Crossover SUV: can I get any mileage from an ATV permit? (auto, buy)

[fortunatus]

I recently rented a UTV and drove it in dunes just north of Coos Bay, OR, and this was great fun. I'm not thinking of getting into ATVing seriously, because I know I'd only do it once a year if that - but I have a Mazda CX-5 crossover SUV that does remarkably well on ice/snow with winter tires. I keep thinking about testing it out in the sand - I even got myself an ATV permit.

I intentionally don't say "in the dunes" because I know it will get stuck on actual dunes. But what mileage (if any) do you folks think I can get out of it NEAR the dunes, e.g. on roads around them or in between them in the ATV area? I've seen RVs there after all.

I'm thinking of a place like Horsfall Beach: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232183. Putting on the right tires would be my limit money-wise (I'd appreciate any advice on what such tires may be!). And of course I would deflate them a bit for the sand.

[NORTY FLATZ]

Only do this with a vehicle you do not care about. Off-roading, with onroad vehicles takes it's toll on driveline/steering systems. Get a Jeep if you want to do this. They better built for this, than your Mazda.

[fortunatus]

Thanks for the opinion!

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by NORTY FLATZ

Only do this with a vehicle you do not care about. Off-roading, with onroad vehicles takes it's toll on driveline/steering systems. Get a Jeep if you want to do this. They better built for this, than your Mazda.

Sand, salty or not, is an abrasive. It will get packed everywhere. The more mineral salt it contains the faster things will corrode. I used to work at a barrier beach management area and our work vehicles were driven on the upper beach and adjacent sand trails very frequently. Never in the water itself. Even with diligent body and undercarriage powerwashing they were rust buckets in a very few years. Whenever I see auto ads showing people blithely driving on the beach it makes my toes curl. I wouldn't want to buy that vehicle!