What to Know About Off Road Tires

Shopping for off road tires can be a little confusing at first. There are so many brands, sizes, and types of tires that you may feel like you have no idea what kind is best for you. It can be tempting to just choose the tires that you think look the best, or the cheapest option. There are several things to consider before you spend any money on a new set of expensive off road tires, though. 

The first thing to think about is the reason you’re buying off road tires for your vehicle. Do you plan to spend a lot of time driving through fields or on roads that have uneven terrain? Are you going to enter off road races that have difficult obstacles and will challenge you? Or do you think you’ll probably spend most of your time on dry land with the occasional trip into uncharted territory? These questions can have a serious impact on what type of tires you buy. Having the right tires for your intended usage will impact the life of your tires as well as the comfort of your ride. 

There are off road tires made for almost any type of driving. All purpose tires are generally standard equipment on most four wheel drive SUVs and pickup trucks. These tires are great for city and highway driving, and will give you a good boost if you find yourself in a situation that calls for four wheel drive. All purpose tires are best for getting through snow or ice, which comes in handy if you live in an area that experiences very wet winters. They aren’t the tires for serious mud bogging or regular off road driving, however. 

If you expect to use your four wheel drive vehicle mainly for extreme off road driving, a good set of mud off road tires may be what you need. These tires come in several different sizes, ranging from slightly larger than average truck tires to oversized monsters. The tread on mud tires is widely spaced and deep so that the tires can find purchase in the worst mud conditions. Mud tires are also wider than the average all purpose tire, which gives you a more stable base while you’re slipping through muddy areas. Mud tires aren’t so great for pavement driving, however, and can give you a pretty rough ride on a city street. 

The most radical off road tires are made specifically for off road racing competitions. These are the biggest tires you’ll see on a normal four wheel drive vehicle. These tires are tough and can get you through the worst road conditions; however, specialty off road racing tires are terrible for highway driving. These tires are really for the most serious off road runner. They carry the highest price tag and require the most drastic alterations to your vehicle for installation. If you plan to use these tires, be sure that they’re on a vehicle that you won’t use for any other purpose.