Hi, going to the Outer Banks in a couple of weeks. I have heard that when you drive on the sand you should lower your tire pressure. I have an 03 QCSB
4 x 4 with 285's on stock rims, 55# in the front and 40# in the rear. Is there any trouth to this and if there is how low should I go?

Thanks

 

My family lives on the Outer Banks. Avon to be exact, just north of Buxton and the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. I grew up driving the beaches there, and yes it's a must to air down to 20 psi in the front and rear especially with our trucks. The engine is so heavy, that once you hit the sand, the front end starts it journey to china. I'm running 35 inch Toyo M/T's, and they do great on the sand. I usually run 20 psi in the fronts and 15 psi or so in the rears since I really don't have much weight in the back when I'm down. There are alot of folks that liketo brag on how they can go out without airing down, but they don't realize how hard it is on the vehicle. I've seen a couple trucks shut down because the trans temp skyrockets because they are running in 4 low and not aired down. Run the beach in 4 high and aired down and you won't have any trouble. If you need any more info just let me know, I'd be glad to help.

 

Wow that low I was guessing like35 to 40 in the frone and maybe 20 to 25 in the back. I have a 6 speed so the trans temps won't be an issue. You don't have any trouble with them coming off the bead at that? I also would guess that it might be a good idea to tune down the throttle response a little wouldn't it? What do you do when you come off the sand and need to run around for a bit, do you pump them back up or just be real careful driving around? Should I buy a portable compressor or is there places to air back up? We have a house rented for a week in Carola, how far is that from you?

 

Yep, I know it sounds low, but when I'm down for a whole week, I run those pressures all week. I've never had one come off the bead but I also don't drive like I'm qualifying for Indy either. Normal driving is fine and I run up to 55 or 65 with them aired down. I've gone lower at times when I've found myself in some of the red sand. Free tip # 1 is don't drive through the red sand!!! It's made up of larger bits of shell, and is usually fairly wet and may or may not have a bottom. You may never see any up in Corolla and the sand up there is packed a little more than where i run further south. Oh, by the way, you guys have picked a beautiful spot for vacation. I don't think you'll have any regrets. Check out the wild horses and enjoy the peace and quiet. Again, if you need anything or have any questions feel free to PM me.

 

Spent some time driving on the beach in the Outerbanks a few years ago. Aired down to 20 psi and had no trouble.

 

Sorry, I guess I didnt read your whole post or forgot what all you asked, so here are the rest of your answers. I'm about an hour south of Corolla.
Yes, I keep a small cheap black and decker compressor in the truck for emergencies. It can be plugged into the cigarette lighter or 110. There are places to air up for free and that's usually the quicker route. I think I answered everything this time. If not , let me know.

 

18psi has always worked for me. Your truck needs to float on top of the sand. If you start sinking in, do not spin your tires. There is no bottom to the beach sand. My truck has been on the beach every summer since 2004.

 

Thanks for the info, in those picutres you have posted is there 18 PSI in your tires then?

 

yes

 

I live in the desert so I do know a thing or two about low air pressure and yes with our heavy trucks 18 to 20 front and 15ish in the rear is perfect for your tires.
I have even seen 2 wheel drive trucks (1/2 tons) do great in the sand dunes with real low tire pressures.

I would run my old Jeep with Boggers and bead locks down to 4 psi some times!

 

i have been going to the sand dunes here in Michigan for 30+ years, i have gone as low as 5 psi with no trouble.

race car rear tires at 5 to 6.75, hit with 3000 HP, Goodyear slicks with Bigger Diggers on the casings, has screws.

Jeep 4.0 stock 5-6 psi every time out in the dunes.

my 99 dully out there a few times, 6-7 PSI

the lower the better in sand.

 

I was to the Outer Banks several years ago and aired down to 20# on all 4 tires the same size you are running. The only problem I had was when I got into the loose dry sand was axel wrap causing nasty wheel hop, the back end was like it was on a pogo stick a couple of times.

 

Beach sand conditions change depending on the weather/tide. I have seen the beach change from hard packed sand barely needing 4wd to soft sugar in 24 hours. The sugar sand fills in behind your tires as you go. 2wd will never work in this stuff unless you never stop moving. Aired-down tires and smooth throttle inputs will get you almost anywhere you want to go. If you are axle hopping around, you are doing something wrong. Stay away from the tidal pools/streams on the beach. Driving directly in salt water is a bad idea and you do not know what the sand is like under the water. Also, watch out for debris washed up on the beach. Following a set of existing tire tracks makes it easy to avoid running over stuff. Make sure that you rinse off your truck completely when you get home from vacation. The consequences of getting stuck on the beach can be high:

 

Nasty Picture .. Probably a foolish driver. I have driven a Jeep 4WD and a Suburban 4WD both gassers and both in 4 WD High on the sand and never had any axel wrap / wheel hop problems or got close to being stuck. I beleive the wheel hop is because of the additional tourge of the CTD, Your Timbrens may be the difference between our trucks preformance on the sand I have stock suspension. I have thought about getting traction bars though.

 

Seeing that picture makes it hard to believe that the sands of Daytona Beach were once used to set land speed records of over 200MPH...Tire pressures then were around 125PSI......Ben