Toyotas on the beach

[Rbv714]

I own a 98 4Runner 4wd. I'm plannin a trip to the beach, but the only way to get to the beach house is to drive on the beach. Ive heard the sand and salt will really screw stuff up.

Has anyone ever driven on the beach (been to Corova/Corolla, NC) and has it screwed stuff up? Any suggestions?

 

[dkovac]

I've had no problems and I take mine on the beach to fish once a week for the past 3 years

Just remember to lower air pressure to 15lbs and take it slow try not to make sharp turns

Also do not drive through the wash

If parking always park above the high tide line

And bring a good shovel and tow strap just in case

If you think your getting stuck do not floor it you will only bury yourself try reversing and rocking slowly

Keep an eye out for holes that may have been dug in the beach by kids

Also remember to air up your tires when you get back to the pavement , they should have hoses there

There is also some good surf fishing there as well

D

 

[CJ3Flyr]

:iagree:

I would add that if you don't have a high quality compressor bring two of the $20 cheapies. It would suck to have one crapout.

:cheers:

 

[T?@\7]

You'll be fine!

You shouldnt have any probs! After you are done on the sand, just give your rig a good thorough rinse underneath...

I live on the beach, and drive in the sand ALL THE TIME and I have never once aired down...... im sure it would help but I have never felt it to be necessary.... $0.02
I would say just keep your truck in 4lo to avoid any scares/close calls and keep your momentum up.
Have fun!

 

[Rbv714]

so its necessary to air down?

 

[dkovac]

If your on hard packed sand its not a problem

On soft sugary sand I wouldn't chance it I don't want to have to dig

Airing down widens the contact patch with the sand and lets you "float" on the sand


D

 

[chronicanomaly]

I just got back from Corolla yesterday, drove on the beach all week, and had no problems. Kept the tires at highway PSI, 4HI with the differential locked, and never came close to getting stuck, you should be fine. There is plenty of harder packed sand closer to the water you can drive on, but not close enough to get splashed. However, to get to the houses out there, you will most likely have to get over the much softer dunes, in which case airing down might not be a bad idea. Like T?@\7 said, keep your momentum up, and don't try to crawl over the dunes.

 

[Jeffrey_VB]

The sands up around Carova is pretty packed, so you shouldn't need to air down. This time of year, you should have plenty of company down there on the sand, so if you should get in trouble, you'll have someone there to ask for help. Keep in mind, AAA won't come out onto the sand to get you

Once you get back onto the highway, pull into a DIY car wash and just give it a good washing, especially the wheels/brakes and underbody.

 

[_JT_]

Rt 12 up to Corova is nice and hard packed for the most part. I just got back from a weekend at the delaware beaches, and South Bethany/Fenwick. The sand was pretty soft coming over the path on the dune. I aired down to 22, and didnt even realize i wasnt engaging my locking Diff's until monday. I probably could have gone without deflating considering how great the 4runner handled with the locking diff's engaged.

One weird thing about the beach. They just did a ton of Dredgeing for beach replenishment. The beach has been widened about 3 times as wide as last year. We just had that noreaster 2 weeks ago and it cut a channel thru the middle of the beach what used to be the old shoreline. At some points the water was over 3 feet deep, others only a few inches.

The first day we just sat on the other side of the water and were harassed by the state park rangers that we had to be within 50ft of our fishing poles. The next day i found a shallow crossing and it worked out great.