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Thoughts on 2014 Jeep Patriot for use on Carova Beach, NC sand

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OBXer

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Anyone here familiar with the beaches of the outer banks understands how soft and deep the sand is. I'm thinking of buying the 2014 Jeep Patriot and wondering how it will hold up in that sand with just the FD1 package. I can't find many dealers that are carrying the FD2 but do I even need it??
Shopping for a 4wd is very difficult these days. You've really gotta dig to find a true 4x4. Seems like dealers are considering anything with traction control as 4wd. Can the patriot FD1 hold up on those beaches with the typical airing down rule? Thanks!!
 
#2 ·
#3 ·
I visit the OBX several times a year. Corrola and Corova beach are pretty well beat down by people driving on them. I have even seen mini vans out there driving around. I have had my Outlander GT out on Corolla. An FDi Patriot would be fine with decent tires, aired down, and ESP turned fully off. I also take several trips to Portsmouth and Great Island and spend a lot of time around Hatteras and Avon. Down there the sand is much softer. I have a FDii and have been glad to have it once or twice. I'm running the stock Wrangler SR-A's and they have been fine for me so far. Will get better tires when those wear out a little.
I will go ahead and assume you have previous experience driving on the sand. Any lessons learned through that are just more important with the patriot. Make sure you have a shovel, a good jack, some carpet scraps or old door mats, a tow strap, and something to hook that tow strap to on your ride. If you plan on driving the Patriot on the beach go with the factory tow hooks (or get a receiver hitch) and skid plates as options. Try to stick with the 16 inch wheels as you will have better options for tires that will fit the Patriot than the with the 17 inch wheels. Although, the 16 inch wheels come with even worse tires than the SR-A's on them for driving in the sand.
I have seen several FDi Patriots out on the beach between Corolla and Avon and one on Ocrakoke. My experience is that on the sand the only advantage that FDii offers is the more agressive BLD's when going through the really soft stuff immediately going onto the beach or coming off. Keep your speed up a little bit on the "ramps" and you'll have no problems.
 
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#4 ·
tires may be an issue depending how deep the sand goes to-maybe not though

most likely youll be perfectly fine in a jeep patriot of any kind on sand

back n 2001 I drove a gnc jimmy and got stuck in sand on daytona beach, where they let vehicles drive up and down on the beach

a riot can handle it, in my opinion
 
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#5 ·
OBXer said:
Anyone here familiar with the beaches of the outer banks understands how soft and deep the sand is. I'm thinking of buying the 2014 Jeep Patriot and wondering how it will hold up in that sand with just the FD1 package. I can't find many dealers that are carrying the FD2 but do I even need it??
Shopping for a 4wd is very difficult these days. You've really gotta dig to find a true 4x4. Seems like dealers are considering anything with traction control as 4wd. Can the patriot FD1 hold up on those beaches with the typical airing down rule? Thanks!!
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I think the patriot can hold up well in the sand. I haven't personally driven on a beach but I've been on a few sand roads and it handles just fine just make sure to turn off ESP.
 
#7 ·
I have driven my 2007 xterra 4x4 automatic with offroad tires on many beaches. Never have gotten stuck. Been to Hatteras. Ft fisher. Carolina beach. Cape lookout. Never had issues or even close. Air down to 20psi.

I still have the xterra of course but use the patriot for most of my travels these days. I got it new in early 2013 and wanted to test it. Took it out to ft fisher. The looks I got. It amazed me. Better than the xterra it some regards like changing tracks. I have the 5spd manual sport. I aired down to 20psi. Ran 4locked and esp thing fully off. On way out I had to pass an older grand Cherokee getting dug out by another grand Cherokee driver right at the junction of the ramp and beach. The worst possible place for me to have to stop! I thought for sure I would just spin. I just put in first and drove normally and she went! The looks I got.

Because of that performance and its snow performance which is amazing and its mountain gravel road driving performance I upgraded my sport to the overland edition and badges accordingly. The patriot is really an amazing vehicle for the money and outclasses all other vehicles in its class and even the next higher class.
 
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#8 ·
Ah, Ft. Fisher. I grew up on Carolina and Kure beach, until at age 39 I moved out here. My dad's great-grandfather fought in the battle of Ft. Fisher in 1865, and the somewhat famous Ft. Fisher Hermit was a cousin of my mom's. Small world.
 
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Wooden Dog
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