Driving on the beach in NJ

I was thinking about getting buggy passes for Island Beach State Park. My uncle-in-law is trying to talk me out of using my 2015 off road on the beach. I figure this thing is designed for driving off road... Anyone have any advice for mitigating any damage or corrosion that I might encounter as a result of driving on the beach? What should I air my tires down to? I'd really only be driving slowly on the beach, never in the surf, and parking for a few hours.

Forgive me if this has been covered already.

Art

 

^^^^
@Chux

 

I air down to 12 psi when I drive on the beach in Mass. If you feel like you are spinning too much try letting a bit more out. It's a different feeling that takes a while to get used to.

 

I go on the beach a bunch. Air down (I use deflators set to 15 psi) and fluid film my undercarriage/frame every year. No problems, that's what a Taco is for.

Make sure you have a recovery gear and a way to air up when you are off the sand.

 

Dang 12 psi? That's pretty much rolling around on flats.

 

Not really, the idea is to extend the tire patch touching the sand. Here's a pic on the beach aired down.

 

12 is low, you may pop a bead, been using 17-20 for going on 10 years now and knock on wood, only one I needed recovery gear was for someone else because they won't air down. ( that's ramp 55 at OBX)

 

Have been airing down this low with several vehicles for 20+ years. Never had a problem. You can drive that low on pavement as long as you don't make sharp turns and stay under 30mph. There's a dune tour company there that's been doing it for way longer and they never air up between trips. They also only use Chevy Suburbans. 17 to 20 and I would risk getting stuck on the type of sand on Cape Cod.

 

@Chux is the guy to talk too and seeing that your asking about island beach state park your pretty local to a few of the NJ guys.

 

someone suggested putting one of those oscillating lawn sprinklers under the truck to wash out any sand and salt... Anyone one else have any thoughts for clearing sand and salt from the undercarriage?

 

I live a few miles from there and want to start driving on the beach also. Lmk ill join you one day! Hehe

 

Beach plum island has some of the sugariest sand I have ever been on, I haven't driven on IBSP yet but everyone I know, little trucks to big (I had a 2500hd chev) don't go that low. But that's cool. What works for some doesn't for all.

 

Is permit required for island beach state park beach access or can a single day pass be bought at the gate?

 

I believe they have three day passes (weekend) and season passes

 

Don't drive it in the water like you see in the commericals.

After that, treat it just like you would for salted roads in the winter.

No, the dry sand doesn't have that much salt, but it's got enough to be worth paying attention too. My BILs truck has started a lot of rust under the bed, exhaust, bumper, etc. from our kayak fishing trips where we park close to the waters edge on a beach, and he didn't think he needed to wash it off.

 

My in-laws live down the NJ shore and I drove once on the beach with my 2003. And I will NEVER do that again because the sand gets in everything. Till the day I sold the truck there was gritty grease in every joint. I know the truck was built for off-roading but I prefer taking my brother in-laws beater truck. Not worth it in my opinion especially if it is your only vehicle.

 

Thanks... and I can purchase the 3 day pass at the park gate right?

 

yes, yes you can!

 

Im on IBSP often and run my tires at 20psi, I have the st maxx and don't really have an issue but sidewall tread could help a lot.. Sand is always changing with temperature and moisture. Sometimes you can cruz and sometimes ya gotta be patient crawling through soft areas. To drive on or not to will be personal preference. I live just out side of island beach and my wife's car that has never been on the beach has just as much corrosion under it as my truck. Here on the east coast you can't avoid rust. My out look is the truck is basically a big toy, I ripped it out of the packaging to use it in all its glory and it will never be new again. I'm not the type to worry bout keeping things nice and clean as the day I got it. I understand some are, I've seen a post where the guy cleaned his engine bay and under side of the hood so it was clean and shinny. You can still keep up on maintenance for corrosion. Their are a few corrosion protective sprays, you can primer and paint rust spots, and I've even done the sprinkler under the truck. Recently I just got a power washer so when I come home from driving on the beach I blast the under carriage with it. Your truck will not rust out or fall apart a couple times driving on the beach, so check it out and see if you like it. Never know unless you go.