OBX beach driving

[flyanbrian]

I will be in the OBX here in a few weeks and plan to drive my 06' EB out on the beach some, does anyone have a recommendation for what to run out there on the beach 4H or 4L? been out there tons of times on my F-150 but this will be the 1st in the explorer! Can't wait

 

[unclemeat]

Low range and 20-psi tire pressure.

 

[flyanbrian]

Thanks, i was figureing on low range so it won't be quite as hard on the motor. hopefully clearance won't be an issue.

 

[unclemeat]

I have been afraid to take my 05 on the beach. I have a 04 Level II Ranger on 31x10.5s (work truck) and a 91 2-door explorer with 33x12.5s. They both do great in the sand. I took the Ranger out on the sand last month around Oregon Inlet.

 

[flyanbrian]

that sand at Oregon inlet is a lot softer than down around ocracoke island where i am planning on going out. i've take my truck out at oregon inlet and it has done fine, i never have aired down the tires or anything, just run it in 4L and cruised along. seen alot of other suv's out there that have had issues though.

 

[Paraphoe]

Like they said, air down & low range. Also, bring a shovel and tow strap. And once you get moving, if you're in the deeper dry stuff, don't come to a stop unless you have to.

 

[rookieshooter]

I used to love to Surf Fish, from Montague NY for Rock fish. The Montaukians call them Striped Bass, darn Yankees. To Cape Hatteras NC for Blues in the Winter months. Even wetted a line on Galveston Island for Reds, hmm, good eating there.
But one rule I followed was not to drive below the high water mark.
Get stuck below that line and things could get a little bad. Especially if your by yourself.
I even made my own sand anchor, just in case.

 

[unclemeat]

The depth of the sand has more to do with how moist it is. When it is very dry it tends to be deep and soft. Airing down the tires will help to keep you from cooking your transmission and overheating the engine. I usually air down to about 25 so I can drive on the street without having to air up. My beach vehicles have manual transmissions and oversized tires compared to a stock Explorer.

 

[rookieshooter]

It's been many years since I've been on the beaches, love to take out my B2.
Wondering if you need a sand or beach permit to drive on the beaches at NCs Outer Banks or at Asseteague Island. I remeber at Asseteague Md, I needed a beach permit to drive and have certain tools on board. ????

 

[unclemeat]

NC has been limited in recent years. Several "environmental" have sued the national park service because they have not implemented a "plan" for management of the offroad areas. However, most of the ORV areas are still accessable. As I understand the point at Hatteras has been closed. The south end of Oregen Inlet is closed, you can go about halfway from the access towards the Bonner Bridge. The Hatteras National Wildlife Refuge is now closed between 10 PM and 6 AM in season. Croallia is still completely open. No permits no fees are normally required. They do have some common sence rules.

Also, in Nags Head after Labor Day a permit can be obtained to drive on the beach in the cottage area.

The North Carolia Bech Buggy Asociation is a good reference.

http://ncbbaonline.com/

This is the National Park Service site

http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/off-road-vehicle-use.htm

 

[rookieshooter]

Thanks for the info, sad about the point, that was one my favorite places to drive to.

 

[EastoutWest]

Ocracoke requires no permit and as far as I know, except when there's a whole lot of rain, most ramps should be open - especially the airport ramp and the road that goes to the southern end (right across from Howard's Pub). Just stay out of the dunes, nesting areas, and turtle hatching zones. It's cool to drive around the southern point to the backside of the island around Teach's Hole. This is where blackbeard was killed. Bring a tow rope if you have low ground clearance, there are plenty of people that will offer a tow.

As far as low/hi range, I have driven an automatic 2.8 wagoneer (a real p.o.s.) with no issue in 4 hi, and an automatic AMC Eagle (with no low-range) with no issue on ocracoke beaches. Have seen subarus out there and 2wd suvs, though unless you are really experienced driving on beaches, and the sand is packed, 2wd is a bad idea. My Eagle was loaded up with people and dragging the diff. the whole way, but it cruised right along and got some serious head turning. That was fun...

My opinion: a stock 4wd explorer will be fine in 4 hi without lowering the tire pressure much (say to 25 psi) if you drive confidently and smoothly. If you are dragging in the ruts, get out of them and find some shallower ones. Go with your gut. If it feels like the truck is working really hard in 4 hi, stop when you find some harder sand and switch to 4 lo. The whole reason I am so stuck on 4 hi, is that I don't want to spend 30 bucks in gas for a day on the beach.

 

[jd4242]

yea why would you run low rang there is no need for that.you cant go fast at all in low range and you will cook that trans in no time pushing all that rpms.air down to 20psi and use 4x4 hi and dont stop in the deep soft stuff,hell i dont even use 4x4 except to get in, once on the beach i just run air down and 4x2"lsd".i try and get down there every month to fish and camp.i left my truck once wile i was out on my bike lookn at houses and came back to water up to my doors and sand to the bumper!!!yea that was a super fun day,took two truck and one cooked a4ld to get out!!!

 

[Gaff It]

yea why would you run low rang there is no need for that.you cant go fast at all in low range and you will cook that trans in no time pushing all that rpms.air down to 20psi and use 4x4 hi and dont stop in the deep soft stuff,hell i dont even use 4x4 except to get in, once on the beach i just run air down and 4x2"lsd".i try and get down there every month to fish and camp.i left my truck once wile i was out on my bike lookn at houses and came back to water up to my doors and sand to the bumper!!!yea that was a super fun day,took two truck and one cooked a4ld to get out!!!

I agree. I run the beach all the time and use only 4h mostly to enter and exit, unless I see some soft stuff ahead. Never really needed to use 4L.

 

[flyanbrian]

there is info posted here;

http://www.outerbanks.org/visitor_services/beach_information/off_road_vehicles.asp

This is a google earth map, so you need google earth to view it but it shows where all the accesses from oregon inlet down(not sure what else is included here)

Just something i found the other day and passing along!

 

[unclemeat]

I run low range with low tire pressure to protect my junk. The same logic that we re-gear for bigger tires applies. It is called mechanical advantage. Low range and low tire pressure removes stress from the drive train. Sand will generate extra heat. The only part of the drive drain capable of dissipating additionl heat is the engine. Heat in the enemy of auto transmissions. The sand we usually drive in is fairly deep and soft. There are no 2-wheel drives that can make it to the beach. You can always tell who has not aired down. They are stuck 15-feet into the sand. The speed limit on the outer banks is 25-mph. So low range is perfect.

 

[EastoutWest]

Unclemeat, I'm not going to argue with you, your logic is logical. The only thing I want to challenge is that I have seen a local dude in a 2wd blazer out there more than once. I could tell because the dude I was with knew him and his truck, and because as he was driving, his back tires were throwing sand and not the front tires. I'm not recommending it, just saying that some can do it. I wouldn't try it.

 

[jd4242]

25 in low rang and my truck is screaming witch causes more heat.low rang or regearing is for torque,rock crawling or when you get a 100lbs of mud on the tires and for going slow!! Slower you go the more chance you get stuck in sand hints why people say dont stop in the soft deep stuff.i use 2wd all on the beach and have no problem only 4hi and hit it moven fast in the entrance and soft deep stuff.allways air down though!!