Let`s talk about mud. If you`re in a 4×4 driving situation, from a muddy field on regular highway tires to a deep ditch, with only a few lightweight off-road tires passing by, you probably would have liked to opt for a more aggressive 4×4 tire. “Tires designed for off-road use require thicker construction, deeper tread depth, and wider channels in the tread to cope with cuts, bumps, dirt, mud, rocks and the general rigors of off-road driving,” said Jeff Moorhead. “This thicker construction is not ideal for some properties on the road and in general handling. To maintain this balance between on-road and off-road capabilities, an A/T should have a deep, balanced tread pattern to provide an acceptable level of safety and grip on a much wider range of surfaces. Something that is difficult to achieve, as Jeff Moorhead explained. “Then, when you`re hurtling down the toughest off-road tracks weekend after weekend, you`d better opt for an off-road that offers good durability and the toughest design.” Tire manufacturers like Goodyear spend tens of thousands of hours testing and evaluating the various components of their tires,” said Dean McCormack. “We have a dedicated team of engineers here in Australia who are constantly testing to make sure our tyres are fit.” A good question to ask yourself before clicking to buy is: “Why is this so cheap?” At TJM Perth we sell the full range of Mickey Thompson 4Ã4 tyres, including All Terrain (AT), Mud Tyres (MT) and 4Ã4 Competition (100% off-road) tyres. For those who are also looking for a new set of 4ã4 wheels, we also sell the full range of dynamic wheels to your new set of 4ã4 tires. We asked the store manager, Borey Ouk, what he asked customers to help them choose the right 4×4 rubber. If a customer comes in and says they want 4×4 tires for their vehicle, I start with the make and model and if the vehicle has been lifted,” Borey told us. “This will determine the largest size we can legally attract, and then I ask what kind of driving they will do and what percentage off-road and on the road, as noise is a big concern for many customers.” HT tires have good handling on the road, steering, good wet handling, braking, low noise and decent ride quality,” said Jeff Moorhead.
“But they still offer a certain level of maneuverability of gravel roads. (They) are probably more oriented towards high-speed gravel roads. Giti 4×4 tires have a special tread and composite designs that improve durability and allow for off-road driving, even on very demanding rocky terrain. For cyclists who like this, a more rugged off-road (AT) model is often more suitable. While these types of tires are sometimes less focused on quietness and comfort, they make up for it with the durability, strength, and control needed to master all off-road adventures. Whether you like off-road adventures or not, you always need a tire that can handle your daily commute and driving, whether it`s on a highway or in a neighborhood. Depending on the type of driving you`re doing, an HT (highway-focused terrain) is more likely to offer a moderate profile that provides consistent overall driving comfort as well as the possibility of limited and uneven off-road off-road use, making it a popular option for everyday drivers who also want a little more flexibility. Finally, it is not advisable to use road tires for off-road excursions, as drivers face certain dangers in this type of activity. Road tires work well on smooth asphalt roads, but don`t have the same performance as these off-road types, so they should never be used on rough surfaces. Remy Abonneau, Product Marketing and Account Manager at Continental Tyres Australia, said: “I would advise any driver who spends most of their time on the road, but occasionally enjoys an off-road adventure, to invest in a good set of off-road motorway tyres. Generally referred to as 70 percent on-road and 30 percent off-road. When you pick up a new 4X4 from the dealership, it will be equipped with tires primarily designed for traffic on paved roads.
If you plan to drive your four-wheel drive off-road, consider replacing it for performance, comfort, and safety reasons. Stay safe and happy off-road! You`ll hear mud coming down the road before you see it, with an obvious trade-off for increased bushiness is excessive road noise caused by its deep, block tread and solid construction. “Buying a light truck tire gives you the best possible off-road protection. You`ll handle heavier weights specifically for towing, and you`ll be able to drive at lower pressures, even in off-road conditions,” said Jeff Newick, National Technical Director at Exclusive Tyres. There are certain advantages to driving with off-road tires. The next serious danger occurs during U-turns or other types of curves. If you perform these maneuvers on wet roads, there is a chance that your car will slip and slip because your road tires cannot grip the road properly. If you frequently drive off-road, expect to replace your road tires within six months or less. “These tires offer excellent braking performance in wet and dry conditions, high safety and grip on the road, and a comfortable and smooth ride on the city`s roads and highways, while providing enough grip to drive on a soft gravel road,” he added. If this is your first foray into the world of off-road tires, the number of options and variations can seem overwhelming. However, there is a simple trick to make the process a little easier.
When comparing tires, think about CBT: tread design, carcass construction, and compound, as tires differ in these three areas. Road debris can also get stuck in the treads, making normal driving difficult, so if you plan to use road tires for off-road excursions, it`s necessary to clean them regularly. HIGHWAY tires tend to have tread patterns similar to passenger cars, and they prefer bitumen to ground and are more focused on road comfort and ride quality – you`ll find them in most 4×4 showrooms. They`ll be able to do occasional (light) off-road work (they`re not so bad on massive sand), but you`ll have to look elsewhere if you want to tackle more serious tracks.