Better performance on the beach

Mathis Photography

Active Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2009
Location
Wilmington, NC
I'm a car guy, so I know about engines, racing tires, and lowering an eclipse. I know next to nothing about suspension and off road tires.

I have a 98 Jimmy that I take on the beach. I usually don't have a problem, but when the sand gets really churned up and gets really soft it can be an issue. I'm wanting to fix that. I'm thinking bigger/wider tires, and a small body lift if needed. Nothing to drastic as this is my DD. Any suggestions?
 
Do you air down your tires before you go in the sand?
 
Not until I have to :D. During the summer I am out there 4-5 days a week and don't have the patience to constantly let it out and put it in. I usually drive out there with 30lbs without much issue. If I have any issues I'll let it out to 15-20. I've only gotten stuck once...about 3 days ago. I had 20lbs in all 4 tires. The sand was just so soft at the entrance/exit I didn't have the clearance to get over it.
 
always carry a shovel (at least) with you and some cribbing/boards. If I get stuck, I dig out in front of the tires and insert the boards and use them as ramps to get out of the sand. This works really well. But, I have a pickup so its easy to carry a few good boards. you may just opt for a shovel and hope you can find some out there to use. always bring a good strap and some shackles.

Airing down is a PITA, but is really needed for beach driving. usually when you realize you need to air down, you're already stuck, so its better to do it from the start. Airing down also helps with not tearing up the sand so much.

Get a CO2 powertank if you need to air up a lot as its fairly easy to do and carry with you. for easier removal of the air, get a valve stem puller or some of those quick air deflaters that you set the psi to and screw on to the valve stem. set psi, screw on to valve stem, and sit in the truck and wait while all 4 are airing down automatically. the powertank refills tires much quicker than gas station compressors.
 
what kind of tires are you running? highway tires do a lot better than an all terrain which does a lot better than a mud terrain..... basically, the less aggressive the tread, the better it'll do on the beach....

OR.... get really sick nasty knarly tires that are really really wide :)

-Erik <--- rocked 2wd in the locked YJ with 18" wide boggers and 35 psi, haha
 
any hardware should have the small shovels, about 24" long. its easy to store in the vehicle and isn't a PITA on your trip. I've had one for years and its prob one of the best small tools I've purchased for trail riding.
 
Wider non agressive tires will really help... Also if you have an extra 250.00 bucks go buy yourself a lockrite or aussie locker.. Get both rear wheels pushing that will help as well... On yours too for height to clear taller tires, you could crank the torsion bars up and put a small lift shackle in the back
 
floor mats

go buy yourself some cheap rubber floor mats, with fairly deep voids on the top. the bottom will have a smooth finish which would normally be on the bottom when in the vehicle. the couple times we have helped stuck motorist out in the sand, we took the floor mats out and flipped them upside down. smooth side to the tire, and voids in the sand. this will give your tires traction on the smooth side and the voids will "dig" into the sand, and not spit them out the other side, go slow, and it will climb out of the hole you just dug...:)

but i would def. buy yourself a small shovel as well......HTH

and have fun
 
How about Thornbird 31x12.5's?
Wide foot print. Sand and highway friendly tread.
 
Back when I used to take my Jeep down to the beach regularly, I had a seperate set of tires and wheels. A worn set of 35 12.50 with little tread. air them down to about 12 pounds and never had an issue.

As said, airing down is a must, with any tire.
 
looks like they guys have covered all the bases. just thought i would throw this out there for anyone else that looking for help on the beach. if you have a winch and get stuck, the beach is not known for places to attach the cable. sometimes you can burry your spare tire with the cable attached and use it as an anchor.
 
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