?s about sand driving

[Majisto]

Well, there's about one month left before college starts, and it's time for the last road trip of the summer. 2 friends and I are going to Port Aransas along the Texas coastline for a week starting Wednesday. It was a unanimous decision we take the Explorer (They both drive Accords)

As an additional coolness factor, I just calculated the truck will roll over 100,000 on the way down there *Cheers*

We'll be going to the beach almost everyday and I have a few questions since I haven't been to the beach in 8 years. How will a 2WD X perform on the beach? I believe the sand in Texas is a packed yellow sand, so no red clay junk. Are there any packed "roads" I can travel on to avoid getting stuck?

I just want to make sure I don't get the truck stuck and make myself look like an idiot. I have driven the X off-road a few times, but she'll be wearing her stock sized Wranglers on this trip. I don't feel like putting on any wide tires for the beach and kill my road mileage. What's some good beach driving advice you guys can give?

 

[davidrob]

When I was at corolla beach a few weeks ago some 2 wheel drive cars would sometimes try driving on the beach. They would do just fine in the first few hundred feet where the sand was packed down from everyone driving on it but after that they would always get stuck. I would definatly not recommend trying to drive on the beach without 4 wheel drive. I even had some difficultly in loose sand when my ex. as in 4 wheel drive with 235/75 r15s aired down. So I'd say if you don't have 4 wheel drive then save yourself some embarassment and don't drive on the beach.

 

[Majisto]

Originally posted by davidrob
When I was at corolla beach a few weeks ago some 2 wheel drive cars would sometimes try driving on the beach. They would do just fine in the first few hundred feet where the sand was packed down from everyone driving on it but after that they would always get stuck. I would definatly not recommend trying to drive on the beach without 4 wheel drive. I even had some difficultly in loose sand when my ex. as in 4 wheel drive with 235/75 r15s aired down. So I'd say if you don't have 4 wheel drive then save yourself some embarassment and don't drive on the beach.

I guess it all depends on the material of the ground, but last time I went I saw cars there that were certainly not 4WD. Is it ok to drive over the sand close to the tide area?

 

[VBVA]

Just make sure you stay away from dark colored wet sand, it will suck you down to the frame. Also stay away from the water, lots of damage can occur.

 

[Shurup]

Get yourself a LS diff before going there. Your actually 1WD right now. Make it 2WD.

 

[Alec]

Most importantly, use your head and if you have doubts don't do it.

Have a few good straps and tow points front and rear.

Have a couple hundred bucks for emergency tow money (trust me).

 

[james t]

air all of your tires down to about 15-20 psi (once you get there, of course). when you leave, just drive carefully to the nearest gas station and air 'em back up.

 

[Willet]

I once had a 98 Dakota 1WD with 32" Pirelli Scorpions. I made it maybe 100 foot until the scenery stopped moving. Took my friends Chevy 1500 with 33s, a Toyota with 35s, and then a Ford with 44s to get me out of that. Sand is very tough to get through. Even tougher if you get stuck. If you can get enough speed, you may be ok. If you do try and go on the beach, put some hooks on there.

Also, the surf driving... I was driving back during a thunderstorm and high tide, so there was maybe 20 feet of beach left. On the way, there was a Heep Cherokee going very very slow (well, slower than 30 ) in the middle, so I had to pass waterside. It was a cool splash and all, but I also hit the frame on the sand from a "sinkhole" that I couldn't see. Luckily I had enough speed to keep me going.

And I also spent 30 minutes making sure I rinsed everything...

Just be careful and think.

 

[GaSouthern1]

Also, as far as tires go, if you are on the highway and you have taller tires, you could possibly bet better gas mileage b/c the motor is running lower RPM's. The place that the mileage may suffer a bit will be around the city because it takes a little more to get rolling.

Like everyone else has said, try to keep some momemtum and dont put the hammer down when starting from a stop and air down.

 

[Majisto]

These Wranglers haven't exactly been the best tires for off-roading that is for sure *Laughs* Are there usually "trails" of packed sand to travel on? I know I have seen regular old cars make it down there before.

 

[Ru Dawg]

It really depends on the beach you are driving on. Were I grew up, Cape Hatteras, NC, if you don't have 4wd, you don't go on the beach!! On the other hand, I've seen Corvette's rolling down Daytona Beach, FL.
So scope out the beach first, if you see other 2wd's doing fine, go for it! If not, be prepared!!
Oh yeah, one more thing, in my experiences on sand, high speed is not most important, and sometimes ineffective. Maintaining a nice steady speed is most important.
Hope this helps and have fun!!

 

[Crankcase]

Take some old boards along too, just in case. Also, if you start digging in, stop right away - sand usually does not have a harder layer underneath.....just be careful....

 

[DarkMan]

But ITS TEXAS SAND!!

All these guys are right about driving on soft, sand-castle, beach sand. 2WD would be toast at Viginia Beach or in Califoria or the Carolinas. But along the Texas gulf coast, the sand is very hard packed. (It's usually a gray color and stinks of crude oil. Texas Tea... yuck.)

I've driven most of the length of Padre Island on the Nat'l Park side (from Corpus Christi) and I never had to use 4x4. They have a sign a few miles from the entry point that says 4x4 only, but we saw motor homes down there, parked right on the sand. The sand that you are allowed to drive on is all hard packed. They're very strict about the dunes and softer stuff. You're not even supposed to walk out there. It may be a little different around Aransas, but from what I've seen, you won't have any problems. Be careful and use your noodle, of course, but I think it's at least worth a shot.

 

[Mike]

the biggest thing i can tell you is air down!!! of you dont your cutting your chances of getting thru in half..

 

[sirhk100]

Air down for sure... All four tires. I'm not sure how low with stock small tires but rolling around glamis which is soft, I air down to 8PSI in the rear and 12PSI up front. Avoid sharp turns to keep from rolling your bead off the rim. Speed isn't the key, it's momentum. If you stop, try to do it someplace packed. When you take off, easy into the throttle, keep the tire spin minimal. Take a small shovel and boards to dig and through them into for traction to get a little momentum if needed. Tow rope and knowledge of how to use it would be great too!!!

 

[Majisto]

Should I keep the gear selector in 2? I was reading through the Ford manual and it said to never air down the tires. Did they just put this in here to cover their ***** after the Firestone BS?

 

[VBVA]

You can air down tires, I just wouldn't got below 15psi, and that is as a last resort. 20psi should do you fine, especially on Texas Sand. Gear selector should be in D, not OD, but you can use 2 if you don't want the tranny to shift up to 3 while you are runnin fast.

 

[matey]

i have had lots of practise digging my car out of the sand first let your tires down 10 to 15 pounds any less and you run a risk of the tyres rolling off the rims. if the sand is quite hard you shouldnt have a problem. try and stay in the the other peoples tracks, stay way from soft bits . the most use full thing you can take is a snatch rope so if you get stuck some may help you out

 

[Majisto]

Well guys I just got back last night, and the Explorer performed beautifully. I can't believe how well she just glided right over the sand. Most of the area to drive on was packed sand, but there were parts where this fine white sand would cover the road and it would get a bit squirrely. I just kept it at about 25 MPH and touched the throttle lightly through the sand. I never hit the brakes.

Cars were spinning out all over the place, and a few cars including a Benz got stuck. It felt good to fly through the sand in a one-wheel drive Explorer and watch pick-ups getting stuck And...I rolled over 100K on the trip. :redexp:

 

[DarkMan]

Way to go. It won't be the first time you Ex impresses you with it's ability, if you give it the chance.

Welcome to the 100k club. Mine rolled 170k today.