2wd off road capability

Hello Gentlemen,

New Tacoma owner here, just picked up a '22 SR5 a few weeks ago. I was fortunate to find a new one locally but it was a 2wd which I thought nothing of at the time. I bought the truck because I was relocating the family for a new job, and need a truck for general lowe's runs etc, but where we just moved you can drive onto the beach (NE FL). Again, not thinking anything of it figured I would be fine getting the 2wd, since I do not intend in off-roading in the trail sense.

Well, since we got up here and have driven by the beaches, have noticed a number of 4wd signs saying you should have one to drive on the beach.

My question is, how capable is the 2wd for something simple as driving on the beach? Would a set of more aggressive All-Terrain tires to the trick, or should I be on the look out for a 4wd. I DON'T want to be THAT guy, that in his 2WD drives past all the 4wd only signs only to get stuck.

(I tried using the search function and did not find a topic on this issue, if there is one already I apologize).

Appreciate the help! Happy to join the community.

 

A 4wd can still get stuck on the beach. It's more about the driver. Air down. Try to stay on packed sand. Bring traction boards. Don't be dumb... But you could still get stuck tho. Have fun and good luck.

 

You might be able to get away with it on cold days (very rare in Florida) do to the sand being dense. But on hot days I would be very careful and air down to 7-10 psi. Driving on sand is all about momentum. As soon as you start to spin, stop. Also more aggressive tires won’t help in this situation.

 

Also watch this video: https://youtu.be/MxO_jW-ij00

 

I wouldn't take a two wheel drive onto the beach on a bet even if you paid the tow bill in addition to the bet. I once watched two good old boys dig, push, curse and sweat for three whole hours trying to drive a two wheel drive pickup onto a beach here in North Carolina. They finally got it unstuck and onto firm sand and smartly decided to turn around and go home. As you might guess, they got stuck trying to get out. Two hours after that, I saw a tow truck yanking them off the beach. So all totaled, they blocked 50 feet of sand from the entrance most of the day all the while, having four-wheel-drive trucks drive right around them. Some tried to help, but soon realized they were dealing with idiots.

 

it's mostly the driver skills.... and balls. ive taken my SR RWD on the beach and not gotten stuck....yet..... my step daughter takes her kia soul on the same beach just fine.
in my younger days I had a 1982 ford currier rwd and drove on the Barlow road over Mt. Hood. alot of areas that is or should have been 4wd only.
A 2wd rig has to be more prepared and have a highly skilled driver a 4wd drive can compensate alot and be very helpful and can go in places a RWD can't..... but sometimes a person can be over confident
to the 4WD folks: Im not trying to be hateful, naïve or ignorant or say I can go everywhere a 4WD could go

Edit: I need to get some gear in case I do get stuck .... for when I get cocky and over estimate the abilities of my truck

 

in my costal community there is a group call the "sons of beaches" who are a 4x4 group helping people get unstuck off beaches. most are the tourist who are getting their RVs, or front wheel drive sedans stuck but there are several 4x4 who get stuck from being too stupid or cocky..... probably the small percentage of people with 4x4- the mall crawlers trying to show off stuff they don't have.
I am guessing that the fellows you saw were over their skill level and spun their wheels way too much

 

This is the exact situation I am trying to avoid! Thanks for the insite!

 

That is interesting, that more aggressive tires would not help. I am glad I didn't immediately run out and put some on then!

 

Thank you for the advice, I have read about traction boards. It has been many years since my days in upstate NY, but used to just use a piece of wood to get under there to help in snow if needed. Those seem a little more efficient, lol.

 

2WD can be capable, but as everyone mentioned it's variable on the driver and a few aftermarket modifications such as aired down A/T tires, lift for clearance, etc. I have a 2WD but I carry recovery gear with me at all times; kinetic rope, D rings, tow strap, shovel, and recovery boards. I haven't had to use them yet but it's good cheap insurance.

If at all possible, always try to bring a friend with a vehicle that does have 4x4 capabilities in the event that you do need a recovery.

If you want links where I got all the recommended gear, let me know and I can PM you where to purchase them.

 

If the sand is fluffy you will regret trying. If its hard pack like i see at Daytona then its like concrete and no problem. Lower your tire pressure to 20# and give it a whack. If you start bogging down stop giving it gas and let air out to 12#. Any lower and you risk popping the bead on the rim and losing all air. Dig a little bit out in front of each tire and slowly proceed. Speed is your friend thru the soft stuff. So to wrap it all up in a nut shell? It depends.

 

I've driven 2wds on street tires on the beach more than I care to admit. Id stay on the packed sand until I learned what the vehicle's limits are, a light steady foot and above all else don't push it when it starts to bog. On occasion I've aired down (further) and sacrificed my floor mats to reverse out, but I've never been stranded.

 

I lived at the beach for years and never gotten stuck in a 2WD vehicle

 

ya don't be my ex-wife in a rental infinity QX60 and get stuck in the sand at the Salton Sea haha.

 

The key is air down. Not from Florida but I had a toyota pickup 2wd and have driven in Pismo Beach CA and Glamas with no problems. Park on flat ground and don't stop going up hill. 10-7 psi and don't turn sharp you may pop a bead. And did all that on Walmart chepo tires

 

it should do pretty good as long as your air down, engage auto-lsd, and have some weight in the bed

 

Best beach buggy I ever had was an 84 Jeep CJ7 with Goodyear Arriva's. Basically a A/S street tire. The Jeep was so light it would just spin and dance around like a spider and never bury a tire. But what others say about the driver and the amount of risk is the main thing. We were sitting on the beach about 30 miles down on Padre Island and some old guy came rolling by in the surf line in a clapped out 80's Cadillac.

Dont be this guy. This was at about 35 miles down the beach. I only felt the slightest pang of guilt as I drove off and left their drunk asses.

 

Haven't done a beach, so the sand may be different, but the fine sand of southern Utah does pose some challenge as well. My TRD OR Prerunner with Discount Tire house brand (Pathfinder Sport) tires didn't work so well at 30psi, but at 20 psi were awesome. A long handle shovel, some traction boards, judicious use of the rear locker and getting off the throttle when forward motion is almost zero is key. Don't bury yourself, since the deeper you are the more you need to shovel!

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/shovel-short-long-d-handle.765193/#post-27300234

 

I've been really wanting to take my trailer to Padre, but a solid 80% of the wiring is routed along the underside. Don't know whether I'd be inviting electrical gremlins or floor rot or both.


Bearings are on schedule to be pulled next May. Maybe an April trip is in order.