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EricBuss
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 10-22-2011
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Where to go & not go with 2-Wheel Drive????
New to the forum, I was hoping to get some info from the ocean-going folks. My buddy and I are planning on driving through Baja next month to surf
and spearfish. We've given ourselves two weeks for the trip, and we don't have any real specific destination. We will be taking my 2WD Tacoma down
there, and I was hoping I could get some info on dive and surf locations that I can make it to and places I should avoid even trying. We will be
taking a small inflatable as well, in case that makes a difference.
Thanks, Eric
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ElCap
Nomad
Posts: 281
Registered: 1-22-2010
Location: Montara CA, or San Ignacio BCS
Member Is Offline
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You would be fine heading out to Asuncion or Abreojos - the roads are paved from Mex. 1, although might be a bit rough in areas. Very good
fishing/spearfishing this time of year, but just make sure you follow the fishing regs & respect the locals and their fisheries (lobster &
abalone primarily). U2U me if you want more info - I'll be down there mid November.
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13050
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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Hey Eric, welcome to the Nomad sand box and we hope to hear more from you on how your trip goes.
my esposo Juan drives in crazy places without putting the tuck in 4X4 hardly ever and the trick is...air down ....air down...air down amigo...when you
see sand, park and walk a bit...if your tires start to spin...air down some more to drive out...oh yeah and I'll U2U( top right corner under log in)
you my phone # if you find yourself bogged down to the doors around these parts. Stop in and get the skinny on spearo spots...gonna cost you some
Tecate's though. There is still halibut around and the yellowtail are gettin hefty now...lots of spear spots here you can access in your
inflatable...bring a VHF or local cell phone though for safety
and you will need the biosphere reserve bracelet too which I have here or you can get from Jaime, the biosphere rep here in Asuncion...which is needed
anywhere from Guerrero Negro-San Ignacio. If you plan to fish more than 5 days, it's worth it to stop at the Reserva office in GN and get the yearly
permit which is 260 pesos as opposed to the 50 pesos daily permit. YOu need a mexican fishing license too and remember the spear limit is 5 fish a day
and there are fisheries guys around checking.
It is a perfect time of year for spearing as the visibility is usually pretty good and lots of nice fish close to shore...have a blast!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65308
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Check TacomaWorld.com forums and like Shari says AIR DOWN!!! Sand will be probably your only problem if you try and drive off the highway to a surf
break or camp spot.
Buy a 12 v. electric air pump and good dial gauge (0-60 psi tops, so it is accurate to under 10 psi). Harbor Freight has a fast air pump for tires
($59) or there are others... The cig. lighter plug in ones are much slower, but cheaper.
When you get to a sand area (or are already stuck), clear away any sand from in front of your tires (avoid this by not spinning tires)... and lower
your pressure to 10 psi (if stuck) or 15 psi if not... Then use momentum to cross the sand area. Avoid turning sharp or slamming the brakes when
deflated.
Once out of the sand, re-inflate the tires!
A tire plug kit would be good to have to for flat repairs.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65308
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by EricBuss
New to the forum, I was hoping to get some info from the ocean-going folks. My buddy and I are planning on driving through Baja next month to surf
and spearfish. We've given ourselves two weeks for the trip, and we don't have any real specific destination. We will be taking my 2WD Tacoma down
there, and I was hoping I could get some info on dive and surf locations that I can make it to and places I should avoid even trying. We will be
taking a small inflatable as well, in case that makes a difference.
Thanks, Eric |
The surfing clique here will not want to share any details on how to get to their 'secret surf breaks'... but if you do some research, you will find
road data... Much of the coast has access roads that fishermen use as well as the few surfers.
The Auto Club map is a good general map with mileages on every road. The more detailed Baja Calif. Almanac map book is more for 4WD folks who like
exploring.
There is this book, written just for you surfers... c2002:
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3296
Registered: 1-11-2007
Location: Buena Vista BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Tranquilo
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Watch for sand with bits of shell mixed in, it's bottomless.....well, it's at least as deep as the frame of my FJ Cruiser....thanks again for pulling
me out Juan and Shari.....
btw: 40psi in 10ply Toyo tires is NOT the hot setup for sand. Fortunately my Toyota is equipped with ATRAC so I was able to bury it evenly
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65308
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by dtbushpilot
Watch for sand with bits of shell mixed in, it's bottomless.....well, it's at least as deep as the frame of my FJ Cruiser....thanks again for pulling
me out Juan and Shari.....
btw: 40psi in 10ply Toyo tires is NOT the hot setup for sand. Fortunately my Toyota is equipped with ATRAC so I was able to bury it evenly
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Besides lowering the air (a lot), you 4WD folks keep in in HIGH RANGE... Low Range has too much torque and will quickly dig you down to China, as Dave
says!
The newer Toyota 4WDs have TRAC in H4 (limited slip) and A-TRAC in L4 (no slip). I was able to drive the beach in high range without lowering the
tires because of TRAC, when I was unloaded... a first.
[Edited on 10-23-2011 by David K]
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5918
Registered: 7-18-2011
Member Is Offline
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Like David K said, Surfers Guide To Baja should be all you need. Tons of maps, directions to surf spots, most of which are very accessible.
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redhilltown
Super Nomad
Posts: 1130
Registered: 1-24-2009
Location: Long Beach, CA
Member Is Offline
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I know this is a great surf area
http://www.mexfish.com/baja/baja/vizcmp/vizcmp.htm
and the fishing it great too for shortfin corvina, halibut, and kelp bass. I have not been for a while but I would really try to find some good road
information (current)...I think the further south you finally head towards the shore the better...some of the roads outside of Catavina are epic to
get to the Pacific. Not necessarily 4x4 but epic.
There wont be any surf and I know your time is short but if you have not been there, you really really should check out Bahia de Los Angeles but def.
inquire on spearfishing regs if you do.
If you are coming back up Highway One on the last day (s) and a bit burned out but want one more adventure, Puerto Santo Tomas is a great place to
finish up a trip. 45 minutes on dirt road but Sam the owner has cheap houses to rent with showers and stunning views and occasional good fishing if
you haven't had your fill...it is a turn off right at the Santo Tomas valley. Next morning is is a short drive to the border and you have the option
of coming back up the wine country and exiting thru Tecate.
Have a blast.
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Dewey
Junior Nomad
Posts: 34
Registered: 6-18-2009
Member Is Offline
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Ask the local fishermen where they launch their boats and if your car will make it down the road to the launch point. I have been asking these two
questions since the early 60's and have found many good surf breaks and fishing spots.
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EricBuss
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 10-22-2011
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by ElCap
You would be fine heading out to Asuncion or Abreojos - the roads are paved from Mex. 1, although might be a bit rough in areas.
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How is the road from Asuncion to Abreojos, I've heard it's dirt but is is fairly reasonable on 2WD? Is it worth it to hit Tortugas, Asuncion and
Abreojos?
| Quote: | Originally posted by shari
...bring a VHF or local cell phone though for safety
and you will need the biosphere reserve bracelet too which I have here or you can get from Jaime, the biosphere rep here in Asuncion...which is needed
anywhere from Guerrero Negro-San Ignacio. If you plan to fish more than 5 days, it's worth it to stop at the Reserva office in GN and get the yearly
permit which is 260 pesos as opposed to the 50 pesos daily permit. YOu need a mexican fishing license too and remember the spear limit is 5 fish a day
and there are fisheries guys around checking.
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Can I pick up a pay-as-you-go phone for cheap anywhere when I first get through the border?
This is the first I've heard of the biosphere bracelet, thank you for making me aware of that. We will be staying well within our fishing limit.
| Quote: | Originally posted by redhilltown
There wont be any surf and I know your time is short but if you have not been there, you really really should check out Bahia de Los Angeles but def.
inquire on spearfishing regs if you do.
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Are the regulations different at Bay of LA?
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8965
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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Deflate your tires in style, amigo!
Set these at 12 p.s.i., and as long as you can travel without going "uphill" on sand, you probably won't get stuck. Have fun!!
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8965
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
The newer Toyota 4WDs have TRAC in H4 (limited slip) and A-TRAC in L4 (no slip). I was able to drive the beach in high range without lowering the
tires because of TRAC, when I was unloaded... a first.
[Edited on 10-23-2011 by David K] |
If you drive a Jeep Wrangler with the 'RUBICON' package, you can also drive on the sand in 4HI - saving you gas as well. Street-biased tires like
David K's help traveling on the sand as well. My Mud-Terrain tires are almost bald, so they drive superbly on the sand.
My '03 Rubicon (background) - Laguna Salada, Baja, Mex.
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BooJumMan
Senior Nomad
Posts: 921
Registered: 8-11-2007
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by redhilltown
I know this is a great surf area
http://www.mexfish.com/baja/baja/vizcmp/vizcmp.htm
and the fishing it great too for shortfin corvina, halibut, and kelp bass. I have not been for a while but I would really try to find some good road
information (current)...I think the further south you finally head towards the shore the better...some of the roads outside of Catavina are epic to
get to the Pacific. Not necessarily 4x4 but epic.
There wont be any surf and I know your time is short but if you have not been there, you really really should check out Bahia de Los Angeles but def.
inquire on spearfishing regs if you do.
If you are coming back up Highway One on the last day (s) and a bit burned out but want one more adventure, Puerto Santo Tomas is a great place to
finish up a trip. 45 minutes on dirt road but Sam the owner has cheap houses to rent with showers and stunning views and occasional good fishing if
you haven't had your fill...it is a turn off right at the Santo Tomas valley. Next morning is is a short drive to the border and you have the option
of coming back up the wine country and exiting thru Tecate.
Have a blast. |
There's a lot better places to surf than there, and talk about ltos of driving, and avoiding winds and weather. I wouldn't spend my time trying to
find surf there your first time in Baja.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65308
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Ken Cooke
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
The newer Toyota 4WDs have TRAC in H4 (limited slip) and A-TRAC in L4 (no slip). I was able to drive the beach in high range without lowering the
tires because of TRAC, when I was unloaded... a first.
[Edited on 10-23-2011 by David K] |
Street-biased tires like David K's help traveling on the sand as well. |
Street biased tires? There are not mud terrains, but they are all terrain tires, and have worked out great in mud, snow, sand and quiet at highway
speed: Hankook Dynapro ATm 265/75-16" (32" tires)...
Here is one, last week near the mud caves in Anza-Borrego... They have 11,000 miles on them, no flats or problems.
Now, on the beach in Baja...
This is excellent floatation, on dry sea shell mixed sand... only needed to air down to 18 psi.
[Edited on 10-24-2011 by David K]
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redhilltown
Super Nomad
Posts: 1130
Registered: 1-24-2009
Location: Long Beach, CA
Member Is Offline
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I have read posts concerning spearfishing in L.A. Bay as to the legality...I think it is a protected area but I'm sure the Google or some fellow
fishermen on here could help out. That said, to get to good spots you'd need to go out with the locals or trust your inflatable but the waters there
can be world class dangerous. If you head north out of the city and camp at La Gringa and watch the tides/wind I'm sure you could have some fun.
Boo-Jum is probably right on the Pacific side area I mentioned...I only have fished there but the dozens of hand made rock wind breaks and a few
gringos said it was popular with surfers.
As to 2wd and 4wd and all the tech thoughts I've always believed it is 90% driver experience and maybe maybe 10% your machinery...maybe 10%. If you
are smart enough not to get into a bad situation then you won't need technology to get you out. Which is not a knock on 39" tires and 400 hp but
just a heads up to think a bit and walk it first.
But don't listen to me, I've had my share of stupid situations 
| Quote: | Originally posted by EricBuss
| Quote: | Originally posted by ElCap
You would be fine heading out to Asuncion or Abreojos - the roads are paved from Mex. 1, although might be a bit rough in areas.
|
How is the road from Asuncion to Abreojos, I've heard it's dirt but is is fairly reasonable on 2WD? Is it worth it to hit Tortugas, Asuncion and
Abreojos?
| Quote: | Originally posted by shari
...bring a VHF or local cell phone though for safety
and you will need the biosphere reserve bracelet too which I have here or you can get from Jaime, the biosphere rep here in Asuncion...which is needed
anywhere from Guerrero Negro-San Ignacio. If you plan to fish more than 5 days, it's worth it to stop at the Reserva office in GN and get the yearly
permit which is 260 pesos as opposed to the 50 pesos daily permit. YOu need a mexican fishing license too and remember the spear limit is 5 fish a day
and there are fisheries guys around checking.
|
Can I pick up a pay-as-you-go phone for cheap anywhere when I first get through the border?
This is the first I've heard of the biosphere bracelet, thank you for making me aware of that. We will be staying well within our fishing limit.
| Quote: | Originally posted by redhilltown
There wont be any surf and I know your time is short but if you have not been there, you really really should check out Bahia de Los Angeles but def.
inquire on spearfishing regs if you do.
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Are the regulations different at Bay of LA? [/quote |
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EricBuss
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 10-22-2011
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by redhilltown
I have read posts concerning spearfishing in L.A. Bay as to the legality...I think it is a protected area but I'm sure the Google or some fellow
fishermen on here could help out. That said, to get to good spots you'd need to go out with the locals or trust your inflatable but the waters there
can be world class dangerous. If you head north out of the city and camp at La Gringa and watch the tides/wind I'm sure you could have some fun.
Boo-Jum is probably right on the Pacific side area I mentioned...I only have fished there but the dozens of hand made rock wind breaks and a few
gringos said it was popular with surfers.
As to 2wd and 4wd and all the tech thoughts I've always believed it is 90% driver experience and maybe maybe 10% your machinery...maybe 10%. If you
are smart enough not to get into a bad situation then you won't need technology to get you out. Which is not a knock on 39" tires and 400 hp but
just a heads up to think a bit and walk it first.
But don't listen to me, I've had my share of stupid situations
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Thanks for the info.
As far as experience goes, I've spent the past three winter seasons working as an EMT at Ocotillo Wells. Additionally, I'm an ocean lifeguard, and
drive on the beach all day long. That being said, I understand where I'm capable of driving. I won't be touching any unpaved roads if there's rain,
I just need to know if there are roads I shouldn't think about getting on regardless of whether they're wet or dry.
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Member Is Offline
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Using the Almanac, along the pacific coast south of Bahia Blanco there are silt beds that you will need to be careful of. Large rock hauling trucks
run thru there and have made the silt worse. There is a road that follows the coast south for maybe 10 miles and I would stay off it. If in that area
turn inland north of Arroyo El Sauz to Cordornices then south on the main road. The road east from the junction goes by Rancho Las Palomas and out to
hwy 1 at KM252 but be careful near the ranch as there are silt beds in the area before dropping into a sand wash and your going up hill, once in the
hills it OK. Also the road east at Playa Christie has silt beds until you climb up in about 3 or 4 miles. That road comes out at hwy 1 at KM233 at
Laguna Chapala.
I would suggest as a safety measure to take some carpet to put under the wheels and a high lift jack with the wheel strap hooks. If you have it you
will not need it but if you don't have it you'll probably need it. Don't stop in any sand unless you are going down hill. As others have said airing
down is good even for 2 wheel drive including the front tires. I've aired down to as little as 5 lbs although 10-15 lbs usually works. Just don't spin
your wheels and don't make any quick turns on the steering wheel. Applying a little emergency brake helps both rear wheels turn if you don't have a
locking differential. If you do pop a bead you can get it back on by using ligher fluid or gas use as little as necessary. There are videos on the
internet that show it being done, be careful. If you have a good high capacity compressor tie a rope around the center of the tire and twist it with a
stick or tire iron etc and it will help pop the tire on as you air it up. A little soap and water around the bead and edges helps too.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65308
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by TW
Using the Almanac, along the pacific coast south of Bahia Blanco there are silt beds that you will need to be careful of. Large rock hauling trucks
run thru there and have made the silt worse.
There is a road that follows the coast south for maybe 10 miles and I would stay off it. If in that area turn inland north of Arroyo El Sauz to
Cordornices then south on the main road.
The road east from the junction goes by Rancho Las Palomas and out to hwy 1 at KM252 but be careful near the ranch as there are silt beds in the area
before dropping into a sand wash and your going up hill, once in the hills it OK.
Also the road east at Playa Christie has silt beds until you climb up in about 3 or 4 miles. That road comes out at hwy 1 at KM233 at Laguna Chapala.
I would suggest as a safety measure to take some carpet to put under the wheels and a high lift jack with the wheel strap hooks. If you have it you
will not need it but if you don't have it you'll probably need it. Don't stop in any sand unless you are going down hill. As others have said airing
down is good even for 2 wheel drive including the front tires. I've aired down to as little as 5 lbs although 10-15 lbs usually works. Just don't spin
your wheels and don't make any quick turns on the steering wheel. Applying a little emergency brake helps both rear wheels turn if you don't have a
locking differential. If you do pop a bead you can get it back on by using ligher fluid or gas use as little as necessary. There are videos on the
internet that show it being done, be careful. If you have a good high capacity compressor tie a rope around the center of the tire and twist it with a
stick or tire iron etc and it will help pop the tire on as you air it up. A little soap and water around the bead and edges helps too.
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Curt63
Super Nomad
Posts: 1171
Registered: 3-28-2009
Location: San Diego, Ca.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Fish tacos and Tecate
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Asuncion to Abreojos La Bocana is paradise!
No worries
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