Tips and must haves for beach driving

Make sure you leave before High Tide.

 

Arizona isn't exactly beach driving, unless George Straight was onto something with "Ocean front property in Arizona" I'm fairly certain no one cares if you do doughnuts in the middle of the desert by yourself, lol... Driving on an East Coast beach isn't really like driving in the desert in Arizona, I'm guessing they don't require permits, or a list of required equipment of anything else for that matter. Apples to Oranges. On the beach in NJ or any populated area you need to be respectful of those you're sharing the sand with. End of story, if you want to do doughnuts in an abondoned sandpit, well it's still a free country out here in the East too, Kinda....

 

Just last week I was driving for the first time on the beach in Carova NC. Everything folks said above is great except for the donuts. Take what the state tells you, you may be fined if you don't. I don't know how it is up there as a vacation vs fishing, but the people in NC are at the beach and are not paying attention. That includes their off leash dogs, so just keep an eye out and your speed under control.

I aired down to 18 the first day, but found 15 the next to be better. The second day I even did the full length with two adults and one 4 year old in the cab, and 2 adults and 4 young kids in the bed. The ruts will give you some fun times, just keep it aimed loosely and keep moving forward. Don't be like the Jeep we had to dig out because he left his tires at 50. He dug himself in until his clutch started to smoke like a BBQ grill.

 

Bring a strap, shovel, hopefully a friend with a 4X4, and common sense, no dunes , no sea grass, no water, unless the whole place is torn up, stay where it looks like every one goes.

NICE run on sentence.

 

I'll be down there a few times this summer. Did they start requiring permits or daily passes in Carova? I heard they were thinking of implementing that. Or maybe that's just for "parking" on the beach and not "driving."

 

Not that I know of. I did not see anything posted, and was not asked by the Sheriff when he stopped to find out how the Jeep got himself stuck. I can't even imagine how nuts that beach must be during the summer. I know the Beaches south of there have some rules around overnight parking, but I didn't really look into that.

 

not sure what came about on this https://outerbanksvoice.com/2018/02/19/currituck-commissioners-to-take-up-beach-parking-pass-plan/

but driving should be fine.

 

All of the advice here is already good. If you are going to be driving in dunes (here in California we have Pismo which is basically a big dunes park) you have to be super careful! Dunes can have sudden drop offs that are all but impossible to see until you are right on top of them. This is because all the sand blends together so it can look very flat while hiding a huge drop. Go slowly and scope out an area before you go driving in it. Then play around in that area. Never drive fast over a dune when you don't know what's on the other side. Heck, never drive over a dune at all if you don't know what's on the other side.

As always, an experienced friend along is always best.

Oh, and just like everyone said... AIR DOWN! I've done 12PSI on stock off-road tires and wheels with no problems.

 

I'm from CA.. any other places here besides Pismo to get on the beach to drive??? Kinda seems ridiculous to drive 175 miles north of where I live here in Glendale to get there, unless I have no other choice then I will lol. Also, I'm running 285 KO2's on 16's (non-bead) how low can I go?

 

No need for any “gear”, you bought an Off Road model. Learn to use the OR’s mechanical advantages and you will be good to go.

 

https://outerbanksvoice.com/2018/03/21/currituck-beach-parking-visitors-to-pay-50-for-10-day-permit/

Looks like $50 for a 10 day pass.

 

I wonder if just driving (no parking) is allowed without cost still...

 

Should be. Technically it’s a state road, as long as you don’t park it should be fine.

 

Never punch it unless last resort

 

agreed

 

That’s NOT true. You do need “gear” and it’s got nothing to do with whether or not you will or won’t get stuck. Please read the link i attached in the 1st or 2nd reply on this thread. Further more EVERY beach has different requirements and permits (of course some may and will overlap) before you go google the website for the State and Beach you’re visiting and ensure you have the required equipment. Best case you get a fine and asked to leave, worst case your vacation is ruined because you are NOT permitted on the beach, and you’re stuck walking like all the other Scmucks lol. Seriously though. You NEED gear in order to be compliant, don’t like it, don’t go...

Also read about what reasons there are to be on the beach, Island Beach State Park does not allow over night camping... but if you are “actively fishing” you can stay.

Again read the specifics for the beach you’re going to visit and follow the provided check list.

http://www.islandbeachnj.org/Recreation/beachdriving.html

http://www.riparks.com/4x4Registration.html

https://www.outerbanks.org/plan-your-trip/beaches/driving-on-beach/

https://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/orv-equipment-and-tire-requirements.htm

Ext ext... again check your specific beach before you go...

 

I drive 200 miles to go to Pismo from Santa Clara.... and I've done day trips lol. CA is the land of everything... if you're willing to drive!

Now don't trust my info as I am by no means an expert but this is my understanding:

Pismo is the only beach driving in all of California. The only other dunes driving that I know of is Glamis, and I took a look and that's 230 miles from you (400 miles from me!). But Glamis is not a beach, just a bunch of sand in the desert. I've never been there but all the LA guys who go to Pismo all wear Glamis t-shirts.

About airing down. I do 12psi. I've never broken a bead on the stock tires, and I've floored it up to 60ish. And I've seen really big tires on tiny rims also go that low. I think 17 is really safe but most likely less effective.

Oh, also, you need a flag (and a way to attach it to your truck). There are shops there that sell them. But it's not a bad idea to figure it out before you go.

 

5Saints is right on. Make sure you check your local laws for beach 4 wheeling. In Delaware you have to register your vehicle, carry the appropriate equipment, be actively surf fishing when parked, and air down your tires to 20 psi. Just wait to you see the big tire Jeep Wranglers get stuck because the didn’t air down, and dug themselves into a hole! During the summer at Cape Henlopen State Park, if you get stuck....the Park Rangers won’t pull you out. They call a specialized rig that charges $200.00 cash for a recovery. But it’s fun with the right equipment!

 

flip flops

 

Everything said above.

PLUS!

Hucking sea turtles makes you an asshole
No socks with your sandals...EVER!
sun screen...use it

Lastly,

On maps, the blue is the water