Tips for beach driving?

[tykkor]

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.

That seems to match what I've found too. Of course, we aren't allowed to drive on the dunes on the beaches here in North Carolina, so I don't have that much time driving on the really soft stuff.

 

[JAYCO74]

Did you leave traction control on?

Definitely disable traction control. At least with the SR5. You won't be able to switch between preexisting tire trails in deep sand if you don't turn the traction control off. I run the tires at 20lbs but have aired down to 17lbs if I got stuck and was able to get out easy.

I towed a chevy flatbed off the beach a few weeks back in 4lo who was stuck up to his axles with high tide approaching. But he was a fellow surfcaster and we had just finished on a good bite.

 

[Redsoxx1918]

Definitely disable traction control. At least with the SR5. You won't be able to switch between preexisting tire trails in deep sand if you don't turn the traction control off. I run the tires at 20lbs but have aired down to 17lbs if I got stuck and was able to get out easy.



I towed a chevy flatbed off the beach a few weeks back in 4lo who was stuck up to his axles with high tide approaching. But he was a fellow surfcaster and we had just finished on a good bite.

Thanks. Do you just turn off traction or stability control as well?

 

[Redsoxx1918]

Definitely disable traction control. At least with the SR5. You won't be able to switch between preexisting tire trails in deep sand if you don't turn the traction control off. I run the tires at 20lbs but have aired down to 17lbs if I got stuck and was able to get out easy.



I towed a chevy flatbed off the beach a few weeks back in 4lo who was stuck up to his axles with high tide approaching. But he was a fellow surfcaster and we had just finished on a good bite.

Awesome pics, by the way. I've got the same rig. Love the magnetic grey!

 

[1engineer]

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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Difference between people with lot's of experience and people with not so much.

I tried it just as an experiment and found that, sure, it does OK but then again I do just fine without it. I have been sporadically driving on a beach for 35 years or so though.

Let's put it this way: If my 21 yo son was driving on the beach and had no prior instruction I would tell him to use the sand mode. If I gave him 15 minutes of instruction beforehand then he would be fine without it.

 

[OprahBees]

Definitely disable traction control. At least with the SR5. You won't be able to switch between preexisting tire trails in deep sand if you don't turn the traction control off. I run the tires at 20lbs but have aired down to 17lbs if I got stuck and was able to get out easy.

I towed a chevy flatbed off the beach a few weeks back in 4lo who was stuck up to his axles with high tide approaching. But he was a fellow surfcaster and we had just finished on a good bite.

I recognize Sore Thumb, Hither Hills... That Looks like home!

See you out there!!

 

[Oogs]

Been beach driving for 20 years. 15psi is plenty low for a 4Runner. As others have said don't take turns too sharp or fast. Popping a bead and swapping tires on the beach is nothing like pavement. I also drive a 9k lb 4x4 camper van on the beach at 25psi and have never gotten stuck when aired down. Enjoy.

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[JAYCO74]

I recognize Sore Thumb, Hither Hills... That Looks like home!

See you out there!!

Your pic...NS MTK?

 

[jwatson]

All the above info is sufficient. Have fun, but don't be stupid.

 

[OprahBees]

Your pic...NS MTK?

Yeah, lighthouse side, but I usually park at the haulout boundary