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