23' Sport Tacoma 4x4 Manual on the beach??

We use the Staun Deflators on the Pilot, Renegade and Sequoia prior. They are preset to 18psi but you can change if you want. Not inexpensive but nice not staying squatted letting air out. They say you can drive with them but by the time the 4th one is on, the first tire is almost at 18 psi. I carry an air hose and chuck as our beaches have compressors that normally work. We also carry the Viair 88P since it has better duty cycle and clips onto battery. Beach bag has other recovery gear for us. Knock on wood, never needed it for us but have helped many.

Wife and daughter have no issue airing down and airing up after. Long Island has soft sand and many get stuck that don't air down even with all the bigger wider tires etc. Depends on the sand by you. If you start to get stuck, stop, don't spin, air down more. Don't brake hard to create a burm, speed bump you need to fight against.

Everyone by us is willing to help IF you have stuff to get unstuck showing you were prepared. The "I know what I'm doing in my lifted vehicle with immature/attitude owners" spend a lot of time shoveling or paying the beach tow trucks that are quite $$.
 
Air down...it makes a world of difference in soft, dry sand. Keep revs up and momentum in the rough dry stuff, don't be afraid to goose it if you are moving. If your momentum slows, goose it until you get close to zero speed forward...as soon as you feel it starting to dig in, reduce throttle to the rate of slight slip. If forward momentum stops, LET OFF! You will dig deeper. Here you have to be S-L-O-W. There is a video out there of a truck slowly inching out of deep sand with electronic aid. The idea is so slow that the sand can be pulled under to support the load, and offer a bit of forward resistance.

Bring a tow strap, and a few super cheap floor mats, they can make a world of difference.
 
4WD said:
Heck - why not 8 psi !
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Of course that is getting a bit low from experience. I have broke a bead before at low pressure.

One thing I have found, and it might be "wrong"....but it seems like 10 ply tires work better at low pressure in the sand, for stability, I suppose the sidewall rigidity helps.

I disagree with your opinion about not airing down. I think it is very important, and have pulled many people out who did not air down. After the recovery, I helped them air down, and hadd no issues afterwords. Of course, they might now know how to drive, but by in large, I air down to about 15-18.
 
burbguy82 said:
Of course that is getting a bit low from experience. I have broke a bead before at low pressure.

One thing I have found, and it might be "wrong"....but it seems like 10 ply tires work better at low pressure in the sand, for stability, I suppose the sidewall rigidity helps.

I disagree with your opinion about not airing down. I think it is very important, and have pulled many people out who did not air down. After the recovery, I helped them air down, and hadd no issues afterwords. Of course, they might now know how to drive, but by and large, I air down to about 15-18.
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I’m just being sarcastic - had a place on the coast for years - down there all the time. I don’t air down - the softer the sand - the bigger the footprint already …
 
burbguy82 said:
Of course that is getting a bit low from experience. I have broke a bead before at low pressure.

One thing I have found, and it might be "wrong"....but it seems like 10 ply tires work better at low pressure in the sand, for stability, I suppose the sidewall rigidity helps.

I disagree with your opinion about not airing down. I think it is very important, and have pulled many people out who did not air down. After the recovery, I helped them air down, and hadd no issues afterwords. Of course, they might now know how to drive, but by in large, I air down to about 15-18.
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Disagree all you want - I have done this for decades and pulled dozens out myself …
 
4WD said:
Disagree all you want - I have done this for decades and pulled dozens out myself …
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I would also suppose it has to do with tire size and vehicle weight, IMO. If one have a heavy skinny tire vehicle, and in the sand, then one is going to get stuck. But with a lighter vehicle and balloon tires, the chances are less.

edit:

I think it also has to do with the type of beach and sand.
 
You are not allowed to drive on the “dunes”, soft sand on Galveston or nearby beaches. My Austin Healy Sprite has traveled Texas beaches for decades. Never a problem
 
Uuuhh... we went last year. It was packed. Did that recently change?

Screenshot_20240726_152132_Photos.jpg


Screenshot_20240726_152338_Photos.webp
 
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burbguy82 said:
I would also suppose it has to do with tire size and vehicle weight, IMO. If one have a heavy skinny tire vehicle, and in the sand, then one is going to get stuck. But with a lighter vehicle and balloon tires, the chances are less.

edit:

I think it also has to do with the type of beach and sand.
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A 285 is my minimum - and I have never owned anything w/o at least a rear locker … (have both on Jeep) ~ also do some runs that’s 50 miles of sand by the time I’m back to the road. I’ve done over a thousand miles this way - and hate to think of the stress on my $1500 tires and driveline loads/temps at 15 psi. If you need it - can always dump some air - I just don’t need it …

IMG_2745.jpg
 
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He got stuck and it took 5-6 guys pushing to get him out. The (2wd) F250 was rescued by a Cummins Dodge
 
4WD said:
A 285 is my minimum - and I have never owned anything w/o at least a rear locker … (have both on Jeep) ~ also do some runs that’s 50 miles of sand by the time I’m back to the road. I’ve done over a thousand miles this way - and hate to think of the stress on my $1500 tires and driveline loads/temps at 15 psi. If you need it - can always dump some air - I just don’t need it …

View attachment 232260
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See there is the difference. A 285 is a big tire, in comparison to a "regular" size. Gladiator?
 
Yes, in my experience a Ford truck that says 4x4 is more than likely open rear diff. The FX4 package will get you a clutch type posi on the DRWs. I don't think the e locker is part of the 4x4, only the SRW FX4s
I think GM runs the G80 behind the HD Duramax. I believe the Antispin diff is standard on all Cummins. Meanwhile, Ford makes it on option on 2wds and 4x4s. Standard on Tremor, and FX4
Something like 15% of "4x4" package Fords are sold with a twin spin rear of any sort be it an elocker or clutch posi.
 
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I will add my parent used to take us in an AMC Eagle wagon to Martha’s Vineyard beaches visiting a friends in the 80s no issues aired down. I believe they just aired down and that car had a meager Jeep 4.2L 112HP with 3 speed auto however some Jeep derived AWD.

Funny thing is my dad was hated that car and asked my mum to buy the 84 Cherokee instead but she didn’t.
 
Side question,
I just ordered the passanger side offroad model tacoma OEM tow hook. Does it come with bolts? Part number is 51961-35080
Gotta be prepared, the sport has no recovery points on the front.
Thanks
 
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