Driving in Beach Help RAV4-Hybrid

chatwithms · Jun 24, 2022

Hi All -- Need your Input -- Last week I bought a new RAV4 Hybrid 2022 Model -- Looks unfortunately 'Sand and Mud' mode is not in it.

I am not an expert in Car -- So Thought of getting help in this Forum to know the details.. Can I use RAV4-Hybrid in NC-Outer bank Beach Driving -- Will it work like AWD Vehicle -- If so which mode I need to select (as Sand and Mud mode is not there).

Kindly Requesting RAV4 / Hybrid experts to provide input on this.

RAVettel · Jun 24, 2022

You'd use trail mode, which generally is more aggressive in using the rear electric motor and the electric motors in general. Beware: it's a heavy car and it's not capable of routing much more than 25% (around 55 hp) power to the rear. You could run into issues.

I've never driven on the beach in the RAV but I have driven on desert sand. Don't stop in deep sand and keep the momentum up. Also, start off slow so that you don't dig holes with your wheels.

Be aware that the RAV does not have ANY recovery points unless you have a tow hitch installed. That means that, unless you have a tow hitch, if you get stuck the only ways to get un-stuck are by digging yourself out with a shovel, using traction mats, or using a strap to pull the suspension which could damage the car.

So yeah. Go nuts but be aware that the RAV4 in its stock configuration could run into issues on the beach.

Tazio Nuvolari · Jun 24, 2022

chatwithms said:
Can I use RAV4-Hybrid in NC-Outer bank Beach Driving

Be sure to lower your tire pressures when driving in soft sand -- maybe 25 to 28 PSI. Avoid driving in salt water--you don't want to start corrosion on the troublesome big wire as discussed in the thread in hybrid sub forum.

Rav4Outdoorsman · Jun 27, 2022

I did a trip to the outer banks last year. Some tips:
1. Stick to the packed sand routes that other vehicles have driven on.
2. Lower your tire pressure. I have mine at 22 psi on all 4 corners. I wouldn't try and go much lower in fear of de-beading a tire. Remember to air back up prior to hitting the road. Most every service station has air available.
3. Have a recovery point (hitch for me), a kinetic recovery strap (not tow rope/strap), and bring some sort of traction mats/boards (made mine out of metal mesh and scrap wood). If you get stuck, recover towards the direction you came from. A hitch makes this inherently easy. The traction boards also double as a stable jack base if needed.
4. Wash your undercarraige regardless of if you touch saltwater or not.
5. When in doubt, scope it out. It's plenty easy to turn around and take the main road past areas of loose sand.
6. Program local towing/recovery businesses into your phone before you go. Don't solely rely on passerbys to recover you, though many will.

Roydc · Jun 27, 2022

I bought a Black and Decker air pump that works on a lithium battery, 12v cigarette plug and 120v plug. It is powerful enough to pump up my motorhome tires at 80 PSI. Especially good if you have the built in inverter as in my 2021 Rav4 Prime XSE. I have extra rechargeable batteries that I carry with me in the motor home. Super easy to pump up tires using the pump with the batteries.

chatwithms · Jun 28, 2022

Rav4Outdoorsman said:
I did a trip to the outer banks last year. Some tips:
1. Stick to the packed sand routes that other vehicles have driven on.
2. Lower your tire pressure. I have mine at 22 psi on all 4 corners. I wouldn't try and go much lower in fear of de-beading a tire. Remember to air back up prior to hitting the road. Most every service station has air available.
3. Have a recovery point (hitch for me), a kinetic recovery strap (not tow rope/strap), and bring some sort of traction mats/boards (made mine out of metal mesh and scrap wood). If you get stuck, recover towards the direction you came from. A hitch makes this inherently easy. The traction boards also double as a stable jack base if needed.
4. Wash your undercarraige regardless of if you touch saltwater or not.
5. When in doubt, scope it out. It's plenty easy to turn around and take the main road past areas of loose sand.
6. Program local towing/recovery businesses into your phone before you go. Don't solely rely on passerbys to recover you, though many will.

Thanks a lot for your Update Sir..

Driving in Beach Help RAV4-Hybrid

chatwithms

RAVettel

Tazio Nuvolari

Rav4Outdoorsman

Roydc

chatwithms

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