OBX beach driving

Thinking about spending fathers day weekend in NC and taking the family to the beach. My thoughts drive them there. But will my stock tundra do the trick? Its a TRD off road with Michelin A/T2. These tires are not aggressive at all. If I air them down say 15 to 20ish and run 4x4 should i be ok?

Second question. What should i bring it i decide to go. This would be the first time at the beach with a vehicle. Shovel tow straps what else folks I'm a complete newbie. And and all advice is welcome

 

@OBXTundra

 

You will be fine in your truck in 4x4 with the tires aired down around 12-15psi. We have plenty of stock height, stock tire, trucks on our beaches.
Bring at a minimum:
-Shovel.
-Tow strap.
-If you don't have traction mats, bring a few lengths of 2x6 or 2x8.
-Hi-lift jack, with those lengths of wood, can get you out of most situations. With proper driving there shouldn't be any situations, but just in case.
-Lot's of extra water, to consume just because it's hot, but also in case of emergency.
-Good first-aid kit.
-Fire extinguisher, we've had a few situations in the park where this would have saved someones vehicle.

I'll think of more, or others will chime in.

-Drive at an average pace, don't accelerate too fast and don't slam on the brakes. Both will end up with your tires sinking into soft sand. Our sand is very powdery here right now, it gets that way in the summer.
-Stay away from the tide line, 2 reasons. First, it's loaded with salt. Second, if you have an issue near the water and the tide starts to come in you'll have an amphibious Tundra.

 

Exactly what I'm looking for. Actually at home depot now so ill get some boards cut.
More advice is welcome. Thanks so far.

 

I have been there are my buddy drove his stock tundra on the beach all week. He didnt even bother airing down and he was fine. I had my Tacoma and I aired down to 12 or 15 and it was better than at full pressure. We never got stuck and I actually pulled a few vehicles out. You'll be just fine. But have q shovel and tow strap with you.

 

u really don't want aggressive tires on the beach.. you want to float not dig

 

I see Subaru Outbacks on the beach. Haven’t taken my truck, but did take a friends first gen on there years back. Stock tires aired down to 15 psi was all it took. No issues.

 

Auto deflators off Amazon. Get a decent brand. I love mine and have them set at 22 psi. I ride all day

 

Along these same lines, have a good air compressor, or have your inflation point already determined before you adventure out. Filling tires back up by 10-20psi takes a lot of air.
At Cape Lookout we have inflation points at the offices before you depart on the ferry to head back to mainland.
In the Hatteras area I'm not sure what they have available.
But, you should probably have a backup plan if a compressor is down or you need to re-inflate somewhere besides your intended destination.
I have a Master Flow Tsunami, cheap and small, as a backup air compressor. Going on 8 years old and has never let me down. I don't believe they're still in business, but something similar is always good to have in the truck.

 

Where about in NC are you planning your excursion?

 

We made the mistake of waiting until dusk one day and then left with aired down tires intending to use the filling station across from the beach head. The line was about 30+ cars long. We wound up driving 10 miles to a gas station to air back up. That night we got a cigarette lighter compressor at Walmart. Definitely bring your own air.

 

I have been driving the beach for 30 plus years.
I f you are going to the National Seashore you will need a permit and required equipment. You can get all the info. you need from their web site. If you are going to be in the north I do not think you need a permit. All the equip. that was listed above is good advice, Do not use a kids shovel I take a long handled garden one. Also have two 3/4" plywood pieces
18"x18" for the jack to sit on, I use a 5 ton bottle jack and carrie a 4 ton floor jack.

Only drive in ruts that are there try not to make your own path

 

Required equipment
Low pressure tire gauge
Shovel
Jack
Jack support board

Those are required by the NPS. For their beaches you need a permit, $50 for 10 days. $120 annual.

If you go north to Corolla/ Carova you need a parking permit. $50 for 10 days. $150 for seasonal.

Everything mentioned above is good. ALWAYS air down, if not for you, but to keep from cutting nasty ruts for others to negotiate.

 

Great I didnt realize aggressive tires would do that. I think we are going to Corova or Corolla. Really just looking to drive to a spot then beach day with the family. I have a portable ryobi air pump that I plan to bring with multiple batteries. I pretty much have what yall have suggested. Gonna have to cut some 3/4 ply for Jack support got some spare in the shed. I have a 12 ton bottle Jack and a 3 ton floor Jack. I just dont want to get stuck with my family. Wife would not be happy. Shes already upset my truck cant pull a 5th if I get stuck in a 4x4 I'll never here the end of it

 

Corova usually has one driving path up near the dunes, stay in the lane and you won't get stuck. Lots of stock trucks and jeeps up there, you'll be fine. Bringing all that extra stuff for insurance is really smart though. I highly recommend the onboard air.

Should be a great weekend for the beach. Have fun!

 

Go Treads would have been good to have

 

We drove our stock sequoia, loaded up, 2 dogs, 3 adults 2 kids, roof rack of luggage on highway 12 duck/Corolla. We aired down. Dont think we really needed too, but did it for piece of mind. Didn't need 4x4 either. Just followed the tracks and stayed on the hard pack sand when we could. Still best day of that vacation

 

Don’t worry too much. I see people stuck often. Always a brodozer willing to pull you out for a few crispy boys.

 

Really appreciate everyone's input. Should be a fun weekend

 

Wheels straight.

Accelerate/stop lightly.

Follow ruts when possible.

Park pointing down from sand dune.

Watch out for the State Bird (mosquito).

 

Here's a couple of links with some good information.
https://www.visitcurrituck.com/visitor-info/beach-driving-tips/
https://www.atlanticrealty-nc.com/b...icks-for-beach-driving-in-corolla-and-carova/
https://co.currituck.nc.us/beach-parking/
Mostly, just don't be an idiot, and have fun.

 

This is from Ocracoke last year.

 

Actually, no one has mentioned a very important thing, if you're going to Corolla, leave very early or you'll spend a large part of your day sitting in traffic in Duck.

 

Want that sticker

 

Not sure what Ryobi air pump you have but if you are going down to 15 psi it will take you FOREVER to inflate to normal PSI and you will need several batteries and may burn the thing out. I believe there is a pump close by once you get back on the pavement in Corolla. Other option is to get a small portable compressor that hooks to your battery. I have one I pad around $60 for (don't remember brand but can look when I get home) and it does a great job of getting me aired back up quickly.

 

Is this a real sticker? If so please tell me where to get one, will down on 6/22

 

It is, I got this one at the NPS office at the Bodie island lighthouse, where you get the beach permit

 

See above

 

As @JMB said get to Corova early. I've been here for 20 years , and the traffic gets worse every year especially going north with only 2 lanes. Summertime is not the best time to drive on the beach, but hey it's vacation time. Fishing has been good up and down the beaches, if your into fishing. If you get a chance stop by I Got Your Crabs in Kitty Hawk, they have awesome food and the best Shecrab anywhere. Safe travels

 

You forgot Biscuits n Porn for a breakfast sammie.