Perfect Family Beach Vehicle

After schlepping my kids and my gear back and forth to the beach from our condo every day last week, I have decided that I need a beach vehicle. My plan is to stock it up with all of the chairs, toys, umbrellas, etc. that I need and drive out to the waves every morning. (you can do that up in Corolla, NC) No more heading back to go to the bathroom or to make lunch, no more running back for forgotten sunscreen, no more trips to "rinse off". Everything is right there, on the beach.

As long as it has 4WD and a bathroom, I am golden. Maybe I can rent it out to other haggarded dads?

GRM Approach:

Not GRM:

Very not GRM:

What are wheels 9 & 10 for out back?

Go to a beach that has a bathroom, and don't forget stuff?

A standard econobox works well enough for me. Cooler with some snacks and water, a towel, and some sunscreen.

914Driver wrote: What are wheels 9 & 10 for out back?

Spares, I would guess. Although it does look like you could pull sweet wheelies on them

914Driver wrote: What are wheels 9 & 10 for out back?

For doing SWEET wheelies.

I'd guess they were spare tires, realistically, or outrigger wheels like you see on some heavy duty semis.

Yep. Wheelies. Obviously.

What's your budget?

Ooohh, Corolla. Gorgeous beach, only accessible by 4wd. Just watch out for the horses. Locals are VERY protective of them. My nephew had a house there, visited once, loved it there. Surf fishing is supposed to be good, too.

Make sure to put some on board air, for the kids blow up toys, and to air up your tires after lowering them for the sand. Quigley van would work nice.

Dakota 4dr with a cap maybe?

Dunno if I'd call a Yoter camper the grm approach given how much people want for a nice one.

Besides, the GRM approach appears to be "build one out of many different things and give it a V8".

Actually, now you have my suggestion.

linkie, just add cassette toilet

This is nearly my exact question in "Lowered Ranger with Camper" only without the lowered part.

If I wasn't looking for a dual purpose vehicle I'd go with a van, or a box truck or an already build camper with lifted suspension and bigger tires.

The ocean has plenty of water for rinsing, and peeing. If you've gotta drop a deuce, it's kinda bad form to do it in that small of a space. Get a $500 cherokee and paint it pink with white "Barbie" vinyl.

A friend just bought one of these two weeks ago. Incredible construction. Well thought out. Definitely over the top. He's a rep for a kayak and canoe paddle company. Spends as much or more time on the road than at home. He intends to Mountain bike ride in all fifty states. He's over halfway there.

In reply to vwcorvette:

They are nice, but for a fraction of the cost, I kinda like mine:

Did the Kayak Company supply the Earth Roamer to your friend, or did he just take out a home loan on it?

We take my 4x4 Tacoma Extra cab on the beach every once on a while. Racks hold the kayaks, everything else fits in the bed. We have a portable shower, shower enclosure, and a few 5 gallon jerry cans of water, chairs, coolers, etc.

I have an ARB compressor mounted under the hood which is really nice for airing the tires back up.

Lots of ideas here:

Expedition Portal Forum

Here's my vote:

Huge door opening with the rear suicide doors, rubber floor designed for hosing out, 4wd available, add the camper top and it's hard to beat!

poopshovel wrote: The ocean has plenty of water for rinsing, and peeing. If you've gotta drop a deuce, it's kinda bad form to do it in that small of a space. Get a $500 cherokee and paint it pink with white "Barbie" vinyl.

Close enough?

This:

plus whatever you drive now.

The Outer Banks has some nasty sand at times. I'd suggest something more towards the truck side of things than an AWD car side of things like a CRV. The ruts can get deep making ground clearance your friend.

What about a 4WD van with a chemical toilet in it?

If you can convince the fam to "let loose the brown snake" at home you can take any pickup or SUV as they'll haul all your family beach gear. Having a toilet on board makes things much more serious. I've seen some toddlers going over the dunes with Mom and a shovel.

Here's my beach vehicle:

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/project-cars/1991-Isuzu-trooper/

Carries 4 people comfortably, very capable off road, fridge in the back for drinks. Dead simple and reliable with a GM V6.

In reply to Tom Suddard: my 78 vw bus hardtop camper, is suprisingly good on sand, and otherwise meets your criteria