Dune Awakening Treadwheel Guide: Unlock, Stats, and Comparison

The deserts of Arrakis are unforgiving, and in Dune Awakening, having the right vehicle can make the difference between survival and being swallowed by a sandworm. With Chapter 2: Lost Harvest DLC, Funcom introduced a striking new ride—the Treadwheel. It looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie: two massive circular wheels with a cockpit suspended between them, rolling across the sands with style.

But is it just a flashy toy, or does it actually change how you travel across the dunes? Let’s dive into everything you need to know about the Treadwheel, from unlocking it to how it stacks up against the classic Sandbike.

What Is the Treadwheel?

The Treadwheel is a brand-new ground vehicle that comes exclusively with the Lost Harvest DLC or the Season Pass. Unlike many cosmetic skins, the Treadwheel is not just a variant of the Sandbike. It’s a completely separate vehicle with its own stats, progression path, and driving feel.

At first glance, the Treadwheel is all about spectacle. It’s not built to outclass the Sandbike or replace the Ornithopter for long-distance travel. Instead, it’s designed to give players a unique driving experience—fast bursts of acceleration, sharp turns, and a “floating” sensation as you glide across the sand.

How to Unlock the Treadwheel

Unlocking the Treadwheel requires owning the Lost Harvest DLC (or having the Season Pass). Once you’ve got access, you can progress through the new content in Chapter 2, which introduces additional storylines and rewards tied to the expansion.

Unlike the Sandbike, which starts at Mk1 and can be upgraded step by step, the Treadwheel begins at Mk4 (Aluminum tier), meaning you’re starting with a more advanced frame right out of the gate.

Treadwheel Stats and Performance

Here’s how the Treadwheel performs compared to the Sandbike and other vehicles:

• Top Speed: About 96 km/h, which is slower than the Sandbike’s 108 km/h.

• Acceleration: Rated Very Fast, making it feel snappier when you boost or start from a standstill.

• Handling: Lower grip than the Sandbike, creating a more “floaty” style of driving. Many players enjoy this for drifting and sharp turns.

• Vibration Level: Slightly lower (13.5 vs 15), which might mean a lower chance of attracting sandworms.

• Storage: Roughly the same as the Sandbike—around 500v.

• Overland Travel: Like all ground vehicles, it cannot skip across map zones the way an Ornithopter can.

Treadwheel vs. Sandbike

The natural comparison is between the Treadwheel and the Sandbike, since both are ground vehicles designed for fast desert travel.

• Sandbike Strengths: Higher top speed, smoother grip, and accessible without DLC.

• Treadwheel Strengths: Better acceleration, unique handling, flashy appearance, and a starting tier that’s already advanced.

If efficiency is your goal, the Sandbike still holds the edge thanks to its top speed and ease of use. But if you want a more stylish and fun ride that feels different from everything else in the game, the Treadwheel delivers exactly that.

What the Community Thinks

Reactions to the Treadwheel have been mixed. Some players love the look and enjoy experimenting with its drifting mechanics. Others feel it’s more of a novelty compared to the Ornithopter, which remains the most practical travel option thanks to its ability to skip across the map.

Funcom has stressed that the Treadwheel is not meant to give players a competitive advantage. Instead, it follows the “rule of cool,” giving you another way to personalize your experience on Arrakis.

Is the Lost Harvest DLC Worth It for the Treadwheel?

The Treadwheel by itself probably isn’t enough reason to buy the DLC. But when combined with the Chapter 2 story content, character redesigns, and other rewards, the Lost Harvest DLC offers much more than just a new vehicle.

If you’re a collector, love stylish gear, or just want to experience driving something different on Arrakis, the Treadwheel is a great addition. If your focus is on raw efficiency and speed, however, the Sandbike and Ornithopter remain your go-to vehicles.

Final Thoughts

The Treadwheel in Dune Awakening is all about style, acceleration, and a fresh driving feel. It may not outrun a Sandbike or replace the Ornithopter for travel, but it does bring something new to the table: the fun of drifting across dunes and showing off a unique design few others may have.

👉 Haven't got your Treadwheel? Take your gameplay further by optimizing your class build for exploration and survival. SSEGold offers cheap Treadwheel MK4, MK5, and MK6, so you can make the most of your adventures on Arrakis.