2WD Prerunner Questions....

I have just bought 265/75R16 Delta AT tires .. i have heard of Prerunners going on the beach... what should i do so i can go out on the beach and hang with the big'ol 4x4's down south? i am kinda ify on trying it out without knowing how to maneuver.. but as long as i know what to do and how to go about it without getting stuck.. i know tire PSI is a biggi but should i load it up with weight?

 

Go slow, DO NOT SPIN YOUR TIRES

 

If you are referring to OBX, the hardest part will be the ramps. So many 4X4s in a small place over time have churned up the sand pretty good and it is usually really loose, I have seen too many 4X4s stuck there. Low PSI, follow tracks, wide turns, proper recovery tools. If you feel like your tires are spinning and you are really not moving let off and back it up a bit. Even with the above said, you need to be careful with a 2WD and no gurantees you won't get stuck. Best of luck bud, and if I am wrong I am sure someone will come along to correct me or add to it!

 

Oh and air down to make your foot print nice and wide, in sand wide is good. Can't tell exactly what psi you want I never had them tires.

 

How low to air down depends on your wheels.

 

I've had tires that wouldn't hang on to the rim with 10psi and I've tires that would hang on as low as 8, same rims.

 

we careful airing down too low in the sand. if you get sand in the bead your screwed and will always have a leak untill you pull them off and clean the out really well.

 

Thanks for the advise... i might just leave the sand for the 4x4's.. but what are the recovery tools? do they have a standard kit? i live in MD and thats why i dont have a 4x4 cuz we hardly get snow and we dont have a real reason for 4x4's (i havent seen any trails around here worth braggin about). im not goin to lie tho, every now and again we do get a bad snow and i slip and slide but again no complaints and nothing to say 'oh man i need a 4x4'.. most off-roading i have done is thru woods trails, nothing too crazy.. yet to get stuck so that tells ya'll the trails are nothing crazy

my truck does more than what i need it for and i personally dont have a reason for 4wd (i'm a proud tacoma owner!!!)... everyones needs are different lol

 

how do i figure out the safe low PSI for my rims? without finding out the hard way?

 

bring some carpet too, if ya get stuck put it under your tires and you can most likely get out. Don't stop facing up a hill (incline) it's easier to get moving when you're working with gravity. as far as airing down.. try 25 and see.. don't go too low , you could get sand in the bead and also be too low to drive on a road to fill up them tires.

 

i have a prerunner also and have the stock dunflops AT20 and i drive down here on the beach in florida and play around in the sand all the time. I usually run between 18-20psi and just keep your momentum going. I usually carry a shovel with me just so you can dig out your tires if u dig them in deep. Carpet is a really good idea if you have any sitting around. As for recovery gear, they do sell kits but mostly u will need a tow strap and some sort of recovery point. If you have a trailer hitch your good for the back and you also have the factory ones on the front. if you really want you can get some D shackles. But thats just personal prefference. But absolutley try it. Sand can be a lot of fun and it can also suck.

 

haha i bet sand could suck... i will try it now that i have input and i will def go by a tow strap, i have a trailer hitch... i just got rid of my dunflops cuz they absolutly blow... thanks for the advise man!

 

haha i dont think they are that terrible. I have been threw some nasty mud with them and made it with out too much difficulty. But they are going to get replaced soon.

 

You don't want a 'tow strap' you want a 'recovery strap'
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/off-roading-trails/21463-recovery-straps-proper-usage.html
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/off-roading-trails/28152-recovery-straps-beach.html
2wd can handle sand just fine with a little knowledge and practice.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/off-roading-trails/36024-2wd-sand.html
And just some extra info for you
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/off-roading-trails/15254-off-road-tips-gear-list.html


Air down 15-20psi should be fine and safe not to get sand in the bead.
Don't turn sharply and don't stop suddenly...wide turns and coast to a stop and light on the brakes, easy on the accelerator when starting.
If the tires start spinning let off the gas immediately, get out and assess the 'stuck'.

You should at the very least have...
air compressor
recovery strap
shovel
scrap carpet pieces
someone able to pull you out if needed

Try it out, don't stress, it will be a good learning experience. I find the Tacomas handle better in sand than full sized trucks.

 

I honestly don't believe some of you guys do this. I mean, I've always had a 4WD, and sure, I'll run it in 2WD until I get stuck, if I get stuck, but I would never do it without. Our approaches back home are the place where everyone usually gets stuck. The sand sinks out at minimum a foot when you drive on it.

Good luck to you guys, but I'm glad I bought a 4x4. Stay in that damp sand, not the wet sand, not the dry sand either, but the damp sand

 

I have a 4x4, but I drive in 2wd at the sand dunes all the time and I have yet to get stuck, so it is possible to get around with a prerunner on sand with some basic knowledge and skills. I have seen all kinds of trucks, 4x4 and 2wd, get stuck when they shouldn't have just due to driver error. Of course sand is different at every beach and every dune area, so it is possible to not be able to get around as well in one place and do just fine in another. If you have someone that can give you a little tug if you get stuck then what is the harm in trying?

 

I agree with you. Its not like I get stuck, I just like to run down on the beach because I'm bored and I ran solo alot. Just for that reason, I'm glad I had 4WD. There was numerous times that I'd get a little too high on the beach line, hit dry sand at 35 mph and watch my front end dig in REALLY quick, before you know it, you're drug right into the stuff. Plus when the highways were backed up, the beaches were the best way to avoid traffic I rarely had to use 4x4, and usually the only time I had to was if I parked for awhile in the dry sand, usually the sand would compact up to my axles and it would take 4lo to get out because I never had the power in my older vehicles. Good times, I miss OR beaches.