Tires are the most important component on your vehicle. No system, not your four-wheel drive or your antilock brakes, or anything else, is able to work except through them. But, most trucks and SUVs are fitted with inadequate tires from the factory. How can you upgrade or replace them without sacrificing performance?
4x4 tires come in two types of weight ratings, P-Metric or LT.
The P in P-Metric stands for passenger car. LT stands for light truck which, in this parlance, means a full-size, non-commercial pickup like a Ford Super Duty.
You need to select a tire with a rated capacity appropriate for the weight of your vehicle. For most drivers, this is as simple as looking up the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (the weight of your vehicle plus the maximum amount of weight it's designed to carry), then dividing that number by four. If you’re towing extremely heavy trailers or hauling a huge amount of weight in your bed (such as with a slide-in camper), you may want to look up your rear axle weight rating, divide that number by two, and go off that instead.
Beyond safely supporting the weight of your vehicle and its load, a tire’s weight rating will determine many other performance metrics.
In this photo of the Toyo Open Country ATIII range, some of the differences between different types of tires are obvious. P-metrics have the tightest tread pattern, and flotations are the most open. Photo: Toyo.
A stronger tire is also a heavier tire. And one which must be inflated to higher pressures.
Weight is an incredibly important factor for two reasons. First, a tire's weight resists both your engine and brakes every time you speed up or slow down. So, a heavier tire will reduce acceleration and extend braking distances. It will also reduce your fuel economy. Second, a tire’s weight impacts your suspension’s ability to control its movements. A heavier tire will move up and down with more momentum, and that movement will have greater influence on the rest of your vehicle as a result.
Combine the momentum of a heavier tire with a stiffer carcass inflated to a higher pressure, and you can see dramatic impacts on ride quality. That stiffer tire will be less able to absorb bumps on its own, transmitting more forces to the suspension, and due to the increased weight, those forces will be higher.
Tire makers also tailor rubber compounds, tread patterns, and ply strength to suit different use cases. P-Metric tires prioritize on-road use with higher proportions of silica in their compound, tighter tread patterns, and more siping (thin, squiggly lines in the tread that mechanically key with the surface you drive on). This gives them more grip on pavement in inclement weather, and makes them run quieter. LT tires feature a higher proportion of natural rubber, and use more open tread patterns with less siping. This makes them less prone to chipping on gravel, and enables them to better grip loose and slippery off-road surfaces.
It’s common to see LT tires available in larger sizes.
From left: an all-terrain, highway-terrain, and mud-terrain. Photo: BFGoodrich.
4x4 tires are available in six different designs, intended for different use cases.
Highway Terrain: What most vehicles come with from the factory. Because the vast, vast majority of drivers rarely, if ever, venture off-road, and purchase trucks with the expectation that they’ll ride and handle like a luxury or sports car, automakers prioritize that use case when selecting the tires they fit to their vehicles. While highway terrains will make little noise and should perform pretty well in rain, their primary advantage is that they’re cheap. Tight tread patterns will struggle to find grip on both off-road surfaces and in winter conditions, and thin, lightweight carcasses can be punctured by something as flimsy as a cactus barb. If you plan to take your truck camping, use it in inclement weather, or travel through rural areas, then you should plan on replacing your highway terrains at the earliest possible opportunity.
All Terrain: These tires attempt to strike a compromise between on-road handling, off-road traction, and performance in inclement weather. All terrains excel in no specific condition, but work reasonably well in most. As such, they’re the right choice for the vast majority of 4x4 drivers. All terrains also come in the widest variety of sizes and weight ratings, allowing you to tailor performance to your specific needs. Drivers who plan only limited modifications to their vehicles and spend most of their time on pavement will be best suited by a P-Metric all terrain tire in a size close to stock. Drivers with significant off-road needs driving heavily modified vehicles, but who still need to handle long highway drives, may prefer an upsized LT all terrain.
Rugged Terrain: If you want to prioritize traction on loose surfaces while retaining some highway manners, then consider an R/T tire. They’ll work better in mud than an equivalent R/T thanks to a tread pattern that is typically deeper and more open, but won’t take those merits quite as far as a mud terrain.
Mud Terrain:Mud terrains will have the deepest, most open tread pattern of any off-road tire. As the name suggests, that helps clear mud so the tire can continue to provide grip on really slippery surfaces. Those large tread voids are also very good at mechanically keying with jagged rocks. The tradeoff is most mud terrains are going to be very noisy on the highway. Soft rubber compounds used to create mud terrains actually grip both pavement and deep snow well, but the flexibility created by that compound along with the large, widely spaced tread blocks will make steering feel imprecise, and may key with rain grooves on highways in the southwest, reducing high speed stability.
Flotation: A speciality tire designed for highly modified 4x4s only, flotation tires may look similar and be branded alike with both all terrain and mud terrain stablemates, but are typically very wide, and, as the name suggests, are designed to float on top of loose surfaces like sand, mud and snow. In addition to that width, flotation tires feature very strong, reinforced sidewalls that allow them to be reliably operated at single digit PSIs, maximizing their contact patch. While all that may sound like a great option, these things are the heaviest tires here, and the ones with the most egregiously poor road manners.
Winter:Winter tires are constructed using a rubber compound designed to remain flexible at extremely low temperatures, and which includes microscopic pores. As you drive over ice, the weight of your vehicle will melt a thin film of water, which is what eliminates traction. A winter tire’s pores are designed to wick that water out from between the tire and the ice, allowing that soft, flexible compound to grip that surface. Winter tires also feature tread patterns specifically designed to cling to snow, and are jammed full of siping to maximize mechanical keying with ice’s texture. Some winter tires also feature studs. Studs are designed for use in northern European countries, where roads are allowed to accumulate packed snow, and drivers almost never encounter bare pavement during winter months. While studs may grip ice well when new, we plow our roads in North America, and studs will rapidly wear beyond the point of usefulness if used on bare pavement. If you hope to safely drive in winter conditions, you need to run winter tires. Keep them on a spare set of wheels, and swap them with your all-terrains every April and November.
The weight capacity of an LT tire will be listed as a ply equivalent letter. Those range from from C to F. Back in ye olde past, tires were constructed using layers of cotton fabric inside the rubber. The number of those plies used in a given tire determined its strength. Today, cotton has been replaced by steel, kevlar, or other modern materials. Because those materials are vastly stronger than cotton, you don’t need 10 layers of them to deliver the same strength as 10 layers of cotton. So, we now use ply equivalent ratings. All you need to know is C will be the least strong, most flexible LT tire, and F the strongest, least flexible.
Think of a tire like a balloon. Inflating a small, thin balloon is easy. Blowing up a very large, very thick balloon is harder. The more weight a tire is designed to support, the more air it will need to contain. Stronger tires are also heavier tires.
A tire with a high weight rating is not necessarily more puncture resistant than one with a low weight rating. Puncture resistance comes from the thickness of the rubber (indicated by the depth of a tread), and the construction of the plies. Toyo, for instance, folds the plies on its Open Country range back around the bead, to cover the sidewall in two layers. That feature is not indicated by the ply equivalent rating.
It should come as no surprise that government regulations are vastly outdated, and carry no merit in the modern world beyond simply being a regulation. Tires may feature two types of sidewsall stamp, allegedly indicating winter capability. Beyond satisfying some legal requirements, these stamps are otherwise meaningless.
M+S: Mud and snow. To earn this stamp a tire’s tread pattern must be made up of at least 25 percent void. California and some other western states require that drivers of 4WD vehicles hoping to forego snow chains on mountain passes be equipped with M+S tires. This in no way indicates that a tire is actually designed to perform in mud or snow.
3PMSF: Three Peak Mountain Snowflake. To earn this stamp, a tire must demonstrate acceleration performance on packed snow that’s 10 percent better than a reference tire. That reference tire is a cheap Firestone highway passenger tire designed in 1993. No braking or lateral traction is tested, nor is any condition other than packed snow.
Larger tires will more easily roll over larger obstacles off-road, and will improve a vehicle’s approach, breakover, and departure angles. Aired down to low pressures, larger tires will also have longer contact patches. Larger tires also look cool. That’s the end of the list of pros. Cons include factors we’ve already discussed like increased rotational mass and unsprung weight, reduced performance and fuel economy, and impaired ride and handling. There’s also one other big factor we need to discuss: effective gearing.
It’s the job of gears to multiply the force your engine is able to exert over the tires. That’s why your vehicle accelerates fastest in the lowest gears, then achieves the greatest fuel economy in higher gears.
By fitting larger tires, you will be reducing the force your engine is able to apply. This further reduces performance beyond the effect of rotational mass, and will drastically impair your fuel economy. Off-road, it may actually reduce a vehicle's ability to safely climb or descend large obstacles.
When paired with locking axle differentials, the force larger tires may apply to your drivetrain may also exceed safe limits, causing components like CV axles to fail, and shortening maintenance intervals for wear items.
Larger tires also alter complex suspension geometry, which is what often causes modified 4x4s to wander rather than drive in a straight line at highway speeds, can reduce vehicle stability while braking, and will compound wear to components like wheel bearings.
Because a vehicle’s front tires must also turn left and right while moving up and down, it’s also very common for upsize tires to come into contact with important components like your truck’s frame, crash absorbing structure and body, necessitating removal or modification of those things, which are again important.
For those reasons, most drivers will be best served by a tire close in weight and size to what comes stock. Just in a flavor actually capable of gripping off-road surfaces, remaining safe in inclement weather, and which resists punctures.
Some of that very long, very serious list of downsides can be minimized by re-gearing your axle differentials to restore your engine’s ability to exert force over your tires. Budget at least $3,000 for parts and labor if you plan to do this.
But, we get it. Not only do big tires look really cool, those approach, breakover, and departure angles, and contact patch are some of the most important factors in determining the outright off-road capability of your vehicle. Want to determine the most effective tire for your truck, with the least compromise, and figure out how to make that tire fit? Talk to the shop where you had your GFC installed, they’re versed in making all these complex factors add up to function. You can also learn from the experience of other GFC owners on our forum.
Compiled By Tread Staff Images Courtesy of the Manufacturers
Picking the right off-road tires for your ride is something that’s always on the minds of auto and truck aficionados and gearheads alike. With many using their trail rigs as everyday drivers, tire choice becomes more and more important.
Fortunately, tire companies have been listening, even since our 2021 Buyer’s Guide. Many of them have responded with more all-terrain tire options, as well as higher-performance all-terrain and mud-terrain tires.
If you need to get traction in the dirt, gravel, snow and rain, you’ll want to choose an all-season tire that’ll handle all sorts of environments and weather. If you’re fortunate enough to have nicer weather year-round, you can choose from myriad other features that’ll make your ride smooth and comfortable. Whatever your preference, you can find an option to fit your need.
If you’re ready to change up your rubber, dig into this year’s tire buyer’s guide. It covers some of the newest tire debuts, as well as updated, tried-and-true performers. Let’s get to it and find the perfect tire for your off-road ride.
Sidewall construction: 2-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season, Winter
Terrain: All-Terrain
Tread Depth: 15/32
Diameters available: 16, 17, 18, 20 and 22 inches
URL: amp-tires.com
Notes: With an off-road attitude and smooth, on-road characteristics, the AMP Tires Terrain Attack A/T is the ultimate adventure tire. The performance tread design features a multi-block pattern that delivers stable control in a wide variety of environments and terrain via a large selection of sizing and a 40,000-mile warranty.
Sidewall Construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Hybrid Terrain
Tread Depth: 19/32
Diameters Available: 17, 18, 21, 22
URL: 4wheelparts.com
Notes: The 4WP R/T Xtreme tires were engineered and designed for the Jeep and truck owner in mind. These R/T tires have open shoulder grooves and mud ejectors that launch dirt, mud, sand, gravel and snow while providing maximum traction, proving these hybrid tires can handle any off-road terrain. Their unique tread design breaks airways to prevent howling and harmonic sounds that irritate passengers inside the cabin, making this tire one of the quietest on the market.
Sidewall construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season, Winter
Terrain: Mud-Terrain
Tread depth: 19/32, 21/32
Diameters available: 16, 17, 18, 20, 22 and 24 inches
URL: amp-tires.com
Notes: The AMP Tires Terrain Attack M/T was designed to perform in the most extreme conditions while offering improved grip and handling for better on-road performance. The three-ply “A” logo sidewall features biting edges that provide outstanding grip in mud, rock, sand, snow and more. The Terrain Attack M/T comes in a full range of sizes up to 40 inches tall.
Sidewall construction: 12-Ply (on select sizes)
Season: All-Season
Terrain: All-Terrain
Tread Depth: 14, 16
Diameters Available: 17, 18, 20, 22, 24
URL: atturo.com
Notes: The Trail Blade ATS is the second tire in Atturo’s new Trail Blade Sport series. The Trail Blade ATS is Atturo’s new All-Terrain tire focused on aftermarket applications. It features a sidewall pattern inspired by Quartermaster Knives that’s easily the most aggressive available for any all-terrain type tire. Large tread blocks, deep sipes, a long center rib and wide channels provide a stylishly aggressive and functional tire that’s ready for action on asphalt or off road.
Sidewall Construction: 12-Ply Polyester (select sizes)
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Mud-Terrain
Tread Depth: 16/32, 19/32, 20/32
Diameters Available: 18, 20, 22, 24
URL: atturo.com
Notes: The Trail Blade MTS is the first tire in Atturo’s new Trail Blade Sport series. Designed as an extension of its popular Trail Blade M/T, the MTS features a pattern that borrows from Atturo’s short-course racing teams—with grooves, sipes and a four-lug design. Intimidating sidewalls include a tread block modeled after Quartermaster’s QTR-5 Karambit knife. Heavy-duty, 12-ply-rated construction across many sizes, along with increased load capacity, makes the tire suitable for ¾- and 1-ton trucks.
Sidewall Construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Multi-Terrain
Tread Depth: 16
Diameters Available: 17, 18, 20, 22, 24
URL: atturo.com
Notes: The Trail Blade X/T is a new type of multi-terrain tire. As another collaboration with Quartermaster Knives, the X/T cuts into the segment between traditional M/T and A/T tires. It offers the open shoulder and sidewall tread lugs of a mud terrain, combined with the off-road ability of an all-terrain and the road feel of a highway tire. The design and variety of sizes bring a whole new look to SUVs, crossovers and pickups as never seen before.
Sidewall construction: 2-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: All-Terrain
Tread depth: 15/32
Diameters available: 15, 16, 17, 18, 20 inches
URL: bfgoodrichtires.com
Notes: The All-Terrain T/A KO2 is a light truck tire developed to meet the needs of Jeep, pickup truck and sport utility vehicle drivers who want confidence and control, both on and off road. It was designed to deliver go-anywhere traction, along with outstanding durability, great wear and year-round traction, even in snow. The Tradesmen Support Program gives a discount to those working in skilled trades.
Sidewall construction: 2-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: All-Terrain
Tread depth: 12/32, 13/32, 14/32, 15/32, 16/32, 17/32
Diameters available: 16, 17, 18 and 20 inches
URL: bridgestonetire.com
Notes: The Dueler A/T Revo 3 is Bridgestone’s on-/off-road, all-terrain tire developed for the drivers of pickup trucks, Jeeps, crossovers and SUVs who are looking for enhanced off-road traction when they need it—without sacrificing on-road comfort when they don’t. The Dueler A/T Revo 3 is designed to drive comfortably on the highway, provide sure-footed grip when the road ends and deliver confident performance in dry, wet and wintry conditions, including light snow.
SIDEWALL CONSTRUCTION: 2-Ply Polyester
SEASON: All-Season
TERRAIN: All-Terrain
TREAD DEPTH: 10/32, 16/32
DIAMETERS AVAILABLE: 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 22 inches
URL: continentaltire.com
NOTES: The Terrain Contact A/T is an ideal all-terrain tire for CUV, SUV and light trucks. It has durability to conquer dirt, gravel and grass while providing a quiet and comfortable ride on pavement. It’s the perfect balance between off-road traction and on-road manners. It has excellent wet braking, and the traction grooves act like teeth to help grip in snow, making the Terrain Contact A/T a great all-weather choice.
Sidewall Construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Hybrid-Mud/Commercial
Tread Depth: 18.5/32
Diameters Available: 15, 16, 17, 18, 20
URL: coopertire.com
Notes: The Discoverer S/T MAXX is designed for tough terrain, including rocks and gravel, with on-road stability and performance. Its tread design helps prevent stone retention. It has Armor Tek3 construction for added tire durability, as well as cut- and chip-resistant tread compound/composition.
Sidewall Construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Terrain: Mud-Terrain/Off-Road
Tread Depth: 18.5/32, 19/32, 19.5/32, 20/32, 20.5/32, 21/32, 22/32
Diameters Available: 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22
URL: coopertire.com
Notes: The Discoverer STT Pro tire delivers best-in-class off-road performance, empowering the extreme off-roader to take on the toughest challenges. Armor Tek3 tire technology adds strength to the tire sidewall, providing increased resistance to damage while driving over boulders and uneven, tough terrain. The rubber is formulated to combat shredding and damage from stones and off-road obstacles. The tread pattern is designed to get you through extreme off-road trails while providing a quiet ride when you’re back on the pavement.
Sidewall Construction: 2-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: All-Terrain
Tread Depth: 16/32, 16.5/32, 17/32, 18/32
Diameters Available: 15, 16, 17, 18, 20
URL: coopertires.com
Notes: Discoverer AT3 XLT tires with Durable-Tread Technology haul heavy loads with less wear and are built to withstand the ongoing assault from dirt and gravel. They’re designed to prevent cutting and chipping on rocky and gravel terrain and offer extreme durability for hauling.
Sidewall Construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Hybrid
Tread Depth: 15/32
Diameters Available: 16, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24
URL: delintetires.com
Notes: The Delinte Bandit R/T offers rough terrain capabilities without giving up comfort and style. The Bandit R/T is built to perform as a result of its F-rated size options for serious hauling confidence with hybrid comfort. Three tough layers of polyester cord fabric and high-strength steel belts protect against rocks and sharp debris. Its hybrid tread design is engineered to give both comfort on the highways and traction in dirt, mud, sand or snow. It’s ready to prove itself on the street or on the trail.
Sidewall Construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Mud-Terrain
Tread Depth: 18/32, 19/32
Diameters Available: 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24
URL: delintetires.com
Notes: The natural balancing and extreme tread blocks of the Bandit M/T DX9 give extended wear to the tread. Its three-ply puncture guard toughness means this tire is engineered with three tough layers of polyester cords and high-strength steel belts that guard against rock and sharp debris. This “tank” of a tire is designed for outstanding off-road performance in dirt, mud, sand or snow. F-rated size options are also available for serious hauling.
Sidewall Construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: All-Terrain
Tread Depth: 18/32, 19/32, 20/32, 21/32
Diameters Available: 15, 16, 17, 18, 20
URL: falkentire.com
Notes: Trusted by the pros to take on the harshest conditions, the tough Wildpeak M/T is built to get you there and back, whether you’re on the pavement or in the mud, snow or rocks. The M/T features Falken’s proprietary three-ply DURASPEC Sidewall Technology, developed to sustain the most punishing off-road conditions. It features exceptional road manners—thanks to an optimized, variable, three-pitch tread pattern and precision manufacturing technology.
Sidewall Construction: 2-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season, All-Weather Rugged Capability
Terrain: All-Terrain
Tread Depth: 12/32, 13/32, 14/32, 17/32, 18/32, 19/32, 20/32
Diameters Available: 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22
URL: falkentire.com
Notes: The Wildpeak A/T3W is engineered for adventure—anytime and in any weather. It combines aggressive, off-road ability and rugged terrain driving without compromise on the pavement. An optimized tread design, combined with a silica tread compound, enables the A/T3W to excel in wear, winter and wet performance. Designed for severe snow conditions, full-depth sipes and grooves maintain consistent performance and appearance throughout the life of the tire.
Sidewall Construction: 2-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season, All-Weather Rugged Capability
Terrain: All-Terrain
Tread Depth: 10/32, 11/32
Diameters Available: 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
URL: falkentire.com
Notes: Designed specifically for CUVs and smaller SUVs, the Wildpeak A/T Trail delivers rugged, off-road capability without compromise on the open road. It strikes the perfect balance between aggressive, off-road traction and dependable, all-weather performance. Durable, two-ply polyester construction and rugged upper sidewall features protect this tire from off-road terrain, while an optimized tread design helps maintain the efficiency and versatility of a modern CUV. It features USTMA’s “Severe Snow” rating,
Sidewall construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Mud-Terrain
Tread depth: 18/32, 19/32, 20/32, 21/32, 22/32
Diameters available: 15, 16, 17, 18 and 20 inches
URL: firestonetire.com
Notes: The Destination M/T is Firestone’s off-road, maximum-traction tire developed to meet the needs of pickup truck and SUV drivers who desire the looks and performance associated with rugged, off-road driving. The Destination M/T was the first Firestone light truck tire to use UNI-T technology, which combines off-road traction with enhanced on-road capabilities.
Sidewall construction: 2-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: All-Terrain
Tread depth: 13/32, 14/32, 16/32, 17/32
Diameters available: 17, 18, 20, 22 and 28 inches
URL: fueloffroad.com
Notes: The Fuel Off-Road Gripper A/T features all-terrain siping to keep you grounded in a variety of road conditions. Gripper A/T also integrated Fuel Off-Road’s classic “F” logo into the central tread pattern, which not only looks awesome, it also provides traction, both on and off road. These tires also feature two-ply sidewall construction and up to an “E” load rating on the 10-ply designs.
Sidewall construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Mud-Terrain
Tread depth: 21/32
Diameters available: 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28 inches
URL: fueloffroad.com
Notes: The Fuel Off-Road Mud Gripper M/T goes great with your Fuel Off-Road wheels. This tire features a three-ply sidewall with full-width steel belts. Like the Gripper A/T, the M/T also integrates the company’s classic “F” logo for great looks and better traction.
Sidewall construction: 2-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: All-Terrain
Tread depth: 14/32, 15/32, 16/32
Diameters available: 15, 16, 17, 18 and 20 inches
URL: generaltire.com
Notes: The Grabber A/Tx is the next-generation, aggressive, all-terrain tire that provides exceptional off-road capability and durability, balanced with impressive on-road performance. Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake and traction notches deliver confident driving in all weather conditions.
Sidewall construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Mud-Terrain
Tread depth: 18/32, 21/32
Diameters available: 15, 16, 17, 18 and 20 inches
URL: generaltire.com
Notes: General Tire’s mud-terrain tire line delivers outstanding off-road performance, coupled with strong street manners. The Grabber X3 offers aggressive styling and is engineered for durability, with innovative performance features. A series of deflection ribs protects the upper sidewall area. Objects are deflected away to protect penetration into the sidewall. The tread design gives an aggressive open pattern for high traction in mud, dirt, sand and gravel, while the evacuation channels provide quick and efficient self-cleaning action.
Sidewall construction: 2-Ply Polyester, 1-Ply Aramid
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Mud-Terrain
Tread depth: 18/32, 19/32, 21/32
Diameters available: 15, 16, 17, 18, 20 inches
URL: goodyear.com
Notes: The Wrangler M/T With Kevlar is Goodyear’s best tire designed for extreme off-road expeditions. It features Dupont Kevlar, which helps resist punctures when powering over rocks, mud and sand. Dupont Kevlar-reinforced sidewalls help increase sidewall puncture resistance by 35 percent. A hardworking, wraparound tread helps deliver sidewall traction in deep mud, sand and rocks. The innovative, asymmetric tread design helps provide aggressive off-road traction and enhanced handling on the road.
Sidewall construction: 2-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season, Winter
Terrain: All-Terrain
Tread depth: 16/32, 18/32
Diameters available: 15, 16, 17, 18 and 20 inches
URL: goodyear.com
Notes: The Duratrac is a workhorse tire designed for rugged, off-road terrain—including snow—that still offers a quieter ride on paved roads. The bold, aggressive tread design is great for work truck towing and hauling. Tractivegroove technology offers enhanced traction in deep mud and snow. Highly angled center tread blocks enhance traction and lateral stability while reducing road noise. Self-cleaning shoulder blocks clear the tread of debris for enhanced dirt, gravel and mud traction.
Sidewall construction: 2-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: All-Terrain
Tread depth: 12/32, 13/32, 15/32, 16/32
Diameters available: 15, 16, 17, 18, 20 and 22 inches
URL: hankooktire.com
Notes: The Dynapro AT-M is Hankook’s premium on- and off-road, all-terrain light truck tire developed for light trucks, vans and SUVs. Introduced as original equipment on 2015 model-year Ford F-150 pickups, Dynapro AT-M tires are now available in a range of sizes that offer Hankook’s best all-terrain grip and acceleration, both on and off road.
Sidewall construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Mud-Terrain
Tread depth: 13/32, 19/32
Diameters available: 15, 16, 17, 18, 20 and 22 inches
URL: kendatire.com
Notes: The Klever M/T is an excellent choice for the off-road enthusiast. This tire’s durable rubber compound will hold up in the most demanding environments. It also features self-cleaning lugs for maximum traction during the harshest conditions. A variable shoulder block design improves wear and increases ride comfort while offering low road noise. The Klever M/T is built to perform.
Sidewall construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Hybrid
Tread depth: 13/32, 15/32, 16/32
Diameters available: 17, 18, 20 and 22 inches
URL: kendatire.com
Notes: The Klever R/T is for the driver who wants to conquer rough terrain without sacrificing the ride and comfort of an A/T tire. Its three-ply sidewall provides excellent durability with aggressive styling. The optimized tread design with an all-weather compound makes the Klever R/T a good option for 4×4 owners on the road, regardless of environment—snow included.
Sidewall construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Mud-Terrain
Tread depth:13/32, 19/32
Diameters available:14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, and 22 inches
URL: kendatire.com
Notes: The Kenda Klever A/T was designed to deliver a smooth, quiet ride without sacrificing all-terrain traction for those who spend a lot of time on the road. Its aggressive sidewall and unique tread design enable traction for all applications and conditions, giving an aggressive, off-road look without sacrificing on-road comfort and performance. The Kenda Klever A/T’s double-steel-belted construction offers long-lasting wear and uniformity. Select sizes are constructed with a three-ply sidewall to improve off-road durability and puncture protection.
Sidewall construction: 2-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Mud-Terrain
Tread depth: 18/32, 19/32, 20/32, 21/32
Diameters available: 15, 16, 17, 18, 20 and 22 inches
URL: kumhotireusa.com
Notes: The Road Venture MT KL71 is a race-proven, ground-pounding, mud-slinging, off-road tire with surprisingly good on-road manners. It’s an excellent choice for off-road enthusiasts or individuals who require a high-traction tire for their work environment. The extra-deep, cut-and-chip-resistant directional compound will withstand the most brutal of environments, while the tread design is engineered to promote self-cleaning.
Sidewall construction: 2-Ply or 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Mud-Terrain
Tread depth: 18/32
Diameters available: 15, 16 and 17 inches
URL: kumhotireusa.com
Notes: The Road Venture MT51 is an off-road, 4WD tire capable of handling the harshest conditions while being just as comfortable on the road as off. So, whether it’s off-roading, camping, mining, farming or even the daily school run, this great, all-around tire will exceed expectations.
Sidewall construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain:Mud-Terrain
Tread depth: 17/32, 18/32, 19/32, 20/32
Diameters available: 15, 16, 17, 18, 20 and 22 inches
URL: maxxis.com
Notes: The Razr MT was engineered with know-how gained from the company’s involvement in off-road racing. The tire features a new, off-road compound with new chemical fillers for maximum tear and chip resistance, as well as tread life. Its new pattern features deeply sculpted center blocks that maximize mud traction, while the Razr MT’s stone and mud ejectors improve self-cleaning performance and minimize rock retention..
Sidewall construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: All-Terrain
Tread depth: 13/32, 14/32, 16/32, 17/32
Diameters available: 15, 16, 17, 18 and 20 inches
URL: maxxis.com
Notes: The Bravo series AT-771 was engineered to provide the confidence to tackle your favorite local trail or your everyday urban work route. Its unique tread pattern and sidewall lug design offer excellent all-terrain traction while reducing pattern noise via multi-pitch noise-reduction technology. The tire’s overall construction utilizes a stiff, but conformable, carcass with several key reinforcements to improve stability and handling to provide a refined ride on smoother surfaces.
Sidewall construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: All-Terrain
Tread depth: 12/32, 13/32, 14/32, 16/32, 17/32
Diameters available: 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22 inches
URL: mickeythompsontires.com
Notes: The Baja Boss is an ultra-premium, extreme mud-terrain radial tire that features an asymmetric tread pattern to reduce noise and improve handling and on-center feel. The four-pitch Sidebiters are 50 percent larger to provide unparalleled off-road traction. In addition, it offers use of the silica-reinforced compound for on-road tread wear, cut and chip resistance, and improved wet handling and braking performance.
Sidewall construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Hybrid
Tread depth: 18/32
Diameters available: 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22 inches
URL: mickeythompsontires.com
Notes: The Baja ATZ P3 has a unique “hybrid” design that’s between all-terrain and mud-terrain to give you the grip you need for your weekend adventures and the smooth ride to get you down the road in comfort. This tire features an extra-wide footprint and beefy tread blocks for great all-around traction. All tire sizes feature the PowerPly three-ply sidewall construction.
Sidewall construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Mud-Terrain
Tread depth: 18/32, 19/32, 20/32, 21/32
Diameters available: 15, 16, 17, 18, 20 and 22 inches
URL: nexentireusa.com
Notes: The Roadian MTX from Nexen tire features an aggressive design that’s extremely versatile for on- and off-road driving. The construction of the tire has been improved to maximize load and towing capabilities—without sacrificing any of the rugged traits or highway driving comfort one would expect from the Roadian line of tires.
Sidewall Construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Hybrid
Tread Depth: 13/32, 16/32, 18/32
Diameters Available: 16, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24
URL: nittotire.com
Notes: The Ridge Grappler provides the best of both worlds from Nitto’s mud-terrain and all-terrain product offerings. Featuring a revolutionary, dynamic, hybrid tread pattern, the Ridge Grappler provides a quiet and comfortable ride, while its deep, aggressive sidewall lugs and tread pattern provide capable off-road performance.
Sidewall Construction: 2-Ply or 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: All-Terrain
Tread Depth: 12/32, 13/32, 15/32, 16/32, 17/32
Diameters Available: 17, 18, 20, 22, 24
URL: nittotire.com
Notes: The Terra Grappler G2 is specifically designed to meet your everyday on- and off-road adventures. Whether you’re commuting to work, towing a trailer or headed up to your favorite mountain trail, the balanced off-road and on-road performance of the Terra Grappler G2 will get you to your destination with confidence. (Select Terra Grappler G2 sizes are 3Peak-rated for additional all-weather capability.)
Sidewall Construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Mud-Terrain
Tread Depth: 18/32, 19/32, 20/32, 21/32
Diameters Available: 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24
URL: nittotire.com
Notes: The Trail Grappler M/T provides an aggressive mud tread design with on-road, quiet ride performance. The three-ply sidewall and thick rubber construction increase puncture resistance. Leading-edge tread and side lug blocks provide additional biting edges that command lateral stability and enhance forward traction.
Sidewall Construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: All-Terrain
Tread Depth: 13/32, 15/32, 16/32
Diameters Available: 17, 18, 20, 22, 24
URL: nittotire.com
Notes: The Recon Grappler A/T infuses versatility and distinctive design into an all-terrain tire that stands out from the crowd. With its tall, prominent sidewall lugs and aggressive tread design providing capable off-road performance and a comfortable highway ride, the Recon Grappler is made to keep you out front.
Sidewall Construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: All-Terrain
Tread Depth: 19/32, 20/32, 21/32
Diameters Aailable: 17, 18, 20, 22
URL: procompusa.com
Notes: If you’re trying to navigate to that killer kayaking spot, seeking to make the first tracks on a fresh powder day, or you just need some time away from civilization, Pro Comp’s new A/T Sport is the tire to get you to your next adventure. Its unique, all-terrain rubber compound is a result of Pro Comp’s years of all-terrain tire experience and is specially formulated for the perfect balance of on- and off-road use.
Sidewall Construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Mud-Terrain
Tread Depth: 19/32, 20/32, 21/32, 22/32
Diameters Available: 15, 17, 18, 20, 22
URL: procompusa.com
Notes: The Pro Comp Xtreme MT2 radial is designed for full-sized trucks for both on- and off-road use. No matter whether it’s hauling heavy loads or exploring rugged terrain, this tire delivers the toughness and traction needed to get the job done. The aggressive, open-tread design delivers unsurpassed grip and control without excessive noise, as well as improved self-cleaning performance in mud and snow.
Sidewall Construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Hybrid
Tread Depth: 16/32, 18/32
Diameters Available: 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22
URL: toyotires.com
Notes: The Open Country A/T III is an all-terrain tire that delivers gripping off-road traction with responsive and predictable on-road handling. With a strong focus on wet performance, durability and tread life, it also provides a quiet ride with exceptional stability. The Open Country A/T III is built to get there and get back home—regardless of terrain or weather.
Sidewall Construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Mud-Terrain
Tread Depth: 18/32, 19/32, 20/32, 21/32
Diameters Available: 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24
URL: toyotires.com
Notes: Developed to meet the needs of late-model truck owners and dealers, these new tires address the increase in payload and towing capacity of today’s trucks, giving owners the freedom to personalize the look and style of their vehicles with a tire that’s properly load rated. The Open Country M/T is legendary for durability, off-road performance, long tread life and an aggressive tread pattern. It’s designed to help trucks work hard on pavement and then work just as hard when roads are muddy, snowy and rocky … or when there are no roads at all.
Sidewall Construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Hybrid
Tread Depth: 6/32,18/32
Diameters Available: 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22
URL: www.toyotires.com
Notes: Built rugged for any terrain, this powerful 4×4 tire offers excellent off-road traction, durable construction and aggressive styling. It has the ability to tackle dirt, sand and rocks with less on-road noise and a longer-lasting tread. High-turn-up, three-ply polyester casing strengthens the tire for excellent handling, durability and tread life and also features two spiral cap plies that contribute to high-speed endurance and uniformity.
Sidewall construction: 2-Ply or 3-Ply Polyester (depending on tire size)
Season: All-Season, Winter
Terrain: All-Terrain
Tread depth: 11/32, 12/32, 13/32, 16/32, 17/32, 18/32
Diameters available: 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22 inches
URL: yokohamatire.com
Notes: Go beyond where the road ends with the Geolander A/T G015. This all-terrain tire has been engineered to give you ultimate traction across many conditions, whether you’re rolling down the highway or leaving the pavement behind. Every size received the “Severe Snow Service” designation. Edgtec grooves create more void to help expel dirt and mud.
Sidewall construction: 3-Ply Polyester
Season: All-Season
Terrain: Mud-Terrain
Tread depth: 17/32, 18/32, 19/32, 20/32, 21/32
Diameters available: 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22 and 24 inches
URL: yokohamatire.com
Notes: You can’t off-road with tires you don’t trust. That’s the reason the all-new Geolander M/T G003 is engineered with rock-solid, geo-shield technologies from casing to tread. Delivering crushing performance, intimidating looks and an industry-leading tread life, the Geolander M/T G003 inspires confidence, even in the most brutal terrain.
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