I've had a '97 Expedition and a '94 Quigley 4x4 5.8L van on the NC beaches and did well in the sand. I am about to order (tomorrow) an F350 4x4 CC Lariat diesel and am wondering how well it do in the sand with all that weight on the front axle. I've been going down there for about 15 years and can't remember many diesel pickups along the beach. Will I have any trouble with the stock 275 18" tires sinking in?

Thanks,
Mike D.

 

I have seen Dodge diesels fishing out there. It still has to do with wide, all terrain tires and RPM's! I hope you see other heavy trucks out there when you go because if YOU get stuck, you're gonna need it!

 

Dually or single?

I was down there with my 99 F250 SD short bed extended cab(5.4) around 2000 and did OK. Pulled a stuck CJ out. Are you worried about the extra weight of the diesel on the front wheels? I agree that wider is better on the tires.

 

Are the NC beaches like the beaces where some cars can go out? Or is it a 4wd only beach. Either way you should be fine. I go out on assateague Maryland with my f350 with out a problem with my conti's. Recently just put some 325/65 terra grapplers that do a lot better then the contis. Just don't bury the truck, then you would have to do alot of digging. Mine is a diesel CC Long bed by the way.

 

No problems, Just need to air down is all

 

shouldn't be a problem i had my 99 with 285's on the beach and my rear locker sunk my rear to the diff, got out locked in my hubs and drove out. all terains and rpms. lowwer than street psi.

 

and have a compresser to air back up with!

 

I have seen a few intrepid souls out there with FWD (mostly residents, I guess) but I would stay with 4WD. The FWD may work well close to the water where the damp sand is more tightlly packed but I'd stay away without 4WD.

 

Thanks for the replies. I got stuck a few times with my 4x4 van but it had pretty skinny tires. I never air down the Expy tires and always do well, even on the fluffy sand.

My new truck will be a SRW.

Mike D.

 

air pressure makes all the differance in the world. I run 12psi on my 2004 f-350 loaded with tools, and rarely need to use 4wd. 5.4L with stock tires(for now). If you go down to 20psi you will be fine with 4wd.

 

lots of diesels out here on the inlet and tons of construction worker driving diesels 20-50mins north on the beach to carova everyday! stock tires really need to air down, but lots of guy's with 33x12.5 or 35x12.5 and up float without airing down unless the beach is torn up my buddy drive to carova everyday in his 2500 dodge Cummins with 39x16x16.5 has to air down if the beach is torn up but someday's does not even need 4x4! back in my young stupid days I took my z24 out on orgen inlet but it was very packed that evening HOPE THIS HELPS BEING I AM A LOCAL DOWN HERE

 

Thanks for the replies. I feel better about the front end weight now. I will air down.

I am ordering the truck today!

Mike D.

 

jscarb2, I would've never thought to run across another local at/around carova. Im a local to. lived out there for about 13 years now.

 

small world!