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Ray

How far down on PINS can you take a 2-wheel drive pick-up? I have a old, 1995, Dodge 1500 that I would like to put a rack of and take to the coast, but I wasn't sure how far down PINS it would be safe or wise to go in it.

Who, if anyone, is usig 2-wheel drives down there?

Thanks!
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Ray

J.McDonald Knives · Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 9:31 pm Post subject:

I ain't using 2-wheel drive but I am using a 97 Subaru Outback and going to try it down PINS while towing a trailer.
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Crmsn · Horse Mullet Joined: 17 Aug 2011 Posts: 144

I can't stress this enough, but do not go far.. At all. Pins driving conditions can change in a day. The winter high tides are very high and lows are extremely low. Getting stuck out there by yourself in a 2x4 can be scary. There is a 4x4 only sign at the 5mile Market but usually there is a sand pit that is a little roughed up right before it. Only time I risked a 2wd truck wa when we had 2 other 4x4s. Even then we pulled it out almost a dozen times coming back from the 30. Instead of spending the money on a rack, buy a cheap beach truck off craigslist, pay 50-100 to have it inspected and call it good. Most old 4x4 are very easy to work on. Before my little runner I had zero mechanical skills but feel very confident after using the Haynes manual while working on it.

ziacatcher · Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 9:59 pm Post subject:

Usually you can go about15 miles. Lately I've gone to 23 with no prob. Conditions constantly change and sometime the Bob Hall area is too soft for 2wheel.

Roofish · Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 11:29 pm Post subject:

Read this info from PINS

http://www.nps.gov/pais/planyourvisit/upload/BeachDriving.pdf
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ROOFISH

shallowsport · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 8:44 am Post subject:

Roo, that is a very good link. Thanks for posting.

hickroots07 · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 9:53 am Post subject:

I would also suggest buying a cheap older 4x4. Thats what i did. Got a 94 z71 and ya it needed a bit of work but with a manual thats shows you how to do it step by step working on it isnt hard really. Before this i had taken a 2wd down to the 33 but driving was really good. But like mentioned, beach conditions change quickly. I feel alot more confident in my older chevy than i did in the newer 2wd.
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Great captains, the stuff of legend, are made not by what they have caught, but by what they have given back.

SaltyCuda · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 10:10 am Post subject:

Interesting topic.

I am not recomending this but!

In my yonger days, I took VW's well past Yarborough, I also bought POS 4X4's and went all the way down.

I have pulled both 2 and 4 wheel drive's out of the sand over the years, some say that a 4X4 gives false security and people tend to get themselves in even deeper.

One little comment on "older 4X4's", you better make darn sure it is sound, when they break, they are realy broke and can sometimes not be fixed on the fly so to speak.

An example would be my Jeep J 4000, the motor mount rusted in a manner that could not be seen visibly, sure was a challenge getting it home with the motor laying on the front axle.

It's rough down there at times, even the newest and nicest truck can break or be broken.

Luck to ya!

Bring a friend with another truck (pref. a 4X4)

Ray · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 10:14 am Post subject:

Thanks, guys!! I have a good 4x4 Jeep and use it, but I also have the Dodge. I thought I might use it; couldn't remember where the 4 wheeler sign was. I knew some went down with 2 wheelers, but I don't think I am going to try it. I'll just use the Jeep on PINS.

Ray
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Ray

SaltyCuda · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 10:15 am Post subject:

Just thought of something.

Come to the annual beach cleanup, ride along with one of us, get an idea of what you can expect.

And help us clean the beach while making and building relationships.

Ray · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 10:26 am Post subject:

I've done the Clean-Up before a couple of times, and had a blast. Ate the best hot dogs of my life afterward because we were so tired. I have been all the way down to the Cut with Billy and others but always in 4 wheelers. Right now I don't know if I will be able to make it down this year.

Thanks for the offer; it is a great idea.

I live in Waco so I don't get down as often as I would like but plan to come down more this spring. I'm an older guy, 72 Shocked

. The other person at my business has told me I need to get away more, and I've done it in the past, a week to 10 days on the gulf, Aransas Pass or Pins, a month, which was also a blast, but lately I've been working more. I kayak and fish the flats or surf. I plan BTBs but just haven't had the chance yet. Hope to change that this spring.

Ray
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Ray

kweber · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 10:30 am Post subject:

not a beach expert.. but past experience is that 4x4 will make for a longer walk.....
keep this in mind...
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Tyler · Site Admin Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 12865

landlocked beachbum · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 11:59 am Post subject:

Also, and not to get off topic here: things taste better when your nose is working on overdrive, and that means humid conditions. The higher the humidity the more things smell ( good or bad) and the more intense the favors. Just one more reason why food tastes better outdoors in most places than indoors: AC and heat = DRY air. Wink

The Texas coast is just about THE primo place to eat anything outside!

I agree with a few of the posters about false confidence and 4 wheel drive. Unless both differentials lock or at least are limited slip, as soon as either wheel on an axle hits spinning conditions only one wheel on each axle will be turning, and that's the one that is spinning! So, instead of only one working drive wheel like on a regular 2 wheel drive you only have two, not four, that are actually doing you any good!

If you DO have true 4x4 with lockers and such and still get stuck ( happens all the time) you 're in deep do-do!!!!! Shocked

common sense and driving skills count way more than just having a "4x4". Lack of experience, bad judgement, testosterone and alcohol (not necessarily in that order or in any combination) lead quickly to the aforementioned deep do-do.

I heard a good phrase on that last point: Good judgement comes from experience, and experience come from bad judgement!
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Dave

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits". Albert Einstein

JOHNNYREB · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 12:19 pm Post subject:

Just my .02, but i think it has a lot less to do with 2wd/4wd as much as just pure common sense!

If the thought crosses your mind that you may get stuck....you probably will! Wink

Just know your tides and go with it.
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