What Type of Tires Does your 4×4 Need?

Choosing new tires for your Jeep, Pickup, or SUV can be overwhelming. The three main
categories of tire you are most likely familiar with are mud tires, all-terrain tires, and hybrid
terrain tires. Each of these tire types has its own unique benefits and drawbacks, and choosing
the right one for you will depend on your specific needs as well as driving habits and
conditions.

First we’ll discuss mud tires. These are tires are designed specifically for traction in muddy and
wet conditions. They have deep tread patterns with large voids to provide maximum traction
and clear away mud and water to keep the tread from clogging up and losing traction. These
tires can also be an excellent choice if you drive through deep snow and unmaintained roads in
winter. If you do a lot of off-roading in muddy, wet or snowy conditions, mud tires are the clear
choice. They will give you the confidence you need to tackle the toughest terrain, and you’ll be
able to drive through mud, sand, snow, and other soft surfaces with ease.

The primary drawback of mud tires is that they can be noisy on the road, and generally
decrease fuel efficiency comparatively. If you do a lot of on-road driving, you may find that the
noise increased fuel consumption are not worth the benefits they provide off-road. Additionally,
mud tires are not always the best choice for dry or rocky terrain, as the deep treads can get
clogged with rocks and other trail debris.

Popular tires we love in the M/T category:
Nitto Trail Grappler
Toyo Open Country MT
Falken Wildpeak MT

 

Next, let’s consider all-terrain tires. These tires are designed to provide a good balance of on-road
performance and off-road capability. They have a more aggressive tread pattern than standard tires,
but tighter voids and smaller blocking than mud tires. All-terrain tires are great for those who do a
mix of on-road driving and light off-roading, and they can handle a variety of terrains, including dirt,
gravel, sand and rocks. Additionally, all-terrain tires are usually quieter and more fuel efficient than
mud tires. A stylistic benefit to many modern all-terrain tires is an aggressive looking sidewall design
which may give your 4×4 the look you are going for without any of the drawbacks of a mud terrain.

However, all-terrain tires will not perform as well in extremely muddy, deep snow, or slippery
wet off road conditions as mud tires do. If you do a lot of off-roading in these conditions, you
may find that all-terrain tires are not the best choice for you. Additionally, all-terrain tires may
not be as durable as mud tires, and they may wear more quickly on rocky or abrasive surfaces.
Another consideration is towing; if you use your vehicle to haul or tow heavy loads, an all-terrain
tire may not be the best choice.

Popular tires we love in the A/T category:
Nitto Recon Grappler
Toyo Open Country RT Trail
Falken Willdpeak AT3W

 

Finally, let’s look at hybrid terrain tires (also referred to as “rugged terrain tires” or R/T by some
manufacturers). These tires are a combination of mud and all-terrain tires, offering the best of
both worlds. They have a more aggressive tread pattern than all-terrain tires but not as deep as
mud tires. Hybrid terrain tires provide good traction in a variety of terrains, and they also have
better on-road performance, and fuel efficiency than mud tires. If you do a mix of off-roading
and on-road driving in a variety of terrains, hybrid terrain tires are an excellent choice for your
vehicle.

Popular tires we love in the R/T category:
Nitto Ridge Grappler
Toyo Open Country RT
Yokohama Geolandar X-AT

To sum it all up, choosing the right tires for your off-road vehicle will depend on your specific
needs and driving conditions. If your 4×4 is built to wheel and you don’t rely on it has primary
transportation, mud tires are the way to go. If you do a mix of on-road driving and light off-roading,
all-terrain tires are likely the best choice. If you do a lot of off-roading and on-road
driving in a variety of terrains, you should strongly consider hybrid terrain tires for your vehicle.
Consider your driving conditions, the type of vehicle you have, and your personal preferences
when making your decision.

Ultimately, the key to choosing the right tires for your off-road vehicle is to do your research
and consider your specific needs and driving conditions. The best approach is to narrow your
choices down to 2 or 3 brands, and take the time to compare the available mud tires, all-terrain
tires, and hybrid terrain tires. Once you’ve narrowed your choices to 2 or 3 options, you may
find online reviews to be a helpful deciding factor. As always, our knowledgeable staff are
available to discuss the options and help you choose the right tire for your rig!

 

by Jon Tirrell
Mount Zion Offroad Staff Writer