FordExcursions.com Forums
Charles Jackson
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• Raleigh, NC, USA |
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• Registered on 12/23/2003 |
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• 71 posts |
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 Posted:8/17/2005 13:31 |
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I have a 2001 PSD X...pretty much stock tires. Only mod is the hi performace tuner.
My boys have gotten into fishing big time and it looks like we'll be doing a lot of surf fishing on the North Carolina coast this fall.
I've never had the X on the beach and wondered how it would do in the North Carolina beach sand? Anyone done a lot of beach driving?
Any suggestions/hints such as air pressure, etc..??
Thx.
'01 X Limited w/PSD - STOCK all the way..and plan to stay that way. Pockets turned inside out with 4 kids! |
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
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Posted:8/17/2005 13:59 |
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I haven't taken our Excursion out to the sand yet but I'll give you my feedback with a previous SUV that was a sand regular for me.
On my '85 GMC Jimmy 6.2L 4x4 I purchased a set of Mickey Thompson Baja Belted rubber for it and pretty much maintained the max psi for off road and surface street.
The MT's never left me stuck in the sand but the black slimy mud I had to watch out for as the tow rope would be needed if I got in over the hubs.
The stock General AT's were terrible off road which called for upgrading the tires/wheels 
Bill
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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Charles Jackson
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• Raleigh, NC, USA |
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• Registered on 12/23/2003 |
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• 71 posts |
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Posted:8/17/2005 14:01 |
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ok thx but has anyone had the PSD X on the beach??
'01 X Limited w/PSD - STOCK all the way..and plan to stay that way. Pockets turned inside out with 4 kids! |
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JohnBoy
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• DFW, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 9/3/2002 |
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• 972 posts |
• 2
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Posted:8/17/2005 19:55 |
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If Galveston or Corpus Christi beaches count....
Go fer it !
the heavy X actually gives very good traction with the right tires...
I went all over with nary a problem...
now, if I tried to climb some soft dunes, I coulda been in trouble without momentum and making sure I didn't high center and lose traction...
but with momentum it did SUPRISINGLY well !
For the most part you're always pretty safe just up from the waters edge where it stayed packed... get away from the water where it dries out and can get powdery and it gets a bit more "exciting"
but 4 roosters tails will have the kids squealing !!!!
(and I've had 4 motorcycles over the years and 3 Jeeps... )
By FAR the motorcycles were the hardest to learn to ride in the sand !)
A lot too depends on the type of sand...
hard pack - 4x4 can go all over...
powdery, be ready to air down to about 20 lbs and
carry 2 (or 4 since u have so many outlets!) good, fast 12V pumps so you can air it up before you head back on pavement...
(actually ANY sand it's good to have air with you since you never know when you might have to air down...)
2005 6.0L 4x4 Eddie Bauer Ex
2003 6.0L 4x4 Limited Ex - traded in (BooHoo )
"The Republicans should back off and let men marry men, women marry women, and legalize abortion. In three generations there would be no Democrats." |
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Michael Ball
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• Reston, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 8/24/2004 |
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• 1 post |
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Posted:8/24/2005 20:42 |
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I have actually had my stock X out in upper Corolla, NC. No problems. Actually freed a pickup that was stuck the one time I was out. Did not even air down that trip. Just threw it into 4x4 and went. |
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Andy Anderson
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• Jacksonville, FL, USA |
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• Registered on 1/17/2005 |
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• 77 posts |
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Posted:8/27/2005 13:01 |
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my 00 X did great at Jax beach, where the sand is like powder, and deep, i have a v10 though, it should not make a difference |
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Jim_L
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• Northern Virginia, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 4/2/2003 |
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• 15 posts |
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Posted:8/29/2005 18:34 |
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Hi Charles,
Taking the Ex out on the beach has never been a problem. I've had my 2001 PSD X out
on the North beach (North of Corolla, NC up to the VA state line) dozens of times.
We rent a place in the Corova Beach, 4WD area every summer. Nine miles on the beach
to get to the pavement. Never had a problem. Usually run the tires (stock 265-75-16
Goodrich Rugged Trails) at about 20 PSI. Sometimes when the conditions are rougher
I've taken it down to around 15-17 PSI.
I've also been on the beach a few times down South, on the Hatteras Seashore, both
above & below Oregon Inlet. Sand down there tends to be a bit finer, so you'll want
to air 'em down a little more down there. I took it down to around 15 PSI down there.
When heading out onto the sand, make sure you are prepared and equipped. Without
question, the single most important thing is to KNOW THE TIDE SCHEDULE!!! I can't
stress that enough. If you see all the other trucks packing up and leaving, pay
attention. They may know something you don't.
Be equipped. Take a shovel, tow strap, & tire gauge, as a start. A small air
compressor is a good idea, as well as a portable air tank (fill it before you head out),
because the 12V compressors tend to be rather slow. If you will be coming off the beach
near one of the small villages down there, find out where there is a air pump. Those
will be far faster than your 12V unit. Cost a few quarters to air up, but worth it IMHO.
Stay off the dunes. Those fragile mounds of sand are all that is holding our beloved
Outer Banks together. Give them a fighting chance.
And finally, Tread Lightly. Pack it in, pack it out. Try and leave the beach better
than you found it. See a can or bottle in the sand nearby, pick it up and dispose of
it properly. Treating the beaches with respect will help ensure that they will continue
to be accessible to four wheelers, fishermen, kite flyers, etc. This is 25 years of
four wheeling and watching numerous trails deemed off limits talking here.
Hope my rather lengthy discourse answers some of your questions. Keep your head
about you, use common sense, and you'll have a good time.
Hope you and the kids catch your limit.
- Jim L
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JohnBoy
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• DFW, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 9/3/2002 |
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• 972 posts |
• 2
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Posted:8/29/2005 19:35 |
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Excelent point Jim about the tide schedule !!! (and why not the weather forecast too  )
2005 6.0L 4x4 Eddie Bauer Ex
2003 6.0L 4x4 Limited Ex - traded in (BooHoo)
"The Republicans should back off and let men marry men, women marry women, and legalize abortion. In three generations there would be no Democrats." |
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Jim_L
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• Northern Virginia, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 4/2/2003 |
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• 15 posts |
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Posted:8/29/2005 20:04 |
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Well, the weather is a little more obvious to the casual observer, but you are certainly
correct. The weather on the coast can change quickly, so those two should go
hand in hand.
- Jim L |
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