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Topic: General Information

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Main Topic Post: General Information

Posted By: FAZ4

Subject: 4x4 area

We are staying 9 miles up in the 4x4 section, and had a question about my vehicle. I have both a Chevy Trailblazer (2003) & a Ford Explorer (2002) and needed some advice. Both are 4wd, but the Trailblazer is slightly lower to the ground than the Explorer and the tires are more for highway use. I've read a lot of the message boards (excellent info), but didn't find much on just how rugged a 4x4 needs to be to get up to this area. Thanks for any help!

Message Replies:

5730: RE: 4x4 area

6/21/2006 10:36:53 AM

Posted By: Guest

Either is fine as long as you decrease the tires air pressure.

Id go with the more mechanically fit vehicle and/or the vehicle with the better motor. Driving in sand in 4WD is very hard on the drive train.

5731: RE: 4x4 area

6/21/2006 10:53:21 AM

Posted By: Guest

I'd probably choose the Explorer for better ground clearance. I drive a Yukon up there.
Driving on the beach isn't the tough thing. Going up the sand cuts that pass for roads to get to your house is. You'll want to have your tires deflated, and carry tow straps and an entrenching tool just in case.
There is more beach and easier driving if you make the tripwithin a couple of hours of low tide.
Here is a link to a tide chart you can customize and print for your stay. Hope you have a great time.

5732: RE: 4x4 area

6/21/2006 11:36:54 AM

Posted By: Guest

you should be fine just remember to LOWER YOUR TIRES TO 20LBS.

5736: RE: 4x4 area

6/21/2006 1:39:22 PM

Posted By: Guest

I drive my Explorer up there and don't bother to lower the pressure. There is so much traffic up there that you don't need to unless you are in way off the main traveled paths.

5746: RE: 4x4 area

6/21/2006 10:31:43 PM

Posted By: Guest

i keep hearing about "so much traffic up there." We didnt go there last summer but have been in the past years. Yes there were cars,etc......but i wouldnt call it traffic!! Did it change sooooo drastically in one year? I really doubt it.......input??

5781: RE: 4x4 area

6/22/2006 3:37:44 PM

Posted By: Guest

Tide chart link I forgot: http://www.saltwatertides.com/dynamic.dir/ncarolinasites.html

Two hours either way from low tide is your best driving although anything but a nor'easter at a lunar high tide at night is dooable, Maybe even that, but not by me!

6045: RE: 4x4 area

6/28/2006 8:48:48 PM

Posted By: Guest

LISTEN.........
No matter what else you might hear, please just do the following:

Lower tire pressure to 18-20psi

Use low range if you have to travel thru the deep fluffy sand during high tide

Bring a shovel, you can get a good folding shovel at any army surple store.

As some people note they do not lower their tire pressure, however this causes their trucks to work much harder then needed adding wear and tear, AND these are the same people who need to be dug out and pulled out while they whine........"This never happened before"......lol...

Good luck have fun, watch out for tree stumps

10334: RE: 4x4 area

2/25/2007 6:57:24 PM

Posted By: Guest

When I come to the Outer Banks I fly into Norfolk Airport and rent a car. They have Trail Blazers and Ford Explorers...I will only accept a Ford Explorer as their high clearance keeps you from getting "panned" in the deep sand. Don't forget a shovel just in case...also if you get stuck...try backing up first.

13726: RE: 4x4 area

7/3/2007 2:42:06 PM

Posted By: Guest

We've driven our Trailblazer the last few years and have never had a problem.

16395: RE: 4x4 area

8/10/2007 6:48:38 PM

Posted By: Guest

"I drive my Explorer up there and don't bother to lower the pressure. There is so much traffic up there that you don't need to unless you are in way off the main traveled paths."

If you do this YOU ARE A MORON ! You are beating the h3ll out of your truck! I just hope you're not in front of me when you get stuck just because you are too lazy to bend over and deflat your tires!

18607: RE: 4x4 area

10/25/2007 7:11:05 PM

Posted By: guest

yeh, i'd take both

18633: RE: 4x4 area

10/28/2007 10:57:31 AM

Posted By: Blazerman

Having driven the beaches from Corova to the Cape since the early `70`s, some might find this info useful. Make sure your 4x4 is in good working order. Especially the drive train. Have a good set of tires. If you have a bad set and let your air pressure down to say 20 pounds you may damage the sidewalls. Changing a tire on sand is not fun. Be on the safe side and let the tire pressure down to 20 pounds as it will make a larger footprint in the sand and will help your engine apply power and torque to the wheels. I drive to Carova all the time as my wife and I rent a place up there about 9 miles up the beach. When you drive off the ramp and hit the beach,many drivers think the beach is hard sand. It is in alot of places. Trouble comes when negotiating the ramps to the homes they rent. Now you want the tire pressure down to go across these ramps.(When you get to the pavement,please reinflate your tires to the reccomended tire pressure for highway driving if you are to drive at highway speeds.)Go slow and pay attention to the sand you are about to drive on. Drive in the paths others have made when you can as the sand is compacted there. Know the ground clearance of your vehicle. If these ruts are too deep for your vehicle,you must make your own path or your vehicle may bottom out and your wheels will not contact the sand. While driving on the beach know others may be driving towards you in the same path. Anticipate this as one of you will be changing lanes! If you change lanes and are in a deep rut,turn your wheels rather briskly so the front axle will"bite" the sand and allow the vehicle to drive out of the rut. Beware of the infamous "shell bed". This is an area of loose,small pebbles. If you get in this you will be stuck badly. They are near the low tide line and must be avoided at all times. You are driving slowly aren`t you? If you are new to driving 4 wheel drives and are new to driving in sand,do not try to drive on the beach for the first time after dark. It`s hard to read the sand at night. Your vehicle will be driving on uneven sand and the headlights will be aimed in the sky at some point during the drive! And there will be folks on the beach at night! Be courteous of others while on the beach. I`ve seen many instances where people drive right through `camps` where small children are playing. Plenty of room to avoid this. I see this alot in Carova. Remember,they have the right of way,not you. Always carry the following items in your vehicle when driving on the sand. A good shovel,a strong piece of wood to set a jack on,I use a piece of 3/4 inch plywood for this as it doubles for my bait cutting board, first aid kit, a few common tools,a good quality air gauge,and if you are not familiar with driving in the sand, a good tow rope. There are plenty of us vets of the beach who will stop and help you out of a situation if you get in trouble out there. I hope this has helped some of you out there as we all enjoy these beaches and want to have a great time while on the beaches here. Enjoy! See ya out there!

27836: RE: 4x4 area

9/11/2008 12:38:18 AM

Posted By: Guest

Another great tip is STAY OUT OF THE WATER!!!! Your vehicle will turn to rust very quickly. You will ruin it. I took a Jeep Liberty all the way to Virginia and back several times, lowered the tires to 18psi and never had a problem. As a matter of fact there was a 4wd Suburban stuck in one of the housing areas who was getting a tow, and I drove up on a small dune, went right around him and kept on truckin. I recomen a Jeep.

36500: RE: 4x4 area

5/20/2009 10:20:14 PM

Posted By: Guest

Hi all,
this is some great information!! I have driven on corolla for the past three years in an Explorer.... I no longer have this vehicle, and I'm heading down to the OBX in August in my Subaru Outback.... My question is this, do you think I'm alright to take this on the sand? Has .20" less cearance than my explorer did, and in my opinion better AWD.... of course i would deflate to 20#... Any comments or opinions?

41260: RE: 4x4 area

7/6/2009 7:29:51 AM

Posted By: Guest

There are many less expensive AWD systems which aren't designed for true off-road use, but you'll be fine in your OB.

If you search the internet for "Outback" and "deep sand", you will see that their AWD systems make them quite adept for beach usage. Pretty much all the other comments about keeping constant speed in deep sand, dropping tire pressures to 18-20 lbs, staying away from the water, etc still hold true.

We'll be down in mid-August ourselves (Corolla) but sadly will have our Expedition because we'll need all the room we can get. Have fun!!

45855: RE: 4x4 area

7/29/2009 5:27:16 PM

Posted By: Guest

Planning a trip to 4x4 beach. Looking for the quite,secluded adventure. Now that I have read many of the posts having second thoughts. I have a 4wd ford f150 and I'm use to mountain conditions snow, ice ect. I'm not sure if I want all that traffic is it really that bad? I would be interested in long walks on the beach and to explore wild life etc.

I'm looking to stay at the sea blessings house anyone now this house is it a good location?

46703: RE: 4x4 area

8/2/2009 2:10:43 PM

Posted By: Guest

We'll be renting a house about miles into the 4x4 area for Thenksgiving week and will be driving over from Va. Int'l Receway, in Danville, VA towing my track car on an open trailer pulled by a Nissan Murano w/AWD and "street" tires.

I have 2 questions:

1) Any suggestions on where to leave the trailer for the week? I'm looking for a secured facility such as a RV lot, U-Lock-It storage facility or an auto dealer.

2) Will my Murano be up to the task? Dropping the tire pressure is no problem and it's ground clearance is about the same as a Jeep Grand Cherokee. I can lock it into AWD mode but there is no "low range".

I'll really appreciate any advice anyone can provide.

46956: RE: 4x4 area

8/3/2009 12:05:17 PM

Posted By: Guest

Regarding "traffic," there are a fair number of cars near the beach ramps. If you want seclusion, it will simply be a further drive. At any time of year, any day of the week, there is somewhere from Corolla to Okracoke where you can have the beach to yourself.

47259: RE: 4x4 area

8/4/2009 1:38:58 PM

Posted By: beachluvr

I have owned many 4x4 vehicles which I have driven on the beach. For some reason I have had better luck with Ford products. They have better clearance and don't seem strained at all when navigating the sand.

48070: RE: 4x4 area

8/9/2009 7:37:26 AM

Posted By: Guest

Can someone tell me if there are air pumps to inflate the tires for road driving once exiting of the sand to the pavement in the Corolla area?

53274: RE: 4x4 area

9/10/2009 1:28:14 PM

Posted By: Guest

I have been reading about 12 V compressors and what I have found is that for the money, nothing beats this little guy. I am picking one up this week. Hope this helps you.

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Towing-Tools/Heavy-Duty-Air-Compressor.aspx?t_c=67&t_s=3&t_pt=4644&t_pl=5822&t_pn=S%2fBMV50

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