Driving on Beach

[gmgrant]

Has anyone taken their new Explorer on the beach yet?

I live on Long Island and was wondering how and if the 2011 handles the beaches.

Thanks in advance.

 

[1tufgt]

It should be fine. Ford introduced it on a beach out in California if I remember correctly.

 

[jeeden]

I think it would be fine. Do the normal stuff:

- Don't run through salt water, puddles, etc
- Air down tires
- Watch the tide coming in so your not trapped or worse

I plan on taking mine on the beach when I get it. Might have to take it easier on the 20 inch wheels, but should be ok I think, especially on hard pack.


One note, on past explorers I found it is very important to make sure you get the sand out of the inside wheel rims. I went to the Outer banks once, on the beach,then left beach and drove at low speed to the house we stayed at. Next morning on way home on the highway at high speed, horrible vibration. Stopped and looked inside the wheels and it was packed tight with sand on the inside rims, had to scrape it out with a spoon from sonic I will note that it had rained and the deep sand on the beach was very moist and packy.

 

[gmgrant]

Anyone get on the beach yet?

 

[gdecamp]

Anyone get on the beach yet?

Been in the pool!

Actually have not but I live on Long Island too...St James, where are you from??

Regards,

George

 

[gmgrant]

I am out in East Hampton.

Hoping to find out the easy way if a new Explorer will do some what decent on the beach with heavy wet / loosely packed sand. I have seen the Ford promos where they are on sand but that is more like a Daytona beach than what we have on the island.

I don't have a new Explorer yet, probably within a year or so. But the ability to take it on the beach once and a while will be a big part of the decision.

 

[LincolnAviFan]

Ford introduced it on a beach out in California if I remember correctly.

They towed it to that location.

Nah, just kiddin'

 

[Vic]

here's an article on the development testing in Dubai

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/16/2011-ford-explorer-first-ride-dubai/

 

[GregV8]

I live on Long Island too! There are not too many places you can drive on the beach.
You need to have the off road beach access pass and carry stupid equipment (portable toilet and fishing rod, etc.) in order to do it legally. And that's only at Montauk and Gilgo Beach. Would love to try it though....

 

[The Electrician]

for beach and sand driving you just need to drop tires air pressure into 14.5psi and nothing can stops you