Tips for beach driving?

Air down to about 20 psi, 4HI and TURN OFF ALL THE TRACTION CONTROLL. if you start get stuck stop trying to get unstuck. Use another vehicle to pull you out.

Experience: 9 years as permanent lifeguard along California coast. I drive on the sand everyday at work.

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Air down and 4hi is all you need. As far as tools/recovery equipment I usually bring my air compressor, traction device, transfer shovel, tow straps/snatch straps and lunch in the event that you do get stuck and end up waiting for someone to help you. I've taken my SR5 to Pismo plenty of times with no issues but I would never take the same lines that I take on my dirtbike. That would be asking for trouble.

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For that anniversary ride and romantic candle light dinner on the beach. As I recall on a slightly elongated F150 4WD chassis.
 

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I've never driven on beach but have heard - take a bucket with you. If get stuck in sand, pour a bucket of water around buried wheel and sand will firm up and usually can drive out. Anyone know if this works?? Sounds good.
 
4hi with my tires aired down to 20psi worked perfect on the beach in NC. In my experience most people get stuck because they did not air down.
 

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There's a whole bunch of youtube videos on this if you run a search for driving in the sand, may help give you a better idea of the dynamics involved.
 
Knight-Errant said:
Anybody use the "sand mode" with the multi terrain select on the beach? What was the result or what was your impression?
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Yes, tried it for quite a bit around here..

Mixed feelings on it. It seems to be most helpful up to medium soft sand (i.e. beach, sandy trail paths).. all it does is ease up wheel slippage allowance before the brakes chime in.

At really soft sand (i.e. loose dune sands), I prefer turning off all electronics and remain on 4lo, up to S2 on the transmission.
 
4runick said:
Disable all traction control
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Typically my 2016 SR5 4WD does fine in the sand on the Outer Banks of NC in 4H at about 18-20 psi and traction control off. Here is a thread from an Outer Banks forum with some info with a number of contributors from that area.

Driving in the Sand Info | OBX Connection Message Board

BTW the link in the thread on optimum airing down no longer works so I added the info in a post 21 May 2016
 
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I'm surprised that most only air down to 18-20. I was running at 18 on soft, steep sand dunes and had trouble unless I approached at higher speed. I reduced the tires to 12 and went everywhere the JKs went.

I'm a little worried about running that low so now I have a set of Trailhead deflators set at at 15 psi.
 
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet it what to do after your beach trip. If it's an ocean beach you will pick up a fair amount of sand encrusted with salt - even if you stay off the wet stuff. A through cleaning of the undercarriage, wheel wells and all the little areas that you probably don't wash would be a good idea.

Sure rust protection is better these days, but it's not 100%.
 
flyrv9 said:
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet it what to do after your beach trip. If it's an ocean beach you will pick up a fair amount of sand encrusted with salt - even if you stay off the wet stuff. A through cleaning of the undercarriage, wheel wells and all the little areas that you probably don't wash would be a good idea.

Sure rust protection is better these days, but it's not 100%.
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For decades I have run my vehicles thru a car wash twice that has the chassis wash feature. All have gone 10 to 15 yrs with no problems. The most prevalent problem I have seen from others who do not do something like this is seized brake calipers.
 
BobsTrail said:
I'm surprised that most only air down to 18-20. I was running at 18 on soft, steep sand dunes and had trouble unless I approached at higher speed. I reduced the tires to 12 and went everywhere the JKs went.

I'm a little worried about running that low so now I have a set of Trailhead deflators set at at 15 psi.
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Because where I drive you are mostly on just flat beach. Dune driving not allowed
 
BobsTrail said:
I'm surprised that most only air down to 18-20. I was running at 18 on soft, steep sand dunes and had trouble unless I approached at higher speed. I reduced the tires to 12 and went everywhere the JKs went.

I'm a little worried about running that low so now I have a set of Trailhead deflators set at at 15 psi.
Click to expand...

I think i'm going to buy a set of those.. I'm sick of deflating and rechecking a bunch before i hit my desired setting.
 
spencenasty said:
I think i'm going to buy a set of those.. I'm sick of deflating and rechecking a bunch before i hit my desired setting.
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They are a pain to set the first time. I go around putting all 4 on, then repeat the route waiting for them to shut off. They seem to be good at holding the setting, but I did put a glob of hot glue on the set screw to make sure. It's easier to set them using a small tire, like a wheelbarrow. I went overboard and have a set for 15 and a set for 20.
 
Lots of great tips. Seems to be a dissenting opinion, however, on whether or not to leave traction and stability control engaged.

Makes sense to disengage all so that you have a better chance of keeping your momentum. But is there more of a chance of having too much wheel spin and digging yourself into a hole?


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