Anybody had negative effects from driving their trucks on sand? I've always been more of a mountain guy and have taken my trucks offroad, but I've always shy'd away from driving on the beach. Something about all those millions of grains of tiny quartz and rock getting inside of turning/revolving mechanical components bothers me a little.

Bunch of buddies are trying to get me to go to Hatteras, NC on Memorial Day. Don't know if I should or not. Any help is appreciated.

 

driving on sand is fine, sub merging the axles, transmission and t-case is bad. This is cause it actually mixes the sand into the water and makes it easier to go down one of the breather tubes.

But you can fix this by extending the breather tubes higher so water and sand dont mix.

If i submerge my axles or transmission during an offroad trip i change the fuild the day after the trip.

 

I hate, and do as little of, sand driving.

You really should tear everything down afterwards. Drain the diffs, check the CV's, etc. Sand will get into every part of your vehicle, including the drivetrain.

That being said, most people are fine, and have no issues.

Remember to air down the tires. Go to 15 PSI or so. Bring tow straps and other recovery gear. Know where your tow points on the truck (front and rear) are before getting stuck ! Start in 4x4, don't wheel in 2wd until you need 4wd. Sometimes it's too late and your stuck. Some basic tips. Just have fun man !

 

yeah i try to stay out of the sand as well.

amazing what those little sharp shards of microscopic sand wil do if left in your dif

 

what if you're just driving on the beach and not going through water, and not burying the truck? I mean if I just drive my truck out there and wash off everything really well - like the cv's, drivetrain, axles, and all that - it should be fine, right?

 

I've replaced my Transfer case seals (leaking like crazy in the driveway) and my entire rear driveshaft because the sand (or maybe it was mud) that destroyed the u-joints (which mine were non serviceable, trust me). These are two different instances. Also, sand gets in your window sill's and tracts, sticks to the grease on the tracts and makes annoying squeaks.

But all said and done, racing trucks up comp and pulling out numerous crazy stuck's are well worth it.

 

I've heard all kinds of stories about sand causing problems. One of my buddies thinks I'm being rediculous. Don't care though. If I want to drive on the beach that bad, I'll rent a truck for the weekend!!!! I personally can't afford any unanticipated maintenance or repairs right now...just for two days of fun. Thanks for the replies guys.

 

Just throwing this post up again in case anyone has anymore input. I've been told that where we are going is pretty compact, and even the loose stuff has been driven over a million times. We're basically hitting an access point, driving out on the beach, parking for the day, and partying like crazy!!!

I talked to the service manager at my preferred dealer. He said as long as I deflate my tires to about 15 psi, stay in 4 low, and not act like a fool....I shouldn't hurt anything at all.

Supposed to be heading out this weekend and I think I'm going to give it a whirl. I'm still a little hesitant though...hence the need to reaffirm some of you fella's advice. Any is appreciated. Thanks.

 

dont stay in 4 low, just stick in 4 hi.

if you air the tires down too much if you dont have a way to inflate them again.

 

Yeah, air down to 15 psi, 4wd, overdrive off and transfer case HI. That will get you to the beach and back. Like the others said if you try something other than that you may regret it. All newbies in the sand try stuff they regret. Just drive around and get the feel for it and remember that is your ride home. A 12v air compressor would be a good idea unless you have other arrangements before hitting the pavement.

 

I'm going down to Hatteras, NC mid June. Let me know how the truck does on the sand... I live in Pennsylvania & never drove on sand, but want to do some surf fishing when I am in Hatteras.

 

Will do man. Come this time tomorrow, I'll be on the beach at Hatteras. I think it will be fine and am taking every precaution and bit of advice given to me....from the forum guys to the dealers, etc. My buddies think I'm crazy for the amount of research I've put into this, but what can I say? I love my truck and want to preserve it the best I can. It is a truck though...and needs to be used as one.

I will touch base after my trip and let you know how it went.

 

As promised, I figured I'd follow up for those interested to let you know how my truck did on the sand in Hatteras over Memorial Day Weekend. Actually, we were in Avon, NC, which is about 16 miles north of Hatteras.

Overall, my truck rolled through the sand really well. To be honest...on the first day, when I saw how thick the sand was that we had to roll through to get down the beach, I was like "oh crap...here we go". The sand was so soft and thick that if I was following someone elses tracks, my t-case in the back was just barely scraping sand in the middle of the tracks; however, at no point was my t-case, transmission or anything else completely submerged. The only thing I did that still bothers me is when I cut across the tracks to get closer to the beach where others were parked, I didn't slow down, causing the front end of my truck to drop down fairly hard. That might not have bothered me if I wasn't running on stock tires and suspension.

In the end, I never got stuck, I cleaned off the truck very well, and everything seems to be running fine. If I damaged anything.....guess I'll know it down the road when things start going bad. I might stick to other areas of Nags Head in the future where the sand is more compact and easier to drive through. Good times!!!

 

Awesome, I'm headed down there in 3 weeks to hang out and chill at the beach. We're camping at Oregon Inlet which is just down the island from Nags Head. Should be a good time

 

One more quick note of advice for those of you going on the beach at NC....take your sunscreen and quick shades. I personally don't burn very easy, but for some reason my feet took it hard this trip. I currently have sun poisoning and 2nd degree burns all over the top of my feet Every other part of my body is fine. I put 50 spf on them all day long and it still got me. The burns aren't so bad...it's the fact that my feet are so swollen I can't wear shoes right now. It's all good though...nothin a few JD and cokes and some vicodin won't take care of