Driving down to the beach with your truck is exciting, but having the wrong tires can lead to problems. The last thing you want is to have your truck stuck in the sand and then have to figure out how to get it out.
Having the right truck tires for the beach can help you enjoy your drive without encountering any problems. Some tires can be deflated while on the sand, while others feature unique treads that give the tires plenty of traction.
In this comprehensive review and guide, we cover some of the best truck tires for the beach. We also give you some tips on what to look for in a tire and how to enjoy a smooth ride while on the beach.
Top 7 Best Truck Tires For Driving on the Beach
Below are the best truck tires to consider.
1. Nitto Dune Grappler
The Nitto Dune Grappler is an excellent choice for anyone looking to drive on the beach. These tires can handle loose rocks and dirt, especially when driving a jeep or any other truck. What’s more, you can use the tires on the pavement for street driving.
You’ll find sidewalls reinforced with 3-ply polyester, something that provides protection and durability.
Another feature you’ll love is the void ratios that are spaced in the tire’s tread. There is 3D grooving that also gives the tire a rigid tread block, which prevents wear and tear. Furthermore, the grooving reduces the road noise due to unwanted tread-lug movement.
You can enjoy fantastic traction without the tires sinking in the sand. As a driver, you can enjoy extra stability at high speeds thanks to the flat tread design.
With the Nitto Dune Grappler, you get a tire that is in contact with the sand due to the lowered spinning area. That allows the truck to float while driving through the beach.
One thing to note is that the Nitto Dune Grappler doesn’t perform well in terms of comfort, but it excels regarding in quietness and performance. Also, the Nitto tire is expensive compared to most all-terrain tires.
You should avoid using the Dune Grappler in muddy areas as it doesn’t have good traction in wet areas.
Pros
- Performs excellently in deep and shallow and sand
- Resists sinking
- Comfortable and quiet for sand terrain
- Durable construction helps with deflation
Cons
- Abysmal wet traction
- Expensive
2. BF Goodrich Baja TA
If you’re looking for a quality truck tire that comfortably allows you to tread on sand without any struggle, you should get the BF Goodrich Baja T/A.
Its unique tread design makes this tire ideal for skidding through snow or mud. You’ll enjoy the excellent traction that reduces any chance of sinking.
The large blocks on the tread pattern allow you to easily float on the sand. Enjoy the excellent and consistent grip thanks to the self-cleaning treads inside the tire.
Other features like the good side bite and superior lateral traction make the Baja tires perfect for beach driving. You’ll also love the durability of the tires due to their bruise resistance. Their sidewalls have defense mechanisms that protect the tire against punctures.
Previous Goodrich Baja tire users love their unique appearance, quiet operation, and how easy they are to balance when used on paved roads at high speeds. It’s also worth noting that the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and Ford Raptor have this tire as a standard tire.
On the downside, the BF Goodrich Baja tires are expensive to buy and may not be ideal for those on a budget.
Pros
- Durable and tough construction
- Excellent traction in the sand
- Impressive resistance to sinking
- High performance driving on sandy terrains at high speeds
Cons
- You can’t use the tire on regular roads
- Costly
- Used mostly on soft surfaces
3. Falken Wildpeak AT3W
Having a lightweight truck tire that also has all-terrain capabilities is always a plus. The Falken Wildpeak AT3W is a unique type of tire that boasts winter traction, excellent tread life, and wet-road performance.
The tire’s tightly-spaced tread blocks on the tread pattern help with fuel economy and improve mileage. Falken also adds rigid tread blocks that support ramps to provide tread-pattern ruggedness in the contact patch. That enhances the truck’s capability, while also preventing sand from being trapped in the grooves.
Note that these tires are not specially meant for sand driving as they are designed to be all-season. Nonetheless, previous users love their performance on the beach and dunes.
Falken Wildpeak AT3W has tread made of silica that gives these tires excellent grip and durability.
Featuring an inbuilt cooling system in the sidewalls, the tire can endure thermal stress under severe use or heavy loads.
You can also deflate the tire and use it in deep sand without sinking. Enjoy fantastic handling stability on all surfaces as the shoulders are interlocked.
Another impressive feature is the 3D SIPE technology that causes the tires to not wear out fast.
Unfortunately, some users felt that the tires were louder on highways compared to other surfaces.
Pros
- Functions as all-season, all-terrain tires
- Features 3D Canyon SIPE technology that provides extra handling stability
- Excellent tread life
- Fantastic grip and durability
Cons
- It may be loud on the highways
4. Mickey Thompson Baja ATZP3 Radial Tire
If you’re looking for high-quality, durable tires that work for both sand driving and off-road driving, you should check out Mickey Thompson Baja ATZP3 Radial Tires.
Driving on the beach can be challenging, but with the Baja ATZ tire, you can easily deflate it and drive on deep and loose sand.
Features like silica-reinforced elements, unique sidewall construction, and cut-ship resistance all allow the driver to ride on the beach with little tire pressure.
You’ll enjoy the excellent traction thanks to the scalloped lugs and deep side biters. Furthermore, the tread pattern enables you to drive on both off-road and regular road surfaces.
The manufacturer also adds a 45,000-mile warranty, something you won’t find in most tires.
On the downside, the Mickey Thompson Baja tires are unusable in the snow.
Pros
- Durable and tough construction
- Fantastic traction and resistance to sinking in the sand
- Impressive sinking resistance on the sand
Cons
- The tire doesn’t work in the snow as they lack braking capabilities in this terrain
5. Continental Terrain All-Season Tire
The Continental all-terrain tire is a moderate all-terrain type of tire that also works for those driving on sand.
Their contact area with the surface is large, which makes it possible to drive in the sand without sinking. Previous users found this tire comfortable with excellent handling.
Unfortunately, the Continental Terrain All-Season tire do not work well in muddy terrains. However, you can still use the tires on sand, gravel, and dirt terrains.
Pros
- Good performance when driving on sand
- Great comfort and fantastic handling
- Comes with a good treadwear warranty
Cons
- Not ideal for muddy or rocky terrains
6. Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Tire
Although the Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Tire is specifically designed to handle any type of terrain, the kevlar addition makes it a great option for anyone looking for an affordable sand truck tire.
Its unique tread compound and durably constructed sidewalls allow you to deflate the tire easily and enjoy ample traction. With the deflation, you don’t have to worry about the car sinking in the sand.
Being an all-terrain tire means it works well on gravel, dirt, and any surface. You can also use it in light snow as it’s 3PMSF-rated. Hydroplaning is prevented by the groove around the tire.
Additionally, the Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain tire comes with a 60,000 treadwear warranty.
Pros
- Durable construction for easy deflation
- Works on any off-road surface
- Drives well in light snow
- Comes with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty
Cons
- Only adequate for driving on the sand
7. Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo3
Ride comfort, quiet ride, and dry performance as some of the characteristics that describe Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo3.
The all-terrain tire features staggered shoulder lugs for additional biting edges on irregular surfaces. Furthermore, the groove stepping hardens tread blocks for increased traction performance and wear life. Enjoy the extra grip on the off-road surface with the traction claws.
Previous users found the Dueler Revo 3 comfortable and with excellent off-road dynamics. Its tough construction makes it easy to deflate the tire to low pressure. That helps with gliding over the sand.
Bridgestone also provides a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty.
Pros
- Durable construction that helps with deflating
- Impressive overall off-road and on-road performance
- Comes with a long treadwear warranty
Cons
- Average traction on snow
Comprehensive Buyers’ Guide: Choosing the Best Truck Tires For the Beach
Having a truck that can handle sandy conditions is a priority for most people. However, shopping for a truck tire can be daunting because different manufacturers all claim to manufacture the best sand tires.
Below are a few things to have in mind when shopping for truck tires that can handle the demands of riding on a beach.
Do Your Research
You need to do your homework before choosing the best truck tires for the beach.
Experts recommend getting wide tires as they can be easily be deflated to 10 pounds of pressure. Some tires can run on low-pressure inflation compared to others. Ensure you assess your needs and ask questions when comparing the different tires available.
Most off-road tires have special compounds that add traction strength. Ensure that you go through previous user reviews to know tires with excellent traction.
Tread Pattern
A sand truck tire has a close-together tread design that’s meant to ensure you don’t dig into the sand while driving.
The best tire should have a fallout tread pattern that allows for easy flotation. Such types of tires don’t need deflation to ride on the sand.
Some manufactures add off-road traction to their tires with lowered sipping. Lowering a tire’s sipping gives the tire enough surface area, which makes floating easier.
All-terrain tires provide the best combination of floating and traction, a characteristic that makes them the best for sand driving. These tires provide enough traction.
You can also find specialized sand tires. The only problem is that you can’t use them on any other surface and they are expensive.
Load Ratings
Best tires for the beach need to be tall and wide to allow them to float over the surface. You also need tires with a big load rating and size.
A tire’s load rating shows the amount of weight a tire can carry. Tires with higher load ratings have stiff sidewalls, and this allows them to carry extra weight without losing stability.
Tires with stiff sidewalls allow you to deflate them without destroying the rubber. You’ll find that 33-37-inch tires work best on the sand due to their footprint and large sidewalls.
Side Walls
Always look for tires with large sidewalls. That’s because when you deflate the tire, the sidewalls expand downwards and give your truck ample surface area that touches the ground. You can easily float on the sand and avoid sinking.
Learning How to Drive In Sand
Having the right truck tires is essential, but you also need to know how to drive through sandy conditions.
Driving in the sand can be strenuous and challenging depending on the driver and the equipment. Remember sand is invasive and can find its way into your vehicle, which can be damaging.
You may need to deflate your tires in the sand as this lowers the tire pressure and puts your tire in contact with the sand. You get improved traction with more tire contact. Start by deflating your tire by 12-15 psi.
Maintain a continuous steady movement to avoid sinking when you drive slowly. Avoid spinning the tires as they will dig into the sand. When you notice that your wheels are spinning, remove your foot from the pedal.
What’s more, keeping a steady pace also keeps the tires from going too fast or the tires spinning without traction. Driving slowly also allows your tires to float without a problem.
The problem with the tires moving too fast and spinning with no traction overworks the vehicle’s engine and burns fuel. That’s why it’s vital to understand how to drive, apart from having proper tires.
Final Thoughts
There are different truck tires for the beach with the most common having excellent traction on sandy terrains due to their unique tread patterns.
Other outstanding features include durable construction that makes it easy to deflate them and allow you to glide over the sand.
Hopefully, you can use the tips listed above to find tires that are within your budget and are ideal for driving on the beach.
Resources
- https://www.cartalk.com/tires/best-truck-tires
- https://www.motortrend.com/features/best-tires-for-driving-in-sand/
- https://www.off-road.com/trucks-4×4/tire-selection-101-the-basics-for-picking-an-offroad-tire-54731.html
- https://www.thedrive.com/reviews/29108/best-truck-tires
- https://dirtwheelsmag.com/sand-tire-buyers-guide/
- https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a32933152/how-to-drive-on-the-beach/