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Kdj Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2017 Posts: 142 Location: Naptown
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Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2023 4:56 pm Post subject: Cape Lookout National Seashore |
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Does anyone have experience taking your vanagon out there? I’m lifted 2WD with good AT tires and some off road experience in sand. I do have recovery gear also. Really looking for sand conditions, is it super soft or reasonably firm? I’ve seen a a lot of different kinds of vehicles out there in online pictures, but I don’t want to be the guy who got stuck coming off the ferry!
Any feed back accepted! |
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Tobias Duncan Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2013 Posts: 1391 Location: Taos NM
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Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2023 5:57 pm Post subject: Re: Cape lookout national seashore |
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Best defense against sand is the stock 14 inch rim with a large AT tire
Air down to 15 psi and you will float over most sand
I keep a compressor with me for beaches in mexico so that I can air back up once on the solid dirt roads |
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nesurfer99 Samba Member
Joined: December 15, 2013 Posts: 67 Location: Jacksonville, Florida
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Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2023 8:07 pm Post subject: Re: Cape Lookout National Seashore |
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I was there in a syncro last fall and did not have any issues. I personally would not attempt it in a 2wd but I travel alone mostly and don't enjoy getting stuck. FWIW I believe the park service requires you to have 4wd. There is a mandatory check in when you get off the ferry but they are obviously not crawling under your vehicle and counting differentials.
There is lots of traffic on the beach and road so if you do get stuck I'm sure someone will pull you out.
As long as you have momentum you should be able to power through the deeper sections.
Here are a couple of pics from that trip.
Good luck!
_________________ 89 Carat on the road and collecting (s)miles |
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vanagonjr Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2010 Posts: 3431 Location: Dartmouth, Mass.
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Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2023 5:20 am Post subject: Re: Cape Lookout National Seashore |
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nesurfer99 wrote: |
FWIW I believe the park service requires you to have 4wd. There is a mandatory check in when you get off the ferry but they are obviously not crawling under your vehicle and counting differentials.] |
From NPS site
“Types of Vehicles Allowed
Four-wheel drive is highly recommended for the islands as two-wheeled drive and all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles are more easily stuck in the soft sand areas of the beach and sand trails. Even with a four-wheel drive vehicle, it is also advisable to lower the tire pressure to 20 psi or lower. See our tips on beach driving for more information.
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and small utility vehicles (UTVs) can also be driven in the areas designated for vehicles. To ensure a safe and enjoyable visit to our beaches, check out the ATV riding rules before you come. These are enforced.” _________________ John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
LiMBO (late model bus club) www.limbobus.org
LiMBO is on Facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798 |
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R0Batt Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2021 Posts: 58 Location: Charlotte, NC
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Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2024 7:14 am Post subject: Re: Cape Lookout National Seashore |
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Bump.
Has anyone done it yet in a 2wd vanagon?
I think im going to try it in the next month or two.
Going out there with my buddy that has a lifted duramax on 35s
My van is lifted with some bigger tires and the General Grabber A/Ts
I plan on going out there with a shovel, max tracks, and a tow rope. _________________ 85 Westy
Charlotte, NC |
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dhaavers Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 7757 Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2024 6:22 pm Post subject: Re: Cape Lookout National Seashore |
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^^^ Sounds fun, good start.
If you plan to air down to 10-15 psi & pack a ~$100 12v air compressor, you probably
won’t even need the max tracks, rope <or> ever have to bother your friend.
- Dave _________________ 86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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E1 Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013 Posts: 6563 Location: Westfalia, Earth
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Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2024 7:30 pm Post subject: Re: Cape Lookout National Seashore |
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There’s a whole lotta factors in sand driving and especially with 2WD.
We drove out Pismo Beach once on 14s with 27x8.5 tires. In my opinion, that combination was the best start in profile over and above any other factors. We were on BFG ATs (previous to KO2s) and talked to some way more-seasoned sand runners with similar tires and pressured down to 8.
Not sure I’d go that low again, and especially not on C-rateds, but at one point there was a line of trailers right above the high tide line, we had to go a few hundred yards “out back” through the deep, and did not get stuck. Total round-trip was 7 miles of sand.
We run 215/65-16 KO2s now, and the D-rating is the Bomb — on pavement but not so much on sand. The Peloquin helps a lot unless throttle input gets excessive, as does a revvier ring & pinion to bump to 2nd at slow speeds, but the sidewalls are lower and stiffer and it’s a small cut below the 14s. But still very usable.
Traction ramps have bailed us out maybe 10 or so times over 11 years. Invaluable, we have two and may buy two more. When things go really wrong, I’d say they’re far more valuable than any tires.
No matter all that, the secret if digging in is such a low rpm that the thing wants to stall — similar to driving in snow, really. Staying calm and being fully committed when it’s sketchy is a huge part of not getting stuck, hesitation is the enemy nearly every time.
The road photo above is way easier than what a 2WD can do, standard stuff really, if the above considerations are fully in play. The beach photo is a little trickier and needing momentum, but that sand looks damp and firm which is a big help. Dry is the worst. _________________ ‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman |
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R0Batt Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2021 Posts: 58 Location: Charlotte, NC
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Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2024 12:15 pm Post subject: Re: Cape Lookout National Seashore |
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Finally some optimism!!!
I will definitely air my tires down the general grabbers are load range SL so they should be pretty soft and good for the sand
Yeah ive offroaded a good bit and plan on scouting my line before driving on to the beach to make sure I dont stop in the soft stuff _________________ 85 Westy
Charlotte, NC |
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kourt Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2013 Posts: 1947 Location: Austin, TX
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Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2024 1:40 pm Post subject: Re: Cape Lookout National Seashore |
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The photo has sand and beach features that resemble Padre Island National Seashore on the Texas coast.
That beach always has a mix of easy wet sand and really dry, low traction sand.
You drive on the surf line as much as possible to your campsite, and then plan your arrival at the campsite all around your departure technique.
Sensible driving, momentum, strategy, and deflation will get you out of most problems. I usually deflate to 10 PSI on the dry sand. Keep the throttle down and lock your van into 1st or 2nd gear if it's an automatic.
My Vanagon was a heavy 2WD automatic with Peloquin. I used traction boards once during a hot summer trip, but otherwise have left them at home. If you are not confident in sand, have traction boards and you'll still be able to say you were ready for self rescue.
kourt |
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Kdj Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2017 Posts: 142 Location: Naptown
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Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2024 10:55 am Post subject: Re: Cape Lookout National Seashore |
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I still haven’t made it out there. Look forward to any reports of how it went in a 2wd vanagon. It will remain on my list of must visit. |
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E1 Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013 Posts: 6563 Location: Westfalia, Earth
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Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2024 11:02 am Post subject: Re: Cape Lookout National Seashore |
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What if someone has no idea what they’re doing and gets it all wrong and gets stuck? Then you won’t go?
What if someone knows what they’re doing and has all the right stuff and has no problem? Then you will go?
What if either above scenario is in different conditions, different season, different sand conditions, or on different tires, gearing, running condition, tire condition, type, lug depth, and pressures, skill level, outright bad info from total strangers, and tells you nothing at all?
No offense intended (!), just live a little and go enjoy it! Sand is variable, always, every time.
You’ll know in the first few yards if it’s a good idea or not. We once got stuck about 600 feet into what turned out to be a short dune, emptied out weight, aired down more, and got out with traction boards, and a simple desire to get out on 15 year-old, utter-crap Big O offroad tires with no life left. It took some time, but was a great experience if it ever happens again and it probably will. Pack food and water.
Lots of good advice by several above already. My direct comments are only intended for your enjoying your van and your away time from here on out.
The web isn’t Real Life when so many variables exist.
Discovery is Real Deal.
Good Luck, and have a blast. _________________ ‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman |
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R0Batt Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2021 Posts: 58 Location: Charlotte, NC
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Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 11:43 am Post subject: Re: Cape Lookout National Seashore |
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E1 wrote: |
What if someone has no idea what they’re doing and gets it all wrong and gets stuck? Then you won’t go?
What if someone knows what they’re doing and has all the right stuff and has no problem? Then you will go?
What if either above scenario is in different conditions, different season, different sand conditions, or on different tires, gearing, running condition, tire condition, type, lug depth, and pressures, skill level, outright bad info from total strangers, and tells you nothing at all?
No offense intended (!), just live a little and go enjoy it! Sand is variable, always, every time.
You’ll know in the first few yards if it’s a good idea or not. We once got stuck about 600 feet into what turned out to be a short dune, emptied out weight, aired down more, and got out with traction boards, and a simple desire to get out on 15 year-old, utter-crap Big O offroad tires with no life left. It took some time, but was a great experience if it ever happens again and it probably will. Pack food and water.
Lots of good advice by several above already. My direct comments are only intended for your enjoying your van and your away time from here on out.
The web isn’t Real Life when so many variables exist.
Discovery is Real Deal.
Good Luck, and have a blast. |
Good words! Just seeking some affirmation beforehand. Will def have a blast. I picked up some traction boards today _________________ 85 Westy
Charlotte, NC |
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bobbyblack Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015 Posts: 4351 Location: United States, Iowa
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Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 12:10 pm Post subject: Re: Cape Lookout National Seashore |
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...[/quote]
Ya, my Padre Island experience too. So close to getting stuck that I was so relieved when I hit the pavement again.. Not sure if just keeping the pedal to the floor when I started feeling the sand sucking me in was right, but the rooster tail out the back end was magnificent. I think some folks behind me were really pissed. _________________ '87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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E1 Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013 Posts: 6563 Location: Westfalia, Earth
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Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 1:20 pm Post subject: Re: Cape Lookout National Seashore |
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Haha Bob, throttle’s the enemy.
R0Batt wrote: |
Good words! Just seeking some affirmation beforehand. Will def have a blast. I picked up some traction boards today |
Thanks, I was mostly trying to inspire Kdj to just give it a rip.
Enjoy whatever it takes to *have to* use the boards! _________________ ‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman |
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Shonandb Samba Member
Joined: January 12, 2019 Posts: 1191 Location: Vancouver, BC
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Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 1:58 pm Post subject: Re: Cape Lookout National Seashore |
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Used to head down to Cape Hatteras NC twice a year from about 15 years old to 25 but never made it over to Cape Lookout. A few Bus owners I met there recommended camping at Cape Lookout and said that my Bus would be fine if you air down all 4 tires.
I did this when I camped on the Padre Island Seashore south of Corpus Christi 2 years in a row in similar conditions and never had any issues. A few friends and I did about a 10 mile downwinder windsurfing in the Gulf along the seashore. We'd park the Bus and then sail the waves about a mile downwind and then one of us would walk back and drive the Bus down to where the windsurfing gear was and then we'd sail downwind another mile again. We kept the Bus within about 100 ft of the water line and never ventured too far up into the super soft sand.
I would imagine that a 2WD Vanagon with a wider than stock wheel profile (Grabbers or LT tires with an aggressive tread pattern) aired down to below 20psi would be fine but as others have said, keeping momentum, try not to make tight turns, and keep most of the weight over the rear wheels (including the passenger) are key to success when driving in soft sand. If you lose momentum and get stuck, stop, don't bury it down to rest on the body as then you will have a lot more work to do.
The problem areas are usually the transition zone from the access road to the firmer sand near the waterline of the beach. Once on the more firm sand closer to the water, you can drive without issue. _________________ *******************************
76 Westy with a 2.5L Subaru SOHC + Vanagon (010) Automatic Transaxle
Build & Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=758760
Previous 1973 Panel Bus:
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Kdj Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2017 Posts: 142 Location: Naptown
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Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 6:12 pm Post subject: Re: Cape Lookout National Seashore |
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Like I said previously, it's definitely on my list of places to go. Last year it just didn’t work out. I’m fairing confident a 2wd driven with a bit of skill will make it. Always amazed how well rear engine and rear wheel drive go. And like you said never know till we try. Thinking late September could happen this year but we’ll see how the summer rolls. |
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