Beach Setup

Race Ratz · 02-19-2011, 07:14 AM

Setting up my 07 30B Sightseer Ford chassis for oversand travel on the beach. Taking off all my street steel belted sidewall tire and wheels and replacing with..8R19.5 polyester sidewalls on 6" wide rims on the rear. On the front, I have 20x11 super singles being built by Stockton Wheel. I will mount 35x13.5x20 tires on these. I will use F-450 center caps to cover the lugs. Airlift air bags all around. This setup allows proper beach lower air pressures to drive on the sand. Solar panel and gas light soon to be installed. All my use is dry camping. Onboard air compressor to handle the air chores. I know most don't understand this use, but beachfront living on the ocean is awesome!....Ratz

Campingman · 02-19-2011, 08:24 AM

Interesting.........

timmer594 · 02-19-2011, 09:08 AM

What are you doing with those old tires????

mikf · 02-19-2011, 08:00 PM

what will your RV look like after sitting on the beach with all the salt and sand? RUSTY

w6pea · 02-19-2011, 08:41 PM

I must agree interesting.

Race Ratz · 02-20-2011, 06:37 AM

I'm keeping the tires for a couple of road trips. And when I trade it in 10 years and I put the beach setup on the next one. I find these MH with crap E coat don't survive without rust. I'm painting complete chassis, structures and will coat with silicone. I have a friend who has an 03 Sightseer with 4wheel drive installed. Open the compartment doors, look around, rusty is already starting under there. There is a cost to this beach thing. Thanks for he feedback.

RV LYONS · 02-20-2011, 08:33 AM

Hi Ratz Sounds interesting can you post some pictures of your rig and your friends rig. I remember back in the late '70s early '80s there was a C class called a Trans Van that was 4WD, don't know if they are still around.
Rick & Robin

Finhawk · 02-20-2011, 11:25 AM

I've seen cars sunk in the sand on the Washington Coast with the tide coming in or already at Hi Tide. Others just stuck. I'd be very leery of driving on the sand w/out 4WD. Sticking a big rig would be sickening!!!!

John_N_Terry · 02-22-2011, 07:43 AM

I'd love to see pics as well!! Have fun...that's the main thing!!

okie-dokie · 02-22-2011, 07:56 AM

We go to the beaches at Ventura,CA. once a year in Oct. I always make sure I put a good coat of wax on the MH & car. As soon as I get back I have it power washed, and then put another wax job on each. A lot of work, but worth it.

Stogie · 02-22-2011, 09:40 AM

I have spent the day on the beach at South Padre Island a couple of times. Never had a problem with traction.
Also never had the gutz to camp overnight, I love to boondock but with that short strip of drivable beach and the remoteness I think that spending the day is enough.
Non many Class A's brave the beach.

fkloster · 02-22-2011, 10:27 AM

2 wheel drive on beach can be done well if your rig is rear wheel drive with rear engine i.e. most weight in the back on the traction. What you DON'T want is traction in the back and weight in the front. Even with rear track rear engine you would need very specialized rear wheels & tires + good weather & good tides