Beach driving thoughts

[barho]

So, I just purchased my new 2017 Z71 and I'd like some help from the forum. We are heading to Carova, NC for vacation July 4th week. What can I do to be sure I do everything I can to keep from damaging it? I know to stay out of the salt water, but what about sand in the bearings and underneath? Once we get to the house (30-45 min beach drive) I plan to unload and rinse off the undercarriage as much as possible at the house and let it sit for the week, then once off the island on way home I'll find a nice touchless car wash place with undercarriage wash. Anything else others can recommend? Should I just not chance it and rent a Tahoe? I'd really like to think the Z71 can handle a beach drive.

 

[Doubeleive]

going just once wont hurt anything in any way, if you lived on the beach and drove it everyday then that's different. sand does manage to get in every nook and cranny, you'll be having a harder time getting it out of the interior than anything else.

 

[PG01]

Really wouldn’t even worry about it, wash it when you get home.

 

[swathdiver]

I drove mine on Daytona's beaches for a couple of days. Used the pressure wash from a local carwash afterwards and then with the garden hose when I got home. There was sand everywhere, it piled up on the running boards and then we tracked it into the truck. Funny thing, the speed limit was like 15 but still the running boards filled up.

Would do it again in a heartbeat.

Same thing happens when driving slow on my buddies long dirt driveway too.

Going to add splash guards as this guy's old bones don't take kindly to falling off slippery running boards!

 

[Miami-Dade]

I drove mine on Daytona's beaches for a couple of days. Used the pressure wash from a local carwash afterwards and then with the garden hose when I got home. There was sand everywhere, it piled up on the running boards and then we tracked it into the truck. Funny thing, the speed limit was like 15 but still the running boards filled up.

Would do it again in a heartbeat.!

I did the exact same thing when I drove mine on Daytona's beaches.

 

[swathdiver]

Forgot to add that more than a few times we veered out of the lanes and drove through the surf as the tide was coming in, had to replicate a trip through Daytona's surf that I'd taken 21 years or so earlier! Again, no ill effects with a good washing afterwards. Pay particular attention when washing to the brake rotors too.

 

[dbbd1]

However, I would not use a pressure washer. You wouldn't want to force the sand into some place special, where it isn't already. A garden hose is what I use.

 

[Doubeleive]

I drove mine on Daytona's beaches for a couple of days. Used the pressure wash from a local carwash afterwards and then with the garden hose when I got home. There was sand everywhere, it piled up on the running boards and then we tracked it into the truck. Funny thing, the speed limit was like 15 but still the running boards filled up.

Would do it again in a heartbeat.

Same thing happens when driving slow on my buddies long dirt driveway too.

Going to add splash guards as this guy's old bones don't take kindly to falling off slippery running boards!

exactly why I put them on mine I went thru mud the first time and it was all over the steps, I was like wth? my 2000 never did that, I used these
Husky Liners Front/Rear Mud Splash Guard Combo Set Part # 56781/56731
install was pretty basic I drilled two additional holes in the rear plastic to mount better
you'll want to just turn your front wheels for the front install, the rear you have to take the wheels off to get them on there just isn't any room with the wheels on.

 

[Blueinterceptor]

Don’t forget to air down your tires. Bring a shovel. I’d turn off the traction control and just use the limited slip. And 4wd of course

 

[swathdiver]

Don’t forget to air down your tires. Bring a shovel. I’d turn off the traction control and just use the limited slip.

That wasn't necessary for Daytona Beach but of course there are places where such is needed.

 

[cardude2000]

exactly why I put them on mine I went thru mud the first time and it was all over the steps, I was like wth? my 2000 never did that, I used these
Husky Liners Front/Rear Mud Splash Guard Combo Set Part # 56781/56731
install was pretty basic I drilled two additional holes in the rear plastic to mount better
you'll want to just turn your front wheels for the front install, the rear you have to take the wheels off to get them on there just isn't any room with the wheels on.

I put on husky no drill flaps and didnt have to take off the rear tires. Maybe with 22's you do though, not sure. They absolutely help though, no doubt.

 

[Doubeleive]

I put on husky no drill flaps and didnt have to take off the rear tires. Maybe with 22's you do though, not sure. They absolutely help though, no doubt.

I have 20's on my denali, on the rear there just wasn't any room to work without it taking all day long so I took the wheels off for convenience, I drilled 2 small holes in the plastic because it made it a much firmer mount. I am happy with the husky's they seem to be holding up pretty good.

 

[andrewr]

we have a 2015 LTZ and spent a week in Carova and down the 4X4 beach this past summer. My parents came down to visit as well and they have a 2016 Tahoe Z71. Neither had any issues. Honestly, we probably didn't even need to put it in 4wd, but did every time just so we weren't "those people" getting stuck out there. The worst area is the area right after/before the hard ball depending on if you are coming or going. The sand gets deep there and if the person in front of you freaks out and slows down instead of keeping it moving, it can make it a little difficult. Other than that, once you get through it, just say to the right by the surf or in a good set of already made tracks. just keep your foot on the gas when moving front one set of tracks to another too. Neither of the Tahoes had any issues or have had any since it due to the sand. we did have sand in every crevice it seems for a while afterwards, but eventually got it cleaned all out with car washes over time. Had it at the dealer and asked the same questions about sand in joints and bearings and they looked it over with nothing found or anything of concern.

It was a blast staying a week on the 4X4 beach! have fun and enjoy! The Z won't have any issues.

 

[barho]

Thanks all! Andrew your post was what I was hoping to hear! Really looking forward to the trip. The house we are staying in is literally three homes from NC/VA border. Should be a blast.

 

[Burby]

Took my new burban on the beach in Texas and it performed great. 4WD mode, stay out of the water, stay mostly on the tire tracks and you are good. If you get into a hairy situation immediately before digging ruts, lower tire pressure to 15psi, put in 4WD low and crawl out slowly. People take tons of vehicles on the beaches without issue. The real killer is salt on the roads up north.

 

[Garandman]

Really wouldn’t even worry about it, wash it when you get home.

These folks worried about salt exposure for a week!

Snowbelt states put down 250-500 lbs of salt per lane mile every snowstorm!

 

[PG01]

These folks worried about salt exposure for a week!

Snowbelt states put down 250-500 lbs of salt per lane mile every snowstorm!

Hehe...i know, i know...

 

[Clive]

I too was somewhat hesitant taking my 2017 Silverado Z71 into sandy/beach conditions with less than 500 miles on the odometer. No issues, perfect for testing 4HI & 4LO, Traction Control, etc. Needed to tow out a car from some soft sand, so pack your tow rope.
2011 Tahoe same place was fun too - do watch out for the front bumper/air dam plastic extension being quite low if you do any aggressive routes - we ripped ours off on a pretty steep descent when it dug into the sand going downhill. Oops.

 

[TARDIS]

Doing our Carova family trip in 2 weeks.
hurrying to get the 96 Yukon project ready for the 450 mile trip!

 

[dbbd1]

These folks worried about salt exposure for a week!

Snowbelt states put down 250-500 lbs of salt per lane mile every snowstorm!

When I think about driving on the beach, I don't think about salt and salty air, I think about grains of sand getting into places where you don't want them to be...

But, damn, my sinuses do love that air.