Mud tires

Proper equipment is essential to every activity, especially off-roading. Rough terrain can put a pounding to your truck if it’s not properly equipped. Your tires are a key piece of equipment. With the proper mud tires you’re less likely to get stuck or lose traction. The right kind of mud tire will help you get around (and over) obstacles like mud, rocks, water and steep grading.

Unless you live in the mountains, or your house is surrounded by a mud moat (cool!), off- road driving is most likely not a part of your daily commute. But, whether off-roading is a hobby (cool again!) or if you’re into off-road racing (very cool!) then you’ll need to ensure that you have the right equipment for the job. Most people can be turned off by the high cost of some equipment but, if you know where to look, you can find some really good deals on some great tires, maybe even 4x4 mud tires.

Know what you need

The best mud tires are the ones that provide the greatest traction and clearance. Taller mud tires provide greater ground clearance, while wider tires provide greater traction. Most tires are great for up and down travel, but you’ll also want a design that pays attention to side-to-side movement.

When considering the kind of tires you need, also keep in mind the size of your truck and the kinds of conditions you’ll be driving it through.

It’s okay if you’re not sure what size mud tires you need. Your truck already has the answer. The identification sticker (found either inside the driver’s side door jam or in the glove compartment) will tell you the speed, rim size, and maximum payload your truck was built to handle. If you can’t find a sticker, then check your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

Keep in mind that whichever tire you choose you’ll need to maintain clearance between the tire and the fender. Don’t be surprised if this means installing additional components to the frame to both accommodate the tire and help maintain balance.

Get low cost tires without going cheap

Cost is always an issue when rigging up your truck. You want quality, but don’t want to pay through the nose to get it. The good news is that you can get good mud tires at a low cost without going “cheap.”  While there are some comparatively low cost options available, the point here is that you need good tires. Low quality, “cheap” tires tend to provide less traction and usually won’t be wide enough to help keep you balanced or tall enough to provide the ground clearance you need when driving through rough conditions. The cost of getting yourself out of a jam isn’t worth skimping a few bucks on some “cheap” tires.

Take a little extra time and read some customer reviews. Magazines and online communities are great places to find out which tires to put on your shopping list and which to avoid altogether. Another off-roader’s experience can provide a lot of insight about how well a tire performs.

Where to shop

Most tire stores and some auto part stores will carry a small selection of mud tires. Stores that specialize in ATVs and other off-road vehicles typically have a larger selection. Don’t be afraid to ask about specials. Sometimes the tire companies will offer incentives and special deals that are temporary or not widely advertised. Your store manager or sales clerk will know what those deals are. Don’t forget to ask about discontinued models. Just because a tire is discontinued doesn’t mean it’s a bad tire. Sometimes you can get these discontinued tires at ridiculous discounts.

Also, check the retailers’ websites. Often they’ll offer additional selection online and sometimes greater discounts for buying through their site. You can also find some great blowout clearance deals that aren’t available in store (sweet!).

You’ll also find some good deals for mud tires at other places online. Tire companies sometimes sell direct through their websites and offer deals or models not found in brick-and-mortar locations. There are also a lot of online-only retailers who can offer better prices than their brick-and-mortar competitors because their operations have lower overhead. There are a lot of places to look. Just don’t let yourself become so overwhelmed with options that you run out of time for some actual off-roading (not cool!).  The only drawbacks to ordering your tires online can be the cost of shipping, and installation. These can be major obstacles for some off-roaders. If so, you might consider limiting your shopping to places that can install the tires for you.

There are great deals to be found, and I hope you get one. But remember, no matter which tires you decide to purchase, having quality mud tires will be vital to getting solid performance and maximum enjoyment out of your ride. Enjoy!