Subaru owners: Let's see your expedition rigs!

[TeufelHunden]

Has anyone driven their subaru (impreza, wrx, forester, outback) on the beach? We are looking to take a trip in the next few months to the beach. You are able to drive down the beach but I was just wondering if it would be wise.

You shouldn't have any problems. If you can, air your tires down to around 15 psi to help make the tread contact patch larger. I never did that personally, at least not with my old Forester, and I used to drive that on the beach quite often. Hard packed sand or deep sand, it didn't matter; I never got stuck and I tried a few times by driving through some trenches the AAV's left on the beach here on Camp Pendleton.

 

[Thirty-Nine]

Has anyone driven their subaru (impreza, wrx, forester, outback) on the beach? We are looking to take a trip in the next few months to the beach. You are able to drive down the beach but I was just wondering if it would be wise.

I took our '12 Forester on the beach for a few miles. Like TeufelHunden said, airing down helps. I used to have a Suzuki SX4, which had a center-locking diff, and it was a bit better in the sand, but the Subaru did just fine. Taking the traction control off helps, too.

Andy

 

[Hondaslayer]

Our Forester gets driven on the beach at least once a month during the clam digs, never had a problem (other than remembering where I left it!)

 

[WMDunkin]

You shouldn't have any problems. If you can, air your tires down to around 15 psi to help make the tread contact patch larger. I never did that personally, at least not with my old Forester, and I used to drive that on the beach quite often. Hard packed sand or deep sand, it didn't matter; I never got stuck and I tried a few times by driving through some trenches the AAV's left on the beach here on Camp Pendleton.

I took our '12 Forester on the beach for a few miles. Like TeufelHunden said, airing down helps. I used to have a Suzuki SX4, which had a center-locking diff, and it was a bit better in the sand, but the Subaru did just fine. Taking the traction control off helps, too.

Andy

Our Forester gets driven on the beach at least once a month during the clam digs, never had a problem (other than remembering where I left it!)

Thanks guys, I will air down just to be safe. I will post pictures after we are done.

 

[Thirty-Nine]

I love those wheels, by the way. Are they 17s or 16s?

Andy

 

[vesparex]

Jibs,

What kind of tires are those?

Duane

 

[MCObray]

Jibs,

What kind of tires are those?

Duane

Looks like Super Swamper TSL's.

 

[REDrum]

Looks like Super Swamper TSL's.

LOL....

 

[dookie]

Thanks guys, I will air down just to be safe. I will post pictures after we are done.

I don't know what beack you're going to, but the Atlantic beaches near you (Assateague/Chincoteague/OBX) are often deep, soft, rutted sand...especially at the access ramps. With the car pictured, I would be very wary of bottoming out.

 

[WMDunkin]

I love those wheels, by the way. Are they 17s or 16s?

Andy

16" Sparco Terra got them from tirerack.com

I don't know what beack you're going to, but the Atlantic beaches near you (Assateague/Chincoteague/OBX) are often deep, soft, rutted sand...especially at the access ramps. With the car pictured, I would be very wary of bottoming out.

We are planning on heading to Assateague next month. I have a on avg. about 8" of clearance under the car with the current set up (on pavement). The lowest spot is the suspension just before the wheel at 7.5" and the skidplates at nearly 8.5" off the ground. Side skirts are 8" from the ground also. I have seen stock outbacks driving on soft beaches and they did fine.

 

[Rosco862003]

The picture doesn't look that bad, because I stopped when I knew it was ok to stop, not in the deep and soft stuff. 5.1" of ground clearance, all stock at the time, no skids (wish I had them), but keep up momentum and you'll be perfectly fine. This was taken on Carova Beach in the OBX where I'm sure the sand is just as fine and loose. I passed several stuck vehicles of all sizes, it happens to everyone, so I wouldn't worry about it. Carry a shovel, block of wood for a jack point and some beer for anyone nice enough to pull you out. Make sure you know where your tow points are and that they're up to snuff and I would also recommend bringing your own snatch strap W/O metal hooks as they can come loose and become small missiles that have no regard of who or what they hit. With 8" of clearance and the relatively lightweight of your chassis I promise you'll actually be surprised with how well the car does, or at least I was. I was also aired down to 17 PSI. I'm not sure how Assateague is, but at the OBX it is best to drive close to the water where the sand is a bit firmer, but if you do find your way into the soft stuff, I stress momentum and avoid others ruts. Despite advise to follow in tracks, as this is where the sand has usually been compacted, I found my momentum quickly being soaked up by the center "ridge". Another thing to consider is that sand will get everywhere and I do mean everywhere. I changed my spark plug & valve cover seals and found sand littered about even in side the valve cover and could see it hiding close to the timing belt. I'm not sure if this is wearing anything down, but thought I would note the possibility of sand finding it's way in places it shouldn't be. Good luck, be smart and have fun. Getting stuck isn't the end of the world if it happens to you, trust me, and if someone says you can't make it down the beach just prove them wrong:smiley_drive:

 

[WMDunkin]

Thanks for the input Rosco, yeah I have run with my co-workers mod'd JK and was able to "keep up" until we hit some deep mud. I make sure and bring and air compressor, a shovel, my ramps (cheap knock offs), some wood and maybe some beer. :friday: I will post pictures once I am done.

 

[Rosco862003]

Right on, have fun out there.

 

[sewerdigger]

My addition to the thread. My 2013 XV Crosstrek.
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Put my Jeep basket on a set of Yakima bars.

 

[WMDunkin]

Loving good man.