Taco's soon to be first time on the Beach

^^ That's a real good way to get stuck, get a ticket, and look like a douche bag all at the same time.

 

Different types of sand and the moisture or lack of will change how much air should be removed... type of tires, as well. The best tire for sand is actually a smooth tread and the worst is a mud terrain or 3 ply sidewall... they will require more air to be removed. The idea is you need to 'float' on sand, not dig in...

If you begin to spin your tires and stop moving, then stop immediately and let out more air!

If you have 4WD, then use it... you paid more for it so you could drive off road. Nothing more off road than a beach.

I did a post with photos showing the BIG difference letting air out of the tires makes... on the beach in Baja California, along the Gulf of California coast (coarse sand, ground shells, sleep incline, large tides): http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/of...a-beach-4wd-32-psi-15-psi-see-difference.html

 

Here are some more recent photos of beach driving at full pressure then after airing down...









Properly aired-down, my foot prints sink deeper in the sand than the Tacoma tracks!:

 

To add to what the above photos are showing:

I am on wet sand in the first photos, exposed by low tide (the tide in the upper Gulf of California is one the world's greatest, often exceeding 20 vertical feet between the high and low levels. The sand is coarse with a high level for crushed sea shells mixed in. It does not compact well, so floatation is difficult. At 32 psi, the tires are digging in instead of floating on top... I am drifting with the steep slope of the beach as I am digging. Once the tires are deflated, all is well. On the dry sand (bottom photo) floatation is easy, but it is all about air pressure!

 

Those shots really emphasize the benefits of airing down.

 

Welcome to TW, and, have hope you had fun! lol

 

Mike are you driving in MTK or Shinnecock? I'm sure you know but you need permits. For all others reading, LI sand is soft, nothing like Daytona (complete opposite). Airing down to 20psi is key, but my buddy takes his Subaru Outback on the beach at Democrat (Robert Moses) and out east so you will be fine in the Taco. Some of the State Parks have air compressors to encourage people to air down (except people steal the houses).
Like others said, don't drive near the water b.c. you don't need that risk.
Brutalguyracing is a good source of info for beach driving out east.

 

You have already received some great advice, as has been stated, it is all about the type of sand at your location.

Daytona is hard packed and 2wd would be fine, OBX is very fine soft sand, would not even consider it.

Drive like you have an egg under your gas pedal you are not wanting to break, sudden braking, accelerating and turning are your best bet to getting stuck.

Here is a link that has a bit of info on my recent experience...

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/off-roading-trails/285495-orv-obx.html

Have fun!

 

Most likely heading over to Robert Moses. Hoping to get out there before Labor Day, but then again I need to get the permit first! Nothing is easy on LI that's for sure

 

yeah they make it impossible to have fun. I drive down at Democrat for surfing, but they finally just opened the ocean side 2 weeks ago (closed all summer for bird nesting). I will be there a lot in the Fall. You will be absolutely fine driving down there, and there is a compressor hose when you leave. If not, get off at the first exit on the RM Causeway north of the bridge and there is a gas station right there. Enjoy!

 

Welcome and checkout the Long Island thread. Bunch of info about beach access.

 

In addition to my previous post, I'm happy to report that the ARB E-Z Deflator worked great and I highly recommend it. It took a minute to get used to it but after that it was smooth sailing. Not sure if any of you guys are in the market or not but it was well worth the $40 I spent on it.