaware only allows beach driving for surf fishing access and I never had a problem with the FJ Cruiser.

 

[yourfriendcasey]

No ripping through or over dunes or through the surf here unless you want to get arrested. This is entirely for the convenience of not having to lug all my family's beach gear for 450-yards from the house to the nearest water at the private entrance, or using a public entrance and fighting for a spot. Just pull onto the beach and drive until I find a good spot. Forgot something? Drive back and get it.

This is one of the drive-on locations I want to use several miles from our rental house: 29.7356, -85.3945

I do thank you for the input in the deflators, though. I won't be going all the way to 11psi because I'll be on a reasonably hard-packed sand "road", but time saved is time saved. Also I'll add a few spare valve stems to my off-road kit just in case.

Definitely, I haven't done any beach driving on the east coast or gulf, I'm thinking Oceano Dunes (CA) is probably one of the few places left that'll let you drive all over the beach dunes.

I think I recall the boulder tools deflator having a handful of spare valve stems included. Havent needed them yet.

 

[RedSled]

Definitely, I haven't done any beach driving on the east coast or gulf, I'm thinking Oceano Dunes (CA) is probably one of the few places left that'll let you drive all over the beach dunes.

I think I recall the boulder tools deflator having a handful of spare valve stems included. Havent needed them yet.

Those are not dunes per say, go to Glamis Dunes, that will open your eyes, they are not at the ocean, but the sand, and dunes are spectacular. This is just my opinion though.

 

[jwkilgore]

Quick update:

• The cost has gone up, and is now $400 +$10 CC charge for an annual beach driving permit for Gulf County FL.
• Everyone I dealt with was incredibly friendly, from the security guards on break at the courthouse ("Do you have a knife on you?" "No." "You're good, go on in") to the beach patrol who stopped to check the permit within 5 minutes of hitting the sand the first day.
• The Indian Pass (Apalachicola-side) beach was mostly hard-packed and smooth. I sometimes forgot to put it in 4WD. Even the two drainage ditches were easy to cross. Unfortunately this is also the murky side due to the large nearby rivers, so no swimming, but it did provide access to the best seashell hunting areas.
• The western beach was much prettier but with much softer sand. 4Lo with ATrac was engaged due to the low speed limit, Karens setting up tents practically on top of the driving path, and lots of unsupervised kids. One got his tent anchors (sandbags) driven over by a train of jeeps before he moved them.
• They've closed 2 of the 3 drive-on access points to the western beach due to beach erosion. No signs or updated web site, just locked gates. I was about to get p***ed about not being able to access the western beach until I found out through a random encounter that the 3rd access point was still open.
• I lowered the pressure down to 30psi just because and left it there the entire week. I never needed any recovery gear, but it was good to have for peace of mind.
• The ability to drive onto the beach, find an isolated location, and back right up to the surf is a total game-changer. I hope to never lug beach supplies again.

 

[cullowheebandit]

I’ve done some beach driving myself, mostly in the Outer Banks and a couple of trips to Florida, and honestly, tire management is a game changer. I’ve used both the Boulder Rapid Deflator and pre-set valve stem deflators, and I personally found the pre-set ones faster, especially when you're dealing with impatient passengers. Keeping the family occupied while deflating/inflating might be as simple as letting them help—it worked wonders with my kids! Oh, and rinsing the undercarriage is critical; I’ve skipped it once and regretted the rust spots later.

If you’re planning more outdoorsy vacations like this, some spots like those offered through Westgate Resorts vacation packages can be great for relaxing after offroad adventures, especially in places like Cocoa Beach where you can combine beach vibes with solid amenities: Vacation Packages | Westgate Vacations.

 

[Ocracoke4ever]

Been going to the Outer Banks (Cape Hatteras Point and Ocracoke) for surf fishing/family vacations since the 70's. Always air downed to 15 - 20 psi depending on the softness of the sand. Airing down is a must on beach driving. As stated before, do not drive near or in the water.
Dave

 

[SF03runner]

No matter what you do, it's possible for the sand to be so churned up and loose that you'll still sink. I once tried to leave camp in a sport quad with paddle tires and the thing wouldn't get traction on a flat area because I was on a big sand hole that someone had dug then refilled with zero compaction.

Also, if it starts digging, cut your losses early and kill your throttle so it's easier to pull out.