Corpusfishing.com

[danver]

I usually follow the tracks and don't really deviate from them. During the shark tournament, I was not a participant but was at PINS, I followed the tracks all the way to the 20. As soon as I passed the 17, the driving got really bad and went from bad to worse really quickly. The only deviation from the tracks I made was in a turnaround I attempted in the 20. I was stuck for about five minutes. I was right next to a huge SUV which had also gotten stuck and had broken some part of the lift kit. Therefore I agree with you about lift kits. I am only interested in bigger tires and higher clearance when I talk about a lift. I could really care less about the looks, it's the performance. I also don't use mud tires due to the digging but do use AT's. As for my truck not being able to spin the tires, It happened. I was stuck, pu the truck on 4L and slowly hit the gas. The truck started to move but not like it used to. It used to seem like it would jump out of a stuck situation and this time it just slowly spun the tires, like it was really stressing itself....then it overheated.

I have, since then, flushed out the radiator, replaced the thrmostat and given the truck a whole new overhaul, replacing several parts which had rusted out due to the saltwater and the sand. Overall, I have already parted with about 1600.00 dollars. I am willing to invest more but felt it was time for a decision. I just don't know how much more work I will have to do to the truck before I feel safe in PINS again; not that I'm not going out there, cause I go as often as I can. I just don't feel completely safe.

[Big John]

Could be several things wrong here. Do you have a locking differential? Not having one could be part of the problem. Also, try airing down tire to 15 or 20 psi for deep sand. Never stopping is the real key here. Make sure you are keeping the speed up. If you feel yourself slowing down, give it gas then, not right before you stop. Key is staying on top of the sand. Also, ATs do dig more than a street tire. I notice this difference since getting the Yoko ATs. Even more important to keep speed. Don't floor it, but ease up until you are back up and going. I try to maintain 15 to 20mph in the soft stuff. Most often is has more to do with experience than equipment as to not getting stuck. Sometimes even the most experieinced get stuck too.

As far dodge trucks doing better in the sand, I can't tell you about the trucks. But my Durango has never been stuck. I have driven right past stuck, lifted Chevys and Fords, even pulled out a couple little Nissans and one Toy Tacoma. I have only needed low once, and probably didn't really need it, but when the sand and shells get deep in Big Shell, its best to play it safe.
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[pinsjeepster]

Last weekend was probably some of the worst conditions from the 20mm to the 30mm I've driven in. I was down there thurs. afternoon before the tournament in a 4w tacoma. I got stuck once and 4 wheel low got me out. Then I switched to the soft stuff by the dunes. I've got 265/70R16 tires. I'm
probably going to see if 285/70R16 will fit when I get new tires.The ruts were super deep. We came back low tide and hugged the shoreline.

[jc]

sounds more like the conditions than the truck... you'd be hard pressed to find more difficult driving b/w 20-26 mm... I went from 6cy Pathfinder to V-8 Z-71 back to 6cy Tacoma... only stuck once ever in sand and that was dragging trailer in Pathie... nearly got stuck in the 20's during sharkathon on the high road... it was brutal... one thing you may try that hasn't been mentioned is to go ahead and get into 4-low BEFORE the driving gets extreme... if not and you start struggling in 4 WH, stop before you start digging in... get in 4 low and you can generally move along... the slow spinning tire in 4 low sounds normal to me

while airing down is a pain, it is amazing the difference it makes


jc

[larry meinert]

Trying to turn around in the soft stuff was a mistake. Always wait for a good spot to try to turn around. Live and learn. Once into past the 18 or 20, plan to drive through 'till the 28 or 30. It may take that long to find a good spot at hi tide.

If you leave any truck in 4 low for very long, it will over heat. Always shift back into 4 hi as soon as you can if that is what happened.

I don't understand lifting a truck either. When your third member starts plowing sand, it's going to slow down no matter how hi your truck is.

The right tires are essential for traction in soft sand. I have never had to let the air out of my tires but that is a good trick to know. My Chev pu came with Good Year Wrangler tires and they did well. After 45K when it was time for a new set, I went to Discount Tire on SPID. I told the guy that I only ever drive on the highway and on PINS and I liked the tires that I had. He sold me a set of Good Year Wrangler OEP 265/70 R-17 1135W RT/S OWL for $643. They were essentially the same tire as the old ones but with a different tread pattern. I am not sure if it was because the old tires were worn out, but I noticed an incredible difference in traction. I was able to drive in 2WD through areas that I had to shift into 4WD the day before. In fact, I drove in 2WD most of the time. If you're up for new tires, I highly recommend these. Look for the deep patterns at the tires edge. L

[FISHFIRE&SHEDIGS]

Don't forget to throw into the equation, the fact that the park service is going through this same sand that we are. They make many trips to haul out the HUGE tanks of oil and jet fuel (that keep floating in)and they are followed by the front-end loader to get them unstuck. This is adding to our problem of getting stuck, BUT is a necessary job they must do to take care of our beaches. Personally, I think they do a GREAT job, just unfortunate that it occurred during and around the Sharkathon. GOOD JOB and KEEP it UP !!!!!!!!!!!!! By the way, we got stuck 4 times and so did our friends. GREAT MEMORIES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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[snakecan2]

ike left the beach in very bad shape PERIOD..

Turning around can get almost anyone stuck very quick..
currently run a Dodge 2500 diesel.. still have original tires, time to replace but want to go up to max size possible, which means new rims.. but will be done after hunting seasons.

airing down tires is always good for couple of reasons. creates a greater surface area for contact with the beach.. so you do not dig in so quick.
makes it softer for when you hit nails or other sharp objects.. so less flat tires..
Do not lower pressure to low, if you really get in trouble, you might have to lower them even more.. been there done that.
keep an air pump or two.. fix a flat, plugs..

it is good to get tide reports, if you can run the low road it is great.. head out or in during low tide when ever possible.
do not drive on or through the seaweed, especially on the surf line. you never know what is underneath, or if it turns to quick sand.

if you do get stuck, be smart about it, do not bury yourself, especially if it is in the 17-26MM. you will need someone to pull you out

one thing i have not had to try but been told when stuck is turn tires and when you are rocking back and forth you ar not pushing sand under frame as quick.

keep up your speed, and be safe.
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Fish and Hunt Baby.... so tight lines and clear scopes.

[DBE1982]

All good points above, however the overheating issue mentioned when using 4L, if thats the case something is wrong.... We run our rigs in 4L for hours straight in 100+ degree heat with no wind and push them hard continuously without overheating.

[Skoalman]

[safirenfish]

have seen a few people list it and i swear by it, "tire footprint"- i currently drive a toyota tundra v-8 with nitto tires on it. i just got back friday from 4 days on pins at the 20 mile mark and pulled a 2wd toyota 4runner out of the gumbo and never got stuck. that truck really impressed me, it was like a sand crab and would go thru any of the beach with no problem. if you have a good enough footprint, you can float on the sand very well. in the event i do stick, a 4 ft farmer jack will save your arse every time. i even tried this for the guy in the 4runner. lift the rearend up till it clears the sand and fill in the holes, pour a bucket of water on it to pack the sand and drive off......well, it would have worked for the 4runner only the guy failed to mention that his 4runner was a 2wd 4runner and why he was down that far is beyond me. he said " i keep hitting the extreme power button and it wont go".....i dont know- you try and fiqure that one out....anyway- we pulled him out to hard pack and told him to not slow down till on firm sand. the 4 ft jack is something that goes in my truck first every pins trip, along with a small shovel and bucket.

[jc]

man my rear locker does wonders... but I sure wish I'd have gotten the extreme power button...

[Rudy]

[safirenfish]

[danver]

Ok, Ok , I'm not that bad. Only been stuck two or three times in the last 15-20 years. I have taken my truck in to the service shop again and Yes, it appears to have some Tranny problems. The mechanic is a friend of my brothers and I'm not getting charged for labor.... I hope I don't regret that!!! Favors like that are usually more expensive than paying high dollar service repair shops. Anyway, he did call me today and said he was replacing an automatic clutch that had worn out. I am now wondering why it wore out.

On another note, I did ask him to install the new and improved "ULTRA EXTREME" Button on my Dash and wanted this gizmo to give my truck exorbitant, out of this world power!! .