Fishing Articles by Joe Malat
"How To Drive the Beach"
My first four wheel drive vehicle, a 1972 International Scout, was more like an army tank than a passenger vehicle. Actually, I'm not sure it wasn't military issue. It had a six cylinder engine, three-speed manual transmission, no power steering, floor mats or radio, and was an olive drab shade of green.
The new sport utilities are vehicles of many uses. They haul groceries and children during the week, surf tackle and coolers on the weekends. Compared to vintage beach cars, these modern chariots are a dream to drive on the sand, but some specialized driving techniques and equipment are still necessary to successfully negotiate the beach. If you are shopping for a new or used vehicle to drive the beach, consider some options. In my opinion, an automatic transmission is the way to go. Automatics shift when necessary, allow for smoother starts in soft sand, and are less labor intensive for the driver.
Beach driving is tough on every component of a vehicle, and a vehicle that is constantly overheating will not live very long. I strongly recommend an increased capacity radiator, heavy duty transmission cooler, and engine oil cooler. Some or all of these options are included with a towing package on most vehicles.
An area that needs some attention is where the rubber meets the sand. The key to successful beach driving (in this case, successful equals not getting stuck) is being able to maintain "flotation" and stay on top of the sand, rather than dig down into it. Modern day radial tires are a beach driver's salvation as their natural sidewall bulge provides a comfortable amount of flotation. If possible, avoid tires with very aggressive, lug-type tread patterns, and sharp edges where the tread and sidewall meet. Flotation can be enhanced by slightly decreasing tire pressure to flatten the tires, increase the sidewall bulge, and widen the "footprint" of the tire on the sand.
A top quality tire pressure gauge is essential and my favorite is the round dial type. After thirty years deflating and inflating my tires I've found the dials to be more accurate and much more durable that the straight pencil type.
In my 4-door GMC Yukon I run 36 psi in all four tires on the highway. I'm amazed when I hear another beach driver boast "I drove that soft sand all day long, and never let the air out of my tires!" It takes some extra time, but I always deflate my tires. Also, I have never replaced a transmission in thirty years of beach driving.
On the beach I routinely drop the air to 24 pounds all around, but go to 20 if the sand is soft. The most efficient tire pressure depends on several factors such as the weight and length of the vehicle, type of transmission, style of tires, and size of engine. In many cases it's a trial and error process. All tires must be the same pressure. Don't drive at highway speeds with tires that are too flat. Low pressures cause sidewall flexing, and heat buildup, which will damage a tire. Back on the blacktop, drive slow until you can "air up" the tires.
Other recommended equipment includes a strong tow rope, a shovel, a bottle type jack, and a couple of 18-inch square pieces of 3/4 inch plywood to use as supports for your jack. Flat tires on the beach are not uncommon, and without the support base, your jack will sink slowly into the sand with every stroke of the handle.
Driving on sand is absolutely nothing like driving on snow, because flotation, not traction must be maintained to keep the vehicle moving. Driving is easier if the vehicle stays in the "track" or the ruts created in the sand by other vehicles. Avoid sudden, wheel-spinning starts, and try to coast to a stop instead of applying the brakes. Once the tires break the flotation, they tend to spin, and spinning wheels will slowly dig a vehicle deeper into the sand.
Never drive on the dunes, or over any vegetation. Spinning tires will rip out the beach grass, and leave the dune vulnerable to the eroding forces of wind and waves. While on the beach, I often try to drive between the low tide and high marks, toward the high side on the hard packed sand. But this is always a judgement call based on the steepness of the beach and the stability of the sand. Be careful, and don't venture too close to the water or drive across flats that have recently been under water. During a falling tide, the sand that is just above the waves may appear solid, but may be as soft as quick sand. I've seen more than one beach vehicle get in trouble in this stuff.
Be courteous to other beach users and considerate of the environment. Slow down around other vehicles, and give pedestrians a wide berth. Sometimes the engine noise of an approaching vehicle is drowned out by the roar of the waves, and walkers can't hear you coming. Driving the beach in North Carolina is a privilege and responsible use of that resource will go a long away toward preserving that privilege for the future. And...remember to let the air out.
Copyright © 2004 Joe Malat, All Rights Reserved
