PA to Pruhdoe Bay '08 Reg Cab

I want to say hello to everyone, this is a great forum and I've been looking for the right Tacoma for about 3 years now. I finally found it and at just the right time.

I've been planning a road trip to Prudhoe Bay, AK for about a year now and traded in my Focus for an '08 Reg Cab. Found it at a local dealer with 37,000 miles on it! Brought it home, found a used cap and put a 2.5" spacer up front and a 2" aal in the rear. Then built a simple set of drawers for the bed for less than $100. I decided I would burn the factory size tires off on my trip to Alaska and then put on 235/85/16s bfg's when I returned.

I started having second thoughts about the tires because they are about 50% warn and I plan to run a lot of dirt road in Alaska. After searching around I came across Treadwright 235/85/16 Warden 2s and figured I'd give the a try.

These tires are remolds. Made in USA, from 70% recycled materials, with the same process used to make new tires. The best part is they are about 40% less than the bfg's I was looking at. I know a lot of people are skeptical of these tires because they are remolds but the company has been around for quite a while and seems to take a lot of pride in their product.

I'm leaving the last week of July from PA and have planned a roughly 10,000 mile trip. I've never ran these tires before but am really counting on them to perform as I think they could be a great alternative for those looking to save some money on tires and put it elsewhere in the truck.

 

Good for you, man! Hope the tires work out, enjoy your journey!

 

Thanks! I'm looking forward too it. Though I'm still trying to figure out how to solve the horrible whistling noise from the wind hitting the truck just right. Im leaving in a week and am too the point of taping every seem on the truck

 

can that little 4 banger push all that tire weight?

 

Welcome and good luck! The taco whistle is a part of life. I did a 9700 mile trip over the winter and learned to accept it.

 

Congrats and welcome!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

I'll find out this weekend once the tires are mounted. I'm expecting to notice a difference but there are several people on here running 265/75/16's that are just about as heavy.

I didn't want a 10ply but I wanted the tall skinny tire so something had to give. I also do very little town driving, 20 miles of flat highway to work so I'm thinking the gas mileage won't drop too much. After about 5,000 miles on the truck the worst mileage I have had was about 21.

 

I thought the whistle was coming from the door trim but now I think it's from the windshield seal. I know everyone has tried everything but I'll probably end up taping all the seems to try to find it. It doesn't bother me know as I only drive about an hour a day for work, but it's going to drive me insane after about hour 25 on the highway.

 

I've found it really depends on the direction of the wind. It happens on my 14 double cab when I'm on a curve between 70 and 80mph, but goes away mostly when I'm on a straightaway unless the wind is slamming into me from the passenger side.

 

Looking sweet. I want the same truck with the same size tires. How much did you pay for the truck? What is your route to prudhoe bay? I will be in fairbanks if you need some recommendations or help with anything

 

You have a lot more guts than i do, in using retreads/remolds on a major trip, especially to rural Alaska.

Here are just a couple of many negative reviews on Treadwright:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/tow-rigs-trailers/2141473-nothing-but-problems-treadwright.html
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/gene...readwright-warranty-experience-must-read.html
http://www.dieselbombers.com/dodge-...esel-forum/99653-treadwright-tire-update.html

 

My noise occurs in high crosswind situations, and it is the door seal vibrating. It only happens on the passenger side, and you can actually feel and stop the vibrating rubber when it happens. Its right around the area of the window frame that transitions from mostly vertical to horizontal. I slipped a credit card in it once on a long road trip and that stopped it. I've heard of guys using weatherstripping rope to fix it. I'm also aware that sometimes it's the windshield seal that's the problem, but not for me. Here's a short thread to get you started...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/roof-noise-w-crosswind.406044/page-2#post-11481053

Enjoy the trip! Wish I could join you!!!

 

I got the stock 245/75/16 Dunflops and my truck barely pushs these they weigh 32lbs. a tire, with my AC running the truck can barely move LOL my last MPG with these was 24.60 mpg

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kumho-Road-Venture-AT51-245-75-16-Tire-Set-of-4-/381345557124 these ATs are the lightest weight AT in stock size weighs 34lbs. per tire I may go with these or Michelin LTX MS2 Defender in stock when the time comes 34 lbs. also. use mine as a daily driver commuter so economy and drivability are important.

 

Hello and welcome, @Moss89. I wish you safe travels and I'll be watching the shit outta this thread. I also have a regular cab with 235/85r16's and it's an excellent combination. Don't listen to people who have no experience in the matter. I'm getting the same MPG as I had with P-rated 265/70r16's but with much better winter and off-road traction. The 235's are way smoother on washboarded gravel roads, too. I'm sure you'll see a lot of those in Alaska. Let's see some photos when you get your new tires mounted!

 

I paid $11.5k for the truck. Not a steal by any means but is was the same price as the regular cabs with 100k+ miles on them in my area.
We're crossing into Canada from North Dakota and coming up the Alcan highway. It's great to know there are people willing to help along the way!

 

The tires are getting mounted Sunday and I'll be posting pictures and comments on the tires the whole trip. I leave PA next Saturday, July 23 and will post as much as I can as internet service is available.

 

I've seen all these reviews and yes they are in the front of my mind, but I've also read great reviews on them. I have also found horrible reviews on name brands that are brand new.
I had planned the trip and the Treadwright tires were a last minute (last week) decision. I do have more comfort knowing that my truck is only 4,000 lbs and not the 6-8k that a lot of people deal with on their large trucks and family vehicles. But I'll checking the tires at every gas station.