Beach driving tires

[High Alextude]

I’m in a bit of a pickle. I have driven on the beach before, but my next trip is going to be down in Corova, where I hear the sand can get pretty soft. I would like some input on if I leave my baja boss a/t’s on or if I put my highway tires on - Michelin defender ltx m/s2. The BB tires are pretty aggressive for an A/T, so I don’t want to end up digging too much. I always air down to about 15-20psi. I’m probably getting in my head too much, but any input is appreciated. Will also have a shovel and traction boards ready.

My wife will be taking the Grand Cherokee as well which also has Michelin Defenders, but that has Quadra drive 2, hemi, ELSD in the rear and select-terrain. It is a beast.

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[aFatBird]

The Baja Boss A/Ts for me did pretty well in soft sand. Sand hollow was the softest sand I had ever dealt with, all it took was airing down a bit more than usual.

 

[ecupip]

You'll do fine with either tire as long as you air down. Most people who get in trouble there either don't have low range or they didn't air down.

I wouldn't change tires just for the trip. If you want extra peace of mind, keep a set of traction boards on hand.

 

[GAJeff]

I grew up driving on the beach in NJ and as long as you air down to 10-15 psi you will have no issues. NJ has some of the softest sand on the beaches I have come across on a beach.

 

[PuddleJumper]

I’m in a bit of a pickle. I have driven on the beach before, but my next trip is going to be down in Corova, where I hear the sand can get pretty soft. I would like some input on if I leave my baja boss a/t’s on or if I put my highway tires on - Michelin defender ltx m/s2. The BB tires are pretty aggressive for an A/T, so I don’t want to end up digging too much. I always air down to about 15-20psi. I’m probably getting in my head too much, but any input is appreciated. Will also have a shovel and traction boards ready.

My wife will be taking the Grand Cherokee as well which also has Michelin Defenders, but that has Quadra drive 2, hemi, ELSD in the rear and select-terrain. It is a beast.

Baja Boss are named that way for a reason. Made my Mojave so much faster on sand.

 

[HooliganActual]

Several air down comments ?

Also make sure to turn off Electronic Stability Control (ESC); it works against you in the sand. The trick with sand is to keep your wheel speed up with aired down tires and float on top, not unlike using snowshoes to stay on top of the snow. Also avoid sharp turns that tend to cut down into the sand; wider, sweeping turns are your friend.

 

[High Alextude]

Several air down comments ?

Also make sure to turn off Electronic Stability Control (ESC); it works against you in the sand. The trick with sand is to keep your wheel speed up with aired down tires and float on top, not unlike using snowshoes to stay on top of the snow. Also avoid sharp turns that tend to cut down into the sand; wider, sweeping turns are your friend.

I think the floating is my concern if the tread on the BB will allow it to. I’m assuming aired down enough, it will.

 

[CAWJENCHICKEN]

MY PATAGOINIA MT/02 DO OK IN COROVA NOT AS GOOD AS MY FALKEN AT. JUST AIR DOWN TO 15 PSI AND WATCH OUT FOR STUMPS.

 

[HooliganActual]

I think the floating is my concern if the tread on the BB will allow it to. I’m assuming aired down enough, it will.

I hear ya. I run an aggressive tread too and aired down, 4H not 4L, ESC off should get you anywhere you need to go.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

We run 8-10 PSI on the sand. Without beadlocks.

15-20 can work ok, but 20 is pretty high for sand. There are signs at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes that say 15-18 PSI is the max.

 

[KevinC]

If you have onboard air or short distance access to air, I would run 15psi. The A/T tire will be fine. If not, go lower. I run 4H, hold traction control button until it beeps. It will be a beast in the sand. If you have a Rubicon or Mojave, turn on Offroad+.

 

[guntrust]

I venture occasionally onto our Oceano Dunes. I've heard mud tires are not good on sand. I've used All-Terrain, first the stock Falken 33's which worked ok, now have BFG K02 37's which work better. I air down to 15. Definitely helps to use Offroad Plus switch but remember that does not fully turn off ESC unless you give it a long press until the beep as noted above (look for dash message confirming ESC is off). Also i've heard 4H works better in sand than 4L, but i'm thinking about trying 4L in 6th because Jeep ( @JeepCares ) never provided a software update allowing my 2020 Rubicon to use rear lockers (as advertised) in 4H.
PS i've also driven on beach near Galveston, TX and noticed the sand there is MUCH softer than what we have here in CA.

 

[Minty JL]

Been going to Corova for almost 2 decades; Tahoe LTZ, '19 JLUR and my '23 JTM.

I was a master driver in the Army........so it not all about air pressure if you know how to drive in sand.......if not, airing down can help. It's all about speed and throttle modulation.

I've been up there on Goodyear Wranglers, BFG KO2s, Nitto RGs and Maxxis RAZR MTs. Zero difference in performance for me. Again, all about the driver and picking the right lines.

There's no magical tire that will make the driver or machine better. Also ensure you have the appropriate recovery gear and you'll be good.

Cheers

 

[acemics]

I do a lot of driving in soft sand on the beach living on Cape Cod. I had the WildPeaks on my Tacoma (before my Gladiator) and I was real glad that the Gladiator comes with them. They are excellent tires in the sand, snow (New England) and regular road.

On the sand I air down to 10-12-psi (stock wheels). In my experience 10-12 makes a big difference over 15. If you are at 20 in soft sand it is too much of a potential for trouble. I agree with what other's have said about maintaining a steady, slow speed and turning off the electronic stability control.

Your tires should absolutely be fine, just air down accordingly and have fun.

 

[GoolsbyMD77]

I drive those exact beaches all the time in my Mojave and before that a ZR2 Colorado. As stated air down. I run 15psi in 4H, wide turns, don’t use the brake unless you have to, let the sand slow you down. You’ll run closer to the waters edge but not in it for the more packed sand. Ease into the throttle don’t slam it.

Also keep your eyes open ahead of you, there are some old tree stumps along the path on the driving beach. The access area to Corolla has an air up station with shockingly good pumps to fill up after if you don’t have your own air.

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