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

(a D u B) · 06-02-2019, 10:54 AM

Hi all,

The day has come, I can finally buy a Tacoma! For all those who have driven through Baja (past Ensenada, to places like Makoville and other camping spots down the Peninsula), how necessary is 4WD? On top of that - those of you who drive your kayak all the way down the sand on La Jolla Shores, do you all have 4WD?

My gut says 2WD with some good tires would work just fine but I thought I'd ask my more experienced amigos here.

GregAndrew · 06-02-2019, 12:45 PM

Most of the time at LJ you can get away with 2WD. But some of the time, even 4WD vehicles get stuck. When there has not been a good high tide in a while to compact the sand near the end of the road you need to be careful.

Most of the commercial places in Baja, you don't need 4WD. But if you like exploring new places, it is definitely worth it.

If you do decide to go 2WD, check out the inventive ideas and products available to get you out of a bad situation (before you need them). Digging yourself out is almost never a good idea.

YakDout · 06-02-2019, 07:07 PM

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

MITCHELL · 06-03-2019, 06:00 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, 10:21 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, 10:49 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, 10:56 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, 12:04 PM

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, 06:46 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, 08:37 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, 09:31 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.

MITCHELL · 06-04-2019, 05:20 PM

That truck in low range would climb anything and light to. It got stolen I recovered nothing....no thief insurance
Some asshole got it right out of my drive way.....
It had a shell with 3 pullup doors and a stainless rack on top....

Mahigeer · 06-05-2019, 06:55 PM

After this trip, later in 2017 I bought a 4X4 4Runner for Baja trips.

Now I am good for my ice fishing trips too.

From post of 2014 in front of Alfonsina's Hotel

25-Well I got stuck after unloading the kayak. Doho

26-The yellow plastic gadget is called Road Chew. It is supposed to help stranded motorist get out of snow and mud and sand, etc.

It actually got buried in the sand and I had to dig the area of the tire tracks to find them. It did not work for me.

Raskal311 · 06-07-2019, 07:42 AM

Look for the traction board called maxtrax; its expensive but proven.

Mahigeer · 06-09-2019, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raskal311

Look for the traction board called maxtrax; its expensive but proven.

I did. I bought one pair not long after that trip.

Just wish I had taken them to Wyoming. I figured in US, AAA would get me out of jams, but did not know about off-road exclusion.

tomahawk · 06-16-2019, 11:09 AM

It is not really necessary but worth it when you need it. I have a 4WD RAM 1500 and I rarely use the 4WD. I think I needed it twice in 3 years. It is worth it for the piece of mind. I go where I want and don't worry too much. My other car is a Nissan Murano and i have had that nearly stuck several times in areas where it was very unexpected. Those experiences are what made me get the 4WD. The RAM is my daily commuter in LA traffic and I get a little over 18 MPG on average. When I take trips I get about 21 MPG and when I tow my 18 foot trailer I get about 16 MPG.
I second the early 80s Toyota 22R. I had the 1983, the last year of the body style. It could go anywhere and had huge clearance. I would still have it but my wife hated driving it and at the time we could only afford one car.
Tom

(a D u B) · 06-17-2019, 01:11 PM

Thank you all - I think I'm going to go with 4WD... the point of getting a truck is to go places that I otherwise would not with a sedan and at that point, I want to the peace of mind of 4WD.

I'll post a photo when I get it, thanks for the feedback.

Mahigeer · 06-17-2019, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by (a D u B)

Thank you all - I think I'm going to go with 4WD... the point of getting a truck is to go places that I otherwise would not with a sedan and at that point, I want to the peace of mind of 4WD.

I'll post a photo when I get it, thanks for the feedback.

Just remember if you have AAA car insurance, they will NOT rescue you if you are not on the public roads.

In US that is. Of course in Baja, you are on your own. But you maybe offered help by the locals.

MMc · 06-18-2019, 12:31 PM

I love my 4X4. It has got me into some great places I would not have tried with 2 wheel. Airing down in sand will do more than 4X4 to get you out or not get stuck. Most places have a pretty good roads but getting to the beach is often a problem. I spend a bit of time in the middle of Baja and it is nice to have.

DavidT · 06-18-2019, 04:10 PM

You could also be the first in your neighborhood with a Truckla.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=R35gWBtLCYg

Some assembly required.

06-02-2019, 10:54 AM	#1
(a D u B) Junior Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Pacific Beach Posts: 29	Truck Question: 4WD necessary? Hi all, The day has come, I can finally buy a Tacoma! For all those who have driven through Baja (past Ensenada, to places like Makoville and other camping spots down the Peninsula), how necessary is 4WD? On top of that - those of you who drive your kayak all the way down the sand on La Jolla Shores, do you all have 4WD? My gut says 2WD with some good tires would work just fine but I thought I'd ask my more experienced amigos here.

06-03-2019, 06:00 AM	#4
MITCHELL Sea Hunter Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Where ever I may roam where I lay my head I call home. Posts: 2,277	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 06:07 AM.

06-03-2019, 10:21 AM	#5
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, 10:56 AM	#7
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, 08:37 AM	#10
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, 12:45 PM	#2
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	Most of the time at LJ you can get away with 2WD. But some of the time, even 4WD vehicles get stuck. When there has not been a good high tide in a while to compact the sand near the end of the road you need to be careful. Most of the commercial places in Baja, you don't need 4WD. But if you like exploring new places, it is definitely worth it. If you do decide to go 2WD, check out the inventive ideas and products available to get you out of a bad situation (before you need them). Digging yourself out is almost never a good idea.

06-02-2019, 07:07 PM	#3
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, 10:49 AM	#6
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, 12:04 PM	#8
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, 09:31 AM	#11
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.

06-04-2019, 05:20 PM	#12
MITCHELL Sea Hunter Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Where ever I may roam where I lay my head I call home. Posts: 2,277	I miss my red 1981 22r long bed Toyota 4x4.... That truck in low range would climb anything and light to. It got stolen I recovered nothing....no thief insurance Some asshole got it right out of my drive way..... It had a shell with 3 pullup doors and a stainless rack on top.... __________________ Duke Mitchell

06-05-2019, 06:55 PM	#13
Mahigeer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,897	After this trip, later in 2017 I bought a 4X4 4Runner for Baja trips. Now I am good for my ice fishing trips too. From post of 2014 in front of Alfonsina's Hotel 25-Well I got stuck after unloading the kayak. Doho 26-The yellow plastic gadget is called Road Chew. It is supposed to help stranded motorist get out of snow and mud and sand, etc. It actually got buried in the sand and I had to dig the area of the tire tracks to find them. It did not work for me.

06-07-2019, 07:42 AM	#14
Raskal311 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Santa Ana/Westminster Posts: 1,256	Look for the traction board called maxtrax; its expensive but proven. __________________ Kevin Yellow PA12

06-16-2019, 11:09 AM	#16
tomahawk Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 109	Get the 4WD It is not really necessary but worth it when you need it. I have a 4WD RAM 1500 and I rarely use the 4WD. I think I needed it twice in 3 years. It is worth it for the piece of mind. I go where I want and don't worry too much. My other car is a Nissan Murano and i have had that nearly stuck several times in areas where it was very unexpected. Those experiences are what made me get the 4WD. The RAM is my daily commuter in LA traffic and I get a little over 18 MPG on average. When I take trips I get about 21 MPG and when I tow my 18 foot trailer I get about 16 MPG. I second the early 80s Toyota 22R. I had the 1983, the last year of the body style. It could go anywhere and had huge clearance. I would still have it but my wife hated driving it and at the time we could only afford one car. Tom

06-17-2019, 01:11 PM	#17
(a D u B) Junior Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Pacific Beach Posts: 29	Thank you all - I think I'm going to go with 4WD... the point of getting a truck is to go places that I otherwise would not with a sedan and at that point, I want to the peace of mind of 4WD. I'll post a photo when I get it, thanks for the feedback.

06-18-2019, 12:31 PM	#19
MMc Junior Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 6	I love my 4X4. It has got me into some great places I would not have tried with 2 wheel. Airing down in sand will do more than 4X4 to get you out or not get stuck. Most places have a pretty good roads but getting to the beach is often a problem. I spend a bit of time in the middle of Baja and it is nice to have.

06-18-2019, 04:10 PM	#20
DavidT Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 44	You could also be the first in your neighborhood with a Truckla. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=R35gWBtLCYg Some assembly required.