Beach off-roading 101
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk, VA
Air down your tires and the rest should be cake. 15-20 psi...I went on with 30 psi and could definitely tell!
Edit...don't forget a snatch strap or tow strap...it could come in handy to pull some unlucky person out. I reluctantly made $$$ pulling someone out of a hole.
Edit...don't forget a snatch strap or tow strap...it could come in handy to pull some unlucky person out. I reluctantly made $$$ pulling someone out of a hole.
Last edited by jereb83; Apr 30, 2012 at 02:51 PM.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,652
Likes: 5
From: Avondale, Arizona
I would air down to around 12psi if your on soft sand. just make sure to air back up before hitting the road!
I would also bring a tow strap, a shovel, and a friend to tow you out incase you get stuck!
Also make sure your in 4LO when in the sand, unless you plan on going over 25mph, then 4HI with ESP Off! that shit will get u stuck
I would also bring a tow strap, a shovel, and a friend to tow you out incase you get stuck!
Also make sure your in 4LO when in the sand, unless you plan on going over 25mph, then 4HI with ESP Off! that shit will get u stuck
JK Newbie
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane
I do a lot of beach driving here - key tips I would suggest -
Most important - know the tide times for where you are going so you don't get caught by an incoming tide.
Lower tyre pressure before you do the beach entry - I run my stock tyres at around 13 - 15psi psi and have no problems. Beach entry and exist are the hardest parts due to the very soft sand up high on the beach.
Pick a line for the beach entry/exit and stick to it - within reason use plenty of speed.
Carry an air compressor and other recovery gear - can have lots of gear but as a bare minimum a 'snatch-strap' /tow rope and a shovel.
Try to drive down on the wet sand as much as possible when on the beach as it is real firm - but not into the water as sea water will really cause rust issues. If you stay on the firm sand for any length of time then I would go back into 2wd.
Exercise care when crossing washouts on the beach as these can be much deeper than expected and previous ones do not dictate what the next one will be like. (As my son tried to tell me, "the other 10 have been ok so this one will be as well, stop slowing down" ).
I don't know your local laws but here in AUS most of the beaches are gazetted as public roads so all the normal traffic restrictions apply re speed and alcohol limits - and the police are usually out as well in their 4wds.
Once off the beach remember to re air tyres back to normal for the trip home; and
Wash off the vehicle very well after the trip - for the underbody I use a garden sprinkler - just set it up under the vehicle and let it run, moving it every 10 min or so till you get the whole underbody done. Make sure you wash out the chassis rails really well as lots of sand will get into them. Rule of thumb is to use plenty of water for the clean up.
Most important - know the tide times for where you are going so you don't get caught by an incoming tide.
Lower tyre pressure before you do the beach entry - I run my stock tyres at around 13 - 15psi psi and have no problems. Beach entry and exist are the hardest parts due to the very soft sand up high on the beach.
Pick a line for the beach entry/exit and stick to it - within reason use plenty of speed.
Carry an air compressor and other recovery gear - can have lots of gear but as a bare minimum a 'snatch-strap' /tow rope and a shovel.
Try to drive down on the wet sand as much as possible when on the beach as it is real firm - but not into the water as sea water will really cause rust issues. If you stay on the firm sand for any length of time then I would go back into 2wd.
Exercise care when crossing washouts on the beach as these can be much deeper than expected and previous ones do not dictate what the next one will be like. (As my son tried to tell me, "the other 10 have been ok so this one will be as well, stop slowing down" ).
I don't know your local laws but here in AUS most of the beaches are gazetted as public roads so all the normal traffic restrictions apply re speed and alcohol limits - and the police are usually out as well in their 4wds.
Once off the beach remember to re air tyres back to normal for the trip home; and
Wash off the vehicle very well after the trip - for the underbody I use a garden sprinkler - just set it up under the vehicle and let it run, moving it every 10 min or so till you get the whole underbody done. Make sure you wash out the chassis rails really well as lots of sand will get into them. Rule of thumb is to use plenty of water for the clean up.
Most of all enjoy.
PM me if you want a list of my gear for the beach.
PM me if you want a list of my gear for the beach.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Bohemia, NY
Which pass did you get, state or county? I'm grabbing the Suffolk County pass soon. Make sure you have the equipment on the list they gave you. Smith Point has random checks through out the summer.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by winkelhawk
Which pass did you get, state or county? I'm grabbing the Suffolk County pass soon. Make sure you have the equipment on the list they gave you. Smith Point has random checks through out the summer.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by Mikek
I do a lot of beach driving here - key tips I would suggest -
Most important - know the tide times for where you are going so you don't get caught by an incoming tide.
Lower tyre pressure before you do the beach entry - I run my stock tyres at around 13 - 15psi psi and have no problems. Beach entry and exist are the hardest parts due to the very soft sand up high on the beach.
Pick a line for the beach entry/exit and stick to it - within reason use plenty of speed.
Carry an air compressor and other recovery gear - can have lots of gear but as a bare minimum a 'snatch-strap' /tow rope and a shovel.
Try to drive down on the wet sand as much as possible when on the beach as it is real firm - but not into the water as sea water will really cause rust issues. If you stay on the firm sand for any length of time then I would go back into 2wd.
Exercise care when crossing washouts on the beach as these can be much deeper than expected and previous ones do not dictate what the next one will be like. (As my son tried to tell me, "the other 10 have been ok so this one will be as well, stop slowing down" ).
I don't know your local laws but here in AUS most of the beaches are gazetted as public roads so all the normal traffic restrictions apply re speed and alcohol limits - and the police are usually out as well in their 4wds.
Once off the beach remember to re air tyres back to normal for the trip home; and
Wash off the vehicle very well after the trip - for the underbody I use a garden sprinkler - just set it up under the vehicle and let it run, moving it every 10 min or so till you get the whole underbody done. Make sure you wash out the chassis rails really well as lots of sand will get into them. Rule of thumb is to use plenty of water for the clean up. Most of all enjoy.
PM me if you want a list of my gear for the beach.
Most important - know the tide times for where you are going so you don't get caught by an incoming tide.
Lower tyre pressure before you do the beach entry - I run my stock tyres at around 13 - 15psi psi and have no problems. Beach entry and exist are the hardest parts due to the very soft sand up high on the beach.
Pick a line for the beach entry/exit and stick to it - within reason use plenty of speed.
Carry an air compressor and other recovery gear - can have lots of gear but as a bare minimum a 'snatch-strap' /tow rope and a shovel.
Try to drive down on the wet sand as much as possible when on the beach as it is real firm - but not into the water as sea water will really cause rust issues. If you stay on the firm sand for any length of time then I would go back into 2wd.
Exercise care when crossing washouts on the beach as these can be much deeper than expected and previous ones do not dictate what the next one will be like. (As my son tried to tell me, "the other 10 have been ok so this one will be as well, stop slowing down" ).
I don't know your local laws but here in AUS most of the beaches are gazetted as public roads so all the normal traffic restrictions apply re speed and alcohol limits - and the police are usually out as well in their 4wds.
Once off the beach remember to re air tyres back to normal for the trip home; and
Wash off the vehicle very well after the trip - for the underbody I use a garden sprinkler - just set it up under the vehicle and let it run, moving it every 10 min or so till you get the whole underbody done. Make sure you wash out the chassis rails really well as lots of sand will get into them. Rule of thumb is to use plenty of water for the clean up. Most of all enjoy.
PM me if you want a list of my gear for the beach.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Bohemia, NY
Funny, I'm the opposite. I keep meaning to get the Moses pass and always forget to get it before memorial day.
Make sure you get a nice air compressor. I don't think they have air chucks to air back up when you are leaving. Also, you might get hassled if you don't carry fishing rods. I've heard every once in a while they ask for fishing rods since it's supposed to be for fishing access only.
Make sure you get a nice air compressor. I don't think they have air chucks to air back up when you are leaving. Also, you might get hassled if you don't carry fishing rods. I've heard every once in a while they ask for fishing rods since it's supposed to be for fishing access only.
JK Newbie
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane
I've got an ARB 30 foot snatch-strap (8000 kg) current cost is around $180.00. I've had mine for years and only needed it a few times and that was to get other vehicles (not Jeeps) out of really soft sand as they did not their own recovery gear.