Off-road Tires - A Beginner's Reference

Choosing the Right Off-Road TiresWhile radial offroad tires may not provide the
Looking to buy some new off-road tires? Hold itsame traction or performance as a set of low air
right there. If you're just looking to grab thepressure bias offroad tires, their longevity,
biggest, most wicked-looking off-road tireshandling, and smooth ride on paved roads makes
available, there are a few things you shouldup for it. Radials are perfect for the weekend
probably know before you go about doing so.off-road enthusiasts who see a lot of driving time
The Truth about Off-Road Truck Tireson paved roads.
Whether you're sand-racing, rock-crawling,Sizing
mud-plowing, or whatever other off-road activitiesTire sizing can be a tricky thing, mostly because
conceivable, it's important to understand preciselythe size of offroad tires you have in mind is
why you need a set of off-road truck tires.dependent upon a number of factors. The most
A common misconception with regard to offroadobvious question is first whether your vehicle is
tires is that you need them for improved tractioncapable of handling the size of off-road tires that
on rugged terrain, and naturally, the generalyou want, and if not, what modifications do you
consensus suggests that larger tires equate toneed to make in order for the off-road tires to
more traction. While such an assumption makesfit? Unfortunately, there aren't any universal,
sense, it is not entirely accurate.all-authoritative guides available to simplify the
True, the right off-road tires can provide someprocess, since customization and modification is
additional traction in off-road conditions, but therevehicle-specific. Your best bet for getting a better
are better, more efficient ways to improveidea of your vehicle's specifications is to contact
traction than simply bulking up the rubber. Ifthe manufacturer. This will give you a general
traction is your primary concern, trucks parts likesense for what your vehicle is capable of so that
a traction differential (locker) with stock off-roadyou don't exceed its limits, or that you have the
tires is more beneficial for your rig than justright parts installed in case you do.
adding a set of taller, more aggressive offroadIn terms of choosing the right lift kit, accessories,
tires. Or for that matter, a winch is probably aand knowing what modifications to make, factory
smart idea before anything else. A locker or otherservice manuals, off-road magazines, internet
4x4-related truck parts could inspire excessivemessage boards, manufacturer's guides, and a
boldness, causing you to get caught in some realnumber of other resources are available to assist
jams and then you'll wish that you opted for theyou.
winch instead.Choosing the Right Type of Tires
The point is larger off-road tires are meant firstBefore plunging headfirst into the sea of offroad
and foremost for the purpose of raising thetruck tires and coming out with the meanest,
height and ground clearance of your rig to enablemost intimidating monsters you can find, you
steeper ascent and descent in off-road terrain.have to at least know what type of monsters will
Simply put, when driving over boulders, sloggingbest suit your offroad needs. First and foremost,
through mud, coasting across the desert, or evenyou need to ask yourself a few questions. What
just making your way through the occasionaltype of off-road activities will you be doing the
forest trail, higher ground clearance facilitatesmost? How much on-road and off-road driving will
negotiating certain obstacles.you do? What qualities in particular are you most
Not to downplay the traction aspect of offroadconcerned with -- durability, performance, traction,
tires, as a set of mud terrain bias offroad tires willappearance, or ride quality? How much are you
most definitely perform better in the mud than awilling to spend? Taking some time to consider
set of all-season radials. Rather, improved tractionthese important questions can help to narrow
is more of a secondary function that still bearsdown what type of off-road tires are best for
importance, but should not the sole considerationyou.
when it comes to buying truck tires, as there areAll Season Tires
far better truck parts available for meeting thatAll season truck tires usually have no business
goal.going off-road, as their composition and tread
Are you ready for taller off-road truck tires?designs are not built to handle beatings from
Buying a set of taller off-road tires for your 4x4off-road conditions. They do, however, provide
is like making a marriage work; it involveslong-lasting tread that excels on wet or dry paved
sometimes drastic changes, sacrifices, androads and offers tremendous longevity. Most
commitment, along with constant care andstock vehicles come equipped with all season tires.
maintenance. On the other hand, at least youFor vehicle enthusiasts adding larger truck tires
won't have to remember anniversaries.just for show, all-season truck tires are likely the
The first thing to keep in mind is that upgrading tomost efficient way to go. Granted, you won't get
taller truck tires means upgrading a number ofthat aggressive look that's quite popular as of
other truck parts in your vehicle as well. Additionallate, but that may be a small price to pay for
inches of vehicle clearance are needed for thetruck tires that will last you tens of thousands of
truck tires to fit without rubbing against themiles longer than more aggressive truck tires.
vehicle fenders. Truck parts like a suspension lift,All Terrain Off-Road Tires
body lift, or a combination of both can provideVersatility is the name of the game when it
those additional inches. For off-road purposes, acomes to all terrain offroad tires, which typically
suspension lift is preferable for the increase inmakes them a jack of all trades but a master of
wheel travel ability, whereas a body lift simplynone. As a result, a broad range of all terrain
allows for the fitment of larger offroad tirestruck tires are available, based on whether a tire's
without any offroad performance enhancements.focus is on or offroad performance. Typically, all
Larger truck tires also mean that your vehicle willterrain truck tires are built with off-road standards
be working harder to tote additional weight, whichin mind and then are modified in certain areas to
can result in significant strain to your axles andimprove street performance. The end result is
shocks, and also alters the gear ratio set by thetruck tires that can handle everyday driving, as
manufacturer. To compensate for these changes,well as some light to moderate off-road
new ring and pinion gears and performanceconditions. For the most extreme off-road
shocks (many complete lift kits typically includeperformance, all terrains won't perform as well as
shocks) are strongly recommended. Tospecialized off-road tires, but on the road, they
counteract the additional weight and loss inoffer peerless longevity, even wear, and excellent
performance, custom intakes, exhausts,durability.
computer chips, or any otherExtreme (Rock Crawling/Mud Terrain/Sand/Deep
performance-enhancing truck parts are alsoSnow) Truck Tires
advised.Designed for extreme off-road conditions and little
Bias Truck Tires versus Radial Off-Road Tireselse, rock crawling and mud terrain truck tires
Any driver will tell you that radial truck tires haveemploy aggressive tread designs that extend to
innumerable advantages over bias ply truck tires.the sidewalls, giant lugs with deep voids, and
In fact, the tire industry has almost completelyreinforced sidewall construction to create tires
abandoned manufacturing bias truck tires, savethat will grip any surface and remain durable in the
for a few exceptions. Yet despite that bias truckprocess. Extreme terrain offroad tires typically
tires come attached with a number ofcarry many of the same features, and
disadvantages, they still have their advantagesconsequently many mud terrain tires make
when it comes to offroad conditions.excellent rock crawling tires, and vice versa.
The Case for Bias Off-Road TiresExtreme terrain offroad tires come in either radial
Bias off-road tires provide unmatchedor bias ply, but do their job best in a low air
performance in extreme off-road situations, suchpressure bias ply, which allows the tread to
as deep mud, jagged rocks, and rough trails. Theconform to surfaces for increased traction. Yet
tread is designed to self-clean and release mud ordespite that extreme terrain offroad tires are
foreign objects much easier to assist incomposed of durable, cut and puncture resistant
maintaining traction and the rubber compoundscompounds, they usually do not produce very
are softer to produce better grip on rough terrain.much mileage when driven on the street,
Additionally, the tire sidewalls are typicallyparticularly at high speeds. In addition, due to the
reinforced to prevent damage.wild tread designs and huge lugs, extreme terrain
On the downside, however, the ride and weartires can cause a bumpy ride and are quite noisy
characteristics of bias offroad tires on pavementon the road.
are rather poor. High speed street driving is anNeed More Help?
uncomfortable and noisy endeavor, and a set ofGetting new off-road tires can be a complicated
bias ply truck tires won't last much more thanprocess if you don't know how to go about doing
twenty to thirty thousand miles. Even forso. It is strongly recommended that you do some
off-road situations, while low air pressure biasresearch and take advantage of the many
offroad tires will deliver excellent performance,available resources before making a purchase. Yet
the center tread will still take a beating.in the end, if you still have doubts, by far the
The Case for Radial Off-Road Tiresbest way to determine the right off-road tires
Although Bias off-road tires are ideal for theand modifications for your vehicle is to consult an
extreme off-road enthusiast, this is not toexperienced and knowledgeable person who has a
suggest that radial off-road tires aren't effectivevehicle similar to yours, and has customized it in a
on harsh terrain. On the contrary, the latest radialsimilar manner to what you want to do. Not only
truck tires perform quite well in off-roadcan such a person suggest the correct products,
situations, and are designed with versatility in mindbut also likely has experience with installation and
to produce better road handling characteristics,general drivability.
even at high speeds.