4X4 vs. AWD

JEANNEJEANNEBeach ComberTALLAHASSEE/GRAYTON35 postsJoined Nov 16, '04View profile MessageBeach Comber

Aug 10, '05 · 3:42 PM1,368

Hey everyone, I have always had the typical four wheel drive vehicle for the beach (and all my stuff) at Grayton...much of the time I am in high and very little, in low. Several vehicles I am interested in now are only AWD and don't come in 4X4. Any thoughts on whether you think the AWD would do okay in the sand? I'm sure that when a period of no rain occurred, it would be risky...but I was just curious. Anyone out there, that drives on the beach, have an AWD SUV?

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RiverOtter RiverOtter avatar

RiverOttergot any pics?Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States11,444 postsJoined Nov 15, '04View profile Messagegot any pics?

Aug 10, '05 · 3:47 PM#2

Hey everyone, I have always had the typical four wheel drive vehicle for the beach (and all my stuff) at Grayton...much of the time I am in high and very little, in low. Several vehicles I am interested in now are only AWD and don't come in 4X4. Any thoughts on whether you think the AWD would do okay in the sand? I'm sure that when a period of no rain occurred, it would be risky...but I was just curious. Anyone out there, that drives on the beach, have an AWD SUV?

Mine has 2WD, AWD, 4WD High, 4WD Low. Never get stuck when I'm in 4WD High and keep it in 1st gear. I have past several Escilades, which only have AWD, that were stuck. Maybe just driver error. From what I understand the 4WD is a true 4WD and AWD has more slippage so less traction. I don't know never operated mine in AWD in the sand.