Off Roading going to the outer banks?

[RobertP]

im leaving for the outer banks on the 8th of october taking the dodge. want to know if i should take it in the sand? i would like to but i do not want to hurt the truck to bad. and it is mostly stock and so are the tires. i know if i do go to air the tires way down. but what else should i know? love playin in the mud, newbie to sand.

 

[Van Blom]

Run in 4 low. . It will be easier on everything. Do a moderate air down so if you get stuck, you can air down some more and keep the tire on the rim Don't drive in the water (wet sand is ok, but wash the under carriage when you get home. Watch the tides. If you don't see tire tracks, walk the beach and see how soft the sand is. Carry a shovel, and if you get stuck, dig a ramp in front of the tires, air down to about 15 or 20 lbs. (eyeball the tires) And have your wife, or GF, GENTLY give it throttle while you push. The first 5 feet are the hardest.

Unlike mud, you don't ever want to spin the wheels or you will bury yourself instantly. If you are in soft stuff keep the truck rolling and don't stop unless you start to dig badly. Wetting the sand in front of the tires helps, so you might want to carry a bucket, and floor mats work as a last resort. Take lots of beer in case of emergencies.

Hope this helps.

Paul

 

[TURBOs4LIFE]

I agree with lowering your tire air pressure! It works wonders! I use 4 high and dont think you will not have any problems if you respect the sand. We go once a year and love it. Here is a pic at Cape Lookout NC.

 

[Van Blom]

I agree with lowering your tire air pressure! It works wonders! I use 4 high and dont think you will not have any problems if you respect the sand. We go once a year and love it. Here is a pic at Cape Lookout NC.

I agree that running in 4 hi will be no problem if the sand you're running on looks like the stuff in your pictures.

The stuff I usually run in is Quite a bit softer.

Paul

 

[drtrox]

Yup, like they said, AIR DOWN. Makes the going sooooo much easier. If you don't air down enough, you will really notice how much weight is on that front axle. Seems the problem areas in Hatteras and Frisco are as you are leaving the beach and approaching the ramps over the dunes. The sand gets pulverived from all the traffic and wheel spinning, plus you have to make a turn while going up hill.



We were just in Hatteras this past week, got chased out Tuesday 9/13/05 in the AM, mandatory evacuation because of Ophelia.



The way life should be:

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[mstimac]

Going there almost every other weekend, I would say stick to 4HI. You want to keep your speed up whenever posible. If you have to drop to 4 LO it won't be long before your buried and breaking out the shovel. Definitely take a shovel, some scrap plywood, and a tow rope(for you or someone else). Air the tires down to 15-18 psi and have blast.

 

[MarkMiller]

it depends where you go out on the beach. Northern end at Corolla is easy at reasonable pressure. Read the rules about driving on the beach though. The sand is more course there and wet sand is easier to drive on. I run 33x12. 50 on my rig and ran on that beach at street pressue with no problems.



Down south though, i went out at Oregon inlet and it was hair raising. I had it in 4wd high 2nd (manual) gear at 2500 rpm and the boost stayed at 25psi the whole time i was in it. I never stopped, kept the hammer down the entire time and made a loop straight back to the asphalt. The sands was much softer and bone dry. My truck sank like a rock in it. And there were a dozen or so suv's stuck there as well. Walk that area before you try to drive it!!!!!!! With all the towing i do i have never seen my Cummins work that hard to maintain forward momentum.

 

[RacinDuallie]

Usually we have found the hardest section to drive is the entrance..... just after the pavement ends... . that will be where the sand is the softest and will want to suck your wheels down- we like to use 4Lo there and when we get to the tracks left from others before you we shift to 4hi. Airing down is the key to successful beach hopping. Stay off the dunes!! And I believe that you should check with the locale municipality- you may be required to obtain a temporary permit to drive on the beach. And some requirements that we have up here for beach travel is to have these items available to show the Rangers is a flashlight-shovel- jack-spare tire- board suitable to put under jack for support- first aid kit- chain or snatch strap and of coarse fishing equipment. We need these items up here to drive @ Island Beach State Park. N. J.
I've been to Hatteras and concider it the fishing mecca! AWESOME! We stayed at campground in Buxton. Favorite bait shop is The Red Drum Bait & Tackle Shop- nice people there- friendly. Be wary of swimming though- I was swimming around there the first day and when we went for bait we spotted 2 pickups and a van in the parking lot of Red Drum- something was different so dad and I went over for a looksy These guys had actual Fighting Chairs bolted to the floors of the beds- the guy w- van was even craftier- he opened up side doors and his chair slid out and had fold-down legs... ... . So now dad and I are standing there like and and the gents came out and gave us the skinny on the deal- They liveline fresh caught blues- and use them as bait for sharks!!! Right off the beach! Well after seeing a few photos from them- that ended the swimming for the vacation.....

During our vacation we had one pole almost pulled completely into the surf- right outta sand spike and qwickly heading for the surf! And we had a huge blitz going on another day and there was a guy standing next to me with the thickest surf pole I ever saw! We were both hooked up into fish and was reeling them in-He said it was called a Hatteras Stick- just then the tip of his pole went WHAMM!! like a frieght train just went through and hit his line- it was just an instant thing- he continued to reel in and he said it felt like the fish was still on and his pole had a bend to her- well he get's it in and it was just the head of what WAS a large bluefish- we were catching blues that ranged from 10lbs to 16-17lbs. all he had was a large head and a clean bite from gills back the rest of blue was gone- shark got it... ... Awesome fishing there! ! And the ferry ride to the island was cool too. Have fun there!Oo. We sure did!

I can even smell the salt in the air now... ... ... ... ... ... .

 

[Patriot Diesel]

I wish you guys would quit talking about OBX :{ :{ :{



We'd like to call Corolla and South Nags Head our second home. We usually go there about 3-4 times a year but with my job and an infant (now toddler)at home we haven't been able to make it down there in over 2 years.



Yeah... off roading in the sand there can be tricky... Corolla end is pretty easy going... the south end is a different story...



when i was still running the stock Michelin 265's it was downright scary if i didn't air down...



with 315's I don't need to air down at all...



have fun... i sure wish we were going... we still may...

 

[RobertP]

yes that is where we are going. i've heard about the fairy trip we plan on taking the dodge on with us. i've never been to the OBX so the only thing i know is that we are staying in a place called waves, which i think is on hatteras island. not sure though.

 

[RacinDuallie]

yes that is where we are going. i've heard about the fairy trip we plan on taking the dodge on with us. i've never been to the OBX so the only thing i know is that we are staying in a place called waves, which i think is on hatteras island. not sure though.

If your fishing- leave your wimpy poles home without a doubt!! Even heard that Giant Bluefin Tuna were caught 100 or so yards from the Beach!!!! They were pullin tunas up that had scrapes from the sand from runnin in the surf! Oh man! Hey good luck to ya there! Most memorable fishin trip we've taken! Too bad Pop isn't around anymore to enjoy it all over again. . But atleast I have that memorable 2week trip to remember and think of... ... ..... What a Blast!

 

[RobertP]

three days away and already cant wait to get this thing on the beach!!!!

 

[RacinDuallie]

three days away and already cant wait to get this thing on the beach!!!!

Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo. Got Blitz ?? :-laf :-laf I hear ya!

 

[CHolman]

If you may need any help or what ever I'm right here in Havelock/Cherry Point. "Crystal Coast" Just send me a message if you think you'd like my number... .

 

[RobertP]

CHolman,

that would be great as i said this is my first time to the OBX so i dont even know where to go to get on the beach but what i do know is that i want to take my truck out and play alittle. thanks :-laf