coverall
Sacramento
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Joined: 07/22/2008
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I am planning a trip to Pismo beach where people camp right on the beach. I've heard to air down to 15psi and to stay on the hard packed driving area, but you eventually have to drive on softer sand to park and have to drive through a little creek to get there.
Is there anyone out there that has actually done it?
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Cousin_Eddy
Peoria, AZ
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Joined: 01/23/2006
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I have camped there with a 4WD and toyhaler in tow. We got stuck several times. Everyone in our group also got stuck at least once, even with tires aired down. However, the area was full, and we had to turn around several times to find a camp spot. There is where we got stuck. (Also got stuck when at the camp site when trying to leave)
I do not see how a class A Motorhome would have even the slightest chance unless conditions have changed in the last 4 years.
Best bet is driving in the wet sand close to the water, but getting from the road to here is soupy. So, are the camping areas.
I do not remember a little creek. I just remember holding it on the floor and praying.
Also, if you have steel belted sidewalls, airing down the tires to 15 psi can fatigue the sidewalls which will cause a sidewall zipper rupture later down the road.
1995 33' Southwind Fleetwood Model LW
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havasufun
Big Bear Lake, Ca (Snow Summit)
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Joined: 03/13/2002
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I won't take my MH on that beach but I do take the Toy hauler and truck.....there
Watch tides, you can get a tow if you (when you) get stuck. Air down? Depends on what you have? A Prevost or a Mini Winne. That’s allot of air to drop and fill if you normally pump in over 100 psi.
MH and Pismo Beach on the ocean....... your going to get direct salt water on the MH, your going to get dripping salt air on the MH, your going to get stuck, in summer you will be packed in with the others, quads and motorcycles all night long, and the Great White waiting for you to step in the water, (kidding about the shark however I was surfing and staying at Bolsa Chica SB and the next day a GW was spotted in the surf) again not a place I would set my MH.
After September it will be much more peaceful on the beach.
Consider a nearby campground..
IMHO
Paul
And don't forget to remove your toad before driving on the sand...I have seen several Class As there. Also a large smoky campfire in EVERY direction
* This post was
edited 07/22/08 01:39pm by havasufun *
2004 Alfa See Ya Gold 40' 400 ISL, Hummer H3 Toad,Ram 1500 4X4 Quad Cab Toad, 24' Hallmark Cargo Trailer, 20' Carson Toy Hauler when we need the extra room.
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Dynasty40
Hangtown, Northern California
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Joined: 02/07/2008
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Me thinks it be a tad foolish to drive a MH on the beach unless its a $1500 goodwill donation... ...we had a bronco get stuck in the sand once and before the tow truck could get it out the tide came in and took it out for us...interesting to watch it roll and float in the surf....not good..but..to each his own...listen and do what the voices in your head tell you to do ....
Dennis and Debi
Monaco Dynasty Baron 40PFD
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Chief Neon
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Howdy!
We stayed at Oceano State Park Campground for a week recently. While there we saw a lot of MH's 5er's and other RV's stuck in the sand on the beach. It's not if your going to get stuck it when and where. Oceano is a nice CG just a block and half from the beach. Also the tress blocked the off shore winds which were like being sand blasted when we stayed there.
"Happy Trails"
chiefneon
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tatest
Oklahoma
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You can lower a 30 psi tire to 15 psi, almost double your footprint, and reduce pressure on the ground to a little over 15 psi.
You might lower a 120 psi tire to 60 psi, double the footprint, but that amount of pressure might bury you in the sand. Or you could get lucky, and only find the firm sand.
If you lower a 120 psi tire to 15 psi, you will be on the rims; even with rubber under you, weight will be supported by a couple inches at each rim, maybe 300 to 500 psi on the sand. That won't float.
Tom Test
Itasca Spirit 29B
2001 Ranger Edge
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matthewc66
San Diego
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Was just there this weekend.
Stay at Pismo Coast Village and you wont regret it.
I have a dually and even aired down sunk right to the axles once I stepped off the hard pack.
Not worth it to me. I just stay in the campground as it is quieter and I have hook ups.
I have a Polaris RZR and couldnt find anyone to get it to the sand for me.
I called the local ATV rental companies and offered to pay for a ride over for the RZR but they said no.
Next time I will have a friend join me with his small truck and trailer and put the RZR on that.
If there is a better way let me know.
If you dont have a lot of toys I would definitely stay in a park
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brobox
Sunny SW. Florida
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Joined: 11/18/2003
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Growing up in CA. not far from Pismo, there is no way I would take a MH on the beach there. Have you ever seen the under carriage of a MH a year after it's been exposed to salt? Getting stuck is one thing, once your pulled out, it over, but salt damage goes on for years. There is no undercoating on most MH's.
Chuck
02 Travel Supreme, 2 street side slides
02 Jeep Liberty Toad
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tsisco
SoCal
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I've been going to Pismo since I was a little kid and never got seriously stuck. BUT, I am careful, too. If you're driving on the beach in your car or truck (you don't mention using your RV) stay as close to hard sand as possible. KEEP MOVING STEADILY if you feel soft sand grabbing at your tires. If you give it too much gas, you're going to dig a hole real fast and you'll be up to your axles. Carry a couple of carpet pieces to help your tires get traction enough to get out of a minor jam. If you carry your own tow chain or rope, there are so many 4x4's on the beach someone will stop and yank you out if you make it easy for them by having it already hooked up to your vehicle. Try to drive on the beach in the mornings before all the sand gets really chewed up and soft. Before stopping, look at the other vehicles in the same are and estimate the softness of the sand by how deep they are sitting in it. Driving your RV on the beach??? Good luck...I've seen motorhomes with waves breaking over the bumper, but many people do it all the time. "That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger."
Dutch Star DP 4025 w/ 4 slides
370 HP Cummins
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JohnnyPaul
Fresno, CA USA
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Joined: 01/18/2005
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If you decide to go anyway, make sure they can hook tow straps to the front of your rv without damaging anything. Older gassers have big steel bumpers but newer rigs, with air dams, etc., have nowhere to place a tow strap without shredding fiberglass.
And no matter if you park on the beach or in a CG, lock your gas cans up at night.
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