Going to be driving on the beach...

Hey all,

I'm going to be going on vacation to the outer banks, NC, in about 3 weeks, and we plan on taking my 2010 DC LB 4x4. We are going to be staying in Carova, and will have to drive about 7 miles on the beach to get to/from the house. Do you guys have any suggestions on how to avoid getting stuck? Would I turn traction control off or anything like that? I don't have a TRD, it is an SR5, if it matters.

thanks,

Dennis

 

If you don't know already, you will need to lower your tire pressure to around 18-20 PSI. Does NC have equipment regulations? I would think they do. Here's Rhode Island's list:

1. Shovel (heavy-duty or military entrenching tool).
2. Tow rope of chain (15 feet, load strength of 1,800 lbs., chain size-5/16" ).
3. Jack and support stand (minimum 18" x 18" x 5/8", plywood).
4. Street legal tires.
5. Spare tire
6. Low-pressure tire gauge (0-20 lbs.).
7. First aid kit (approved by Coast Guard).
8. Fire extinguisher (approved by the Coast Guard or Interstate Commerce Commission).
9. Road flares and…..
10. Flashlight

 

Traction control is off when in 4WD.

NC Rules & Tips:

http://www.outerbanksbeachguide.com/newsinfo/randr.htm

 

Wow... the mis-information about traction control is pretty scary! TRAC is ON in 4WD HIGH (which is the mode for beach driving). The automatic limited slip system is a BIG advantage in off pavement driving as it directs torque (power) to the tire(s) with traction and will brake the spinning (non-traction) tire.

In sand (or other low traction surfaces) the trend of open differentials is one tire in front and one in the rear will spin and you stop moving forward. Reducing the tire air pressure to under 20 psi will improve traction, and BEFORE the 2009 addition of Traction Control, was how we drove in sand... usually 10-15 psi.

Sand is different in different places... out here on the West Coast, the Pacific beaches are mostly flat, with fine grain sand that compacts easily... and is easy to drive on. The Sea of Cortez beaches (Gulf of California) of Baja California are steep, with coarse sand/ crushed shell blend that remains loose and very hard to drive on without deflating tires.

My third Tacoma (a 2010) with TRAC drove effortlessly over the deep sand without deflating (for the first time). Now, since my truck is an Off Road TRD it has the hydraulic brake booster for the A-TRAC in L4. That also makes the TRAC (in H4) stronger than the non-Off Road TRDs... so your experience may be different.

Not having driven on the Atlantic beaches, I cannot be sure... But, I would suggest you first try using H4, with TRAC ON (normal mode, no pushing buttons)... Should your tires begin to spin and your truck stops moving forward... STOP, and deflate your tires to 15 psi... Then continue on... Re-inflate when you leave the beach. Do NOT turn off the TRAC (VSC OFF Mode)... it is a great benefit to off road driving and can prevent you from getting stuck.

See my posts on beach driving in Baja... with photos. I am going back south this weekend to see if my new truck does as well in the summer as it did last winter on the sand!



Photo taken this past New Years, 25 miles south of San Felipe, tires at 32 psi in 4WD HIGH with TRAC ON... and no getting stuck. In fact, I turned the TRAC/ VSC OFF and the truck soon bogged down and stuck! The A-TRAC drove me right out, and I went back into H4 with TRAC on and continued... My 2005 or 2001 Tacoma would have required deflating the tires.

 

We are not talking about the TRD Off Road 4WD versions like you are. The man said "I don't have a TRD, it is an SR5, if it matters." which it does. I have the same thing. No traction control in either 4WD state, period. No VSC, no A-TRAC, no rear-locker, period.

 

the beaches on the OBX aren't hard to drive.. just air down to around 15-18 psi and make sure you have the equipment required. There are a lot of ruts to follow, just make sure none of them are too deep where you get high-centered.

 

Take another LOOK:

"Would I turn traction control off or anything like that?"

is what HE asks... He does have TRACTION CONTROL because it is a 2010... they all do (TRAC and VSC).

He doesn't have A-TRAC or a Rear Locker because it isn't an Off Road, correct. The button with the wavey lines under the car is the VSC OFF control... to turn Auto LSD on (quick push) or to turn VSC off (hold down for 3+ seconds, while stopped).

You said: "Traction control is off when in 4WD." and that is not true in H4... only in L4.

If there are 2009 and newer Tacomas without the VSC and TRAC, it is news to me, and I retract my statement about misinformation... sorry!

 

Just drive in 4hi and air down your tires and you should be fine. I will be heading up to corolla this weekend and staying all next week. I will let you know how I do, since this will be my first time driving the taco on the beach there. I too have an SR5 w/ the open diff.

 

I went there a few weeks ago, I was able to drive on the beach in 4HI without deflating my stock Dunflops, with a mix of using TRAC and disabling it as well. (SR5)

 

the same, run my truck with out deflating tires never had a problem. I have nitrogen in tires so did not want to bother with refilling tires later.
I would suggest doing the breather mod on rear axle. To get to some houses you need to cross pools of water. Depending on your luck some maybe deep enough to go over the axle.
The hardest spots are exits to house that's where sand is very loose and it can quickly bog down the car.

 

Thank you all for the advice.. didn't mean to incite any TRAC wars Seems like if i am careful and use some common sense i should be fine (i hope, lol!)

Thanks again!!

 

I would sure like to know if you have the VSC OFF button (on the dash, left side of steering wheel, car with wavey/ skid lines under it).

Toyota even puts VSC and TRAC on Corollas now (Star Safety System)... so it would really surprise me if the more expensive (bur not a TRD)Tacoma doesn't have TRAC! I wish all new truck owners would at least thumb through their owners manuel so they get the basics... then come here for the details!

 

I was there last August and drove that beach and farther south at Oregon Inlet. I didn't air down the tires and had no issues at all with traction or getting stuck. Not even close. I did have a problem with the steering shaft banging at higher speeds whan I went across others' tire tracks.

 

i drive the beaches daily...AIR DOWN..your tranny will thank you..with the DC LB i find about 15psi to work best.. IF you cant idle across the sand your not down enough..Plus you Make ruts and bumps and just piss people off when not airing down...DO it.... ON my 2010 my VSC does kick in occasionally in 4wd on the sand...STUPID feature for 4wd, well maybe not in snow..but on the beach i dont need it

 

Whatever you do, dont do this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEnKbxGKNls&feature=related
I hate when salt water gets on my sunglasses, I cant imagine submerging my truck in it.

 

Can you tell me where in RI you can wheel on the beach? I have looked around before and can't seem to find any info. Thanks

 

Why would someone do that?!

 

David,

Yeah, I do have the VSC off button.

thanks,

Dennis

 

That was probably a kid who's parents bought him a brand new FJ cruiser for his bday, so he has no idea what it takes to work and pay for something like that.. or he can be someone who just doesnt give a crap about seriously decreasing the life expectancy of hisvehicle