TCing on the beach

[skidsteerpilot]

One of our goals is to do some beach camping. I've spent a fair amount of time as a youth knocking about in 4x4s (mostly Jeep CJs) on soft sand beaches. Always air down to 15# and kept a light foot.

Was wondering what tips, tricks, advice there is for SRW crew cab pickup with 12K GVW close to that weight running on the beach? Understandably, the type of sand makes a difference, best I can say is it will be North Carolinian sand. Not sure exactly where though.

[discovery4us]

We have spent many years camping in the Oceano, CA dunes. The salt water definitely takes a toll on equipment and requires good washes and touch up paint. Sand finds its way into every crevice every time the wind blows which is pretty much all day so just get used to finding sand all over the outside as well as the inside of the RV. We found that the plastic pallets they deliver sodas to grocery stores on works well for limiting the amount of sand we carry inside on our feet. It elevates you off the sand to wipe the feet and the sand falls through the holes.

With my TC loaded, tires @ 22 PSI front and rear and locked in 4 low I could idle just about any where I wanted too even pulling a flat bed trailer. The extra weight of the camper would actually give the stiff sidewalls the squat I needed to increase the tire footprint. I have found that I am more concerned with sand getting in the bead of the tire causing a slow leak then ever popping a bead from low air pressure.

[mellow]

We bought a good size rug to put down under the steps to help catch some of the sand, between that and the water hose to wash off and the wash bucket it helps alot. We found a broom works the best inside, we use small bath mats on the linoleum floors inside to help catch leftover sand and we can take and shake them out outside.

[Kayteg1]

For washing sand from your feet, the best I figure out is a pan with water on the ground next to the steps.
You wash your feet and step on piece of towel, or other rug laying on the steps.
Vacuum in TC is overkill, but in my Lance side entrance, I added tiles to the first interior step, where threshold was dirt catcher. Thanks to making the tile higher than the threshold, we can sweep camper floor, down the steps and outside.

[work2much]

Interesting topic. When it comes to sand and Truck/TC I am definitely a n00b. We are camped currently on Padre Island in South Texas at Padre National Park where you can drive and camp on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico. The road is hard packed and I feel safe but imagine that getting stuck with a large TC wouldn't be much fun. Before we hit the sand I locked int 4wd just in case. A compressor is on my list of things to add to be able to air down a bit.

BTW within the Padre National Seashore park there is a couple of campgrounds but pretty weak IMO as they just pack you in right next to each other parking lot style. There is also 60 miles or so of beach that you can drive/camp on for free. Pretty sweet. It's been a while since we camped near the ocean and never this close.

I will second the vacuum comment. We have a Makita 18v system for a couple different things and they make a vac that works quite well. Constant battle and the vacmakes it super easy and quick to tune up the camper floor. link

[towpro]

Forgot, take a good vacuum with you. Maybe a good dust buster because you will end up with sand everywhere, even in the bed.

[towpro]

just camping on Road side of dunes in campgrounds that you can walk to beach, the amount of salt in air is incredible. Truck will need windows washed after couple days just to see out of them.

After learning with our Wolf Creek, I started using a model brush and I hand paint any bolt nut every spring with clear rustolium.
Don't forget the allen head screws in the sides of electric jacks. And some black paint on the cast propane lines outside.
and when you get home, wash wash, wash.

The Torklift fast guns are stainless, but the threaded part is getting permanent stains in parts, but no rust beads. The power coat came off the thin edges of the fast guns and its razor sharp and cuts skin if you don't see it.
same with the hold downs on the truck, the powder coat comes off so keep after them with spray paint.

[skidsteerpilot]

Thanks to all for the feedback. Not sure when it will happen, but will share when it does.

[mellow]

Kayteg1 wrote:
Side question for those who camp on the beach regularly.
How is the salt-inflicted corrosion?

I wash my truck off after getting back home after a weekend of being on the beach and still get corrosion in the usual spots (wheel well and behind back door), waiting to see how the guys fair with the newer ford aluminum trucks.

[Bedlam]

Something as simple as carpet runners also work well in sand as long as you don't bury your vehicle first.

[wnjj]

Boatycall wrote:
As others have mentioned, air down, have a shovel, winch, sand anchor, etc.... But also-- If you REALLY think you're gonna bury the thing, consider getting a set of these---

Sand Recovery Ramps

You throw them under your tires, get un-stuck, and KEEP GOING until you're off soft sand. You may have to walk a ways to go back and get your ramps, but you don't stop until you're sure that you're on semi-solid ground.

Tie a rope between them and your bumper. They'll follow you. 🙂

[northshore]

We camp at Tomales bay, Bodega bay, and Ft Bragg almost exclusively, and the salt corrosion for us has been minimal. I do hose every thing off when there and again when I get home.

[Boatycall]

Kayteg1 wrote:
Side question for those who camp on the beach regularly.
How is the salt-inflicted corrosion?

I don't have a problem so much with the truck and TC, it's my trailer. All of the aluminum trim is not clear-coated or protected. So all the shiny diamond plate and trim needs to be washed completely and immediately when I get home or it will start to pit.

[Kayteg1]

Side question for those who camp on the beach regularly.
How is the salt-inflicted corrosion?

[mellow]

If you drive up here to Assateague you can camp overnight in a selected area:



and hang out by the beach during the day: