Let's talk about Beach/Sand

So we just got back from several wks of fishing in OBX. The Wrangler is always good to go on the beach but I want to make some changes to the 4R so we have two vehicles for out there.
Currently I have 255/75 Hankooks on the sr5 4R. They are standard load all terrain with fn pro wheels. Any concerns about low pressure in a SL tire?

What would be a better option? (Not E load)
Open to 255/80
How bad are my wheels going to be chewed up?

I can't believe how quickly my gorilla lug nuts corroded down there.

 

I've run 15 to 20 psi at the beach on stock size SL tires with no issues. That was super soft sugar sand in summer at OBX and through the year in NJ.

I'd guess the 255 won't float as well, but as long as you're just chilling and going normal speed shouldn't have any issues.

 

All 255/80R17 are E Load right?

 

I heard that wider tires are better for sand.

 

No

 

Can you please post 255/80R17 tires that are not Load E? I did not find any when I search.

 

When I get a chance I'll have to go back and look someone else on this forum posted a very comprehensive list of 255 80 tires I could have swore there was one or two in there that were not E load

 

Having spent a lot of time on the beach with my previous 4th gen, wider is better on the sand. Even increasing the width by 10mm made a huge difference.

 

255/80R17s would be about the worst possible choice for driving on the sand. As are too aggressive tires.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyPRBoo0nCQ

When I was stationed on Kauai in the Navy, I bought a `79 Dodge W100 lifted 6" and on 36" Super Swamper TSLs. I figured it would be unstoppable.

My first trip onto the beach, I learned that TSLs simply dug down and got me stuck immediately. It was a quick lesson in how mud and sand are complete opposites.

 

I think you are right.
Sorry

 

Not that I'm some offroad badass, but I've literally never aired down at OBX. As long as you have 4WD and don't dig yourself down to the frame, you'll be fine.

 

More to driving in sand than just which tires you use:
https://www.offroaddiscovery.com/taking-a-4x4-trip-down-the-beach

https://www.club4x4.com.au/sand-driving/

 

I have normally gone down to 20 PSI in the Outer Banks on SL tires, stock sizes never an issue.

25 PSI on thousands of miles of dirt roads/tracks and never had any unusual wear from airing down.