Speaking of Under-inflated Tires...
On the beaches south of Pea Island, and North of Kitty Hawk, you will find something that is not found just anywhere. A beach that you can drive on with your 4-wheel drive vehicle! In fact there is a lot of beach that you can drive on. Over 80 miles of it! Driving safely on the beach does require some extra planning and equipment.
You will need to make sure you have a fully functional spare tire, a jack and a board or piece of wood that can be used to support the jack in soft sand should you find yourself with a flat tire on the beach. Storms place all manner of sharp objects on the desolate beaches and cutting a tire, while not a common occurrence, certainly should be planned for.
You will need a tire gauge acceptable for use with low tire pressure. You must let some air out of your tires if you plan to ride on the sand. Anywhere you go you will encounter soft Outer Banks sand and no matter how sure you are that your 4x4 will go anywhere you want, you will have to let some air out in order to travel on the sand. Traveling with 20 psi (pounds per square inch) of air pressure in your tires while on the sand will not damage them and even driving for less than 10 miles or so on the hardtop will do them no harm. If you plan to ride on the beach every day while you are here just air down when you get here and air up for the trip home. The 20 pound figure is relative to the size of your vehicle and it's weight. Ideally you just let enough air out to make the tire bulge a little at the bottom. If you get to the sand and the wheels start spinning, you have too much air in the tires. A properly inflated tire for the beach will not spin. It will ride on top of the sand and gentle driving is always the preferred method. If you are using "momentum" to traverse the beach, you have too much air in your tires. A slow steady approach is the best method because you don't want to spin and bury yourself.
If you get into a very soft area where you can proceed no further without spinning the wheels, STOP! BACK UP! If you are unable to easily back out, STOP! Let some more air out. With your tire gauge you can let your tires down as low as 15 or even 10 psi to get out of deep sand. Spinning the tires will only result in resting the frame on the sand and then you will need to employ prayer, or a tow truck, or lots of digging, with your other necessary tool... the shovel. This reporter has been driving in deep, soft Outer Banks sand for many years and has never been stuck. I maintain 20psi in the front tires and 15 in the back tires on an old Jeep Wagoneer. At times of extremely soft, dry sand, I have had the pressure as low as 12 psi.
A fire extinguisher, an approved tow strap or tow rope and a bucket complete the "Beach Kit".
Recapping the required equipment we have:
A Tire Gauge
A Functional Spare Tire
The Proper Jack
A Board for Jack Support
A Shovel
An Approved Tow Strap or Tow Rope
A Fire Extinguisher
A 5 Gallon Bucket
If you choose to ignore the above paragraphs and find yourself "Framed Up", you can use your tire gauge to lower the pressure to at least 20psi or 15psi if you're really in deep and use your other tool... the bucket. Just pour a full 5 gallon bucket of seawater around each tire and dig out slightly under the frame and your truck should back right out of trouble. You will really be surprised how many folks you'll see in trouble only due to too much air pressure.
Now that you have surpassed all the mechanical problems that you need to address it's time for the ride. The speed limit is 25 on the beach and that's too fast, but don't drive faster than that. Do Not Drive on the dunes. The Dunes protect the Outer Banks from the raging Nor`Easters of Winter and Hurricanes of Summer. They are very fragile and any unnatural disturbance is a danger to them. Not to mention the fact that it is illegal to do so and if you are caught on the dunes in a vehicle... (we'll talk more about Frowning Rangers in the next paragraph). Access to the beach can only be attained at one of the many ramps you will find built over the dunes. These ramps are clearly marked with signs.
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a federal park. The park is patrolled by Rangers and park employees in 4-wheel drive vehicles. The Ranger is the Beach Police! They are an agent of the government. They are the men and women that uphold the laws and can help you out of trouble, and offer learned advice. They also can give you a ticket, or haul you to jail so, behave properly and you will have no dealings with them other than friendly conversations and the occasional bag limit and length check. Keeping undersized fish is a violation and will be frowned upon by the Rangers in the strongest possible terms. Length charts and rules are available free at any tackle shop. Know the limits and abide by them.
Firearms are not allowed, in no circumstance, by no one (except off duty police officers), no way, no how. Federal offence, `nuff said.
Shorebird Nesting areas will be clearly marked with signs and ropes or string. Do Not enter these areas at all. Not even on foot. No Trespassing! Nesting Shorebirds have complete priority over every other thing on The Outer Banks and are not to be disturbed.
Some areas are marked with "No Jeeps" signs. This will be the international symbol of a Jeep within a circle with a line through it. Do Not drive in these areas.
Alcoholic beverages can be consumed on the beach, but the driver must remain within the legal limits at all times. Designated drivers are needed on the beach just like anywhere else. No open containers are permitted in vehicles. No riding on tailgates. No doughnuts or unsafe driving is allowed. No racing. Ok you know this stuff.
Do not drive into the ocean! While you may think this is funny (and it never is if it was your truck that sank), you would be surprised how many vehicles end up in the ocean every year for one reason or the other. Do not drive through any water. The bottom can drop out on you in even slightly wet sand so, even though your urge to ride through the waves like you're in a Jeep advertisement on television will be strong, don't do it. Saltwater will destroy your vehicle's undercarriage and body. Stay far away from the water and high on the beach at all times.
Be aware of the incoming tide. Vehicles and people can be easily stranded by an incoming tide. The moving sand of The Outer Banks can change drastically with just one tide cycle. Beware of shifting sand.
Tide charts are available free at any tackle shop. Use Them!
Following these common sense rules of the beach will ensure that you have the best time of your life. Riding on the beach is an experience that you will never forget. Do it safely and enjoy yourself to the fullest.