La Jolla: 4x2 or 4x4 ? ? ? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

spicolly · 08-31-2015, 09:40 AM

I'm in the market for a pickup truck. Biggest question is 4x2 vs 4x4? Specifically at La Jolla, for those of you with trucks, I know 4x4 is ideal on the sand, but is it necessary? Do any of you take 4x2's on the beach and if so, have you ever had any issues?

jruiz · 08-31-2015, 09:45 AM

You can take a one wheel drive geo metro to LJ as long as you maintain your speed over the soft part of the sand around the concrete medians.

jorluivil · 08-31-2015, 09:50 AM

I've driven my honda accord into the launch area.

I usually stop right outside of the sandy area, wait for path to clear and drive straight through.

Cbad Mike · 08-31-2015, 09:58 AM

4x4 isn't necessary.
Most of the time the sand is hard packed.
When it's soft you just have to get a little speed up before hand.
When it's real soft just unload on the street.
I've never been stuck.

bolocop · 08-31-2015, 10:05 AM

Get a 4X4. Better to have and not need than not have and need.

Most of the time you will be ok at LJ, but when it's high tide and crowded, you'll wish you had it.

I've been stuck with 4X2, not fun.

You're better off with a FWD sedan than you are with a 4x2 truck.

Harry Hill · 08-31-2015, 10:26 AM

is there room on the street to park a truck and trailer, I carry my kayak on a trailer so I don't have to lift it to the roof.

skrilla · 08-31-2015, 09:55 AM

Sand is soft this time of year. Also crowded so little room to keep momentum. When the crowds are gone and the sand is damp/packed I'll drive my RWD in. Been stuck before, not fun.

HobieScot · 08-31-2015, 12:13 PM

I agree with Bolocop
Better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it

Don't think about just launching at LJ. If you ever go down to Baja you will be thankful for the 4x4. Think about anything and everything you might want to do with your new vehicle. Not just launching in one spot.

For me I also hunt so a 4x4 is a necessity! With that being said I have only absolutely needed it twice. 2wd on my truck will get me thru all but the nastiest of deep sand or mud. But I was very greatfull that I had the 4x4 when I did need it

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HobieScot · 08-31-2015, 01:54 PM

One thing I found that my 4x4 is real good for in the sand......
Pulling out 2wd vehicles that get stuck 👍🏼

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HobieScot · 08-31-2015, 02:34 PM

Tires make a huge difference too

If you are running just straight street tires on a truck then you might have a problem every once in awhile. But if you have an All Terrain tire like a BFG AT/KO then even a 2wd truck shouldn't have much trouble in the sand

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BigTunaL · 09-01-2015, 09:40 AM

Take it from someone who went sand dunning in the Qatari desert, you can get stuck in soft sand even with great 4x4 (land cruiser and Nissan patrol) those were the best performed over there. You don't need 4x4 in La Jolla. Just keep the wheels rolling until you get to compacted sand. If you get stuck don't force it, reverse few feet and try again.

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GunRunner · 09-08-2015, 04:24 PM

Go with 4x4. Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

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ful-rac · 09-08-2015, 05:51 PM

619-SWIM-DOG · 09-08-2015, 05:58 PM

I'd rather go with the 6 x 6 and have room for the kayak.

ful-rac · 09-08-2015, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 619-SWIM-DOG

I'd rather go with the 6 x 6 and have room for the kayak.

Rookie mistake!

It's better to have 8 wheel drive and not need it then have 6 wheel drive and get stuck!

spicolly · 09-08-2015, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ful-rac

How about an 8x8?

Does it float too? That'd be the last time a dog steals my fish!

08-31-2015, 09:40 AM	#1
spicolly ..... Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 135	La Jolla: 4x2 or 4x4 ? ? ? I'm in the market for a pickup truck. Biggest question is 4x2 vs 4x4? Specifically at La Jolla, for those of you with trucks, I know 4x4 is ideal on the sand, but is it necessary? Do any of you take 4x2's on the beach and if so, have you ever had any issues?

08-31-2015, 09:50 AM	#3
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,855	I've driven my honda accord into the launch area. I usually stop right outside of the sandy area, wait for path to clear and drive straight through. __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

08-31-2015, 09:58 AM	#4
Cbad Mike Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Carlsbad Ca. Posts: 1,206	4x4 isn't necessary. Most of the time the sand is hard packed. When it's soft you just have to get a little speed up before hand. When it's real soft just unload on the street. I've never been stuck. __________________ [SIGPIC]

08-31-2015, 09:55 AM	#7
skrilla Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 664	Sand is soft this time of year. Also crowded so little room to keep momentum. When the crowds are gone and the sand is damp/packed I'll drive my RWD in. Been stuck before, not fun. __________________ Urban Camo Trident 13

08-31-2015, 02:34 PM	#10
HobieScot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 370	La Jolla: 4x2 or 4x4 ? ? ? Tires make a huge difference too If you are running just straight street tires on a truck then you might have a problem every once in awhile. But if you have an All Terrain tire like a BFG AT/KO then even a 2wd truck shouldn't have much trouble in the sand Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08-31-2015, 09:45 AM	#2
jruiz Large Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: La Verne, CA Posts: 1,002	You can take a one wheel drive geo metro to LJ as long as you maintain your speed over the soft part of the sand around the concrete medians.

08-31-2015, 10:05 AM	#5
bolocop Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 332	Get a 4X4. Better to have and not need than not have and need. Most of the time you will be ok at LJ, but when it's high tide and crowded, you'll wish you had it. I've been stuck with 4X2, not fun. You're better off with a FWD sedan than you are with a 4x2 truck.

08-31-2015, 10:26 AM	#6
Harry Hill Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,136	is there room on the street to park a truck and trailer, I carry my kayak on a trailer so I don't have to lift it to the roof.

08-31-2015, 12:13 PM	#8
HobieScot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 370	I agree with Bolocop Better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it Don't think about just launching at LJ. If you ever go down to Baja you will be thankful for the 4x4. Think about anything and everything you might want to do with your new vehicle. Not just launching in one spot. For me I also hunt so a 4x4 is a necessity! With that being said I have only absolutely needed it twice. 2wd on my truck will get me thru all but the nastiest of deep sand or mud. But I was very greatfull that I had the 4x4 when I did need it Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08-31-2015, 01:54 PM	#9
HobieScot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 370	One thing I found that my 4x4 is real good for in the sand...... Pulling out 2wd vehicles that get stuck 👍🏼 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09-01-2015, 09:40 AM	#11
BigTunaL Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 170	Take it from someone who went sand dunning in the Qatari desert, you can get stuck in soft sand even with great 4x4 (land cruiser and Nissan patrol) those were the best performed over there. You don't need 4x4 in La Jolla. Just keep the wheels rolling until you get to compacted sand. If you get stuck don't force it, reverse few feet and try again. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________

09-08-2015, 04:24 PM	#12
GunRunner Small town Minnesota boy Join Date: May 2015 Location: California Posts: 41	Go with 4x4. Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

09-08-2015, 05:51 PM	#13
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	How about an 8x8? __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.