Has anyone driven a class A with a toad on to the beach at Oceano Dunes in Pismo Beach area?If yes what were your experiences and do you have any suggestions as to drive on the sand?

I have not, but I have been out there in a 4x4 and I wouldn't do it. It looks like lots of fun, but I'm not taking my motorhome out there.My understanding is you can pay a tow company in advance to help you get in and help you get out. I don't remember the exact numbers, but if you pay in advance it was something like $150 to both get you in and get you out. But if you don't pay to have them help you in and out and you get stuck then they charge you $400 or $500 to pull you out. And the times I've been out there I have seen a lot of motorhomes and trucks and everything else stuck in that sand. I even got my Jeep Wrangler 4x4 stuck in the sand, but it was pretty easy to get out. You bury the back axle of a motorhome in the sand and my understand is you have little choice other than the tow company to get you out. I have heard stories of people bringing some heavy duty timbers with them and using them in combinations with your jacks to get unstuck, but it would have to be some pretty heavy lumber.

:S:S:S....just sayin.....Dennis

Air down if you have a rig with an air compressor to air back up with. Check under the front for a suitable place to hook a strap to get pulled out before you need it. I suggest welding or bolting a tow point to the frame before going. Disconnect your toad before proceeding down the beach and have someone else drive it for you. Go in at low tide so the sand is firmer to drive on. Don't spin your tires. If you feel yourself getting stuck don't keep trying. Carry some long suitable planks to place under the tires if you need assistance getting unstuck.Be careful whom you allow to help pull you out if you do get stuck. Not everyone has experience or know-how. You don't want the front body work ripped off.Think smart and don't panic.We have gone camping there for many years. We drive jeeps that are hopped up and we spend a good part of our day pulling others out of stuck situations.

Stay on the dark stuff (hard Pack) as long as you can. When you find a spot where you want to stay unhitch your toad and back into the spot. Keep your wheels as straight as possible, if you do need to turn don't be aggressive with your wheel cut. If you turn too sharply the tires will act as plows and you'll bog down.Make sure you select a spot that is far inland from the waterline. The tides can come in and flood your campsite if you get too close. You'll see how far back other RVs are parked.Before you leave, dig out a shallow (2in deep) runway (at least 2 feet long)in front of each rear tire. It will give you a chance to get a run when you pull out. The goal is to get up on top of the sand so don't spin the tires. If you do begin to dig in stop. The deeper you bury the MH the harder it will be to pullout.Keep front wheels straight and don't turn until you get back to the dark sand.

You can pay for on/off towing service in advance.I understand the service is far less than stuck/rescue service.Mostly trailers with 4wd trucks or at least a 4wd buddy in the group.Have seen a few A's though. If the creek is flowing... good luck.

Oceano Dunes camping | Good Sam Community

22 Replies

daytripper63
Explorer
Jun 19, 2013
Carpet runners are great for traction under the tires if you get stuck or just need traction to get rolling
revump
Explorer
Jun 19, 2013
Might be better to stay some where else and drive to the beach
Pogoil
Explorer
Jun 19, 2013
We used to tent camp in the early 80s. Crazy fun. And dangerous. 3 wheelers, quads and buggys racing around all night and sometimes very close to the tents.

I have been stuck there in my lowered pickup. It is my opinion that diesel pushers are to low to be on the beach. At least ours is.

Allison trans is very close to the ground as is front spoiler area.

I am a sand person. Jeeps on the beach all the time but would never take my DP. Did I mention sand everywhere even in your cracker.:)

Pogoil.
msmith1199
Explorer II
Jun 19, 2013
Just remember the budget of the park is largely dependent on people paying the proper fees. That means the ranger's salary depends on it. You can bet they'll be checking very closely whose paid and whose supposed to be there.
Tom_Anderson
Explorer
Jun 19, 2013
dunerunnerjw wrote:
Tom_Anderson wrote:
dunerunnerjw wrote:
Tom_Anderson wrote:
dunerunnerjw wrote:
I`m sorry. I should have been more specific. I`ve got reservations made for 10 days all through the 4th weekend however the friends I am referring were able to make reservations up until the 4th but couldn`t get the actual night of the 4th. In other words, they will be legal and established on the sand until the night of the 4th. I was wondering how in the world would the Rangers could keep tabs on those permitted or not once everybody is in the park?

The rangers drive around early in the morning and check everybody's tags hanging in their windshields. I went there one time to camp but didn't have a reservation. They told me I had to leave that night. I decided to camp anyway and got a ticket at 7AM.

Thanks Tom, that`s what I figured. Do you remember if it was crowded like it will be on the 4th? And was the fine worth it, lol?

It was crazy crowded. And no, the fine wasn't worth it. That was 15 years ago and I remember the fine being about $200. I'm sure it's much higher now.

Ouch....I will pass this on and thank you much for the info....

You're welcome. Sorry to disappoint, but it's much better to find out now. :)
dunerunnerjw
Explorer
Jun 19, 2013
Tom_Anderson wrote:
dunerunnerjw wrote:
Tom_Anderson wrote:
dunerunnerjw wrote:
I`m sorry. I should have been more specific. I`ve got reservations made for 10 days all through the 4th weekend however the friends I am referring were able to make reservations up until the 4th but couldn`t get the actual night of the 4th. In other words, they will be legal and established on the sand until the night of the 4th. I was wondering how in the world would the Rangers could keep tabs on those permitted or not once everybody is in the park?

The rangers drive around early in the morning and check everybody's tags hanging in their windshields. I went there one time to camp but didn't have a reservation. They told me I had to leave that night. I decided to camp anyway and got a ticket at 7AM.

Thanks Tom, that`s what I figured. Do you remember if it was crowded like it will be on the 4th? And was the fine worth it, lol?

It was crazy crowded. And no, the fine wasn't worth it. That was 15 years ago and I remember the fine being about $200. I'm sure it's much higher now.

Ouch....I will pass this on and thank you much for the info....
Tom_Anderson
Explorer
Jun 19, 2013
dunerunnerjw wrote:
Tom_Anderson wrote:
dunerunnerjw wrote:
I`m sorry. I should have been more specific. I`ve got reservations made for 10 days all through the 4th weekend however the friends I am referring were able to make reservations up until the 4th but couldn`t get the actual night of the 4th. In other words, they will be legal and established on the sand until the night of the 4th. I was wondering how in the world would the Rangers could keep tabs on those permitted or not once everybody is in the park?

The rangers drive around early in the morning and check everybody's tags hanging in their windshields. I went there one time to camp but didn't have a reservation. They told me I had to leave that night. I decided to camp anyway and got a ticket at 7AM.

Thanks Tom, that`s what I figured. Do you remember if it was crowded like it will be on the 4th? And was the fine worth it, lol?

It was crazy crowded. And no, the fine wasn't worth it. That was 15 years ago and I remember the fine being about $200. I'm sure it's much higher now.
dunerunnerjw
Explorer
Jun 19, 2013
Tom_Anderson wrote:
dunerunnerjw wrote:
I`m sorry. I should have been more specific. I`ve got reservations made for 10 days all through the 4th weekend however the friends I am referring were able to make reservations up until the 4th but couldn`t get the actual night of the 4th. In other words, they will be legal and established on the sand until the night of the 4th. I was wondering how in the world would the Rangers could keep tabs on those permitted or not once everybody is in the park?

The rangers drive around early in the morning and check everybody's tags hanging in their windshields. I went there one time to camp but didn't have a reservation. They told me I had to leave that night. I decided to camp anyway and got a ticket at 7AM.

Thanks Tom, that`s what I figured. Do you remember if it was crowded like it will be on the 4th? And was the fine worth it, lol?
Tom_Anderson
Explorer
Jun 19, 2013
dunerunnerjw wrote:
I`m sorry. I should have been more specific. I`ve got reservations made for 10 days all through the 4th weekend however the friends I am referring were able to make reservations up until the 4th but couldn`t get the actual night of the 4th. In other words, they will be legal and established on the sand until the night of the 4th. I was wondering how in the world would the Rangers could keep tabs on those permitted or not once everybody is in the park?

The rangers drive around early in the morning and check everybody's tags hanging in their windshields. I went there one time to camp but didn't have a reservation. They told me I had to leave that night. I decided to camp anyway and got a ticket at 7AM.
dunerunnerjw
Explorer
Jun 19, 2013
I`m sorry. I should have been more specific. I`ve got reservations made for 10 days all through the 4th weekend however the friends I am referring were able to make reservations up until the 4th but couldn`t get the actual night of the 4th. In other words, they will be legal and established on the sand until the night of the 4th. I was wondering how in the world would the Rangers could keep tabs on those permitted or not once everybody is in the park?