Truck Question: 4WD necessary? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

YakDout · 06-02-2019, 06:07 PM

La Jolla air down and 2wd fine. Baja 4wd if you are unfamiliar with areas.

MITCHELL · 06-03-2019, 05:00 AM

Last Thursday it was hard packed......and wet all the way to the water....or it can vary to fluffy dry sand. I pull my kayak in on my dollie by hand, so you feel every kind of sand conditions on your body. I have 4 wheel drive and have pulled people out that got stuck, but most of the time I choose to park and wheel in. When it's fluffy sand with two wheel drive you have to get your speed up to make it across the fluffy part to the wet sand....if you do that be careful because of tourist walking on the beach are clueless
One time I was in a 2wheel Toyota pickup and I got a running start so I wouldn't get stuck in the fluffy sand and the lifeguard came running over yelling at me I practically had to beg him out of a ticket. So be careful one bad incident could ruin it for everybody.

domtesta27 · 06-03-2019, 09:21 AM

I've taken my 2 WD Ford Ranger down to Mako ville the last 2 years with zero issues. if you're planning on making it your daily driver in LA/San Diego get the 2wd, better gas milage and less maintenance.

Baja_Traveler · 06-03-2019, 09:49 AM

2WD is really all you will need, so long as you stay out of the obvious soft and/or mushy stuff. To improve your chances, put a locker in the rear end so you have a true two wheel drive and not a 1 wheel drive when tires start slipping.

Iceman · 06-03-2019, 09:56 AM

I would get the TRD it has a locking differential, (traction at both rear wheels) my next one will have this.

5-20 · 06-03-2019, 11:04 AM

As much as I hate getting worse gas mileage because of 4wd, I always go with a truck that has 4wd even if I use it only a few times each year.

Peace of mind's totally worth it and I seem to end up exploring some areas that I would never think about going into if I didn't have 4wd.

Denis_Ruso · 06-03-2019, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baja_Traveler

2WD is really all you will need, so long as you stay out of the obvious soft and/or mushy stuff. To improve your chances, put a locker in the rear end so you have a true two wheel drive and not a 1 wheel drive when tires start slipping.

I pretty much second this. 2wd, decent all terrain, locking diff and airing down with a little know how to drive will get your through everything down there besides the beach driving on deep sand.

I have the 4WD for peace of mind and so I can drive the beach and launch right by the water. I only really turn it on when I go truly "offroad" in baja.

What no-one really mentions though is it's important to have good offroad tire on your rig. Something with a thick sidewall/meant for rocky terrain.

GTboosted · 06-04-2019, 07:37 AM

Just get the 4wd.

You live near LJ so you will regret it later. For occasional trips, it's easy to make 2wd work. But if you're keeping the truck for a long time might as well get it.

ctfphoto · 06-04-2019, 08:31 AM

You can't beat a Toyota 4WD.

I just upgraded to a Tundra V8 4x4, My 4th (3rd Toyota) and best 4WD I have owned.

06-03-2019, 05:00 AM	#2
MITCHELL Sea Hunter Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Where ever I may roam where I lay my head I call home. Posts: 2,282	La Jolla can very..... Last Thursday it was hard packed......and wet all the way to the water....or it can vary to fluffy dry sand. I pull my kayak in on my dollie by hand, so you feel every kind of sand conditions on your body. I have 4 wheel drive and have pulled people out that got stuck, but most of the time I choose to park and wheel in. When it's fluffy sand with two wheel drive you have to get your speed up to make it across the fluffy part to the wet sand....if you do that be careful because of tourist walking on the beach are clueless One time I was in a 2wheel Toyota pickup and I got a running start so I wouldn't get stuck in the fluffy sand and the lifeguard came running over yelling at me I practically had to beg him out of a ticket. So be careful one bad incident could ruin it for everybody. __________________ Duke Mitchell Last edited by MITCHELL; 06-03-2019 at 05:07 AM.

06-03-2019, 09:21 AM	#3
domtesta27 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Ventura, Ca Posts: 111	2WD I've taken my 2 WD Ford Ranger down to Mako ville the last 2 years with zero issues. if you're planning on making it your daily driver in LA/San Diego get the 2wd, better gas milage and less maintenance.

06-03-2019, 09:56 AM	#5
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	I would get the TRD it has a locking differential, (traction at both rear wheels) my next one will have this. __________________

06-04-2019, 07:37 AM	#8
GTboosted Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Lake Balboa, The Valley Posts: 425	Just get the 4wd. You live near LJ so you will regret it later. For occasional trips, it's easy to make 2wd work. But if you're keeping the truck for a long time might as well get it. __________________ -Beto

06-02-2019, 06:07 PM	#1
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	La Jolla air down and 2wd fine. Baja 4wd if you are unfamiliar with areas.

06-03-2019, 09:49 AM	#4
Baja_Traveler Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Table 17, Bay Park Fish Co. Posts: 943	2WD is really all you will need, so long as you stay out of the obvious soft and/or mushy stuff. To improve your chances, put a locker in the rear end so you have a true two wheel drive and not a 1 wheel drive when tires start slipping.

06-03-2019, 11:04 AM	#6
5-20 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 241	As much as I hate getting worse gas mileage because of 4wd, I always go with a truck that has 4wd even if I use it only a few times each year. Peace of mind's totally worth it and I seem to end up exploring some areas that I would never think about going into if I didn't have 4wd.

06-04-2019, 08:31 AM	#9
ctfphoto Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 901	You can't beat a Toyota 4WD. I just upgraded to a Tundra V8 4x4, My 4th (3rd Toyota) and best 4WD I have owned.