[Bluto]

Side by side comparison with RED ARROWs pointing to outside:
With the OWL either out or in, the direction of lugs (inside and outside) stays the same. Even though they are asymetric. I have confidence GY stating that it would not matter which side you run (as long youre consistent with the rim placement), I would run it with the two big lugs out from the 1st picture just to be comfortable.

Edit: If there are no indication on the tire which is in or out you can look at the second picture in how it would look with the arrow pointing inside with the tow big lugs outside. But as you can see if thats the case, the two outside lugs would be different direction from the left side of the truck (compared to the first top picture). Making it seem they are supposed to be directional.

[-Spike-]

It's not difficult to see what you're talking about. When mounted on a vehicle, the tread blocks will be pointing forward on one side of the truck, and backward on the other. The effect is purely aesthetic. Almost all tires do the same thing. Go take a look at your truck tires. Odds are, the tread on the outside edge of the tires will be oriented either forward or backward on one side, and reversed on the other, unless you have directional tires (and they're mounted correctly). With directional tires, the tread will be oriented the same way on both sides of the truck (or car, since most directionals are sport type tires).

The only difference with these tires is that the tread doesn't follow the same pattern on both halves of the tire, so the tires are supposed to be mounted with a particular side 'out'.

-Spike

[Hayes]

I agree with Spike.
In every photo of these tires, they are mounted with a particular side out.

A weak review and some photos here:
Goodyear Wrangler Mtr Kevlar On Rocks Photo

[Bluto]

Originally Posted by Hayes

I agree with Spike.
In every photo of these tires, they are mounted with a particular side out.

A weak review and some photos here:
Goodyear Wrangler Mtr Kevlar On Rocks Photo

So if Goodyear states to run the two big lugs out:
285/75/16s force you to run the OWL outside. Therefore run 315s if you want to have the BWL. How convenient!

[80t0ylc]

Just a dumb question, maybe it's already been asked and answered: If these are NOT directional tires, why does GY recommend a certain side out? If direction is out of the question then mount them to your taste, OWL out or OWL in. I guess the mystery to me is: why the manufactured mounting recommendation?

[e9999]

Originally Posted by -Spike-

It's not difficult to see what you're talking about. When mounted on a vehicle, the tread blocks will be pointing forward on one side of the truck, and backward on the other. The effect is purely aesthetic. Almost all tires do the same thing. Go take a look at your truck tires. Odds are, the tread on the outside edge of the tires will be oriented either forward or backward on one side, and reversed on the other, unless you have directional tires (and they're mounted correctly).

snip

-Spike

I don't know about "almost all tires", but my MT/Rs are symmetric. A given tire mounted on a wheel (and staying there) will look the same on both sides as seen from the front. So, in fact they have double symmetry. Not only can you move them to either side when mounted and you'll get the same traction with respect to the truck centerline. But you could even mount them either way (OWL in or out so to speak) on a wheel, and it would still look the same.

[Hayes]

Symmetry is really gradational.
Your MTRs are more symmetrical than the new MTRs, but they're not completely symmetrical in the sense of being mirrored across the centerline. The overall shapes and pattern of the lugs is uniform across the tire, but the orientations are not mirrored across the tire. You could say yours are isotropic (hehehe) but not totally symmetric around any given plane.

The new MTRs have even lower-order symmetry in that the lugs themselves vary across the tire.

[maybe_a_80...]

Originally Posted by Nay

As an all round tire, the new Duratrac from GY (I think that is what it is called) looks even more appealing.

Agreed. The Duratrac also has the venerable "mountain snowflake" symbol. For those of us who need a great all-around tire and like an aggressive look, the Duratrac looks like a winner!

Sorry for the brief hijack...

[-Spike-]

Originally Posted by e9999

I don't know about "almost all tires", but my MT/Rs are symmetric. A given tire mounted on a wheel (and staying there) will look the same on both sides as seen from the front. So, in fact they have double symmetry. Not only can you move them to either side when mounted and you'll get the same traction with respect to the truck centerline. But you could even mount them either way (OWL in or out so to speak) on a wheel, and it would still look the same.

Yes, but did you go look at your tires? On one side of the truck the tread points forward, on the other side it points back. Same thing these new tires do, except that the new tires' tread differs across the width.

-Spike (Now THAT'S a dead horse. )

[Nay]

Originally Posted by jasonmt

I am pretty sure that most peoples decision matrix looks like this:
Tyre performance > Tyre cost > Tyre appearance

I'm pretty sure you are wrong given how many people still run BFG AT's

[barrypt5]

Hayes-
what size are you leaning towards since they do not seem to be making a 295/75 R16??

barrypt5

[Hayes]

315/75 r16

[Moody]

Originally Posted by Hayes

315/75 r16

315's would be a nice combo with the way your rig is setup...especially when we go down to the Maze (cough, cough).

[Hayes]

Originally Posted by Moody

315's would be a nice combo with the way your rig is setup...especially when we go down to the Maze (cough, cough).

Just sent you an email.
Wasn't about the Maze, but we should talk about that sort of thing as well.

[jfarsang]

I'm running these on my rig now. 31's.

To put the argument to rest, they are 100% NOT directional.

Finally got around to testing them out on the road/rain/greasy mud.

They are not quiet like the AT's. You can definitely hear them but they are not as loud as a full on mud tire.

I would rate them in between the BFG AT KO's and the BFG MT's for noise.

They track straight on dry pavement and stop/corner much better than the last generation MTR in the rain/wet pavement.

In fact, they stop better in the rain then my BFG AT KO's.

Thin/wet greasy mud was good. They self cleaned very easily.

You can feel the low rumble from start to about 20mph. Of course I'm sitting above the tires so the sound/vibes are more pronounced.

Was running 38 psi on the road but found it to be a little rough so aired down to 28-32 and it rides nice.

Today was a nice rainy day. They performed well. Hard braking and hard cornering, there was no slip n' sliding which I am very impressed with.

Overall, for road manners, I'm impressed with these being an all-terrain tire guy.

Really, time will tell how they hold up because I plan on doing a measly 30/30/20 city/hwy/offroadin' with them until summer rolls around.

[Hayes]

That van kicks much ass.


Thanks for the report on the tires. Keep us posted on how they're wearing.

[jeepmkcomin]

FWIW we have a couple of these in our tire shop. They must be run with the white letters facing out. They are not however "directional"

[gisham]

white letter out? ugh....

[Hayes]

Not all sizes come with white lettering

[Atoyot1031]

Originally Posted by Nay

I'm pretty sure you are wrong given how many people still run BFG AT's

See also: IH8MUD Forums - View Single Post - Trxus 37s en route...

Originally Posted by jfarsang

2009 B.A. Baracus and Col. Smith called, they want their new van back.

[hawaiicruz]

Originally Posted by Atoyot1031

See also: IH8MUD Forums - View Single Post - Trxus 37s en route...




2009 B.A. Baracus and Col. Smith called, they want their new van back.

I pity the fool that makes fun of the Ateam

[desiboy98]

absolutely love my KM2s

[WyattT]

Originally Posted by desiboy98

absolutely love my KM2s

i'm with this guy!

[e9999]

is there some good black tire paint out there that would cover the white stuff?

(and yes they are directional... )

[jfarsang]

Originally Posted by e9999

is there some good black tire paint out there that would cover the white stuff?

Tire Black

Originally Posted by e9999

(and yes they are directional... )

Sorry to burst your bubble but they are not directional.

I can mount them any which way.

There is no 'arrow' directional indicator on the tires.

You can mount them left or right and criss cross when you rotate whether it's 4 or 5 or 6 tires in.

I know because I'm looking at them.

Go look at some in person. Or you can argue till the cows come home.

On another note, these tires are amazing.

At 28 psi, they are quiet compared to my KM2's on the jeep.

They fling mud and stop when you want to stop on the road in the rain.

Can't beat that.

The only one single concern I have is longevity. But that will have to wait till I log on the miles.

[douglashuft]

Originally Posted by e9999

is there some good black tire paint out there that would cover the white stuff?

I think the 315 size is black letters. If you need this tire, you need at least this size so it should not be an issue.

[FJ LE]

Definitely don't like the white letters nor the name on them to stand out. But I would try them w/a bigger size.
About the KM2s I am really disappointed, I've heard already several people getting slashed or punctured in the side walls.
Not sure to go w/ these last ones.

[PDoyle]

So you can have these tires mounted white letters in then?

[snowcamo80]

Originally Posted by PDoyle

So you can have these tires mounted white letters in then?

Per GY, the two bigger lugs should be on the outside. I would think the performance would suffer if they were not run as designed.

[PDoyle]

I just bought 5 of these for my Heep. Waiting to get them installed.