Rubber Run-Down

Want to get dirty? A fresh set of off-road rubber should be a top the shopping list.

- Tristan Tancredi

BEFORE you crack open a catalogue and pore through an endless stream of aftermarket 4x4 products – bullbars, roof racks, tents, lighting – the very first thing that requires attention before you seek adventure are the four black rings of rubber on each corner of your 4x4.

A decent set of tyres, or, more specifically for the kind of driving we do, off-road tyres, are the first nonnegotiable items when it comes to aftermarket support. It is equipment that could leave you high and dry if the tyres are of sub-standard quality or they’re not fit-for-purpose.

“Not all tyres are the same,” said Andrew Collings, marketing manager at Exclusive Tyre Distributors (Cooper, Mickey Thompson tyres). “They may look similar on the outside, but there are so many differences between brands and range.”

Steve Burke, Toyo Tires’ technical manager, added: “Interpretation of the traditional off-road tyre categories can vary widely from brand to brand, but a few key priorities across construction, compound and tread design will be shared across the board.”

Simply put, 4x4 tyres can be broken down into categories – Mud Terrain (M/T), All Terrain (A/T) and Highway Terrain (H/T), and there’s also Light Truck (L/T) construction – each with its own strengths and compromises, depending on the kind of driving you have in store.

“The main difference between Highway Terrain, All Terrain and Mud Terrain tyres is the intended purpose,” said Jon Tamblyn, national technical field services and solutions development manager at Bridgestone Australia. “Each application has different characteristics, so the decision as to which way to go should depend on how you intend on using your 4x4.”