Beach Towing

Wildboar1945 · 09-25-2009, 01:31 PM

I originally posted this in the "Towing" forum but thought you folks might have more to offer in the way of experience.

Hi all & thanks for being here!

We've got about 15,000 mi. behind us towing a 28' Keystone Passport Ultralite all over the western states. So far our Taco hasn't complained a bit. No speed demon for sure but @ 55 - 60 we average 11 mpg. We even made the rather challenging climb from US 395 up to the Bristlecone Pines in the Carson range. About a 8000 ft. pull in 13 mi. One of the rangers commented that we must have "more guts than Dick Tracy!"

I change all the fluids about twice as oftern as recommended and try to keep the Rs up around 3k. Check EVERYTHING at gas stops, use only 91 octane or better and just try to remember not to get in a hurry.

My question (after all the rambling) is if anyone has tried "aired down" beach towing with any success? We're considering a trip to Padre Island National Seashore in TX and it will involve about 100 mi. of beach driving... allowed by TX law.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

TexasIslandBoy · 09-25-2009, 01:37 PM

well now if you want to get on the beach and head toward south padre island your not going to make it there is a channel with jetties in ports Mansfield you would have to leave from the town south padre and head towards that jettie its only about 36 miles or so and its not a bad drive just dont get caught in a high tide on a full moon

TexasIslandBoy · 09-25-2009, 01:38 PM

from what i heard there is great fishing at the mansfield jetties i have never fished it just surfed it alot

mjp2 · 09-25-2009, 01:43 PM

You're right on target. AIR DOWN. Watch the rear tire pook to make sure you don't go too low and blow a bead on any off-camber sections, but you need the low pressure to get traction and not dig down.

We have soft sugary sand on the beaches here in NJ. In those cases you'd want 4wd Low range all the way. You won't get anywhere fast but you will get there.

If you do start to get stuck, make sure you don't dig yourself onto the frame. Common mistake, and while it sounds like you know what you're doing, it can't be reiterated enough.

Bring a shovel or two, tow straps, a 2'x2' piece of wood to put under your jack should you need it, and lots of common sense. If you do dig yourself way deep you can always jack up a corner at a time and fill sand in under each tire until you've got sunlight under the truck again.

Don't make any sharp turns on in the sand. Also, heavily-traveled areas in sand will often have ruts that'll want to pull you in a given direction. Don't fight them too much as long as you're going in the direction you need to be.

That's a lot of trailer to pull with a Tacoma. Great job keeping the truck alive and everyone safe! Take pictures and give us updates on how everything performs when you're out there.

Good luck!

Wildboar1945 · 09-25-2009, 01:44 PM

Actually we're planning on staying north of the channel. We expect to access the island just south of Corpus Cristi and then drive south about 40 50 mi.

Wildboar1945 · 09-25-2009, 01:49 PM

Thanks Milton!! Sounds like you've given this a whirl at some point? I figure to air down the trailer also to increase the overall footprint. Do you see any down side to doing that? (I'm bringing a compressor that will run off the factory inverter).

MyToyTaco · 09-25-2009, 01:53 PM

You could always come to Pismo this weekend with us to give it a shot

09 Pismo Jamboree Sept. 25-27, 2009

Wildboar1945 · 09-25-2009, 01:59 PM

Holy crap Nick! I think I'd have to be a spectator for what you do! These ol' bones don't take to bouncin' very well anymore.

I'd love to come watch but we're headed to Big Bear for Oktoberfest this weekend.

MyToyTaco · 09-25-2009, 02:04 PM

heh, well in that case, shoot "mpleitez" a PM, he's got it down:

Wildboar1945 · 09-25-2009, 02:10 PM

Thanks... I will... just as soon as you tell me what a "PM" is.

(give me a break... I'm old)

MyToyTaco · 09-25-2009, 02:13 PM

PM = private message: click on his name in my last post, click on the contact info tab, click on private message

You can also browse through THIS thread, pretty interesting.

Wildboar1945 · 09-25-2009, 02:27 PM

Thanks again Nick! Got it... Did it... Worked good.

MyToyTaco · 09-25-2009, 02:31 PM

Cool. Good luck to ya, and welcome to TW!

09-25-2009, 01:31 PM	#1
Wildboar1945 Junior Member Name: Dave Joined: Sep 2009, #23301 Location: So. CA Gender: Male Posts: 17 '05 DC 4X4 TRD Sport w/tow pkg 2005 Double Cab Automatic Workman canopy by Vision, Tow mirrors by ME	Beach Towing I originally posted this in the "Towing" forum but thought you folks might have more to offer in the way of experience. Hi all & thanks for being here! We've got about 15,000 mi. behind us towing a 28' Keystone Passport Ultralite all over the western states. So far our Taco hasn't complained a bit. No speed demon for sure but @ 55 - 60 we average 11 mpg. We even made the rather challenging climb from US 395 up to the Bristlecone Pines in the Carson range. About a 8000 ft. pull in 13 mi. One of the rangers commented that we must have "more guts than Dick Tracy!" I change all the fluids about twice as oftern as recommended and try to keep the Rs up around 3k. Check EVERYTHING at gas stops, use only 91 octane or better and just try to remember not to get in a hurry. My question (after all the rambling) is if anyone has tried "aired down" beach towing with any success? We're considering a trip to Padre Island National Seashore in TX and it will involve about 100 mi. of beach driving... allowed by TX law. Thanks in advance for any insight.

09-25-2009, 01:53 PM	#7
MyToyTaco 4x4 FTW Name: Nick Joined: Sep 2008, #9417 Location: Winnetka, SoCal Age: 26 Gender: Male Posts: 2,989 05 Silver DC 4x4 2005 Double Cab Automatic 5100s, 885s w/top plate, TC UCA, AAL, CB drop, shims, 5125s, pioneer HU, black painted wheels, n-fab light bar, short antenna, lastly, some awesome custom pinstriping	You could always come to Pismo this weekend with us to give it a shot 09 Pismo Jamboree Sept. 25-27, 2009 __________________

09-25-2009, 02:04 PM	#9
MyToyTaco 4x4 FTW Name: Nick Joined: Sep 2008, #9417 Location: Winnetka, SoCal Age: 26 Gender: Male Posts: 2,989 05 Silver DC 4x4 2005 Double Cab Automatic 5100s, 885s w/top plate, TC UCA, AAL, CB drop, shims, 5125s, pioneer HU, black painted wheels, n-fab light bar, short antenna, lastly, some awesome custom pinstriping	heh, well in that case, shoot "mpleitez" a PM, he's got it down: __________________

09-25-2009, 02:13 PM	#11
MyToyTaco 4x4 FTW Name: Nick Joined: Sep 2008, #9417 Location: Winnetka, SoCal Age: 26 Gender: Male Posts: 2,989 05 Silver DC 4x4 2005 Double Cab Automatic 5100s, 885s w/top plate, TC UCA, AAL, CB drop, shims, 5125s, pioneer HU, black painted wheels, n-fab light bar, short antenna, lastly, some awesome custom pinstriping	PM = private message: click on his name in my last post, click on the contact info tab, click on private message You can also browse through THIS thread, pretty interesting. __________________

09-25-2009, 02:31 PM	#13
MyToyTaco 4x4 FTW Name: Nick Joined: Sep 2008, #9417 Location: Winnetka, SoCal Age: 26 Gender: Male Posts: 2,989 05 Silver DC 4x4 2005 Double Cab Automatic 5100s, 885s w/top plate, TC UCA, AAL, CB drop, shims, 5125s, pioneer HU, black painted wheels, n-fab light bar, short antenna, lastly, some awesome custom pinstriping	Cool. Good luck to ya, and welcome to TW! __________________

09-25-2009, 01:37 PM	#2
TexasIslandBoy THE RED DRAGON!! Name: Andrew Joined: Jun 2009, #18262 Location: college station Gender: Male Posts: 1,847 07' trd offroad 4X4 2007 Double Cab Automatic 4.0 pretty much stock but a painted engine cover pro comp 6inch lift pro comp 35inch xt at's tires magnaflow exhaust 5/16" front skidplate usa spec ipod interface tree pin strip mod dry drop in filter and one new BFG KM2	well now if you want to get on the beach and head toward south padre island your not going to make it there is a channel with jetties in ports Mansfield you would have to leave from the town south padre and head towards that jettie its only about 36 miles or so and its not a bad drive just dont get caught in a high tide on a full moon

09-25-2009, 01:38 PM	#3
TexasIslandBoy THE RED DRAGON!! Name: Andrew Joined: Jun 2009, #18262 Location: college station Gender: Male Posts: 1,847 07' trd offroad 4X4 2007 Double Cab Automatic 4.0 pretty much stock but a painted engine cover pro comp 6inch lift pro comp 35inch xt at's tires magnaflow exhaust 5/16" front skidplate usa spec ipod interface tree pin strip mod dry drop in filter and one new BFG KM2	from what i heard there is great fishing at the mansfield jetties i have never fished it just surfed it alot

09-25-2009, 01:43 PM	#4
mjp2 Living vicariously through myself Name: Milton Juevos Portimous II Joined: Feb 2007, #924 Location: NJ Gender: Dude Posts: 7,258 '06 TRD Access Cab, v6, 6-speed 2006 Access Cab Manual 4.0 Painted grill	You're right on target. AIR DOWN. Watch the rear tire pook to make sure you don't go too low and blow a bead on any off-camber sections, but you need the low pressure to get traction and not dig down. We have soft sugary sand on the beaches here in NJ. In those cases you'd want 4wd Low range all the way. You won't get anywhere fast but you will get there. If you do start to get stuck, make sure you don't dig yourself onto the frame. Common mistake, and while it sounds like you know what you're doing, it can't be reiterated enough. Bring a shovel or two, tow straps, a 2'x2' piece of wood to put under your jack should you need it, and lots of common sense. If you do dig yourself way deep you can always jack up a corner at a time and fill sand in under each tire until you've got sunlight under the truck again. Don't make any sharp turns on in the sand. Also, heavily-traveled areas in sand will often have ruts that'll want to pull you in a given direction. Don't fight them too much as long as you're going in the direction you need to be. That's a lot of trailer to pull with a Tacoma. Great job keeping the truck alive and everyone safe! Take pictures and give us updates on how everything performs when you're out there. Good luck!

09-25-2009, 01:44 PM	#5
Wildboar1945 Junior Member Name: Dave Joined: Sep 2009, #23301 Location: So. CA Gender: Male Posts: 17 '05 DC 4X4 TRD Sport w/tow pkg 2005 Double Cab Automatic Workman canopy by Vision, Tow mirrors by ME	Actually we're planning on staying north of the channel. We expect to access the island just south of Corpus Cristi and then drive south about 40 50 mi.

09-25-2009, 01:49 PM	#6
Wildboar1945 Junior Member Name: Dave Joined: Sep 2009, #23301 Location: So. CA Gender: Male Posts: 17 '05 DC 4X4 TRD Sport w/tow pkg 2005 Double Cab Automatic Workman canopy by Vision, Tow mirrors by ME	Thanks Milton!! Sounds like you've given this a whirl at some point? I figure to air down the trailer also to increase the overall footprint. Do you see any down side to doing that? (I'm bringing a compressor that will run off the factory inverter).

09-25-2009, 01:59 PM	#8
Wildboar1945 Junior Member Name: Dave Joined: Sep 2009, #23301 Location: So. CA Gender: Male Posts: 17 '05 DC 4X4 TRD Sport w/tow pkg 2005 Double Cab Automatic Workman canopy by Vision, Tow mirrors by ME	Holy crap Nick! I think I'd have to be a spectator for what you do! These ol' bones don't take to bouncin' very well anymore. I'd love to come watch but we're headed to Big Bear for Oktoberfest this weekend.

09-25-2009, 02:10 PM	#10
Wildboar1945 Junior Member Name: Dave Joined: Sep 2009, #23301 Location: So. CA Gender: Male Posts: 17 '05 DC 4X4 TRD Sport w/tow pkg 2005 Double Cab Automatic Workman canopy by Vision, Tow mirrors by ME	Thanks... I will... just as soon as you tell me what a "PM" is. (give me a break... I'm old)

09-25-2009, 02:27 PM	#12
Wildboar1945 Junior Member Name: Dave Joined: Sep 2009, #23301 Location: So. CA Gender: Male Posts: 17 '05 DC 4X4 TRD Sport w/tow pkg 2005 Double Cab Automatic Workman canopy by Vision, Tow mirrors by ME	Thanks again Nick! Got it... Did it... Worked good.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Towing a rental hilo Trailer Rookie Towing q's	samhmbz	Towing	9	09-20-2009 04:51 PM
towing RV with no towing package	mcdufws	Towing	17	06-02-2009 05:36 PM
Greetings from Myrtle Beach!	only49ersfan	New Members	5	05-18-2009 09:42 PM
AFE Performance. numbers: Towing and non towing.	mvega1969	Towing	14	08-21-2008 05:55 AM
AFE Performance. numbers: Towing and non towing.	mvega1969	2nd Gen. Tacomas	11	06-17-2008 07:35 AM