New to Wheeling in AZ - MT's vs AT's

[S&S1stCruzer]

How many guys here run Mud terrains (BFG, Nitto or Goodyear) in conditions like desert areas like in Az, were rain, snow and mudd are not seen very often. My rig isn't my daily driver but I'll be driving it to the trail heads in Southern and Northern AZ. I've owned BFG A/T's but wanted to upgrade so to speak. Just curious...(I hope I'm not beating a dead horse here)

Thanks

 

[accasbel]

in my humble opinion, MTs offer better sidewall protection than ATs. with all the sharp, exposed rocks around here I'd go with MTs.

 

[msahr]

All 3 of my rigs run BFG Mud Terrains. Yes they are old school in some ways compared to the Goodyears or others but the damn things just friggin work. Never been let down by them. My 80 is my daily driver and they are fine at 80+ on the freeway. Awesome grip and traction on the trail.

 

[S&S1stCruzer]

Thanks guys.

I'm thinking of getting some 16 x8 with Nitto Mud Grapplers 35 x 14.50 I don't see alot of people using these (they are pricey) but i like that they come in 14.5.

Keep the replies coming

 

[MaddBaggins]

I'm using Yokohama Geolander AT's. Great traction on rocks, they form around them well at 15psi. Nice road manners as well.
ToolsRus uses Nitto Terra Grapplers and can't say enough good about them. I've wheeled with him many times and I'm always impressed with those tires. They will probably be my next choice.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I won't buy MT's again. I always ran them on the 80 and had AT's on the 100. The 100 did everything and just as well and the tires wear well. The MT's suck, are noisy, but look cooler. On my recently built Lexus I mounted AT's. They never died in the 100 so I doubt they will in the LX. Quiet ride.

 

[RHINO]

in this terrain the AT vs MT is usually personal choice. as stated above the most popular reason of running an MT is sidewall IMOP. honestly asses your off road criterium for terrain, i;e: rocks often or seldom and make your tires selection from there.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

in this terrain the AT vs MT is usually personal choice. as stated above the most popular reason of running an MT is sidewall IMOP. honestly asses your off road criterium for terrain, i;e: rocks often or seldom and make your tires selection from there.

In BFG's case (my comparo), the AT and MT both have hte 3-ply sidewalls, bruise resistent, etc. Details at: http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/bfgapp/catalog/index_7.jsp

See the spec sheets via PDF.

 

[ChaseTruck]

I'd go with a narrow, skinny tire with strong sidewalls. Unless you're in the sand dunes a lot (where a skinny tire just digs a hole), I'm not sure why you'd want 14.5" wide tires. Those wide tires will also increase stress on your steering components, wheel bearings, etc.

 

[RHINO]

In BFG's case (my comparo), the AT and MT both have hte 3-ply sidewalls, bruise resistent, etc. Details at: http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/bfgapp/catalog/index_7.jsp

See the spec sheets via PDF.

ok mister hows this then,,,, IMOP the difference between AT/MT and OFF ROAD tires is going to be carcass strength with an emphasis on the sidewall.


and i agree with the above, a 14.5 wide tire?? naaw. no real use for such a wide tire out here unless your going for sand 90% of the time.

 

[S&S1stCruzer]

Hmmm...there reasons I read on other boards to justify choosing A/t's over M/T's
1. the price difference on the MT is usually higher (Money is not the issue here)
2. you want the on road/offroad happy medium (noise issue, which isn't a concern here either, and it's not going to be a daily driving)

...and Yes both the BFG's the Nitto's have their version of 3 plys.
..."why would you get 14.50 tire if you're not running in sand 90% of the time", does running a wide tire have negative effects if you don't run in the sand?

So if this was your scenario you'd still buy the A/T's?

Thanks guys

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

ok mister hows this then,,,, IMOP the difference between AT/MT and OFF ROAD tires is going to be carcass strength with an emphasis on the sidewall.


and i agree with the above, a 14.5 wide tire?? naaw. no real use for such a wide tire out here unless your going for sand 90% of the time.

OK OK....I BACK DOWN!

I do think the AT's on the LX will serve me. That 12,635,000 pound 100 has beat 2 sets to death and no flats.

 

[msahr]

Yeah... but MTs just look cooler. Besides, J**p will be selling 07 Rubicons with BFG MTs standard so they must be the best, right?

 

[MaddBaggins]

Hmmm...there reasons I read on other boards to justify choosing A/t's over M/T's
1. the price difference on the MT is usually higher (Money is not the issue here)
2. you want the on road/offroad happy medium (noise issue, which isn't a concern here either, and it's not going to be a daily driving)

...and Yes both the BFG's the Nitto's have their version of 3 plys.
..."why would you get 14.50 tire if you're not running in sand 90% of the time", does running a wide tire have negative effects if you don't run in the sand?

So if this was your scenario you'd still buy the A/T's?

Thanks guys

it comes down to personal choice. Which tire do you want? I really want Goodyear MTR's, but I have heard reports and seen first hand their weakness, lack of traction in wet conditions. So, I may not get the tires I really want. In the end MT vs AT isn't my concern, traction is. Large lug pattern doesn't always = better traction.

Wide tires, see Michaels post above, #9. I'll echo that, but if your building some rock crawling rig that will get trailered around, then it wouldn't matter a whole lot. Until you start breaking stuff.

all food for thought and my humble opinion

 

[RHINO]

i agree 100% alvin, big lugs dont always mean traction. over the years i have come to the conclusion that a good set of mild tires is more likely better on hardpack and rock type stuff assuming they are stout enough not to rip. which is why i prolly wont be running another set of swampers. i like the toyo MT based on a current 4x4 rag, 7 ply sidewall? and 15" rim sizes. though i havent priced'em or checked sizes yet.

i believe a 14.5" wide tire is more negative than positive for a trail rig, unless in alot of mud or sand or something you might benefit from floatation. out here we need little no none of that 98% of the time, i feel wide tires cause more leverage strain on the rig than any benefit you get out of'em in this environment.

shotts thats petty impressive, all those trouble free miles with AT's on a short bus!!

 

[lcgeek]

I'm no tire expert, but I just went thru the process of selecting tires for my wife's 470. You might want to consider the new Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor if you are in the AT market. It has the same sidewall setup at the MTR, but it's more of a on/off road tire..with emphasis of "on" You can check them out here: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Wrangler+SilentArmor

I put on a set of 285/75/16s on stock suspension, had them all of week and their on road manners are quite nice....off-road is yet to be tested.
JT

 

[S&S1stCruzer]

hmmm...all very well put insight. well I'm still month away prolly from wheels and tires (hopefully sooner it'll be soon when I'll really need them) I'm Going the engine bay and installing new hoses and a few new other parts under the hood. The suspension is on it's way so once I install that tire and gears for sure

But keep the replies coming. I think I'm going to lean towards and MT since I have AT's already on DD. But now to figure out what size 35x12.5-14.5? If I do get those Nitto Mud Grapplers I'll give some feedback on them.

Hopefully I'll get to hook up with you guys soon (southern AZ)
Thanks
S&S

 

[Brian Macgyver]

Rather than M/T-A/T decisions, I look for more cross cuts in the tread vs. more linear tread pattern. Also a wider opening between tread blocks without necessarily going to the wide open M/T with large blocks. A larger number of smaller tread blocks gets a higher traction on rock than will fewer large blocks. Cuts or "siping" in smaller tread blocks work well. A M/T may actually hurt traction on rock and even in loose granite. I have gone both ways and I now stay to the middle ground.
M/T treads have advantages in mushy conditions such as mud and snow, but that comes with a disadvantage. They dig holes very well! When they do break loose they can fill a wheelbarrow with dirt in a heartbeat while helping you get more stuck. They are responsible for most of the holes that you find on hill climb areas.
A middle tread such as the Nitto Terra or some of the Goodyears may be best.

 

[offroader5]

I wouldn't necessarily say that just because it's a MT it's going to have better sidewall puncture resistance. The Goodyear MTR's for example seem to be overrated in their sidewall integrity.

I run 35" Nitto Terra's just like Kevin, and we are both sold on them. I have roughly 30K miles on them too (with alot of wheeling) and they still have alot of tread left. I can't count how many times out on a trail that people are surprised how well they have used their sidewall for traction and how well they grip the rocks. I would think that with an AT, the tire would be less rigid so when you air down a bit, you'll end up with more tire wrap around rocks and such for better traction. The thicker the sidewall, the less traction and flex you'll get out of it.

I'm building my new axles and "building up" at the same time and I hate the fact that I won't be able to get the Nitto's I have in a 37" or larger. I'll be forced to change tires...unless Nitto starts manufacturing 37's That's how much they've made an impression on me.

Another thing I like about them is they look more aggressive than many of the AT's out there, but are still an AT, which is better for road noise and balancing.

 

[RHINO]

you sir are a big reason i have rethought my take on mild VS aggressive tires on rock surfaces.