Outer Banks trip: trying out Sand Mode

[ABTremor]

Went on a trip out to the Outer Banks here in NC. The road trip out to Corrolla was smooth and resulted in an average of 29 MPG using cruise control most of the way. No glitches with the phone connection to the truck so we were able to enjoy our Sirius XM app.

Once there we took a day to drive on the beach north of Corrolla to look for the famous wild horses of Corrolla.

Aired down the tires as required by local ordinance to 20 PSI and once on the beach locked in 4WD and Sand Mode, away we went..

We drove the full length of the beach to the Virginia border and the Tremor handled the sand with ease -- even the deep loose sand on the northern end of the beach where few others had traveled -- going over the dunes and driving through the sand roads and a few trails was done effortlessly. I was pleasantly surprised that we never lacked for ground clearance or power to go wherever I felt like pointing the truck

My only observation is that when increasing our speed above 20 MPH (beach speed limit is 35) while driving on the hard packed sand along the water line the transmission seemed to want to hold a lower gear for longer than I would if I could chose my gear. Not really a problem, and in most off road situations keeping the RPM's up is helpful in maintaining forward progress. It just made me wish for paddle shifters at times so that I could have more control over it.

End result? We found some wild horses, threw some sand with the tires and thoroughly enjoyed the day

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[colinl]

where's the video of you doing donuts?

j/k, looks amazing. pretty much perfect for a Tremor.

 

[ZZbuggs]

Went on a trip out to the Outer Banks here in NC. The road trip out to Corrolla was smooth and resulted in an average of 29 MPG using cruise control most of the way. No glitches with the phone connection to the truck so we were able to enjoy our Sirius XM app.

Once there we took a day to drive on the beach north of Corrolla to look for the famous wild horses of Corrolla.

Aired down the tires as required by local ordinance to 20 PSI and once on the beach locked in 4WD and Sand Mode, away we went..

We drove the full length of the beach to the Virginia border and the Tremor handled the sand with ease -- even the deep loose sand on the northern end of the beach where few others had traveled -- going over the dunes and driving through the sand roads and a few trails was done effortlessly. I was pleasantly surprised that we never lacked for ground clearance or power to go wherever I felt like pointing the truck

My only observation is that when increasing our speed above 20 MPH (beach speed limit is 35) while driving on the hard packed sand along the water line the transmission seemed to want to hold a lower gear for longer than I would if I could chose my gear. Not really a problem, and in most off road situations keeping the RPM's up is helpful in maintaining forward progress. It just made me wish for paddle shifters at times so that I could have more control over it.

End result? We found some wild horses, threw some sand with the tires and thoroughly enjoyed the day

Very nice, I just got my beach pass and will be in Corolla in 3 weeks. First time on the beach.

 

[Rivers90]

The Tremor does surprisingly well off-road.

Ford has been hearing what we have asked for and the 2025 gets the paddle shifters.

Post more photos, that looks like a fun place.

 

[TheShark]

Went on a trip out to the Outer Banks here in NC. The road trip out to Corrolla was smooth and resulted in an average of 29 MPG using cruise control most of the way. No glitches with the phone connection to the truck so we were able to enjoy our Sirius XM app.

Once there we took a day to drive on the beach north of Corrolla to look for the famous wild horses of Corrolla.

Aired down the tires as required by local ordinance to 20 PSI and once on the beach locked in 4WD and Sand Mode, away we went..

We drove the full length of the beach to the Virginia border and the Tremor handled the sand with ease -- even the deep loose sand on the northern end of the beach where few others had traveled -- going over the dunes and driving through the sand roads and a few trails was done effortlessly. I was pleasantly surprised that we never lacked for ground clearance or power to go wherever I felt like pointing the truck

My only observation is that when increasing our speed above 20 MPH (beach speed limit is 35) while driving on the hard packed sand along the water line the transmission seemed to want to hold a lower gear for longer than I would if I could chose my gear. Not really a problem, and in most off road situations keeping the RPM's up is helpful in maintaining forward progress. It just made me wish for paddle shifters at times so that I could have more control over it.

End result? We found some wild horses, threw some sand with the tires and thoroughly enjoyed the day

Looks like you had a great time, love Carova beach. We will be there next month albeit in the Bronco. Did you walk through the fence into VA? That actually is a nice stretch of beach and generally very quiet.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Went on a trip out to the Outer Banks here in NC. The road trip out to Corrolla was smooth and resulted in an average of 29 MPG using cruise control most of the way. No glitches with the phone connection to the truck so we were able to enjoy our Sirius XM app.

Once there we took a day to drive on the beach north of Corrolla to look for the famous wild horses of Corrolla.

Aired down the tires as required by local ordinance to 20 PSI and once on the beach locked in 4WD and Sand Mode, away we went..

We drove the full length of the beach to the Virginia border and the Tremor handled the sand with ease -- even the deep loose sand on the northern end of the beach where few others had traveled -- going over the dunes and driving through the sand roads and a few trails was done effortlessly. I was pleasantly surprised that we never lacked for ground clearance or power to go wherever I felt like pointing the truck

My only observation is that when increasing our speed above 20 MPH (beach speed limit is 35) while driving on the hard packed sand along the water line the transmission seemed to want to hold a lower gear for longer than I would if I could chose my gear. Not really a problem, and in most off road situations keeping the RPM's up is helpful in maintaining forward progress. It just made me wish for paddle shifters at times so that I could have more control over it.

End result? We found some wild horses, threw some sand with the tires and thoroughly enjoyed the day

Hold gear longer in sand mode is part of it, I believe. The wet "hard packed" sand is not loose sand mode surface.

 

[jdonnery]

where's the video of you doing donuts?

j/k, looks amazing. pretty much perfect for a Tremor.

I did donuts on the beach there, and the sheriff was very unhappy about it.

 

[MavFromTheDead]

I took mine to Mustang Island excited to use the Tremor goodies in the 4x4 only area and eventually turned everything off. Tremor just ate it up. There is gnarlier stuff further down, but I was by myself with no recovery gear so didn't attempt it. But soon. My buddy happened to show up on our last day in his FX4. Maverick is a great little beach truck.

 

[Phimosis]

I’m waiting to see the Tremor take on some dunes, not just the beach.

 

[Pee Dee]

-- going over the dunes and driving through the sand roads and a few trails was done effortlessly.

I hope you didn’t literally drive ON the dunes!

I’ve driven most sections of the OBX beaches and the nicest area is exactly where you were. I haven’t had my Maverick up there yet. There’s a few places I’d be hesitant to test the fx4 even with AT tires.

 

[bartflossom]

Just don't do this please...

 

[Tom 71 Maverick 24]

Just don't do this please...

The craziest part is that the guy that gets tossed from his vehicle just gets up and hobbles back up onto the beach.

 

[ABTremor]

I hope you didn’t literally drive ON the dunes!

Nope, not on the dunes. Used the rental home area access "roads" to go over the dunes where allowed.
Once in the vacation rental area we found plenty of sand roads, which are really nothing more than trails through the area. Many of them are narrow enough that I'm sure most monster 4x4's wouldn't fit, but the Maverick fit without drama.

The Outer Banks are one of our favorite places to visit.

 

[Montana]

The craziest part is that the guy that gets tossed from his vehicle just gets up and hobbles back up onto the beach.

Just another day at the beach in the middle east.

 

[Stupak]

Went on a trip out to the Outer Banks here in NC. The road trip out to Corrolla was smooth and resulted in an average of 29 MPG using cruise control most of the way. No glitches with the phone connection to the truck so we were able to enjoy our Sirius XM app.

Once there we took a day to drive on the beach north of Corrolla to look for the famous wild horses of Corrolla.

Aired down the tires as required by local ordinance to 20 PSI and once on the beach locked in 4WD and Sand Mode, away we went..

We drove the full length of the beach to the Virginia border and the Tremor handled the sand with ease -- even the deep loose sand on the northern end of the beach where few others had traveled -- going over the dunes and driving through the sand roads and a few trails was done effortlessly. I was pleasantly surprised that we never lacked for ground clearance or power to go wherever I felt like pointing the truck

My only observation is that when increasing our speed above 20 MPH (beach speed limit is 35) while driving on the hard packed sand along the water line the transmission seemed to want to hold a lower gear for longer than I would if I could chose my gear. Not really a problem, and in most off road situations keeping the RPM's up is helpful in maintaining forward progress. It just made me wish for paddle shifters at times so that I could have more control over it.

End result? We found some wild horses, threw some sand with the tires and thoroughly enjoyed the day

This is a super fun post. My 22 FX4 encounters plenty of sand here in Baja and does very well. I've never aired down my tires and have managed very well, even over the Soft stuff. My personal theory is that the Maverick's light weight is a huge asset in the sand. I have actually helped heavier, bigger trucks out of situations, so there you go!

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