Camping on Sand

[MNRon]

We’re at Mustang Island SP (Corpus Christi) in the conventional campground. Just walked along the beach and looked at the primitive beach campsites. I’m intrigued, looking out over the waves and listening to the breakers sounds inviting. DW is less enamored, especially after just watching a class c being pulled out because he’d buried it up to the axles.

How many of you camp on the beach along south TX (S Padre Is has similar camping I believe). How risky is it with a 16k 5er, and an SRW 4wd truck? Am I just being too cautious, or too risky to think about it? Also, any tips or tricks?

As always, thanks for your insights.

[rhagfo]

MitchF150 wrote:
In WA state in Ocean Shores, you can drive on the beach.. You can't 'camp' or overnight there, but you can bring your rig on the sand...

All the soft sand is above the high tide level... That's where everyone gets stuck at least at Ocean Shores, WA.. 🙂

I've pulled out many small cars and 2wd trucks in my time going there with just a stock 4x4 F150..

I don't go into the soft sand like those stuck were in..

I have seen RV's out there, but they seem to stick to the hard packed side and move accordingly as the tide comes in and then leave when it gets too close.

I don't go out there anymore, as just way too many 'goofs' out there now... But, back in the day, it was fun and a family could enjoy themselves and not have to deal with all the ATV's and other such nonsense..

Ooops... Too many cold snacks I think... 🙂

Well I grew up in Grays Harbor, going to the beach was common. The beaches are considered part of the state highway system, and most are driveable, the issue is the approaches! you transition from asphalt to soft dry sand to hard pack sand. one needs enough momentum to make it from the asphalt to the hard pack.

bgum wrote:
Rust will ruin your TV and RV. Back away from shore to enjoy the area and not ruin your equipment.

We hosted at the coast, and one park in particular we were like 50' from the beach, don't do it any more still fighting the corrosion.
Now if you want a GREAT Beachside camping spot without driving in the sand, checkout Site #63 at Beachside SP in Oregon. This site is right on the beach with ocean to the rear and door side! Almost as nice are sites #64, #66, and #68

[cptqueeg]

I spent 2 winters camping on the beach in Baja, MX(where desert meets the ocean.) Granted it was in a 4x4 1/2T PU that was sold decades ago, but it was some of the, if not the best camping I've ever done.

My advice would be to carefully consider, plan properly, and then GO FOR IT!

[ford_truck_guy]

It ALL depends on the beach in question... The folks that frequent Pismo will tell you it's all good....I will say that MOST of the beaches that I , myself have been on in the East Coast would NOT be favorable to pull an RV on.

Back in the day, I spent all my free time fishing at ASSATEAGUE ISLAND with my annual Off Road Vehicle Pass ( NO RV ) ... I used to have sand where sand had no right being ! Be prepared to do A LOT of maintenance post beach camping.

[way2roll]

I live near the beach and no way I would ever camp on it. The salt and sand will continue to do damage on your rig.

[folivier]

Make sure your towing policy will cover you off the road. Some limit the distance off a road to a hundred feet or so.

[wildtoad]

Be prepared to take some of the beach home with you. Wind and shoes will bring the sand into the RV. DE may not think that’s a good thing.

[agesilaus]

One last driving on sand trick: carry some rolled up old carpet, shag is claimed to be the best. Cut the width of your tires and at least 6 or 8 feet long, 2 each. You can use it to gain traction if you dig you wheels in by jacking up the tire and putting the rug underneath. This is the cheap way, they sell plastic boards for this purpose too.

Traction boards

[TXiceman]

Due to the salt damage, we no longer camp anywhere salt water...so beach camping is out for me.

Ken

[ssthrd]

I know of several people over the years who decided to go bombing around on what they thought was perfectly flat hard sand and found out when they got stuck that they ran into a 2 foot mat of seaweed that had a few inches of sand over it. The beach is isolated, so no help anywhere close. Bottom line is the tide swallowed them up, and trucks were a write off.

Conditions where you want to go might be different, but check with your insurance provider to make sure you are covered!

[stratrex]

Best if you air tires down to about 18psi. With 4x4 you you could pull it easily. I used to camp in the dunes at Pismo. Just need a compressor on board to air back up on the way out. My toy hauler was 17k loaded. Had never had a problem except when I didn’t air down all the trailer tires, only the truck one time.

[bgum]

Rust will ruin your TV and RV. Back away from shore to enjoy the area and not ruin your equipment.

[MarkTwain]

MNRon wrote:
We’re at Mustang Island SP (Corpus Christi) in the conventional campground. Just walked along the beach and looked at the primitive beach campsites. I’m intrigued, looking out over the waves and listening to the breakers sounds inviting. DW is less enamored, especially after just watching a class c being pulled out because he’d buried it up to the axles.

How many of you camp on the beach along south TX (S Padre Is has similar camping I believe). How risky is it with a 16k 5er, and an SRW 4wd truck? Am I just being too cautious, or too risky to think about it? Also, any tips or tricks?

As always, thanks for your insights.

Make sure you have a good Emergency Road Side policy that primary business is providing service for RV's. AAA would not be my choice.

[agesilaus]

OH yeah and salt and fine sand, so be prepared for a major truck and RV desalting cleaning and you'll be finding sand inside the RV for weeks

[MitchF150]

In WA state in Ocean Shores, you can drive on the beach.. You can't 'camp' or overnight there, but you can bring your rig on the sand...

All the soft sand is above the high tide level... That's where everyone gets stuck at least at Ocean Shores, WA.. 🙂

I've pulled out many small cars and 2wd trucks in my time going there with just a stock 4x4 F150..

I don't go into the soft sand like those stuck were in..

I have seen RV's out there, but they seem to stick to the hard packed side and move accordingly as the tide comes in and then leave when it gets too close.

I don't go out there anymore, as just way too many 'goofs' out there now... But, back in the day, it was fun and a family could enjoy themselves and not have to deal with all the ATV's and other such nonsense..

Ooops... Too many cold snacks I think... 🙂

[Mike134]

Cannot speak to driving on sand but have camped near the shoreline, wonderful on a nice calm night, add some onshore wind and the waves crashing in all night long does not make for a restful night.