NC Beach Driving Recommendations

Heading to Carova Beach next week. Its the 4wd section north of Corolla. We have rented a house for the week about 8 miles up from the entrance. Looking for some recommendations on what gear to take along to make things go smoothly.

My truck is the stock V6 double cab. Tires are yokohama geolander hts with about 9 months of life left in them, not great but aired down they should do just fine. I have never driven on the beach and dont 4 wheel that much but have done so enough not to be worried about my capabilities.

Gear I plan on taking:
• tow ropes: 1 14ft and 1 10 ft
• come-a-long
• tire inflator
• shovel
• some boards: would the stock jack be sufficient or should i take a floor jack along (dont want to invest in a hilift that I would rarely use)

My biggest concern is the rest of the group. The caravan consist of my Tacoma, a Honda Pilot (4wd), and an older model Hyundai Santa Fe (awd). Im not so worried about the Honda but the Santa Fe. Its awd and the driver will be inexperienced. (city slicker who thinks im a redneck for doing my own work on my truck and was amazed that my friend has chickens, getting off subject) anyways.

Any thought from experience beach drivers on the sante fe? They say the biggest problem with those type of suvs is the clearance. I pulled it up online and it says the clearance is 8.1 inches which is just a little lower than my truck. Considering we will all be loaded down with a weeks worth of junk but with 2 4wd vehicles in the pack should we give the sante fe a go at the beach or just park it at the lot and leave it for the week. We have 8 miles to go and once we get there it wont leave until its time to go home. Looks like we will be arriving with an outgoing tide so that should help.

Any thoughts on the situation? Any additional gear to help?

Thanks

 

You have Tacoma what you need to bring is swimming suit, sunglasses and sunscreen.
If you are that worry drop airpressure to 22 Psi on day 1 and put back to factory on Day 7

EDIT I missed the second part of your question. Yeah dont worry about Honda Pilot and Santa Fe. Just dont have them in front of you because its hard to go around stuck vehicles. Lucky for you they will most likely make like 20 ft off the route 12 ramp. Also tell their owners to bring lots of cash for towtruck. I think its like $400 now for tow back.

 

I did Carova in a Ford Edge AWD rental. It was a little bit scary because I had two little kids in the back and a lot of the aggressive 4wd trucks would scream by practically out of control scaring them. As far as the Santa Fe and Honda, just deflate the tires to 10-15psi and don't slow down. The trick is to keep your speed up because once you stop, you are stuck. Obviously the Taco will be just fine but the shovel and boards are a good idea. And keep the non 4wd vehicles closer to the hard packed sand. If you go up near the sea grass where the sand is soft and deeply rutted, they are done for. We had an awesome time! I wish I had my truck at the time. The wild horses running free on the beach had to be the coolest part!

 

The gear you're bringing is good. Drop air pressure in tires to 20 psi give or take a psi or two and have a great time. Keep the other vehicles on the hard pack lanes.

Bring along eggs from friends chickens and don't offer any to city-slicker.

 

+1 on the air down recommendations. You will need to be aired down to cross over the dunes to get back to your house, last year the dune cross overs were a little hairy in spots. One more thing please don't be that asshat that speeds near the water because the packed sand is smooth and easy drive on, problem is people cross there to get to the water, my 3 old niece was almost picked off by and idiot speeding and not paying attention. I could effing killed that guy.
Another tip pack as much food and booze as you can, running up and down 8 miles of loose sand everyday can burn through gas like a pro stocker at the strip.
Hope you have a great time.

 

Experience with sand I can tell you to air down (like everyone else is saying). You listed the right equipment except also bring a camera for when the others are stuck. Dont forget the beer!

 

I would add tide chart! dont get stuck on a low area when the tides coming in! Make sure the other trucks have tow points. If not make sure you have a shackle to strap onto an axle. Tire PSI depends on how stiff you tires are. For light duty 20psi should be fine. For the tacoma i would say 10-15. You want a visable buldge in the tire. Other than that like others have said speed (not spinning tire that is the worst you can do) IF you have dunes you need to cross make sure that you space the trucks out so if the first truck doesnt clear the obstacle the other 2 wont have to stop mid obstacle and get stuck with you.


I have been stuck on the beach when the tide came in around us. I could have gotten off but i stayed with my truck to pull the camper into the dune if i had to. Talk about a nerve racking night when i thought my buddys 38ft 4wd camper was going to get washed away. It was one of the astronomically high tides and a storm in one. Got to comfortable with out local beach and thought we knew it all. The tide came within 4 feet of the front of the camper after we put it as high as we could.

 

Atrac

















DK has some videos I'm sure he can post.

 

Thanks everyone. The advice is much appreciated. The others in my group tend to think Im over thinking things a bit but they have never spent the night in their vehicles while stuck in the middle of the woods. If they do get stuck, they'll thank me once the kids start screaming. We will be getting to the house with the out going tide, Ive already checked on that.

Anyone know what the johnny law presence is like down there? I plan on siting on the beach fishing most the time. The house is surf side but looks like a pain to haul my gear (dont have a cart) so Im thinking of being lazy and just keep it in the truck and driving around the corner. If im sitting there minding my own business fishing and drinking a beer would they hassle you or leave you be for the most part?

If anyone does get stuck I'll be sure to post some pictures/video.

thanks

 

Johnny will most likely stop and say high, just do what you said you'll be doing and you'll be fine They will only get chu if you're being a dingbat.

..and those vehicles should be fine. Air down...be safe and enjoy

 

I have done a fair share of driving on the beach around Buxton and Hatteras and you will be fine in your Tacoma. The others will probably be OK too. The main thing for all of you is to air down your tires. I usually run about 18-20 psi on the beach. If the Hyundai starts to struggle you may need to go lower on it. As long as the driver does his part and you do not hit any big holes you should all be fine.

 

Get some pics for us while you are out there!

 

I was down in Corolla for vacation last week, our house was about 6 miles up the beach. I have a 06 dc sport with BFG A/T, had no problem on the sand bunch of my friends drove all wheel drive vehicles just dont slow down or speed. My buddy got a wreckless and endangerment for going 40, the sheriffs seem to stay around the horses so keep and eye out, we had a few close calls but all went well. I mainly surf fished and pounded beers on the beach, bluefish were hitting hard and should be better if the weather stays calm for you. I regret not taking pictures of the taco playing in the sand...

 

Yea, 40mph on the beach will do it

 

Thanks all for the advice. All three vehicles made it no problem. I told the ladies that there was no "running out to the store" so they packed each vehicle to the max. I should have taken a pic but I think I will be mentioning the leaf pack TSB to toyota next time im in there. With just luggage, food/beer for the week and a packed cooler on a hitch rack it seemed more bogged down that it should. It doesnt even ride that low with my boat trailer. But even with all the weight we made it no problems. I wasnt expecting the beach to be so hard packed. The hyundai's limitations were quick to find as we crossed the dune onto the road. There was one puddle that we went through a few inches deep no problem. Then I wasnt paying attention to the tracks and as I went through the second puddle it dropped down nice and deep in the center, nice wave over the hood and submerged the cooler on the hitch rack on the way out. The pilot made through too but the hyundai turned around and went to the other dune entrance. Didnt get to explore as much as I wanted. Once I figured out the surf fishing, catching 2 rays and a whiting, Berl came through and the fishing wasnt as good after that. Thanks for the advice and here is a few pics.

oh and I dont remember who posted it but the beer opener mod next to the tailgate. I did that right before we left and that was awesome.

 

Glad you had a good time. Like you noticed big ruts and holes stop little cars in their tracks. I drive an 07 subaru outback xt out on the beach. Going to be selling it to get a Taco to make it alot easier haha

 

I went down for a few hrs Sunday....love that place!

 

I usually go to Carolina Beach. I havent been to OBX do they have places to drive out and camp?

 

I haven't been down to Carolina Kinda far from VA but looks like there's some good beach to drive on just north and to the south Can you camp on the beach there? Used to be able to in OBX but not anymore, there are camp grounds still.

Here's a shot of up north by the VA boarder

 

So rember how i said something about tides... Well that same local beach (sandy neck) someone else didnt follow the tide chart and they didnt pay attention and got drunk and passed out. Oops.