OEM tires okay to drive on beach?

If your just driving at speeds of like 5-10 mph down the beach you'll be fine either way. If your in the sand and trying to Baja or drive like an idiot then you might get stuck. Lots of people drive on the beach no problems with less capable vehicles than a Tacoma. You don't need to sit down, just don't try flooring it from a dead stop

 

You should be fine . Drive smart look ahead and maybe change PSi. The "bridgestone" KO2s @ 275/70/17 will rub. I just took off mine and went back to a 265/70/17 and now all good. No lift here btw.
Enjoy the Taco and welcome !

These rubbed a bit at typical spot inside wheel well at mud flap. 275/70/17s. No lift

 

You are fine! I had my 99 2wd tacoma with stock tires only aired down to 20psi and drove in wet sand, dry sand fast, slow it didnt matter. Just as long as you are easy on it to start and stop so you stay on top.

 

2016. Yes.

 

Air down and you will be fine. I had those tires on my 04 and now my 16. My 04 never came close to getting stuck. Even in the soft sand at hatteras.

Good advice on the tow strap and shovel.

 

You mean like in the commercials? I thought that meant it was ok?

 

I will be driving at Hatteras also!

 

All I'm saying is some people disagree.

Fred Williams from FourWheeler claimed that they did a study where the Mud Terrains did the best in sand. Albeit, I can't find that study at all, and even if he really did do that study, it was probably hugely subjective and flat out done incorrectly with no real solid evidence.

HOWEVER I will say that in my short few years of experience, I have my own conclusion. While living very close to Glamis, Ca, I got to OffRoad in sand whenever I wanted to. Not just soft dirt, but never ending soft sand that will easily take you to your frame if not driven properly.

I've had 31"x10.5/15 street tires with about 25% of tread. I usually had to air them down to 5-8 PSI to get anywhere, and even then I had to keep up momentum and be very cautious of the gas pedal. Got stuck plenty of times partly out of beginning experience and stupidity at times.

Then I got my 285/75/16 KM2s with about 90% tread left. I aired down to about 8-10 PSI and because they are E rated tires, the footprint was still pretty narrow. But I had noticeably better traction as I could go a bit faster from a stop and not get completely dug in. Only got stuck once or twice. Maybe due to more experience and less stupidity maybe.

Now I'm not saying anyone is wrong or right, I'm just providing my experiences and my thoughts. Many factors play into this such as the tire sizes, rating, tread, experience, etc. But I've heard more than a few times that they would largely rather have a mud terrain than a street tire in sand. (Sorry for the long book I just wrote.)

 

let the air out. let the air out. let the air out.

and if you are on the gas, going nowhere ~ you are digging to the center of the earth. get off the gas. put in reverse ~ slowly give it gas and use your own hardpack to get outta there.

don't be this guy

 

He looks like he could've easily dug with a shovel though...

 

Welcome, friend! I agree with the "air down" folks on this one. I haven't had my Taco on beach sand yet, but both of my previous 2 vehicles, a 2003 4Runner and a 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee, did fine in deep sand with softer tires. If you WANT different tires, buy them, but don't buy them for this
reason. I always carry a good compressor, soften the tires for ANY off-pavement fun, and then top them back up to 35psi for the road. Softer tires are also better for your brain pan (I'm married to a neuro-psychologist) in some of the crazy situations we get ourselves into.

 

They are ok...long as you air them down. Also, you don't want too much tread, to where you are digging, as you drive.

 

Holy thread resurrection batman

 

I live on the Outer Banks and drive on the beach frequently, I'll give you the same advice that I give everyone;
* Air your tires down is a must, go 15-18 lbs, you don't need to go any lower.
* Go slow, speed is not your friend. If you start to dig in, back up and try again. Do not floor it or you'll be stuck for sure.
* Follow tracks that are already there and you'll go better.
* Keep a shovel in your truck to help dig out if you get stuck. Also, keep a tow strap in the truck.
* If you do get stuck, don't panic. There are always other people on the beach who will pull you out.

These trucks drive great on the beach so you shouldn't have any problems. Hope you have a great trip

 

Need some paddle tires at a min

 

FTW!


But seriously, air down to about 10-12 psi and feather the throttle when taking off. I hauled my 27' trailer 3 miles down a beach in Mexico with stock tires on my old F250 and never even got close to getting stuck @ 10psi.

 

LOL ya beat me

 

This.........

* Air your tires down is a must, go 15-18 lbs, you don't need to go any lower.
* Go slow, speed is not your friend. If you start to dig in, back up and try again. Do not floor it or you'll be stuck for sure.
* Follow tracks that are already there and you'll go better.
* Keep a shovel in your truck to help dig out if you get stuck. Also, keep a tow strap in the truck.
* If you do get stuck, don't panic. There are always other people on the beach who will pull you out.

Been going to and driving on the beach at the OBX for more than 40 years. Bought the Tacoma on 5/13/16.......drove it 400 miles and was on the beach on the 14th for a week.....tires aired down. Absolutely zero issues. Added adjustable Bilstein 5100's in front (1.5")and 1" block in the rear with Nitto Terra G2s 275/65/18. Another week at the OBX over Thanksgiving week. No issue with the Terras. However, I do think the stock tires performed slightly better.

Also, be advised that if you plan to drive the beach, you are required to purchase an Off Road Permit from the National Park Service.

https://www.recreation.gov/wildernessAreaDetails.do?page=detail&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70853

 

Are you sure of what you say here? 4 yrs back we drove out to a home we rented on the Northern OBX (North of Carolla NC and a bit south of Carova NC -- There are NO paved roads north of Carolla! We needed no permits of any kind to drive there. I drove my 02 F150 4x4 Super cab there with aired down tires to 15-18 psi and fully loaded with 5 people and all of our stuff (a lot of food and refreshments) we had no problems whatsoever. Even drove around on the beach a lot and drove around in the residential (again -nothing paved up there) areas to sight see. drove as far north as we could (to Carova) before having to turn around at the Virgina border (there is a barricade there) .