Day on the OBX Beach (Pic heavy)

Spent this last weekend playing in the sand with the family. Everyone had a good time and the Tundra performed flawlessly. We traveled to the far north and it was interesting to see on the trip back recovery teams in full action.

There were at least 10 recoveries occurring just on the drive back to the entrance. Most of the stuck vehicles were those that really should not have been out there in the first place. They were the AWD type crossovers and SUVs that folks confuse AWD with 4WD. However, there were some surprises with a stuck Jeep Wrangler, F150, GM HD, and a Nissan Armada. Even though these are very capable vehicles in the conditions, I personally believe they got stuck due to driver error.

In the pics below, the Jeep Wrangler was right in front of me as we traveled to the most northern location. There the beach becomes very narrow and there is only one lane to travel with a 3 foot drop on the edge caused by surf.. We came across one section that was particularly messed up with deep soft sand. The Jeep did not navigate it correctly and got stuck directly in front of me. I did not want to drive off the steep edge without accessing the path, so I was forced to stop as well. Was a little nervous sitting still in deep sand but after accessing a path down the edge, the Tundra easily crawled out and down the ledge. Was able to get on the some packed sand and then assist with freeing the Jeep.

I was running Toyo ATIII's running at 18 psi in 4 hi and had absolutely no problems with traction. On a side note after we left, I parked at a shopping center to re-inflate while the family ordered pizza. I have onboard air with the "Wifey" system and was inflating all 4 tires at once. My son was walking into the Pizza place as a group was standing on the sidewalk. He heard one of them say, "Man, that guy is a legend.... He's airing all 4 tires at once". My son got a kick out of it and responded with "Yea, that legend is my dad".

A quick Summary of the adventure:

• Nice day with lot's of traffic on the beach.
• At least 10 vehicles stuck on the return trip.
• Several commercial recovery units were assisting while other citizens assisted with the others.
• Jeep Wrangler stuck
• Ford F150 very stuck sitting on his axles. Had to be a dump "a" to continue to spin to the axle
• GM HD diesel, lifted with what looked like 37's. Was having a very difficult time and was blowing serious black smoke trying to get through some soft wand. At least he had enough common sense to stop spinning and then back and rock a path out. He was eventually able to free himself.
• Nissan Armada 4WD stuck. Must have been driver error for it was mainly the rear that was stuck. Pulled out by commercial recovery.
• Several AWD type vehicles who came to find out that their not 4WD.
• I actually did see a Toyota Highlander out there who was not stuck. Must be a Toyota thing...lol

NOTE: The last pic below is a bit fuzzy. This was the recover occurring of one of the AWD vehicles that got stuck.

 

Here's another pic.... Those trucks running 22" wheels looks so weird to me. Not my tastes.

 

I spend my time down in the southern obx in the NPS now for vacations but spent my college summers life guarding at Corolla Light. Good times for sure!

 

What beach was that? Sounds like a fun time.

Edit- sorry didn't realize the title said it, Outer Banks

 

OBX is beautiful, haven't been down there in about 5 years.

 

Can you explain this?

Also, I went to the OBX for the first time last year but we went to one of the islands you can only access via ferry. No one got stuck there though. Must be deeper sand where you went. What island was it?

 

The “wifey” system is basically running air lines to each wheel well so that you can plug an air hose to each wheel at once. The you control the air flow to deflate or inflate at the compressor. The guy who sells this kit calls it the “wifey” system. The parts needed and improved parts from his kit is well published out there. I built my own kit that included 2 air tanks and a regular air hose connector at the rear for air tools. It’s a very convenient system. I was able to deflate and inflate all 4 tires very quickly.

 

We were out there Friday. Went all the way to VA line without issue. Beautiful day. Saw an Osprey as well.
Ryan

 

Is there a certain way to drive on sand? We may do a family vacation to the OBX one of these years and don’t want to be embarrassed! Where did you go exactly looks awesome

 

I would bet that most of the 4WDs that were stuck didn't bother to air down. Makes a huge difference
We're in Frisco for the week. Lots of beach closures, so it's a little crowded. But the sand is pretty packed, so not many idiots to take pictures of.

 

That wasn't the osprey I was expecting. We have tons of ospreys (like a water eagle) down here on the Gulf Coast. I can't go a week without seeing some, and I usually see at least one daily.

 

I was down 3 weeks ago and we got a rental for the week in the 4x4 section (corova). We had a great time. Saw horses, dolphins, pelicans every day. We have been to OBX a bunch of times but this was the 1st time on the sand. I don't think I will rent anywhere else in the future. We already booked next june. The tundra did great and tossing all your beach stuff in the bed instead of lugging it on some cart is the best part. Can't wait to get back there.

Although I did get a speeding ticket on the way home that cost me $550. According to the trooper 72 in a 55. I call it the OBX exit tax.

 

A few pics from our trip

 

Driving on the beach in OBX is the best.

Wish VA would let you do the same, maybe even allow you to drive from VB to OBX on the beach?!

 

OP, we were out there yesterday as well! Staying in Southern Shores this week

 

We will be there in august ; typically go every other year. It’s inevitable that the traffic on 95 on the way home (no matter what time we leave) is enough to get me to reconsider going the next time. After a year we get over it and realize OBX is the best pace to go and we do it all over again.

 

Went again this morning

 

The main thing is that you have to air down to 15-20. The other tip I got from someone on the island is that if you are driving near the surf it's not uncommon for a shell to puncture a tire. If you feel that happen DO NOT STOP. It might be impossible to get going again on 3 tires and it might not be possible to change the tire near the water. This person told me to floor it all the way up to the start of the dune where the sand is firmest. That's where you swap the tire. Apparently many a truck have been lost to he water because of this. I probably did 30 miles of sand driving last time we went and didn't pop a tire. I wouldn't want to try it on highway tires though. Buy a decent all-terrain.

 

Looks like everyone had a great time except for the A$$HATS that come down in their lifted trucks with at/mt tires that tear up the beach, because they don't know how to drive. We just had a recovery in KDH where some clown thought they could just drive onto the beach in their minivan, yes I said minivan. You can not drive on any beach down here during season , with the exception of Corova/Corolla.

 

Headed to Avon for two weeks this Saturday. Been going to OBX since a baby 59 now. Hopefully full time soon or at least 6 months a year. Tundra glided through the sand last year. This is ramp 38 one of the softest sand areas on the beach. Many a stuck Ford seen. Air down to 20.

 

What places do you guys recommend to book for next year. The further north the better I think as I am traveling with a 2 year old. I have heard good things about Corolla and Duck but not much else.

 

My family and I have always stayed north. I have a 3 year old and we stayed In The 4x4 corova area this year and loved it. Throw a cooler and all the kid stuff in the bed and park on the beach. Although there are not may little kid things to do but flying kites, fishing, crabbing, sandcastles , and swimming is plenty.

 

Did anyone hassle you for the permit to drive on the beach, I did read that its 50 bucks for 10 days and 150 for the season.

We are planning to drive down and spend the day next week and wanted to make sure we have everything needed to get out if we get stuck.

 

The permit allows you to park on the beach. You do not need a permit to drive on the beach. There are plenty of cops on the beach but I didn't notice if anyone checked.

 

They do check and look for it. As mentioned, you only need a permit to stop and park. You also cannot stop at the entrance to air down/up. You must air down in a parking lot before reaching the beach.

 

The further north, the longer the trip. Peak times on the weekends it can be 90 minutes to 2 hours to Corolla from the bridge. If you’re in Carova, add an additional 45 minutes to an hour. Spent many summers in Corolla.

Personally, I like it down south in Waves/Salvo, Avon or Hatteras Island. Slower pace, tons of restaurants, wide open beaches on the ocean and sound.

I would encourage anyone to try somewhere new each year, every town offers something different and has its own atmosphere.

 

For the Corolla area this is correct, if you are south in the Bodie, Hatteras, Ocracoke area a permit is required for any type of access.

 

I used to spend a lot of time in the OBX up in Carova yanking stuck people out of the sand. Those days are far behind me though.

The permits for Carova are a relatively new thing and a way for Currituck county to cash in on the tourists who come up during the summer.

#1 thing I can say for driving on that beach is to air down. You can get away with not airing down if you just don't stop most of the time, but it'll heat up your transmission/transfer case/differentials unnecessarily.

Ever since they started putting up signage/forcing people to air down (the ticket for not airing down is .... expensive), the number of folks stuck on that beach has greatly decreased. You used to be able to go hang out at the entrance ramp and see 10 vehicles all stuck near each other.

 

They were a way to cut down on traffic and generate a little revenue. After the NPS started requiring a permit the traffic to Corolla got insane. We've been going to Frisco for many years. Here this week. It got pretty breezy yesterday afternoon. Enough that I didn't bother with the awning today. That's my daughter's 4 runner in the background.

 

There was a ranger checking permits on ramp 49 in Frisco this morning.