Tips for beach driving?

[Redsoxx1918]

Any tips for beach driving? Never driven the beach but planning to head down to East Beach this summer for some fun. There's several miles available for some fun.

I have all the required gear to get your beach pass: spare, jack, tow rope, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, shovel, tire pressure gauge, flashlight, etc.....there's a whole list required by the state. Then you've gotta pay for a season beach pass for $60, and a permit to drive on the beach for $100. Got a decent compressor to air back up Afterwards, as well.

I have a 2016 SR5 premium. Airing down to 20psi sufficient? Trac control on or off in 4hi?


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[1engineer]

4hi. Leave everything on just like normal.

 

[MTN4RNR]

Just keep all vehicle inputs smooth and consistent. Smooth acceleration, braking and turning will help keep you from getting buried.

Traction mats also really help in the sand :thumb3:

 

[borfoo3]

A few pointers from my side:

1- easy on the gas, keep it consistent

2- if you get stuck, back up on the harder packed sand of your tracks and try again.. repeat until your out. Do not keep on the gas if your only digging in. If you can't move forward nor back, or close to bottoming out, use the shovel and traction pads!

3- Avoid parking/ stopping on inclines, will make it harder to move forward again

4- Avoid hard turns, especially when trying to gain forward momentum..

The general idea is keep momentum going, its your best friend on sand. Weight is the enemy, its distribution is key (i.e. reduce it if possible, or air down to better disperse it on the surface).

Once your moving its easy to keep moving, not really hard and you'll get the hang of it pretty quick.

Enjoy!

 

[mace.]

I had the pass to drive there a few years ago. I am a CT resident so it was $200 and I would get there early in the morning so didn't have to pay for a beach pass too.

 

[NuclearN8]

I always air down to 30 psi out of habit.
I stay away from the tidal areas, because well, the sand is notoriously unpredictable in these areas. Try not to drive closer to the water than the high tide mark. It can turn into bad juju real quick in this area....



Agree with all other assessments, 4H should be all you need. On driving style, slow is fast and fast is out of control. You're not dune buggy racing out there, just trying to get from Point A to Point B.

in a pinch while out on the OBX a few years back I was getting paranoid about not having maxtraxx (when I had my JKU) so I went out any built my own out of wood at my in-laws house before heading out. while they would have worked, complete waste of money if you follow the above advice. Very few people will get stuck in a 4Runner or any other 4wd vehicle with decent ground clearance on a regularly traveled beach open to vehicles.

 

[sandcrawler]

air down. 4H is fine 99.99% of the time. maintain momentum. avoid sharp turns or you'll dig yourself in. be mindful of the tides and cautious of changing conditions close to the waterline. respect the dunes. have lots of fun and take pictures.

 

[guitarsail]

Oh man, you'll definitely want to get a TRD Pro badge on the truck to make it through sand. Air down to 5-10psi, and give her lots of gas!

 

[bjohnston115]

Any tips for beach driving? Never driven the beach but planning to head down to East Beach this summer for some fun. There's several miles available for some fun.

I have all the required gear to get your beach pass: spare, jack, tow rope, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, shovel, tire pressure gauge, flashlight, etc.....there's a whole list required by the state. Then you've gotta pay for a season beach pass for $60, and a permit to drive on the beach for $100. Got a decent compressor to air back up Afterwards, as well.

I have a 2016 SR5 premium. Airing down to 20psi sufficient? Trac control on or off in 4hi?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

4HI, leave everything else alone. 18 psi.

As other said, momentum, stay on the tracks when possible. To get out of the tracks, hard swift cut of the wheel in the direction you want to go and quickly back to center, should pop you right out.

If you stop moving, asses the situation first THEN use the gas.

Steer clear of the a$$holes (they are definitely there) and help people when you can, you will appreciate the help when you need it.


As far as recovery gear, get a snatch strap or kinetic rope. They are magic when bogged in the sand.

 

[Redsoxx1918]

I had the pass to drive there a few years ago. I am a CT resident so it was $200 and I would get there early in the morning so didn't have to pay for a beach pass too.

Awesome pic! Thanks for all the tips. $200? Wow! Yeah...Rhode Island loves their fees. They really stick it to the out of staters.

I'm always looking for fun things to do with my dad. He's 81 and it's not always easy. He loves the beach but hates the crowds so I'm sure he'll really enjoy getting out there. Thanks again for all the tips.

 

[Small Factory]

Great info here: I just always assumed Rhode Island didn't allow vehicles on the beaches (and I've been living here all my life). I'm going to have to compile a list and try and make it out there myself....

 

[Redsoxx1918]

Great info here: I just always assumed Rhode Island didn't allow vehicles on the beaches (and I've been living here all my life). I'm going to have to compile a list and try and make it out there myself....

Yes...Google east beach pass. It'll give you a list of stuff you're required to have in the vehicle. A group of guys I work with go every year.

 

[spencenasty]

Oh man, you'll definitely want to get a TRD Pro badge on the truck to make it through sand. Air down to 5-10psi, and give her lots of gas!

People still enjoy talking shit about the PRO?

 

[Knight-Errant]

Don't drive off the beach and into the ocean...and also be aware about when tides occur and how much the water will rise.

It seems obvious but...

 

[Knight-Errant]

Anybody use the "sand mode" with the multi terrain select on the beach? What was the result or what was your impression?

 

[Jetboy]

Keep an eye where other folks are going. If there's no tracks somewhere, find out why before you go there...

 

[FiReBReTHa]

"smooth and steady wins the race"

I did not enjoy finding out that the mexico rental jeeps were 2wd and 4wd was disabled (engagement lever)

so an easy turn turned into a stuck.

 

[jmf_tracy]

15 ~ 20 PSI
4W high
bring TRED plates or MAXTRAX!

 

[BobsTrail]

Anybody use the "sand mode" with the multi terrain select on the beach? What was the result or what was your impression?

:iagree: with all the above advice. It may be different in a Trail, but in 4 HI with Multi-Terrain not turned on, the wheel spin is limited and the throttle is reduced. In an SR5 or Limited, I think I would start with Trac turned off. Then play with it to see what works best that day.

In my Trail I use Multi-Terrain all the time. In sand or snow it does not reduce the throttle and lets you keep all 4 spinning to keep going. As [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] posted - keep on the edge of traction.

I aired down to 15 in soft sand with my OEM Dunlops and went everywhere I wanted to. No fast or sharp turns.

I'm looking forward to getting out in sand with my Toyo AT2s.

If you can go with another 4x that's always best.

Helped two dumb guys in a Raptor and a small Jeep. Did not get to see the Limo run.

 

[mace.]

The area where the OP is going is a "sand trail" behind the dunes. There really isn't much room to stray from the established tracks and sharp turns in the trail are unavoidable. Also there is no vehicle access to the beach on the other side of the dunes this time of year. At least there wasn't in the past.