Looks like I have lots to do the next couple weekends. Planning to Pismo Beach in August for my sons bball tournament.
I've always wanted to drive on the beach but scared to get stuck being newbie off-roader. Any tips is greatly appreciated! Already looking at maxtrax, tow hooks/straps, and full size spare
Pismo and the dunes are a blast. The Soobie should do just fine. I have been there twice. I saw more stuck vehicles along the beach than in the dunes. Some of this is due to the beach drivers not bothering to air down. The upper beach sand also seems softer and more rutted than in the dunes. I saw a few street cars get high centered on the beach ruts.
My advice:
Get a deflator and air down to 18 PSI. The solid axle folks often have to go down to 12 PSI to eliminate wheel hop.
It's best to go with a buddy. If you get stuck, your buddy can pull you out with a snatch strap.
Stay out of the ruts near the beach. Drive in the firmer sand closer to the water, but I'd advise not giving into the temptation of driving in the water. Salt water will get in places and on things that will lead to corrosion. That said, I always do a thorough under carriage and engine rinse when I get home.
In the dunes I kept it in 1st or 2nd gear, to keep the engine in its power band. Can't risk bogging down if things suddenly go soft.
I recommend a recovery strap (not a tow strap). A recovery strap has some give to it to prevent damaging your car. It stretches like a rubber band, builds up energy, then pulls you out. Don't get one that's over spec'd. It won't stretch enough with your light weight car. Get a strap rated 2-3 times the gross weight of your car. When pulling, the recovery strap should be rated 2-3 times the weight of the lighter of the two vehicles.
Get a rated D ring shackle, to attach the snatch strap to your vehicle. I use a 20ft tow strap as a bridle on the front of my Escape. This distributes the load over two recovery points. I just run the tow strap through the eye of the snatch strap, then attach the two ends of the tow strap to the two front recovery points.
On the rear, I have a trailer hitch and use a receiver mounted D-ring shackle.
Bring a shovel to dig out or prep for sand boards.
There are lots of options for sand boards. I picked up Traction Jacks.
Click on the link for a summary of why I went with TJ.
https://www.overlandbound.com/forums/posts/108591/
Pick up a sand flag and zip tie it to your roof rack. They have flags available in Grover Beach on Grand Ave. To save a few bucks, I picked up a $6 bike flag at wally world.
Here's a write up of my first Pismo/Oceano Dunes outing in my Escape.
http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/171341-2005-Ford-Escape-e-x-Build?p=2302546#post2302546
Have fun and be sure to air back up before you get back on the freeway. You can use your own 12v compressor, or stop at a gas station on Grand Ave.
P.S. Fin's has great fish-n-chips and exceptional clam chowder when you are done playing in the sand.
Cheers, TR
