Sorry for a potentially bogus topic. I am heading to the Outer Banks (NC) in a couple weeks and plan to drive on the soft sand at Oregon Inlet to do some fishing. First, have 'E' rated Mich LTX's and wonder if I can air down to below 30psi to aid in flotation. Second, wondering if I'll see my EGT's go red while slowly powering through sand in 4 Lo. Hate to have to leave it behind fearing engine damage and climb into a buddie's Trooper 4x4. Anybody with tips? Thanks !

You make EGT with the fuel pedal, crawls shouldn't worry you. I would take a compressor or spare air can to air the tires back up.

Way back in 94, before we knew anything about how fast EGTs climb on these vehicles, I flogged my Blazer all around that area. That was the only time I ever saw the coolant temp go into the red. EGT must have been off of the scale. I Lowered the pressure on my LTXs to below 30 and everything was fine. BE CAREFUL!


Funny thing about driving on the beach - all of my fuel lines and just about everything else rusted off of the bottom of the truck. I was careful to hose down with fresh water every night, but 4 years later, Bye-Bye.

Bob,


Don't know why you think it's a bogus topic. Just like most anything else, practice makes perfect. I've seen too many folks, and yes I've been there, need to reach real deep into their pockets to pull out the kind of cash that shore wreckers demand before they'll even touch their cable to yank your sorry backside out of the hole.


I run on the beach with absolutely no more than 15 psi. You don't need to worry about your engine, you need to worry about your tranny because that's what will fry if you don't keep those wheels turnin'. You need high rpm, but relatively low speed. I find 1st HI to be the best. Usually no need to bring your own air as long as you're driving on a beach where the state sanctions 4 wheelers. Often times, at authorized beach access points, there will be air. Also, you don't want to brake on the sand if you can help it and you certainly don't want to brake to a stop. Braking has a tendency to drive your front tires "into" the sand; even more deeply when you come to a complete stop. Folks often get stuck when they try to climb out of the hole. Always, always, always coast to a stop.Edited by: spindrift

i play and fish down there at least once or twice a year. 20 psi in the tires should be good for floating that deep ass soft sand down there. i run in 4hi in 2nd usually unless i get froggy and drop it into D and roll. if you want to be safer with temps travel at low tide down where the flat settled sand is. if you don't have any lift the deep ruts can eat you and don't slam on the brakes- instant stuck- drive it like a boat wide deliberate turns and to stop just let off the gas.

Thanks guys. I appreciate the tips about the tire pressure and gear selection. I have alot of seand driving experience down there, but with light, boxy, short wheelbase gas 4x4's with all-terrain tires. I just want to know what to expect with my heavier, longer Suburban. Oh yeah, there is free air near the area, but I used to drop from 33 to 20 now my rears will drop from 70 to around 30 psi . . . .

you can try 30 but you may still be running pizza cutters through the sand. i have found that if you stop at the closest bait shop to where you plan to go out on the beach they ALWAYS have the best advice. i see as many suburbans out there as anything else.

I agree with Lupey. 30 psi is askin' for trouble, IMHO. I run 15 psi in my burb and don't have problems. Island Beach has those "large" grains of sand that will eat you alive.

Thanks again guys. I will try to lower to 15-20 psi f-r vice 55-70 I use normally for road use. I was just concerned the E-rated stiff tire would try to leave the wheel if I went too low . . . .

Since everyone is familiar with that area . . . anyone thought of having a get-together out there? Kennedy's a bit of a drive for us out this way.


When I was a kid, we always went surf fishing. I understand the idea of traveling on nice hard sand at low tide, but . . . your backside will chew the grommets right out of the seat cover if you get stuck and the tide comes back in. Saw a guy do it once, not pretty. Buried it right up to the axel.

There has been some very, very preliminary discussion offline regarding a Get Together for MidAtlantic diesel owners some time next summer. Will keep you posted as events warrant.

Well, I did the surf-fishing on Wednesday. Aired down to 23-25psi all around and put the beast in 4Hi as recommended by someone here. In short - it was transformed into a great sand cruiser, gliding over the sand with ease. Nary any boost at slow speeds, maybe 2nd gear. Egt's were no higher than driving unloaded on the street.


Oregon Inlet marina has free air, but its limited to 52 psi.


Oh yeah, we caught only small trout and spot and freed them. Drank plenty of beers . . . .

ill be in hatteras for halloween tuna fishing with my hoe. i love the sand down there, but airing down is the only way to go, i like 4low too, just makes things easier on the whole assembly i think. the 6.5 is to heavy up front not to air down in my opinion and it wont keep up with a gasser on the beach, but when im on the beach, im in no hurry

I took the advice here on the forum and just used 4HI. The revs were nice and low like the diesel LIKES it. It trundled right along - 4LO would've had me shifting into 3rd and still revving well above the sweet spot for the 6.5 . . .


Good luck fishing!

good to see you made it on and off without incident. digging your truck out when the frame is sitting on the sand can really ******-up a good fishing excursion even if all you catch is a buzz. we need someone down there to give us the heads up to when the drum are running and organize a diesel-get-down.