Beach Permit Question

[tristanm228]

Has anyone had trouble getting a beach driving permit since the BS is AWD and not a 4x4? I'm looking to get a permit in Rhode Island but they do inspect your car and they specifically say on their website that you need a 4x4 and AWD is not allowed. Wondering if I can just show them my winder sticker that says 4x4 or the Ford Website.

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[Rgill]

Has anyone had trouble getting a beach driving permit since the BS is AWD and not a 4x4? I'm looking to get a permit in Rhode Island but they do inspect your car and they specifically say on their website that you need a 4x4 and AWD is not allowed. Wondering if I can just show them my winder sticker that says 4x4 or the Ford Website.

Doubt you would Have a problem. There are enough ford materials to help you. Not sure how savvy they are anyway. They see word Bronco on front and say go ahead. Similar to them probably not checking to make sure a wrangler actually has 4WD when they come in 2WD also.

 

[magicbus]

There is one section here on Nantucket where, if you want to take an AWD vehicle on the beach, you will be advised that it is not recommended. The sand is soft and deep in a number of spots. It’s one of the reasons I opted for a Badlands. If your beach has coarse sand rather than sugar you should be okay.

 

[Glamdring70]

Is that really a regulation they check and enforce? Wow. If that ever was a rule, maybe they need to catch up with the tech advancements. The Sport has a fairly advanced traction system. Their primary concern is probably that AWD doesn't typically have a way to lock the 4WD or disable the traction control nature of the system. The GOAT sand mode actually does that. Could point it out if they question it, but I would go in with the attitude that they need to issue the permit and see how they react.

 

[magicbus]

Is that really a regulation they check and enforce? Wow. If that ever was a rule, maybe they need to catch up with the tech advancements. The Sport has a fairly advanced traction system. Their primary concern is probably that AWD doesn't typically have a way to lock the 4WD or disable the traction control nature of the system. The GOAT sand mode actually does that. Could point it out if they question it, but I would go in with the attitude that they need to issue the permit and see how they react.

Interestingly enough I just accepted a position as a ranger on the section where they check every vehicle entering the refuge. I asked about AWD vs 4x4 and was told that only 4x4 locking vehicles are now permitted in this refuge. They used to allow AWD but it became too much of a rescue burden and they felt they had to draw the line. Luckily I will only be a fill-in entry checker and mostly driving the beaches.

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