Beach driving and beach cruising are popular in coastal areas. Beach driving can be a great way to relax and enjoy the beauty of the ocean. It can also be very similar to off-roading because you don’t want to take just any car, rather, you’d probably prefer something more equipped to handle sand. The beach may be uneven in some areas; you will have to drive on thick and even wet sand. Making sure you have a vehicle that has enough ground clearance and that is well-equipped is going to be very important.
How much ground clearance do I need for beach driving? 6.5 to 8 inches of clearance is recommended for beach driving. Depending on the beach, you may be able to drive with only 6 inches of clearance. 7 to 7.5 inches is the optimal height for beach driving since it provides enough space between your vehicle and the sand, yet isn’t tall enough to increase your chances of rolling.
Not having a well-equipped car can turn beach driving from a fun activity to a nightmare. Getting stuck in the sand can be a huge pain and can be very difficult to get out of. If your front end gets stuck in the sand and you try to press on the gas, your wheels will spin and dig you deeper into the sand. Sand is very good at swallowing up your car. Read on to learn more about the right clearance needed for beach driving and how to participate safely in such an activity.
The Optimal Ground Clearance For Beach Driving
The optimal ground clearance for beach driving is 7.5 inches. At this height, your vehicle will have enough height to get over any berms or bumps you will encounter on the beach. This also is low enough that you don’t have to worry about rolling when turning or driving at higher speeds. You may not think there is much need for high clearance on a beach because it is just a bunch of flat sand, but a bit of clearance will greatly increase your chances of a better experience.
On the beach, you can run into berms and gullies created by small rivers and streams. These are tricky because they may appear suddenly and can be hard to see from afar. With proper clearance, you should be able to pass right over it with minimal problems; too low of clearance would likely result in you getting stuck or damaging your vehicle. Make sure you research the beach you plan on driving on to familiarize yourself with the terrain.
There are many beaches that you can drive on with a clearance of fewer than 7.5 inches. Popular beach driving for dune buggies and other beach vehicles is going to have more dune-like terrains so it will be important that you have clearance around the 7-inch range.
What Happens If You Don’t Have The Right Clearance While Beach Driving?
Not having enough clearance on the beach will lead to the same thing that not having enough clearance anywhere will: you are going to get stuck. Or at the very least, you’ll likely damage your car. Getting stuck in the sand is tricky because getting yourself unstuck has to be done in a specific way. But that specific way all depends on how you’re stuck.
Particularly, when there are only one or two wheels that are touching the ground and a vehicle is high-centered, there isn’t enough power to get your car moving. This type of situation can lead to your tires spinning out. This can be even more troublesome if you have a car that is just front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive. You are going to be completely stuck with no way of getting out if the wheels that get all of the power are in the air.
Driving in sand is sort of its own realm of off-roading. If you’re familiar with off-roading, you may be able to navigate it easier, but sand can be incredibly hard to maneuver through (even for a seasoned off-roader). Once you’re stuck, sand likes to find itself seeping into all of the different parts of the car as you try to get yourself out. And usually, trying to get yourself out does the opposite; you’ll just dig yourself even deeper in the sand. A good clearance will give you more room to work with if you get stuck.
Tips For Navigating Beach Driving Safely
Safety tips for someone who will be doing some beach driving are going to be similar to tips given to someone off-roading. First and foremost, don’t push yourself past your limits. Driving through sand is not at all like driving on the road. To ensure your safety and the safety of those around you, there are certain ways it needs to be navigated through. Familiarize yourself with the beach and the trails that you will be driving through. This way, there will be limited surprises and you can know if there is any special equipment you’d want to bring.
If possible, take someone with you that is experienced or that has driven on that particular beach. Having someone that knows the area can help you stay away from unknown and unseen hazards.
Driving on sand requires some speed. Slow and steady doesn’t work well and can increase your chances of getting stuck. If at all possible, don’t stop while driving on sand and if you must stop, find as rocky or flat terrain as possible to stop on.
Airing down your tires also helps with weight distribution. Keep this in mind while you’re measuring how much ground clearance you’ll need; airing down your tires will decrease your clearance by an inch or so.
Be sure to deactivate any onboard traction control system on your vehicle before driving on sand. Traction control systems operate by cutting power to certain wheels if loss of traction is sensed. This will slow down your vehicle and increase your chances of getting stuck. By deactivating the traction control system, your tires will throw more sand but you are less likely to get stuck.
Lastly, make sure you look into legal areas to beach drive. Beaches are full of protected, private, and public areas that may not allow beach driving. There are often park rangers and security that monitor such areas and will not hesitate to pull you over, give you a ticket, and even kick you out of the area.
Does My Car Need Other Equipment To Optimize Ground Clearance On The Beach?
Getting stuck without the right tools will completely end your trip and possibly leave you and your car stranded until you can get a tow truck or some other specialty vehicle out to help you. Another modification that can make a big difference is paddle tires. These are special tires that are made for sand and have a tread that rises an inch or more above the surface of the tire and runs from sidewall to sidewall (it works a lot like a paddle boat paddling through water). They almost look like a water wheel. These tires essentially “paddle” through the sand.
These tires are going to be the most effective on dry loose sand. When driving on wet, compact sand, a good pair of all-terrain tires will do just fine. Driving with paddle tires on compact sand can be hard on your vehicle and will make you feel like your brain is rattling.
Another tool that can optimize clearance is a good set of shocks. Standard shocks will usually do the job, but the ride might be super bumpy and just a roller coaster of ups and downs. For a smooth ride, you will want to invest in some reputable shocks. Many brands have shocks with different stiffness ratings and styles that can make a difference in beach driving. Make sure to do your research on what brand and setup are best for your vehicle and its weight.
