ALT-1 Buyers Guide to off Road Truck Tires
Tires play an important part in the success of your off-road adventures. Whether you love mud bogging, sand blasting, snow running, rock crawling or all of the above, you need to choose the tire that will best meet your needs.
When choosing what type of tires to get, consider the environment where they will be used most. Will you be driving mostly on the street, street and off road, or do you want your tires to exclusively be for your off road travels? A good set of all terrain tires are a safe bet for most excursions and can still be street ready. Here is a list of conditions and the type of tires that would best suit each situation:
MUD
Aggressive mud tires work the best, because they allow the mud to be released from between the tread voids, and provides your truck more traction. When it comes to height, the bigger the better, because when you are driving through 6-foot deep holes, you need height!
ROCKS
Aggressive tires can be loud if your rock crawler is also your daily driver, but big, aggressive and sticky tires are your best bet when rock crawling.
SAND
Low tire pressure is the key to attaining traction in the sand. Running about half the tire's normal street pressure usually works best, but be aware that running a tire too low can cause damage.
Contrary to popular belief, mud-terrain tires do not perform well in sand, because the aggressive tread tends to dig into the sand rather than float over it. All terrain tires, aired down, are usually the best option for your truck. Tire selection will make the difference in dependable traction and performance.
SNOW
Tires that run wide and tall are better for snow because they allow the load to be distributed on a larger surface. All terrain tires that hold the snow in the tread works the best. Airing down your tires is important in snow as well.
Avoid buying low profile tires. When going over rough terrain you want more sidewall in between the ground and your trucks rims. A low profile tire exposes the wheel to damage more easily.
After considering what environment you need tires for, you also need to consider what tire and wheel size to choose. Usually the bigger, the better, but check your vehicle manufacturer recommended tire size to make sure you do not go too extreme. Make sure your tire and wheel size match. If they do not match, you might get power or torque differentials which could result in a spin out, loss of control or getting stuck in the middle of no where.
You also want to choose tires with a high life expectancy. A good way to determine life expectancy is to look at the UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grading) rating. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires each manufacturer to grade its tires under the UTQG labeling system and list ratings for tread wear, traction and temperature resistance.
When you are ready to purchase your tires, remember that the market leaders are Pirelli off road tires and BF Goodrich. Pirelli off road tires are engineered with aggressive tread design and rubber formulations designed to counter UV damage. BF Goodrich off road tires offer outstanding cut resistance and cold weather capability.
There are many options to consider when looking for off road tires. Choose high quality tires that will give you the best performance. If you are not sure what to buy, find a source or store that you trust enough to recommend the type of tire that will best fit your needs. Have fun on your off road travels!
Sources:www.wise4living.comwww.offroaders.com4 Wheel & Off-Road Magazine
