Beach driving in 4HI - vsc/trac/trailer swa off or just trac off?

So I am planning on taking my new 2019 offroad 4x4 auto to the beach this summer after i break her in first. this is my first toyota 4x4 and toyota.

i read the manual but can't see where they mention how to drive it in sand besides the stuff about the multi-terrain setting. I always have used 4hi in my 4x4's not 4lo unless i get stuck, while at the beach. in my xterra there is vsc, and i merely push that to prevent the abs from trying to stop spinning tires- tires will spin in sand all the time.

so my question, in 4hi, on sand at the beach, traveling anywhere from 5-25mph, i assume i turn off vsc by holding it for 3 seconds as opposed to just pushing it fast?

thoughts?

 

one press is the vsc then hold till it says trac off.

 

right but which is best for sand like at the beach? we are talking mainly flat but soft dry sand for miles.

full or just partial?

 

I personally dont like sand, once it starts to dig in its going to get stuck. I'd prob try VSC off first.

 

well i love riding along the beach finding fishing spots etc... i have driven may vehicles on the sand including my 2007 xterra- never even came close to getting stuck and it's seen many many miles of rough sand, and my 2017 patriot 4x4. key is to air done to about 20psi and easy stops and starts. keep light on the skinny..... my patriot will actually do donuts- sort of. it's so light and i have good tires and it has the lockable 4x4 that is way better than a normal part time 4x4 system.

 

First thing you should be worrying about is your tire pressure, not what switch to push on your dash. The most advanced traction system in the world isn't going to do squat if your tires don't have traction.

20psi would be a max. 15 is better, less depending on how soft/deep the sand is. 10psi in the sand is not uncommon. If you do it a lot, ditch the crap C rated tires you probably have from the factory and get some E rated all terrains (they handle low pressure better, and are just stronger tires).

From there, keep your momentum up. Keep your foot on the gas until you actually stop, then let off or you'll dig yourself in.

Bring a shovel and some traction aids, too.

 

Going to 4lo isn't going to help get you unstuck. 4lo is helpful for slow speed crawling, especially on steep hills. Up and down. Or for creeping slowly over rough terrain. If you're on slippery surfaces, mud, snow etc. lo range is a handicap. You're putting too much torque on the ground and it is difficult to prevent wheel spin. Often hi range and skipping 1st gear is best. Start off in 2nd. Driving in loose sand eats up engine power, this is where you need lo range even if driving at speed. Driving in hi range in sand will often lead to overheating the engine and transmission.

There different types of sand. In many places you can drive a standard car with no issues. Other places can be difficult with even the best 4X4 gear. Wide flotation tires aired down to single digit pressures are needed to get through others.

 

i drove 16 miles on cape lookout last year at one clip on the dune road in my xterra in 4hi. it has the duratrac tires and was at 17psi. i had zero issues besides the engine getting hot (229F) and the trans warming up (220F). Mind you, i never saw a light and the temp gauge was middle on the range. I only knew the temps because of the bully dog showing them. On the way back, i cruised along the high tide line at 30mph and the temps at the end were 197F/160F for engine/trans. that sand is like concrete though.

not sure about using 4lo for 16 miles of sand driving at 30mph but maybe for the 8-10mph stretch on the dune road. Wouldn't that cause the engine to overheat more? being in 4lo for so long at 2000 rpms going 10mph or less or whatever?

 

https://www.wranglerforum.com/f274/beach-driving-4wd-hi-or-lo-what-do-you-use-649177.html

opinions from the "other" side.

 

I've been wondering the same thing, OP.

I BELIEVE the following is accurate, based off some research here (see below link) and what my truck tells me. It's not definitive, however, and I still have questions, too! I will test as I have the opportunity.

In 4H, you have brake and engine regulation to prevent ANY spin (presumably best for icy/snowy roads).

In 4H, push the "OFF" button on the overhead console area (the button has the truck icon with squiggly tire marks behind it). This activates the TRAC-OFF light on the dash, which is essentially Auto-LSD on both axles. This is a bit confusing, since TRAC-OFF implies the system is off, but supposedly, on 2012+ trucks, this is the nomenclature.

In 4H, hold the "OFF" button down 3 seconds, and "VSC-OFF" light ALSO illuminates, giving you Auto-LSD, and ZERO crash-preventing nannies.

What I dont know is how intrusive VSC is. Will it allow a fair amount of tire slippage, as you'll need in sand? Or do you need to hold the "OFF" button down for 3 seconds to deactivate VSC and allow the wheels to spin? My best semi-educated guess is VSC will allow spinning up to 30mph.

I'll get to the beach, and mash the go pedal in:

4H...

4H with TRAC-OFF...

4H with TRAC-OFF and VSC-OFF.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...lsd-trac-off-vsc-off-a-trac-rr-locker.577229/

 

Worry more about your tire pressure and less about what switch or knob you're supposed to push...

People like to over complicate things because these trucks have lots of switches and buttons.

It sounds like you at least have prior experience driving a 4x4 in the sand. Just drive the way you're used to. If you bog, use a lower gear. It's not rocket science.

 

So someone wants to make sure they're utilizing Tacoma's (apparently amazing) LSD / locker-ish traction aids, but the forum consensus is essentially "just air down and be thankful you even have a transfer case".

Airing down is a given. So now that we've established that, maybe someone can answer the OP's question.

 

From what I've experienced, not only on this forum, but on the trail, airing down is most definitely NOT a given. It *should* be, but it's not.

People like to take their brand new truck off road and often times have no idea what they're doing. The salesman told them these cool buttons make it so you can go off road, so that's what they do. People like to think these switches and buttons are a one size fits all solution.

Driving in sand? Push this button. Gravel? Push that one.

That couldn't be farther from the truth. Not only is not all sand created equal, but your driving skills and style will determine a lot of the settings that would work best for you. You get 10 pro drivers in a room and ask them how to drive on sand, you'll get 10 different answers.

This is why most people who have been wheeling for a long time, and have amassed a lot of experience will generally tell you to ignore those buttons, at least at first. Focus on the basics, and pick your line. First gear too low? go to 4lo. loosing traction? Pick a different line or try the locker. Stuck? get the shovel, lol...

We were all noobs at one point. We aren't telling you these things to be jerks. We're merely trying impart the lessons we've already learned.

Driving off road is like learning algebra. If you start out trying to use a calculator first, you're just mashing buttons with no true understanding of what you're doing. You gotta learn how to do it manually, first, then use the calculator.

 

OP, I've compiled the above posts into one easy to read, multi-step process you need to use for 4H beach driving.

1. Air down. You stated you already do this, but surely you need to be told, again, to air down.

1. B. Air down, again. Because you may not be aware the advantages of airing down.

2. Do not push buttons, or ask about pushing buttons.

3. Do not use MTS, or ask about using MTS.

4. Do not use CC, or ask about using CC.

5. Most importantly, NEVER, EVER, EVER USE OR ASK ABOUT USING THE REAR LOCKER! This may cause severe injury or death.

6. To be safe, please stay on the pavement. And dry pavement is best, please do not drive on wet, slippery roads.

 

Other than completely fabricating 5 and 6 you sum it up pretty nicely in a dickish sort of way.

But please, go on. Teach us the ways with your vast knowledge and years of experience.

 

@silverflash

Like you, this is my first Toyota 4x4. Its also my first 4x4 to have different "modes"... I'm only familiar w/ a lever-operated transfer case, manual hubs, and actual lockers.

I've got a beach trip planned in a few weeks; I'll try out the different 4H options, and PM you what I find (so as not to clog this thread with an actual attempt to answer your original question).

 

I answered his question based on my experience. It just wasn't the answer YOU want it to be.

I'm sorry that's got you so wrapped around the axle. Maybe try turning VSC off and holding OFF for 3 seconds to get out of it.

Good luck.

 

You sir, are a douche. I said I air down. I have experience with 4x4 on sand. Just not Toyotas buttons. Perhaps you lack reading comprehension skills. Anyways, I am there now , at beach, aired down to 20psi and Trac off with one push and the taco is amazing.

 

And maybe, just maybe, you should stay in Pre-K. Lol.