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My Ranger in 4×4 on Outer Banks beaches

engus13

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This was from Novemeber last year. It is alway important to know the basics before heading out offroad.Kust because no one else is airing down doesn't make it right. Be safe out there.
Ranger OB.webp
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Bushmechanic

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i would have never known to air down if its not on a sign telling you to. living on the beach here, we never air down. to me, thats something you do on a 4x4 trail. i wouldn't think you would have to air down if you are in a 4x4, either on a beach.

i never had 4wd vehicles until after i got out of the army in 98. prior to that i had an f150 2wd and a 65 mustang i would drive down the beach to the surf spots. if you didn't know how to drive on the beach though, for sure i could see needing a 4x4 to not get stuck
That first 100 feet of Carolina beach on a hot, dry, and popular day has produced some of the most difficult sand I've encountered; and I've certainly handled my share of desert climates.

You're not going to die if you get stuck, but you'll feel like it as the other people drive by and laugh. 🤣
 
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Bill Hippel

Bill Hippel

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This was from Novemeber last year. It is alway important to know the basics before heading out offroad.Kust because no one else is airing down doesn't make it right. Be safe out there.
Ranger OB.webp
Nice looking truck. The NC.state police didn't have a problem with people not airing down I don't know why you would.
 
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Bill Hippel

Bill Hippel

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That first 100 feet of Carolina beach on a hot, dry, and popular day has produced some of the most difficult sand I've encountered; and I've certainly handled my share of desert climates.

You're not going to die if you get stuck, but you'll feel like it as the other people drive by and laugh. 🤣
The only looks we got were looks of envy from people taking tour rides on group 4×4's

20250815_102723.webp
 

superj

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That first 100 feet of Carolina beach on a hot, dry, and popular day has produced some of the most difficult sand I've encountered; and I've certainly handled my share of desert climates.

You're not going to die if you get stuck, but you'll feel like it as the other people drive by and laugh. 🤣
i have driven on the beaches south of there and have seen some soft stuff so i understand what you are saying. i just never heard to air down at the beach. i always heard punch it and don't let off the gas till you are through, ha ha ha
 

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engus13

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Nice looking truck. The NC.state police didn't have a problem with people not airing down I don't know why you would.
The police didn't stop you because it is not againt the law, just like it's not against the law to jump out of a plane without a paracuet, but just because something is not against the law doesn't mean it is a good idea.
If you want to drive on beaches with fully inflated tires and people sitting on the rails of the bed of your truck, go ahead. Everyone on hear is just trying to pass on the hard lessons we have learned. But you do you.
 

Bushmechanic

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Airing down isn't just about safety. It protects beaches and trails.

That's one of the reasons AWD vehicles have been disallowed on many trails. They'll get you from one end to the other, but at what cost? The level of tire aggression on the terrain itself is too high.

You buy the expensive truck and gear to make off-pavement excursions as flawlessly easy on the vehicle and terrain as possible; and your tires are the only things that touch the ground.

If you're out and about in the middle of a nowhere you can't pronounce, it's one thing. If you're on a trail, however, you need to do things properly. No slipping that can be avoided.
 

superj

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i don't want to be slipping at all because i don't want mud and junk in spots where it can cause rust. i don't even want to be off road
 

Aemonn

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Airing down isn't just about safety. It protects beaches and trails.

That's one of the reasons AWD vehicles have been disallowed on many trails. They'll get you from one end to the other, but at what cost? The level of tire aggression on the terrain itself is too high.

You buy the expensive truck and gear to make off-pavement excursions as flawlessly easy on the vehicle and terrain as possible; and your tires are the only things that touch the ground.

If you're out and about in the middle of a nowhere you can't pronounce, it's one thing. If you're on a trail, however, you need to do things properly. No slipping that can be avoided.
So much this. I cringe when I see these videos of groups in "built" honda passports and subarus going down 4x4 trails. they need to get up to 15+ mph to make it up some inclines, bouncing their underside off the terrain and relying on traction control systems while their wheels spin madly in sequence.

Only plus is that eventually the trail will be too much for these vehicles. Downside is, the trail then becomes needlessly difficult for everyone else.
 
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Bill Hippel

Bill Hippel

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The police didn't stop you because it is not againt the law, just like it's not against the law to jump out of a plane without a paracuet, but just because something is not against the law doesn't mean it is a good idea.
If you want to drive on beaches with fully inflated tires and people sitting on the rails of the bed of your truck, go ahead. Everyone on hear is just trying to pass on the hard lessons we have learned. But you do you.
Thanks for your concern, it not my first go around either. I would not put my wife and children in harms way. Everyone was safe and had a great time.
 
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Bill Hippel

Bill Hippel

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My prayers for all the people in the Outer banks.
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