I am considering going to Carova Beach in the Outer Banks for vacation. To get to the rental house, we will need to drive on the beach. Does anyone have any experience drving a 2007 Expedition 4x4 on the beach? I understand the sand can be soft on Carova Beach, so I am wondering how the heavy Expedition will do.

 

Just run the tires down to 8-10 lbs or so.
I took my 1998 and my 2004 to sand dunes and had no troubles.
Stock size and close to all terrain pattern tires on both.

 

8-10 psi is WAY too low. You'll be fine in the Expy, and you may not even need 4wd depending on where in Corova you are. Most of the "streets" up there are packed sand. There is off highway access right on the shoreline where you can get into some soft stuff, but you'd be fine around 20psi honestly. If you run 8-10psi as suggested, then you increase the likelihood of rolling a bead off the rim. That's a good way to ruin your vacation.
I suggest 20psi. Constant forward momentum in anything that appears "soft" and take a recovery strap if you're really concerned. The nice thing about the Outer Banks is that someone will always have a bigger truck than yours down there, and most of those guys are willing to strap you out.

 

Check Wally Mart's fabulous automotive department for a small plug in air compressor. They're like $15 or $20 and would be just perfect for airing-up after you hit terra firma again.

They're also great for inflating rafts & beach toys!

 

That's not a bad idea, but if IIRC there is a service station right where the beach access is that has free air also. But always good to have a backup in case their compressor is down.

Just FYI, I'm a VA Beach native who vacationed in that area quite a bit. We used to surf fish in Corolla before the major house expansion took place. I still make it down there for surfing trips, usually further south to Hatteras, but regardless you'll be ok in the Expy! Whatever you do, use common sense.

 

Every year I take the family on the sand there at the Outer Banks as a good change to just sitting on the beach. I don't lower my pressure and have no problems. I typically travel closer to the water where the sand is harder. Recommend 4x4 high while on the sand. Toughest part is getting on/off sand as people are traveling too slow and end up getting stuck because they get out of the tracks. Enjoy.