I see the post is two years old, but I needed to comment a relevant experience somewhere! I'm a PA guy just back from the OBX. Had our very low mileage 2016 Explorer that has nice wide 20" tires with great tread. The Explorer also has a sand mode electronic 4x4 selection so I figured I should be fine- why bother with the hassle of lowering and later reinflating the tires? Well we went all the way up Carova to the VA line done no problem- we did stop a few times on the way to watch horses and dolphins. On the way back however, we drove through a lot more loose sand since we were traveling the inland side, plus tide had risen. Found it struggling through at times, and then I started losing power, and next the overheating light came on and it just quit! I was shocked, at the time not knowing it probably was all a result of too much tire pressure. Hundreds of other cars and trucks were out there buzzing along fine, including some little AWD's with much smaller tires. Anyway I had to let it cool down, then just run for a couple of miles, shut down to cool off, repeat, etc., but finally got out of there. Ran fine on the roads. Thought something must be up with coolant system. I googled "overheating driving on sand" but wasn't finding much. Then of all places, I was getting a haircut later and telling the woman about it, and she gave me the answer right away! Said on her husband's truck, even though he has big tires, if he doesn't air down (as he sometimes didn't use to do), the transmission would overheat. Really, that's it? I'm still a bit surprised that's likely all it was. Wasn't like a marathon trip through the desert, and the air temp was only mid-70's, but I guess the stiff tires just made too much work for the tranny. Just an important point since we were thinking of renting a house in Carova and I would have been kicking myself if I got my wife stranded out there during a solo run after telling her there's nothing to worry about- look, everyone else is doing it! Stay safe...
You got it figured out! High air pressure just makes your tires sink deeper in the sand. Good tires can still pull you through it...but you have a taller wedge of sand on the front side of your tire. More rolling resistance means transmission works harder to plow through the sand and push it away. Or you can lower your pressure and it helps you float on top insyead! Hope you had fun! There is an air up station at the corolla park 5 minutes after you get on the pavement. Free air is nice!
You were a decent ways down in Carova. There are other access points that you could have used that aren't quite as soft and steep. There are a couple near Wash Woods Coast Guard Station (which is now Twiddy Real Estate), right around the 7 mile mark. You just would have had to cruise down Sandpiper Road until you got to your destination. Food for thought if you have him tag along again. Anyways, thanks for bringing me along for the ride. I am headed there in 3 weeks!
Thanks for watching! Yeah, we found a few others that were much easier to pass thriugh on the way back. We were just exploring since it was our first time...we were trying to see how far down the beach was until Virginia. Then we noticed it was getting very narrow as we approached the border fence, so decided we'd go ahead and turn around. He could have driven down by the surf too, but I usually try to avoid the sloped area by the water line. Thanks for the tips!
Awesome video bud an good on you for helping out. I’ve been visiting the obx an carova since I was a child my wranglers have always did the best but my f150 did dam good this season
Nothing like beach and dune wheelin in a Jeep with the doors off and top down. Preferably in a 2 door Wrangler or pre Wrangler. Just an amazing experience. 😎🏖
I've stayed on Carova Beach a couple times. I pretty much only used 2wd in my F250 Powerstroke without any issues. I do run my tires lower than most at 15 psi in the front and 12psi in the rears. Also helps I have quite a bit more experience driving in the sand haven taken many trips to play in the sand dunes. Thought it was pretty funny seeing all the engine under shields in the sand that were ripped off the lower awd suvs lol.
@@XterraRob That's cool! We won't be heading there this year unfortunately. Will be headed to Colorado though, to do some of the trails in Ouray and Telluride.
@@maheshgvelly bigger wheels will be more difficult and the tire tread style will be bigger factor. I wouldn't try unless you are with someone that is experienced and can pull you out if stuck.
I dont think so...the area appears to be technically considered a state road. If you want to drive out on the beach to pitch a tent...consider cape lookout at the southern part of OBX or freeman park in wilmington/Carolina beach.
Do not go on the beach unless you have 4x4 you will burn out your transmission. AWD is not 4x4. I can not tell you how many AWD think they can drive on it. I rescued a Nissan three times before I quit and said you need to be towed out.
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I see the post is two years old, but I needed to comment a relevant experience somewhere! I'm a PA guy just back from the OBX. Had our very low mileage 2016 Explorer that has nice wide 20" tires with great tread. The Explorer also has a sand mode electronic 4x4 selection so I figured I should be fine- why bother with the hassle of lowering and later reinflating the tires? Well we went all the way up Carova to the VA line done no problem- we did stop a few times on the way to watch horses and dolphins. On the way back however, we drove through a lot more loose sand since we were traveling the inland side, plus tide had risen. Found it struggling through at times, and then I started losing power, and next the overheating light came on and it just quit! I was shocked, at the time not knowing it probably was all a result of too much tire pressure. Hundreds of other cars and trucks were out there buzzing along fine, including some little AWD's with much smaller tires. Anyway I had to let it cool down, then just run for a couple of miles, shut down to cool off, repeat, etc., but finally got out of there. Ran fine on the roads. Thought something must be up with coolant system. I googled "overheating driving on sand" but wasn't finding much. Then of all places, I was getting a haircut later and telling the woman about it, and she gave me the answer right away! Said on her husband's truck, even though he has big tires, if he doesn't air down (as he sometimes didn't use to do), the transmission would overheat. Really, that's it? I'm still a bit surprised that's likely all it was. Wasn't like a marathon trip through the desert, and the air temp was only mid-70's, but I guess the stiff tires just made too much work for the tranny. Just an important point since we were thinking of renting a house in Carova and I would have been kicking myself if I got my wife stranded out there during a solo run after telling her there's nothing to worry about- look, everyone else is doing it! Stay safe...
You got it figured out! High air pressure just makes your tires sink deeper in the sand. Good tires can still pull you through it...but you have a taller wedge of sand on the front side of your tire. More rolling resistance means transmission works harder to plow through the sand and push it away. Or you can lower your pressure and it helps you float on top insyead! Hope you had fun! There is an air up station at the corolla park 5 minutes after you get on the pavement. Free air is nice!
I love taking my RAV4 out on the beaches. Great video...
Awesome...what year RAV4 do you have? I have a 2019 Rav4 adventure model but haven't tried taking it out on the beaches. Does the RAV4 do pretty well?
Thanks! Am headed there for first time in my Wrangler. Great tips. Feel much more confident!!
Happy to help! Let me know how it goes!
You were a decent ways down in Carova. There are other access points that you could have used that aren't quite as soft and steep. There are a couple near Wash Woods Coast Guard Station (which is now Twiddy Real Estate), right around the 7 mile mark. You just would have had to cruise down Sandpiper Road until you got to your destination. Food for thought if you have him tag along again. Anyways, thanks for bringing me along for the ride. I am headed there in 3 weeks!
Thanks for watching! Yeah, we found a few others that were much easier to pass thriugh on the way back. We were just exploring since it was our first time...we were trying to see how far down the beach was until Virginia. Then we noticed it was getting very narrow as we approached the border fence, so decided we'd go ahead and turn around. He could have driven down by the surf too, but I usually try to avoid the sloped area by the water line. Thanks for the tips!
driving on the beach was the reason I bought an Xterra ! Nice Video !!!
Awesome man...l love some beach driving!
You could also dump a bunch of water into the dirt in front of your stuck wheel to compact the dirt and make a firm spot to gain better traction
Great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Awesome video bud an good on you for helping out. I’ve been visiting the obx an carova since I was a child my wranglers have always did the best but my f150 did dam good this season
Thanks for the comment!
Nothing like beach and dune wheelin in a Jeep with the doors off and top down. Preferably in a 2 door Wrangler or pre Wrangler.
Just an amazing experience. 😎🏖
Jealous of all the wranglers with no doors. Looks so liberating!
@@XterraRob It's just about as good as it gets. 😎🏖
O|||||||O
There was a Toyota Sienna on the beach yesterday, lol they never got stuck!
Its possible if the sand is firm!
@@XterraRob It was because of some rain. It was really soft close to the dunes.
That will do it!
I've stayed on Carova Beach a couple times. I pretty much only used 2wd in my F250 Powerstroke without any issues. I do run my tires lower than most at 15 psi in the front and 12psi in the rears. Also helps I have quite a bit more experience driving in the sand haven taken many trips to play in the sand dunes. Thought it was pretty funny seeing all the engine under shields in the sand that were ripped off the lower awd suvs lol.
Thanks for the comment! It was my brothers first time driving in sand...so I agree experience is a big factor. He'll try again this summer!
@@XterraRob That's cool! We won't be heading there this year unfortunately. Will be headed to Colorado though, to do some of the trails in Ouray and Telluride.
Tip #6 for 2WD, don't drive on the beach lol
Hard to get stuck on a paved road!
Is there a specific place to camp over there night?
Niner nation 🤙🏼
Xterra 4x4 🤘🏻😃👍
Rock on! Thanks for watching!
Great video. Can you drive a Tesla on the beach
Probably not easily but depends on tires.
@@XterraRob 19 inch wheels ?
@@maheshgvelly bigger wheels will be more difficult and the tire tread style will be bigger factor. I wouldn't try unless you are with someone that is experienced and can pull you out if stuck.
@@XterraRob gotcha thanks
Are there places to pitch a tent along this stretch legally for the night?
I dont think so...the area appears to be technically considered a state road. If you want to drive out on the beach to pitch a tent...consider cape lookout at the southern part of OBX or freeman park in wilmington/Carolina beach.
Anyone drive an Escalade on the beach here?
Do not go on the beach unless you have 4x4 you will burn out your transmission.
AWD is not 4x4. I can not tell you how many AWD think they can drive on it. I rescued a Nissan three times before I quit and said you need to be towed out.