Outer Banks

I'm planning on doing a trip up to the Outer Banks here within a few weeks before most of the beaches close for driving on in April. Anyone have some useful tips and such?

 

OBX! sorry no tips..I have never driven on them. I will be there the week of July 4th this summer and plan on driving my taco up in corolla. I have been going to the OBX every year since I was a little baby.

From what people tell me, just make sure you air down your tires and stay light on the gas.

 

Thats pretty much what I've heard, and 4lo is your friend if you end up getting stuck. Any information on good areas to drive to/visit? Also, good local food places in the area, and what are the rules as far as camping on the beaches?

 

If you're in the area of Corolla, you'll probably be driving on the same area I was a few years ago. I didn't have my tacoma there....my in-laws had their Nissan Xterra.

Where we were - I think we jumped on the beach in Corolla and drove north to the VA border (and you can't drive any further than that). Keep an eye on the tides. This is a picture of low tide.
http://www.lieblweb.com/cpg/albums/Travels/OBX4-05-08/IMG_8591.JPG
I remember seeing it when it was high tide...there isn't any room to drive on the beach during high tide. You don't want to get stuck out there if the tide comes in.

When you get to the VA border.... there are sand roadways that are inward of the beach line and there are homes back in there that you can rent. Definately off the beaten path..... We finally saw a horse back in that area.
http://www.lieblweb.com/cpg/albums/Travels/OBX4-05-08/IMG_8595.JPG
We drove along this roadway on the way back and saw some neat homes.

 

Haven't been there yet, have always wanted to..........

 

Do you know what dates you are going? I will be heading out there in the beginning of April with my buddy and his FJ.

 

We were gonna try and head up there first or second weekend of march. I'd be down to go again in April if you'd be interested in meeting up.

 

I go there every year. I stay on the North 12 where the beach is the ONLY access to our home. The same place where these guys are talking about. Janster's pics look about right. I have driven a jeep liberty in 4 wheel drive up and done those beaches for years and never had any problem. Never let air out of my tires. The only thing you need to be aware of is in the summer, the beach dwellers think it is SOOOOO funny to dig ditches and try to hide them, so when you go trolling along....BAM there goes an axle. Just be aware of that and you should be ok. I also regularly drive down to Hatteras, though beach driving has been restricted quite a bit in the past few years.

 

Just got back from a weekend in the OBX. I have to re-evaluate my earlier statement. Defintiely need air out of the tires during high tide, the ride was effortless once I took it down to 22 psi.

 

No beach was virtually empty. It was a little chilly but not too bad.

I did not fish myself, but the piers that I passed between MP 1 and MP14 all seemed to have fairly full parking lots both day and evenings, so I reckon they were catching something. I mostly just went to take me Lab in the water and to run the Taco up and down. This time of year virtually the entire outer banks is open for beach driving. I got on the beach right near my house at MP 10.5 and drove south about 2 miles to the pier, then turned and headed north back past my house to another pier about 3 miles down. Getting off the beach was the most sketchy part because it was pretty heavily rutted and uphill over the dunes. Honestly can say that the truck had no problem at all once I let the air out. Before I did that I was having difficulty. Mostly due to my inexperience driving a manual tranny in the sand, and some due to my unfamiliarity with my new truck. I had originally planned to go to Oregon Inlet and then up to Corova and do some beach driving, but once I realized I could drive right there where I was staying I was good with that. I'll go back a few more times this summer, and I am sure Ill get those beach driving trips in soon.

 

obx is the shit to drive on im assuming ur going up to corolla area it is beautiful last year i didnt air down my tires at all and i was still doing 50 mph in the fluffy stuff at the top of the beach in 2 wd