Off-Road Tire Selection: Key Considerations

27 June 2022
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If you're equipping your offroad trail rig with new tires, you have a pretty significant decision to make. The tires you put on your truck will directly affect the rig's handling on any trails that you run. That's why it's so important for you to consider what you will do with your truck before you choose the tires that you need. Here are a few things to think about as you make your decision.

Do You Run Muddy Trails?

Some off-road enthusiasts are big fans of muddy terrain, so they tend to run a lot of muddy trails. If you're a mud fan, you'll want to consider mud-terrain tires with more aggressive tread and deeper grooves to improve your traction. Remember that mud can be slippery, so the more grip your tires get, the better.

Are You Crawling Rocks?

Rock crawling requires more precision and expertise, which is markedly different from the brute force of muddy trails. However, they are similar in one regard. If you tend to run rocky trails, you'll want a tire with a lot of grip. That means a tire with pronounced tread, deep grooves, and enough thickness to hold up to lower pressure on the trail for increased surface area.

Is Your Trail Rig Your Daily Driver?

A lot of off-road hobbyists maintain their daily driver as their trail rig. If this sounds like you, that means you'll need to put even more careful thought into the tires you choose. Make sure that any tires you select don't stick out beyond your fender flares if you have annual safety inspections. You may need to add larger flares, so consider the width carefully as part of the process.

In addition, the more aggressive the tread on the tires, the more road noise you'll be dealing with. If you want to be able to drive your vehicle to work and back comfortably and without excessive noise, that means choosing an all-terrain tire instead of an aggressive mud-terrain option. 

Are You Adding A Lift?

If you're adding a lift, you'll want to consider the size of the tire that you're buying. A lift usually increases ground clearance, which makes room for a larger tire under your truck. Think about how much lift you'll be adding to the suspension, and then increase your tire size accordingly to get a cohesive final product.

These are a few key elements that affect your choice of the right off-road tire. Talk with a local tire shop near you today for more information, like East Bay Tire Co.