Beach cruiser

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fasteddie2015

fasteddie2015

Joined
May 13, 2019
Threads
23
Messages
374
Location
Austin TX
Finally made it to the beach in Freeport/Surfside Beach TX. At Sharkeys on the beach a guy with an F250 warned me about the sugar sand at the beach access. 50 or so feet of loose sugar sand was no big deal. Didn’t even get to crawl or low. Barely felt where the pavement ended and the sand began. With 4 people, chairs, etc. now officially the best car I’ve ever owned.
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Looks like a ton of fun. Great rig.

Silly question - what do you do if you get stuck in beach sand? We're planning a trip to the outer banks, and I read that you can buy a permit to drive on some beaches. I've never done that before, and have no doubt it'd be fun. I just don't know what to do if I get stuck on sand. I've never driven on sand before.
 
CharlieS said:
Looks like a ton of fun. Great rig.

Silly question - what do you do if you get stuck in beach sand? We're planning a trip to the outer banks, and I read that you can buy a permit to drive on some beaches. I've never done that before, and have no doubt it'd be fun. I just don't know what to do if I get stuck on sand. I've never driven on sand before.
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Lower your air pressure, bring a set of maxx traxx with a shovel and put your LC in sand mode
 
CharlieS said:
Silly question - what do you do if you get stuck in beach sand? We're planning a trip to the outer banks, and I read that you can buy a permit to drive on some beaches. I've never done that before, and have no doubt it'd be fun. I just don't know what to do if I get stuck on sand. I've never driven on sand before.
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Hi Charlie,

You will need a permit to drive on the beaches here. Over the years it has been easiest for me to buy online (here is a link). Permits & Reservations - Cape Hatteras National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service)

If you reduce the air pressure in your tires to 15-18 psi or so, it is very unlikely you will have a problem. Several bait shops will have free compressed air available to re-inflate before you hit the highway again. In sure most gas stations will also have compressors, but I’ve noticed many of those are coin operated. Stay in the existing tire ruts when you can and find a quiet spot for your family. If you plan on fishing, you will also need a saltwater fishing license. You can get these online as well:

Coastal Recreational Fishing License

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
www.ncwildlife.org

I’ve never gotten “stuck” (because I drop the air pressure), but I try to always carry a shovel and tow straps. If someone gets stuck, drop the air pressure in the tires and just dig the sand away the front of your tires and create a subtle “ramp” allowing them to drive out. If they have dug the tires down to the point of the axles resting on the sand, a little more digging may be in order.
Tow trucks are available if something breaks.
The sand will be soft in many spots here, but it will not be a problem if you drop the pressure on your tires.

Have a great time!!!

David
 
Anyone know of a place to drive and park on the sand near Seaside off of 30A?
 
CharlieS said:
Looks like a ton of fun. Great rig.

Silly question - what do you do if you get stuck in beach sand? We're planning a trip to the outer banks, and I read that you can buy a permit to drive on some beaches. I've never done that before, and have no doubt it'd be fun. I just don't know what to do if I get stuck on sand. I've never driven on sand before.
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Get a row strap and shackle or two. In my experience there’s always someone eager to help. Our previous beach cruiser was my wife’s sienna which needed to be pulled out several times. In a LC your only going to get stuck if you really test the limits in loose sand.

In TX driving the beach is a great way to find quiet secluded spots away from the crowds.

I really liked being the only LC out there yesterday.
 
put it in low and work the steering wheel back and forth to get traction. carry a small shovel and dig a little bit if you get too stuck, but you'd have to be in the dunes for that to happen I'd think.
 
Thanks for the great information everyone!

Wow, that crawl control video is incredible! I never would have guessed it could do that.
 
All covered well by everyone here already. Here's two great vids to help anchor the concepts:



 
I drive is severe sand to get to where we set net for salmon. I’ll add be sure to drop your tire pressure before you get stuck. On my KO2s I drop from 46 PSI to 18-20 psi and make it, but last year had to lay out all my fire wood and make a track to get over the dunes.
 
You won’t get stuck unless you try to. Even then, crawl should get you out. Remember, these things are the vehicle of choice in the Middle East which is a great big sandbox. Lower your psi if you feel like messing with it otherwise just point and go. I’ve run on Texas beaches every year since I’ve had my Cruiser, it’s always fun to pull people out with a “highlander.” Enjoy

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bloc said:
Crawl control is your friend

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So the key is to get out of your vehicle and allow the LC to do its thing. Sweet! Lol
 
Tripledave said:
You won’t get stuck unless you try to. Even then, crawl should get you out. Remember, these things are the vehicle of choice in the Middle East which is a great big sandbox. Lower your psi if you feel like messing with it otherwise just point and go. I’ve run on Texas beaches every year since I’ve had my Cruiser, it’s always fun to pull people out with a “highlander.” Enjoy

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In the Middle East they mostly run sand tires or aviation tires, big balloons with no tread at 8-10psi. LCs are heavy which is not good in sand, You can get stuck, I have (which is why I’m considering bead locks) and I wouldn’t count on crawl road save you. The sand in your picture looks like a road. In loose sand lower the PSI first, where I go on the beach I can’t go at all without dropping the psi, if I don’t air down just plow the sand up to the front bumper with my rock hard tires.
 
CharlieS said:
Looks like a ton of fun. Great rig.

Silly question - what do you do if you get stuck in beach sand? We're planning a trip to the outer banks, and I read that you can buy a permit to drive on some beaches. I've never done that before, and have no doubt it'd be fun. I just don't know what to do if I get stuck on sand. I've never driven on sand before.
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No permit required for Carova up at the north end of OBX. Permit is required for Hatteras areas.
 
Tripledave said:
Lower your psi if you feel like messing with it otherwise just point and go.
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"Point and go" may work on GOM beaches (I know SW FL and Houston area beaches pretty well, they are just harder packed sand). It's different on the east coast, atlantic side, beaches. Not airing down to 20PSI is a ticketable offense (on top of he $300 tow and the public ridicule - you WILL be posted on Oregon Inlet Idiots) on the National Park Service beaches in coastal Carolina.

Crawl control is great until one's chassis sets on the sand - nothing but a tow works then.
 
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