BajaNomad

SF to Concepcion beach camping 2WD or 4WD?

sd2hi - 8-27-2010 at 07:14 PM

Hi All, love the site, Born and raised in San Diego, moved to Hawaii 20 years ago. I have not been back to Baja and want to camp from SF down to Bay of Conception in the spring. Do you old hands think a 2WD or 4WD truck would be better? Toyota? I plan on flying in to San Diego (of course) buying the truck and selling it after the trip, 4 weeks. Aloha Andrew

surfer jim - 8-27-2010 at 08:39 PM

I would be most concerned about tires ( + spare), brakes, clutch, battery, hoses, belts, radiator......in other words.....the general reliability of the truck will be much more important than 2 vs 4wd. All things considered 4wd is prefered but not necessary. Toyota would do fine....but so would many other trucks. Best bet is have a second vehicle going with you.

sd2hi - 8-27-2010 at 09:38 PM

Thanks SJ, when the dates get closer I will post in the "Baja Travel Companions or Convoys" section. Some of my old high school buds can check out the truck for me and might come with.

Pompano - 8-28-2010 at 05:38 AM

sd2hi..I have driven from San Diego and camped at Conception Bay a few times since the 70's. Let's just say A LOT...at every beach in the Bay.

I always had a 4WD vehicle.
I have never had to use the 4WD for any camping purposes.

So it stands to reason that the first time I go without 4WD, I'm gonna need it.

Murphy's Law is in effect 24/7.

elgatoloco - 8-28-2010 at 08:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pompano
sd2hi..I have driven from San Diego and camped at Conception Bay a few times since the 70's. Let's just say A LOT...at every beach in the Bay.

I always had a 4WD vehicle.
I have never had to use the 4WD for any camping purposes.

So it stands to reason that the first time I go without 4WD, I'm gonna need it.

Murphy's Law is in effect 24/7.


Ditto. Although I have actually used the 4WD to get to and from a few treasured campspots, even if it's the last 200 yards on the beach after 100's of miles of bad dirt. I have a real truck with a camper so I am never wondering if I will get too stuck with 4WD. It does help to have a Toyota with you in case you need a pull out. :biggrin:

David K - 8-28-2010 at 09:37 AM

If you don't get a 4WD (even if you do), when you get stuck in sand... and 4WDs can, deflate the tires down to 10-15 psi... clear away any built up sand from in front of the tires, and you can drive out.

Do not race the engine and spin the tires in sand, if you stop going forward, you will just go down... have a good dial gauge to read your pressure and an electric air pumpto fill the tires back up.

In this photo you can see how the tires were digging into the sand at 32 psi (in 4WD) and I was bogging down. I stopped, dropped all 4 tires to 15 psi, and drove merrily away... Note the floatation on the sand, just beyond, at 15 psi.

BFS - 8-28-2010 at 12:06 PM

Hola,
4WD is the difference between parking 100 metres back with the "tourists" or right overlooking the shimmering sea with the "cool" people.
Also when trying to sell down here 4WD is always easier to sell.
Have fun!

bfs

Marc - 8-28-2010 at 06:16 PM

I drive a 5.7 Tundra 4X4. Overkill for sure. How about a 4X4 Tacoma. Like the big guy said "you don't need a 4X4 unless you don't have one"

Pompano - 8-28-2010 at 06:38 PM

I like to take along a spare Toyota or two.

Theyalways help give me traction in the soft sand.

Plus, the kiddies love to play with them. Oh God...! :lol::rolleyes:

sd2hi - 8-29-2010 at 01:24 PM

Machos gracias amigos, you confirmed that which my little voice was telling me. BTW thanks for the tire pressure tip. Funny I always do that with my dirt bike but it did not crossover to 4 wheeled vehicles for some reason. Aloha Andrew

surfer jim - 8-29-2010 at 04:57 PM

I noticed you just joined us .....so...Welcome to BAJA NOMADS.

Any BAJA experience from your time in San Diego?

And why did you want to go to the areas you mentioned?

sd2hi - 8-29-2010 at 06:10 PM

Hola SJ, I went on a road trip 25 years ago SD-SF-Bahia LA-Concepcion-Loreto then back on the Pacific side. I've always wanted to go back but caught Asian fever and ended exploring Japan & Thailand. 20 years later I'm over the Japanese wife and the kid does not need much supervision anymore and my thoughts turn back to Baja. On the trip to Loreto we had a 4wd Jeep truck and the only time I remember using 4WD was when we got a flat tire. We did not have a jack so put it in 4WD, dragged it on top of a pile of sand then dug the sand out from under the tire until we could change it. What a couple of dummies. We went down with a junk map and a couple hundred dollars and had the time of our lives. I've been thinking about the trip more and remember the area I liked best was around Concepcion. Even with three weeks off I might just drive on paved roads to Mulage and then explore from there. I faintly recollect that SF- BayLA was not as nice as the Concepcion area is. I was considering a bare boat charter but it is cost prohibitive. While checking the site I've seen many hotels with room rates over $100. What's up with that? Thoughts?
I'm looking for uncrouded beaches, fishing/spear fishing, kayaking and drinking cool beer with my feet in the sand or while watching stars. Did I forget to mention spicy Mexican food.

David K - 8-29-2010 at 09:49 PM

San Felipe to L.A. Bay you are seeing more sand beaches and desert coastlines... fewer people, some rough roads.

Mulege, Concepcion Bay, Loreto you have more people, nice but well visited beaches... and desert with tropical oasis and humidity thrown in.

You can find inexpensive places... but if you want a sample of simple luxury and peaceful surroundings with a swimming pool... then visit Bob & Susan's Playa Frambes Lighthouse Resort on Bahia Concepcion.

See our 2009 Summer Trip photos (to Loreto and back): http://vivabaja.com/709