help. First time in Pismo. Need tips.

First of all, I have a '15 Tacoma 4x4 STOCK.

Never been to Pismo. Going mostly for the Oceanside camping experience.

I need some tips...

Thank you.

 

Air down. 10 PSI-ish.

Maintain momentum.

Don't stop abruptly (you will dig in)

Avoid lateral force on the tires when aired down (donuts, etc.) you can push a tire off the bead.

Don't panic when you get stuck. Dig until no sand is touching the vehicle and the tires have a level path in front of them. Traction boards work great. Just flooring it is a quick road to a new transmission.

Stay out of the ocean...if you value your frame (rust)

 

Mostly the same as above, I've ran out at Pismo and I'm 2wd. It's not difficult if you keep your momentum up.

Watch out for the dunes, they drop off abruptly, so keep your eyes open. Try not to stop on an uphill, stop on level ground or a downhill slope. Try rolling to a stop when possible, if you brake you will build up a sand pile in-front of your tires.

The main road out near the water has a very strict speed limit (due to endangered birds near the coastline) I think it is 15mph or 25mph.

 

Agree with guys above ^

• Air down to 10-15 psi. Don't do donuts though, take it easy.
• Keep momentum.
• If you have to stop, try to stop pointing downhill so you have momentum when you're ready to go.
• When you get stuck (you most likely will since this is your first time in the sand) do not push on the gas pedal. Once you're stuck, the gas pedal will only dig you in. Get out, dig out the tires, stick rocks and sticks or traction boards under the tires for traction and slowly get out.
• Bring a friend and some recovery straps.
• Do not use 4lo.
• If you have a locker, do the grey wire mod so you can use 4hi with it. This will help you keep a little more momentum and a little more traction when you need it.

 

All the things said above, also get yourself a whip with a flag on it. It's mandatory in the dunes. Also be very careful at night. Drop offs may not be seen, and the drunks are out doing stupid shit at night.

 

Yeah don't go speeding thinking you have a long travel Tacoma. You have to realize that other people are there too - Watch out and don't hit anyone.

 

Awesome! I'll try and do my best not to get stuck. Great advice. Thanks a lot guys!!! Tacomaworld all day!!!

 

I haven't been down there yet in my tacoma (going in may), only in my jeep I used to have. There is a place that sells suction cup mounts. I have the link at home I'll post later.

 

These guys nailed all the main points right on the head. There is nothing else for me to write here. Just be careful and have a blast out there.

Oh and do what you can to stake down tents, canopies etc. I lost mine once to a huge wind storm and it ended up by a nearby campers area torn up and destroyed.

 

Found it on my phone
www.stickywhips.com

 

The whips themselves can be found at a lot of businesses around the entrances to pismo.

 

Don't drink and drive, your will get a 502 DWI. Trust me on this. Have fun.

 

100% agree, had a friend get down there really late one night and started drinking. Fell asleep and woke up a few hours later and went to go get breakfast, got pulled over on the beach and got a dui. The state park rangers are everywhere and really crack down on people, as they should. Also was with a friend who got a speeding ticket on he beach by a ranger in a hummer. Obey the laws, they don't mess around.

 

Just ordered me me today

 

If this is any help, if you get a whip without a bolt on the bottom it is easy to put it in the back corner of your bed, open your tailgate and wedge it in the back corner, close your tailgate and it will stay wedged in there.

 

Be ready to find sand in your truck for a looooong time. I haven't been to Pismo in nearly five years and I'm still finding sand in random places on my truck. Also, if I remember right, there's a creek that needs to be crossed to get form the entrance to the dune/camping area. It can get deep depending on the tide.

Be careful how you approach a dune from the backside if you're planning on driving down the face. You don't want to find out that you're in someone's landing area the hard way.

If you drive down the face of a dune and start feeling like you're getting sideways turn downhill and let off the brake.

Have fun!