Driving On The Beach

brandonct · January 25, 2011

Howdy,

This is my first post on this forum, but I've been trolling around for a while. I have a 2010 Sierra 2500HD Z71 6.0ltr with gov lock. I am planning on possibly going to North Padre Island for some fishing/camping when the weather warms up a bit. The first mile of the beach is compacted sand so relatively easy but after that the sand is a bit deeper and not compact. I was wondering if my truck is too heavy and just sink in the sand? I figure airing down and I think they have an air station at the entrance so what psi would be safe (tire not seperating from the wheel) I have a jeep and I would take that but its too small for two guys and camping/fishing supplies plus not comfortable for the 5 hour drive each way. Oh and the truck is a crew cab short bed if that helps for the weight question. The tires are the stock p265 E rated AT's. Your opinions would be very helpful thank you.

hockeypro1411 · January 25, 2011

Use 4X4 at all times in the sand. I'd air down to maybe 30-35 psi in the tires, but that's just a rough guess.

Squirrely · January 25, 2011

Bring a shovel to help dig yourself out if you get stuck.

Georgebaumann · January 25, 2011

whenever my dad takes his 2500 on the beach he always airs it down and uses 4 wheel drive . the standard rule of airing down the tires is about 2/3 of recomended tire pressure.

hy_69 · January 25, 2011

i have a '99 silverado and i can go through most of sand with 2hi but when ever i feel like going to the dunes or something i just switch it to 4hi and that will do it! never had to worry about the tire's pressure.. but i have a friend with a 08 silverado crew cab ltz and he says his truck works better in the sand with the 4wd Auto dont know if its true or if its because he don't have much experience driving in sand it can be quite tricky... if you want to lower the tire's pressure dont go too low.. something about 25-30 will do it! just dont loose momentum while driving through loose sand and you will be just fine! this trucks have a lot of power....

randas · January 26, 2011

Get stuck to your axles in sand in the middle of nowhere and you'll never want to drive on sand again

brandonct · January 26, 2011

Thanks for the replies. I definitely don't want to get stuck and spend hours digging. Cramming into the jeep is sounding like a better idea.

chakis24 · January 26, 2011

standard beach tools: jack, jack board, spare, shovel, tow strap at minimum. portable air compressor is nice too.

your truck will do better than you think- the beach i used to go to was real soft stuff- 4wd was a must have- and people would do it no problems in stock trucks with stock tires- just air down. you can go to 10-15 or so if you take it easy (theres no reason to go fast anyway and mashing the gas will just spin the tires and dig you in anyway- you want to stay above the sand)- i used to go to about 20 on my stock 265/70/17s.

brisk · January 26, 2011

I second the 10-15psi. I have driven in sand many times with many vehicles (some only 2wd). You want a good bulge in the sidewall. The idea is to create a bigger footprint so you ride on top and don't sink. Of course at these pressures you don't want to go tearing through there like you are in a sandrail. If you feel your self spinning STOP!!! Once you sink the truck in too far you are done. At the same time sand driving is most effective with a heavy throttle so Judgement is key. Dont be afraid to stop, back up, and hit it harder to get through really soft spots.

Don't be scared. Driving in sand is fun. Use 4hi, your brains, and air down your tires and you will be just fine.

standard beach tools: jack, jack board, spare, shovel, tow strap at minimum. portable air compressor is nice too.

your truck will do better than you think- the beach i used to go to was real soft stuff- 4wd was a must have- and people would do it no problems in stock trucks with stock tires- just air down. you can go to 10-15 or so if you take it easy (theres no reason to go fast anyway and mashing the gas will just spin the tires and dig you in anyway- you want to stay above the sand)- i used to go to about 20 on my stock 265/70/17s.

oldschool327 · January 26, 2011

+1, +2, and +3 on the recommendation for 15 PSI. I can go anywhere in Pismo Dunes at that pressure with never the fear of getting stuck. Auto or 4 Hi works great, these trucks are SMRT!

15 PSI in Auto

35 PSI in (2wd because the front diff went out)

Shatterz · January 26, 2011

Your truck should do fine in the sand. I haven't had my 09 on the beach but I take my 96 occasionally to go fishing (New Jersey beaches). The weight of your truck is not really as issue, the key like others have said is airing down the tires. Airing dwon to 15 psi and having a easy right foot will yeild the best results. I think a portable air compressor is a must, this way you can air up immediately after coming off the beach (unless they have air stations right there). Shorter wheelbase vehicles will do better if there a lots of dunes and hills as longer trucks will have a greater tendency to high center (this happened to me several times cause of how long my 96 is). Use your head and don't panic if you start to get stuck, STOP immediately and you can usually back out of your predicament a try again.

One word of warning, I'm not sure how particular and clean you like keeping your truck, but you will get sand EVERYWHERE and you truck will be exposed to the corrosive salt air so be sure to give a a through underbody and engine bay washing along with a thorough exterior cleaning after the fun. And when you park on the beach, have your tailgate facing the water so that your front end is not as exposed to the salt air.

Diesail · January 26, 2011

x (I don't know, what are we up to) on the 10-15 psi. Hatteras Island is known for it's soft sand and I spend a week there a while back and drove a 2wd S10 on the beach every day. Granted it is not as heavy but also a much smaller tire and it even had an open diff. I did have a built Jeep in the group as well, but never got stuck once. Yet we pulled at least 2 people a day out with the jeep within feet of the beach access that didn't air down.

Air down and have fun. Most beach access have air so you can air back up when you leave so no worries. And if they don't, just keep it under 80 in the curves and find some air as quick as you can. Ok, seriously you can drive a long ways on tires with 10 psi as long as the speeds are low, so don't worry.

brandonct · January 27, 2011

I am pretty sure they have air at the entrance but I will bring my portable air compressor just in case. Shatterz good point with the tailgate to the water I didn't think about the salt air. I definitely will give my rig a complete washin when I get home.

cliobogger · January 27, 2011

i say dont be a poon and just do it with a little know how(which everyone has so graciously provided) and you bein smart about it which you seem to be, you will be just fine. and have a blasty campin. im jealous.