Driving on the beach, concerns.

[Flip]

I have been invited to drive on the beach in NC but I am reluctant to do this due to concerns about the salt/corrosion. I also have fluid film on the frame and undercarriage of my jeep. I am concerned about the sand sticking to the fluid film. I have skinny, pizza cutter tires. I'm not sure how they will perform in soft sand. I guess I'm wondering if a beach ride is worth it.

Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

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[Dlit]

I have been invited to drive on the beach in NC but I am reluctant to do this due to concerns about the salt/corrosion. I also have fluid film on the frame and undercarriage of my jeep. I am concerned about the sand sticking to the fluid film. I have skinny, pizza cutter tires. I'm not sure how they will perform in soft sand. I guess I'm wondering if a beach ride is worth it.

Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

It is worth it…tires aired down will not be a problem. Wish it after, ammo sells a product that neutralizes salt. I use that wait a bit wash again and reapply. Use your ride

 

[toothirtyj]

Stay out of the water (puddles, obviously the waves, etc) at all costs.

Beach riding is fun, so go for it!

 

[Centurion07]

I've been all over the beach & bay shorelines, puddles & all. That said, I don't have fluid film. Wash the hell out of it and rinse, rinse, rinse.
Also, my tires are not pizza cutters. (But I do like a good pizza.) Just be mindful if things start feeling soft/deeper, and stay clear of dunes. You're not riding solo, so you should be fine.

 

[Stetson]

For sure! Use your Jeep and have a good time.

although I have never been to the beach in my Jeep, it is bathed in salt and brine every winter in Salt Lake City. The beach cannot be any worse than that!

Stetson

 

[Boatbuilder88]

Air down and hose off the undercarriage several times afterwards. Your Jeep will be fine.

 

[Zombienation]

Did the outer banks last year and rode all over the beach and it was a great time. Saw a few wild horses also! Air down, 4 hi, and turn off traction control completely. You will have no issues.

 

[Jeep Wick]

I have been invited to drive on the beach in NC but I am reluctant to do this due to concerns about the salt/corrosion. I also have fluid film on the frame and undercarriage of my jeep. I am concerned about the sand sticking to the fluid film. I have skinny, pizza cutter tires. I'm not sure how they will perform in soft sand. I guess I'm wondering if a beach ride is worth it.

Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

I'll reiterate what the others are saying. Have been on the beach a number of times, stay out of the surf and you'll be fine. Turn off traction control!! You shouldn't need to air down, but depends on conditions. You'll have a blast. Just wash it off when you're done, if you're lucky driving in the rain will do most of the work.

 

[Punkn89]

I’ll be down there 9/15-9/22! Super excited! Although, I’ll have the Grand Cherokee, but it has Michelin Defender LTX MS2’s. Going with a Jeep and Bronco crowd to Carova.

As everyone said above, air down to a minimum of 20 psi. Definitely wash it thoroughly. I’d also suggest bringing recovery gear - straps, traction boards, rapid deflators, onboard air (they do have pumps there too), and a travel shovel.

You do also have to buy a parking pass if you are going to hang out on the beach for a while.

 

[wcjeep]

After beech fun has concluded recommend a thorough rinse of the under carriage. Get every Crack and crevice. I use normal hose nozzle pressure. I do not use the pressure washer. Then take it to a local carwash that includes undercarriage wash.

 

[2nd 392]

Invited, hmmm, sounds like you won’t be alone so go for it. I was playing in the small dunes by the river with the 3A when it took 2 Jeeps and an FJ40 to get me out of a quicksand hole. It took all 4 using all the winch cable, strap and chain we had to get the FJ’s wheels on solid ground to do it. What a F’ing mess.
But it was an “unsalted” mess

 

[Remorseless]

You'll be fine. Just air down to like 15-18 PSI and go for it. Tip on the sand - a little bit faster is often better in the spots where the sand gets churned up and makes the Jeep bounce. By going a little faster you end up riding on the peaks of the undulations instead of riding a peak and then crashing into the valley.

As for corrosion - modern metallurgy is great, just give her a pressure washing when you get home and it'll all be good.

 

[Terrymo]

As others have said, bring a shovel and air down so you don’t have to have a Subaru or a Prius get you unstuck. That would be embarrassing.

 

[wibornz]

Air down to 18 or so PSI. 4h traction control off.

What I do is I put a water sprinkler under my jeep and let it run for a few hours. You will be amazed at how much salt and sand will get washed off.. I use a sprinkler after mudding too.

You want the sprinkler like this.

I bought one for $6 at Menards. You know save big money ant Menards. lol hahaha

 

[morph860]

I drive on the beach almost every weekend. Never had to air-down my tires, but most of the sand here in the "traffic lanes" is pretty compacted. I usually just give everything a quick spray down with the power washer when I get home. If it gets wet, I do a full wash.

The sand that gets stuck in between the body of the Jeep and the fenders is the hardest to get out.

There are people who drive on winter road salt every day for months. One day on the beach isn’t going to hurt anything. Go enjoy it.

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