Hey everyone,

I'm headed to OBX next month, noob Jeeper here with a 2012 Sahara JKU. What's the best advice? -I'm running a Muteki Trail Hog A/T tires and the first and foremost advice is to air down... but what about actually driving on the sand?? -4Hi or 4Lo? Turn off ESP on 4Hi?

 

OBX is a pretty broad term, it describes the whole region down there. March will be when tourist season starts so the beaches should be a little more packed (sand) when you're there. The weather can also dictate the same conditions. If it's been hot and dry then it'll be more loose than it is packed.

I lived down that direction for a long while and there are times/ places where I'd be in 2wd because the sand is so packed.

In general...yes, air down (local law in some parts of the outer banks of NC), 4wd high, stay off the dunes. If you've got an auto, some people recommend going to 4lo when the sand is dry and loose to help protect your torque converter. I have a manual so I never messed with it. You can leave all of your safety systems in place, the only times that I found it was helpful to turn off the ESP (stopped, 4hi, push and hold the button for 5-7 seconds until it chimes and tells you that ESP is off) is when the sand is loose and you want a little more tire speed. A better solution there is 4lo and 2nd/ 3rd gear but it's all about momentum.

And wherever you go on the outer banks (OBX)- from the state line to Oregon Inlet, down to Portsmouth island- please be patient and mindful of others. Folks from out of town get in a hurry to hit the beach and that's when accidents happen. There are speed limits on the beach, observe them. Some places require a parking permit, make sure that you get yours ahead of time.

 

Everything I've read says you should be in 4Lo because it is much easier on your transmission. In 4HI your trans will get hotter. Those without trans coolers could see it overheat in 4Hi.

 

I drive in Baja sand very often. I have an 08 but added the cooler. Im not sure if the 12 is the equivalent of that but.....with that being said I air down to 15psi in all 4 tires but I also run 33's, definitely make sure ESP is turned off or you will be fighting your brakes the entire time. I run in 4 hi and have never needed 4 lo for anything. Stay in tracks from other vehicles and always keep on the gas especially in the jeeps. It always takes them a few seconds to recover once you take your foot off the gas and by then you might spin it too fast and bury yourself. Know the tides and watch the water line. I always stay away from the water line as much as possible. I've watched idiot people try and make 3 point turns in the sand get their vehicles buried right at the water line with high tide on the way. I also watched them cross narrow areas at low tide only to be stuck from crossing because it's now high tide. I've driven that area a few times on surf trips also. It's deep sand in places. Plan on getting stuck and make sure you have the right supplies.

Air compressor for airing up and down - a real one not cig lighter Walmart mode and a real dial tire gauge for accuracy, elastic pull strap, tow straps in case of breakdown, shovel, wood for getting un-stuck and to support jack for changing tire. There are a ton of other gadgets and such to help you get unstuck from sand also that work amazing like the hard plastic tracks that are lifesavers for some people. They don't mind getting stuck they just throw those under the tires and 2 minutes later they are out and moving again.

I'd also recommend taking a good look over the vehicle and fluids to make sure it is ready for this type of trip. Depending on the conditions it can be hard on the vehicle.

 

Been to OBX and the beaches in NJ MANY times, also the sand dunes in Silverlake MI.

For sand 4HI and traction control OFF - Air your tires down to at least 12 PSI.

Highly recommend Corova beach to see the wild horses.

 

As the others said, air down. Cannot stress this enough. The difference is amazing in sand. 4 hi vs 4 Lo depends on the sand softness and the situation. Going slow in soft, 4 lo. Harder packed sand and cruising along decently, 4 hi. So many variables to give you a concrete answer. Feel it out as you go. Have a great time learning to wheel! We are planning on exploring OBX for the first time in the fall if all goes well.

 

For sand I had to put in a kill switch to disable all traction control esp and all that stuff. Sand is different everywhere but in Michigan I run 10-12 psi without beadlocks 5-8 with beadlocks usually 2wd, 4high if it's a big hill.

 

I have wanted to do this. Sucks having to unplug the connector inside the wheel well every time I go to Silver Lake. But it works great! So I want to put a switch on my dash to disable as well.

 

I drive on a few NC beaches. Had a manual TJ with 33 X12.5 tires on 15 Inch rims. Aired down at first but found that even in the deepest and softest sand I had no issues leaving the tires at 32 PSI. Never spun once. If I had to stop in the soft stuff I would toss it to 4 Lo just to get back to some better sand or packed ruts and then go back to 4 Hi.

I have the automatic JK now and its heavier so I'm figuring it out still. Ran it in 4HI and stayed in 1st gear. So far, have not needed to air down but I do have 35 X 12.5 X 15 tires purposely to be like big balloons. Did 2 trips and drove over to some churned up soft stuff and had no issues. Keep an eye on your temps. Easy to just pull out of the way and sit and let it cool down (turn of the AC as it just adds more for the engine to deal with). My TJ would start to warm up with the AC on until I figured out to just leave it off.

Like one person stated, some places require you to air down so do obey the rules. People that don't air down that speed down the beach make terrible bumps. I am old and just take it slow and easy to get to my fishing holes and I drive on the edge of the bumped out ruts to help fill them back in for the guys behind me.

 

My 2 cents, YMMV:

Try both 4H w/ ESP OFF (Long 7 second press) and 4L (ESP will automatically be off). It's worth experimenting with your particular transmission type, gear ratios, tires, weight, etc.

Don't forget that the ESP will turn back on in 4H on every restart. Most of the time having the ESP on isn't a problem; but it can apply individual brakes, cut back throttle, and can get scary in certain situations like driving on a side-hill of a dune while trying to turn downhill. No problems at all with ESP OFF with the long press of the button, but I have forgot to do it after a re-start. Be safe and remember to turn it OFF with the long button press.

With a manual trans I mostly like 4L unless it's flat and fast. In 4H starting out on a hill in deep sand takes a lot of clutch slipping. Shifting quick on sand is a difficult art, especially in 4L. I shift as little as possible -- 5K (6K on a pentastar) RPM is not a problem.

Even though I have a manual, an auto trans works better in sand dunes. I've driven auto's with the pentastar a couple time in sand dunes and 4H worked well, but 4L is always easier on a trans for anything slow and steep.

Watch out for situations that are easy to drive into, but hard to drive out -- Like getting stuck in a sand bowl.

Momentum helps, but know your limits. Watch out for what's out of view -- like the other side of a dune. Keep a window open to listen for other vehicles.

I use ~12 psi (no beadlocks). The lighter the Jeep, the better it will perform. Leave the camping gear somewhere if possible.

You will have fun!