Toughest sidewall tire?

B

barshnik

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Oct 13, 2004
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My 255x70x16 GY MTR's are pretty torn up after 2 years of NV rock, granite, shale, etc. I've decided to go 265x75x16 (well, maybe 245x75 depending on comments for our driving conditions), but want the toughest sidewalls possible - that is where the MTR's are showing many cuts / chunks, although they are still hanging in there.

What brand (size for that matter) with stock alloy rims & OME 2" lift for the absolute toughest sidewalls, and an aggresive tread. I know this has been beat to death, but I've got somewhat unique conditions with our extremely sharp granite & shale mining roads - no snow, almost no mud, some loose sand. Please advise, I really appreciate it.

John F
LV, NV
TT's front & rear
'01 D2
 
p m

p m

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most likely, Interco Swampers... You may want a bias-ply tire for that.
Other than that, Michelin XZL are pretty darn tough. Also, you can try... forklift tires (not on the highway, though).
 
SCSL

SCSL

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Apr 27, 2005
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p m said:
most likely, Interco Swampers...
Click to expand...

x2. I'm looking at the SSRs for my next set. Siped down the middle. Deep lugs, deepr than the Trxs Swampers. Wheeled w/ a Disco running these tires last 2 weekends & they seemed to hook up very easy on rocks. That being said, most of the rock-rigs I see out here run MTRs. MTRs have the most side-wall tread, for what it's worth. Those side-wall treads run almost 1/2 way to the bead,,,
 
p m

p m

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keep in mind that this sidewall tread, while helping on big smooth rocks, catches up on small and sharp ones commonly found in Colorado. If you air down, that's a perfect way to bust a sidewall.

The simpler approach is... pump'em up to the gills, and they'll live.
 
SCSL

SCSL

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Apr 27, 2005
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Good point.
But,,, if you air 'em up you bounce hard off the rocks & don't get the traction,,,
 
Ho

Ho

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bigred said:
How about the Trxus MT? 8 ply in that size, 10 ply in larger sizes:
Trxus
Click to expand...

ok, ply mumbling:

ply rating and actual number of plies. how do they differ?

how about a tire that has a 3-ply sidewall, versus a tire that has 2. but if each ply of the 3-ply tire is thinner, then could the 2-ply tire be stronger?

or is this just something to play with our heads? and none of that matters?
 
B

barshnik

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Oct 13, 2004
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I do air down everytime out, Stauns are set to 15psi. To be honest, I do it more for the comfort factor than added traction, keeps the beer from losing fizz so fast. Yes, the MTR's have been good to me, but think I've decided to give the Firestone Destination M/t's a try - called around, and $250 cheaper for the set than MTR's. Sidewall specs are comparable, but I notice the MTR's are 7 lbs. heavier per tire than the MT's, which has me wondering a little. I've heard enough good things about the Firestones to give it a shot though.

I'd use bias plys if I was into rock crawling, but for general desert offroad ranging from plain dirt to loose shale with occasional medium (basketball size) rocks with some loose sand thrown in, I think I'm better off with radials.

Anything bad to say about the Firestones M/T's? Thanks,

John F
LV, NV
 
draaronr

draaronr

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Apr 20, 2004
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p m said:
most likely, Interco Swampers... You may want a bias-ply tire for that.
Other than that, Michelin XZL are pretty darn tough. Also, you can try... forklift tires (not on the highway, though).
Click to expand...

I love the swampers and agree with the xzls Michelin also makes a 10ply in a 265 just not as aggressive of a tread, not sure on the forklift, for that matter why don't you take your tires and fill them with foam like on tractors, then you don't have to worry about a puncture.
 
mightymg

mightymg

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Mar 6, 2005
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IM a new fan of the truxus MTs, ive had KOS, MTs, MTRs, BIG foot MTs, and all of them have been run at or around 10 lbs in moab( except the trxus), and i would rate the them in this order

BFG MT
MTR
BFG KO
BIG foot MT
 
mr_katanga

mr_katanga

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Apr 15, 2005
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In a sauna
keep in mind that this sidewall tread, while helping on big smooth rocks, catches up on small and sharp ones commonly found in Colorado. If you air down, that's a perfect way to bust a sidewall.
Click to expand...

True, but in most of these situations, this will happen with a smooth sidewall as well. I think that the extra tread may provide a bit more thickness for the rock to pass through. But hey, I know nothing about sidewall blowouts, right Steven?
 
SCSL

SCSL

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Apr 27, 2005
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My friend, you win the annual "most-freaky-blow-out-on-weird-off-camber-angle :eek: -on-steep-ass-hill-climb" award ! I think you left a crater! :D
 
mr_katanga

mr_katanga

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Apr 15, 2005
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In a sauna
well, when it comes down to it, I think that TSL's or some big bias ply swamper or the like would be a good choice for you to go to. They have lots of traction, are strong, and seem to do well with rock, both in climbing and in resisting punctures. Like SCSL said, Karen's disco just seems to walk up stuff with those things, with virtually no spin or drama...
 
Z

zeeto

Guest
Ron said:
1. Michelin XL/XCL/XZL
2. Swamper SX/bogger bias ply TSL
3. BFG crawler
4. BFG AT/MT
5. GY MTR
Click to expand...

I'd put the Michelin XMLs, just above the XL/XZL.

And, XCL is the exact same tire as an XL only XCL is the Euro spec...
 
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