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vince
Dodge Dakota
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2/11/2005
12:36:08
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 Subject: beach maintenance?
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any tips for off roading on the beach this summer, i plan to go for a few weeks with returning home each night. does anyone suggest any tips to prevent salt air damage?
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Yeah
Dodge Dakota
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2/11/2005
12:47:24
| RE: beach maintenance?
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Yeah, dont go driving on the beach!
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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2/11/2005
12:54:15
| RE: beach maintenance?
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wash the vehicle off every night. Sand is going to get EVERYWHERE and of course you have the salt water to contend with.
I've seen many a vehicle overheat, check your coolant system.
Drop the tire pressure, it's easier to drive in sand when you have low tire pressure. I usually go to around 15-20 psi.
big waves can sometimes occur, seen alot of video where a vehicle was washed out to sea. And pay attention to low/high tide times.
- Dan M
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scott1981
Dodge Dakota
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2/11/2005
13:57:57
| RE: beach maintenance?
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dan had a good post. i usually set up a oscilating sprinkler up under my truck and let it go for about 30 minutes fron and back. that usually tends to get most of the sand and salt off. then hose out the wheel wells and the engine bay by hand give the body a good washing and you have done about all you can
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Crow318
Dodge Dakota
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2/11/2005
15:42:14
| RE: beach maintenance?
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If you plan on getting anywhere near the water, make sure you check all your breathers. both axles have them, and if you have a standard tranny, it may have one, I'm not sure.
CV boots
Axle seals
make sure you grease everything that has a greaser.
It is almost impossible to keep stuff out, the key is to cleaning it up after.
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rockgod
Dodge Dakota
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2/11/2005
20:22:41
| RE: beach maintenance?
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Check out www.spireviews.com and click on the link about driving on the south padre island beach. It's well written and useful stuff.
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mike m
Dodge Dakota
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2/11/2005
23:37:51
| RE: beach maintenance?
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check this link out at about.com
http://trucks.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pps.net.au%2F4wdencounter%2F4wdtech%2Fsand_driving.html
you might want to buy a power hose attachment for your garden hose to get higher pressure than the standard nozzles to spray underneath your truck and use everday to prevent sand build up and caking.
also make sure all your boots, guards, covers and shields are sealed and secure. if sand and pebbles get in your cv joints or other moving parts your screwed.
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03Kota
Dodge Dakota
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2/12/2005
01:37:52
| RE: beach maintenance?
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clean under your fender flares if you have them. it'll do a number to your fender area on the body if you don't. i would take them off till the beach season is over if you have them. and the bumper can get pretty nasty on the inside of it too. i've still got mud stuck in it from offroading. have fun.
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Beach Boy
Dodge Dakota
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2/12/2005
22:27:02
| RE: beach maintenance?
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Having lived on the Texas Gulf Coast for some 50 years now and surfing 38 of those years while driving 34 of those years I might give you a little advice. #1 have a gallon of water handy to rinse off your feet and anyone else’s that will be getting in your truck. #2 keep your windows and doors closed as much as possible. This will keep the sand and salty air out of your interior. #3 LPS 3. Spray it on any and every seam (where two pieces of metal attach) you can get to. Such as the seams on your doors, hood and tailgate. Take out your taillights and spray up in there too. #4 Avoid driving in the salt water. If you have to drive slowly. #5 Take more time rinsing the under side of your truck with a garden hose with a "gun" on it. #6 Give your truck a good waxing then let it get good and dirty with regular road dirt. This will create a barrier keeping the salt off your paint. #7 Rinse the under side of your truck every day after driving on the beach. I know this was #5 too but that's where the sand will accumulate. Pop the hood and stick spray that water in the fender openings and around the headlamps. Under the truck find any crevices or opening and flush it good. After this, drive the truck to dry the under side. One thing I have found is that darker vehicles will rust less. Why, less moisture. That's why I have driven black trucks since 1983.
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Fishful
Dodge Dakota
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2/14/2005
20:35:28
| RE: beach maintenance?
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I have been going off-road on the Cape Cod beaches for the past 12 years. I have seen a lot of vehicles get in trouble below the high tide line resulting in major issues up to a loss of vehicle. Stay above the high tide level, unless you are with someone that can provide assistance. The suggestion to drop the air in the tires to 15 lbs is a must. I also carry an expansion can of compressed air (makes life a lot easier when you get off the sand). At that air pressure, and with "P" rated tires (I have P265-70-16) on my 2002 4.7 SLT) you may have the bead break on the tire if you go over a bump, or hit something. Make sure that you have a board to place the jack on that is strong enough to support the jack and the truck in the sand. You should also have a good tow strap if you get stuck, or need to provide assistance. Don't forget the shovel, if you need to dig yourself out. The National Sea Shore requires the above safety items before granting a permit to go off road. Most of the time, I do fine in 4 x 4 high, use 4 x 4 low only when you start to bog down or get a lot of wheel spin. Another thing to think about is start off with enough gasoline--driving around in 4 x 4 with 15 lbs of air in the tires will suck up the go juice much faster than you think. Too much gas is extra weight that aids in sinking into the sand. I have done this with my three Dakotas (95, 98, & 02)and our two Jeeps, all of them did very well. It is a great way to spend the day--remember to bring the dog too. When you get in, wash everything really well under the truck. If you have a 4 x 4 use it and enjoy it. Have fun, Fishful Thinking
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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2/14/2005
22:47:13
| RE: beach maintenance?
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You can always take an air tank with you. I have a portable compressor that plugs into my cigarette lighter that I use to air up the tires after i get back to the parking lot. Forgot to mention that. You can find them cheap everywhere. Most companies that make air compressors make the portable ones. I think I saw one on sale at pepboys this week.
Good info from beach boy and fishful. Experience is a good teacher!
- Dan M
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RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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2/16/2005
09:12:36
|  RE: beach maintenance?
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Message:
vince, after reading the above posts with VERY
good advice, I'd suggest staying off the beach
all together with your Dakota. It doesn't sound
like it's worth the problems you may get in to.
I have seen cars from the sea shore area that have
never been on the beach and most are rust buckets
by the time they are five years old. But then
again, those were Fords and GM's. lol
I'd get one of those ATV 4x4's if you want to
play in the sand.
Have a fun summer!
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Fishful
Dodge Dakota
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2/17/2005
22:20:29
| RE: beach maintenance?
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Driving around during one New England Winter is worse than anything you will do at the beach. Rinse it off well and rust will not be a problem. If you have the opportunity to go off road, do it and you will be hooked. Grill some burgers on the beach, have a cold one and figure out where you are going to put that 35 pound bass you just caught. Ever watch the sun set and the only thing between you and the tail gate is water. A little sand in the back of the truck is the way to go. Don't forget to fill the bed up with the adult toys, follow the above advice and have a ball. A lot of blow days for boating are saved by fishing on the beaches or digging clams out there in the Dakota. Take that Daily Ride for a real ride. Have fun, Fishful Thinking
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