I just bought a 2012 Outback and was a little concerned about driving it on New Jersey beaches. After seeing this video, I don't think I'll have any problem at all, especially if I air down the tires a bit.
I never owned any subaru but know a lot about them. They make THE best AWD system out there. Saw them performing good on the beach but I'd still choose something with manually locking diffs and bigger clearance for beach driving... Something like 4runner or pathfinder (one of those mid. sizers)
I was nervous when I took my Outback onto Stockton for the first time because its known to have some of the softest sand on the east coast. But once I got there, I was surprised by how capable it was. The Foresters don't have locking diffs but they are available with a dual range gearbox. The "Low" isn't really that low compared to proper 4WD's though. I just put mine in 1st and give it a boot full as a substitute! The light weight plays to its advantage as well....
Does forester have locking diffs and lows? If not, I still wouldn't feel comfortable in it on the beach. If you know what deep soft sand is, you'd know why...
Anna Bay is the easiest. If you start there, it is a bit of a drive down the beach to the Sygna wreck but still well worth the drive. Having said that, I've had no problems coming in from the more "difficult" Lavis Lane entry. The initial section of sand is the hardest because its the most churned up. Just give it a boot full and head straight for the beach and you'll be fine :)
You're right, AWD system is very good. I much prefer it to the on-demand and part time 4WD systems other softroaders / mid-sizes have. Ideally you'd want something with low range, locking diffs and greater ground clearance than a Subaru. What you don't see in the video is I have to pull over a few times to let the engine cool down because its forced to rev so hard consistantly. The front overhang of the Outback is also not suitable for beach driving. That's where a Forester comes in handy...
Aussie off-road mowers Best thing you can do is grab yourself a set of Yokohama Geolander AT-S tyres and a SubaXtreme alloy sump guard. The tyres are great. They provide a nice soft ride on dirt roads but infinitely better durability. I'm on my third set and only one puncture (which was my fault). I would recommend either replacing the sump guard because the stock plastic one just acts as a shovel, fills with sand and rips off fairly easily. The benefit of the SubaXtreme one is it provides at least one third better coverage so insulates your engine bay better from mud/water/sand etc. Plus it can take a bit of abuse. Starting tyre pressures off-road I would recommend 25PSI and bring down to 20PSI if necessary. On sand - 15PSI down as low as 10PSI when required. These cars are very good on the sand, but keep an eye on the engine temps...
I just bought a 2012 Outback and was a little concerned about driving it on New Jersey beaches. After seeing this video, I don't think I'll have any problem at all, especially if I air down the tires a bit.
I never owned any subaru but know a lot about them. They make THE best AWD system out there. Saw them performing good on the beach but I'd still choose something with manually locking diffs and bigger clearance for beach driving... Something like 4runner or pathfinder (one of those mid. sizers)
Well good luck with your car, wish you never to get stuck. Also, don't forget your recovery equipment... ;) just in case...
I was nervous when I took my Outback onto Stockton for the first time because its known to have some of the softest sand on the east coast. But once I got there, I was surprised by how capable it was.
The Foresters don't have locking diffs but they are available with a dual range gearbox. The "Low" isn't really that low compared to proper 4WD's though. I just put mine in 1st and give it a boot full as a substitute! The light weight plays to its advantage as well....
Does forester have locking diffs and lows? If not, I still wouldn't feel comfortable in it on the beach. If you know what deep soft sand is, you'd know why...
Anna Bay is the easiest. If you start there, it is a bit of a drive down the beach to the Sygna wreck but still well worth the drive. Having said that, I've had no problems coming in from the more "difficult" Lavis Lane entry. The initial section of sand is the hardest because its the most churned up. Just give it a boot full and head straight for the beach and you'll be fine :)
ozSubie hi Subie can you please sub to me and is a 2002-09 outback a reliable first car?
You're right, AWD system is very good. I much prefer it to the on-demand and part time 4WD systems other softroaders / mid-sizes have.
Ideally you'd want something with low range, locking diffs and greater ground clearance than a Subaru. What you don't see in the video is I have to pull over a few times to let the engine cool down because its forced to rev so hard consistantly.
The front overhang of the Outback is also not suitable for beach driving. That's where a Forester comes in handy...
Hey mate got the same model car just wondering what mods I can add to it to make it better in the mud and sand
Aussie off-road mowers
Best thing you can do is grab yourself a set of Yokohama Geolander AT-S tyres and a SubaXtreme alloy sump guard. The tyres are great. They provide a nice soft ride on dirt roads but infinitely better durability. I'm on my third set and only one puncture (which was my fault).
I would recommend either replacing the sump guard because the stock plastic one just acts as a shovel, fills with sand and rips off fairly easily. The benefit of the SubaXtreme one is it provides at least one third better coverage so insulates your engine bay better from mud/water/sand etc. Plus it can take a bit of abuse.
Starting tyre pressures off-road I would recommend 25PSI and bring down to 20PSI if necessary. On sand - 15PSI down as low as 10PSI when required. These cars are very good on the sand, but keep an eye on the engine temps...