La Jolla: 4x2 or 4x4 ? ? ?

[skrilla]

Originally Posted by Harry Hill

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.

Yes, before graylight usually score a spot within 3 blocks from the launch. Also room in the main lot at the back. At the end of Avenida De La Playa not much room for a u-turn with a trailer. And it's a clucker-F there during the day.

[cabojohn]

You might get lucky sometimes...but the sand can get very soft and you will bury at some point.
4x4 SHOULD be mandatory for driving on the sand at LJ.
Don't be "that guy" who sinks his 2wd anything in the soft sand at the launch and F's up access for everyone else.

A good kayak dolly with big wheels is PRICELESS.

[jorluivil]

Spending extra money on a 4x4 just because the sand at LJ is soft is about as bad of an idea as reporting a hammerhead encounter to the lifeguards

[Raskal311]

mini van and honda civic can make LJ with no issues.

[bolocop]

Originally Posted by Raskal311

mini van and honda civic can make LJ with no issues.

Both are FWD and have weight over the drive wheels. 4x2 trucks spin one wheel without a locker.

Go ahead and save the $2-3K on a 4x2. You will regret it and trade it in for a 4x4. So you'll lose money on the trade and purchase of another vehicle.

I used to think I could punch it through as well, until someone walked into my path and I was stuck. Which costs more, running someone over or $2-3K more on a 4x4?

[Harry Hill]

my full sized Dodge 2500 2wd gets stuck just looking at sand, it's way to light in the back end, if I have to drive in sand I'll bring the Grand Cherokee or the CJ 3A. How far is from the parking lot to the launch? I can always put my yak on a cart and bring it down that way.

[PescadorPete]

4x4 for a multitude of reasons. In the off season, you can cruise and camp in Anza-Borrego, Ocotillo Wells, Death Valley, Saline Valley, etc...

Snow boarding on Mammoth mountain.

And you'll never get stuck in LJ.

Of course, you'll have to eat a bit on the gallon per miles.

My old Ranger was a 4x2. When I replaced it with a 4x4 Ranger, it opened up a lot of off road opportunities.

[Raskal311]

Originally Posted by bolocop

Both are FWD and have weight over the drive wheels. 4x2 trucks spin one wheel without a locker.

Go ahead and save the $2-3K on a 4x2. You will regret it and trade it in for a 4x4. So you'll lose money on the trade and purchase of another vehicle.

I used to think I could punch it through as well, until someone walked into my path and I was stuck. Which costs more, running someone over or $2-3K more on a 4x4?

i have a 4x2 truck and have never had an issue at LJ, just learn how to drive on sand its not that hard. Stop and go is no problem just dont try to start up too fast. I do have LSD, not sure if that does much.

[GregAndrew]

High tides help to repack the sand twice a day. Problems occur there when the high tides for a couple of weeks are not very high. In those time periods I have seen 4x4s get stuck in the soft sand. Not usually because they slowed down, but because the ruts were so deep already they were bottoming out. Those times are the exception though, and you can always unload on the street and drag your kayak a bit further. Most of the time anything will make it. You can usually judge how soft it is that day by the depth of the ruts and make your decision then.

[Zed]

Originally Posted by Raskal311

i have a 4x2 truck and have never had an issue at LJ, just learn how to drive on sand its not that hard. Stop and go is no problem just dont try to start up too fast. I do have LSD, not sure if that does much.

I dont recommend driving in La Jolla on LSD.