Pismo dunes: Tacoma or ATV?

Hello everyone, I’m planning a trip to Pismo Dunes and I am completely torn on whether to rent an ATV from one of the rental stores on shore or just drive my Tacoma. My truck is 2wd but I have an Eaton Truetrac Posi Limited slip rear differential, Toyo AT3s, would be airing down to 12 psi, and I have recovery boards, shovels, and a 4x4 buddy. I’ve read up on a bunch of sand driving tips. I’ve taken my truck off roading plenty of times and it’s very capable with the upgrades and experience I have, but this would be my first time driving it on sand. I’m just asking those who have been to the dunes: which is more fun? Is my truck capable enough? Is the extra cost for an ATV worth it? I’ll want to be out ripping in the dunes. Does anyone have any experiences with the rentals there? More or less fun than driving your truck? Any one been to the dunes in their 2wd Tacoma? Thanks everyone!

 

I've been there several times with my previous truck. It was a 2005 TRD sport 2 wheel drive with Toyo at2 and it did great. I only got stuck a couple of times and they could've been avoided. I had a blast and never wished I had an ATV instead of the truck. Especially since you have a 4x4 buddy. Just don't forget you need to put a flag on the truck to be out in the dunes. Momentum is your friend and try to point downhill when you stop.

 

ATV > Tacoma..
Had way more fun on the rented Honda atv.

 

@DIRT YOTA

and rinse your truck off top to bottom and bottom to top after - my truck’s previous owner’s favorite place and I spent 3+ hours at a coin wash and at home rinsing sand and oil slurry off it it as well as messed with a bunch of rusty bolts in the frame while working on it.

 

OP- sorry to be the one to tell ya, but a tacoma wont “rip” through any sand, and Pismo is notorious for soft deep sand(besides the wet sand at the shoreline) which will be a nightmare for 2wd trucks. Rent a Quad, you’ll have 10x more fun. The Tacomas dont have enough hp to rip around like a v8 powered truck, they are pretty lethargic in the sand.

 

As someone with lotsa ATV miles and a few Tacoma miles... ATV/SXS all the way. FAR more fun. I wouldn't want to try it in a 2wd, either.

UTV/ATV can make it up a dune that a Taco wouldn't have a chance at. You'd be spending all day trying to find specific lines instead of just rallying the ATV/UTV pretty much anywhere.

Try rallying the Taco, and you're likely to damage something and not be able to drive home.

Met up with someone who wanted to try at Florence (which are far tamer dunes). It was their first foray into sand. I told them to follow my tracks as I knew how to find a good line. After about 10 minutes following me he decided he knew what he was doing and took a different line. He made it about 3 seconds and I got to dig/yank him out. he followed in my tracks the rest of the day.

 

Side by side, way fun. A 2wd taco will not be fun. Rent an atv.

 

I will rent an ATV then, I was thinking it’s probably more fun considering it’s sort of a different experience than driving a truck, and definitely more capable. I’ll also probably try my luck with the truck too, I think it’ll be a fun experience. I should have said earlier that getting stuck isn’t something I’m afraid of, I know it’s probably gonna happen and that’s why im prepared for it with recovery equipment. I wasn’t going to jump any giant hills with the Tacoma, just stay on flatter areas and take it easy. I’ll save the ripping and rallying for the ATV

 

That sounds like a much better plan. Make sure and have your friend's 4x4 handy with a snatch strap for easier extrications. Even with 4wd, aired down and 4x maxtrax I've had a tough time on occasion getting out. We've used my SxS a few times to yank me out. Have fun and reply with pictures!

 

2wd stock taco wont be super duper fun. Will be fun but different than a sxs. Plenty of 2wd built trucks can make it happen out there though.

https://m.youtube.com/shorts/gT_DaOfWR1U

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yEvkI...ing_euri=https://forum.badlinesgoodtimes.com/

 

I've been in Pismo with my truck in 2wd with trutrac, before I converted to 4wd. The Taco did just fine on the beach with aired down tires 12 psi. The dunes were closed when I went.

Get a Rago(or similar)flag bracket that mounts between the tailgate and rear light and purchase a quick release flag mount like Tusk. I recall purchasing the flag at a liquor store before I entered the beach.

I don't suggest climbing hills, but so long as you keep a steady throttle on the flats you'll be fine.

 

Thanks, good to hear. I also plan on doing 4x4 conversion once I have money saved for the parts. Will definitely bring the taco back to pismo once it’s done