The great thing about owning a truck or a Jeep is that you can use them both on-road and off-road. So during the week, you can use it to commute to work and get around town. And on the weekend, you can use it to explore the backcountry and take the roads less traveled.
In order to do that, though, you need a proper set of off-road wheels. And picking up a set of off-road tires is easier said than done. There are a lot of different factors and a lot of specifications that make offroad truck wheels difficult to choose.
Luckily, we’ve simplified the process of choosing the best tires for your vehicle, and the type of terrain you ride on. Read on below for some wheel selection tips now.
How Will You Use Wheels for Offroading?
Before you buy, you need to know how you will be using the wheels the majority of the time. Will you get 4×4 wheels specifically for offroading, and switch back to road tires during the week when you are running errands around town?
Or are you getting one set of wheels to handle all of your driving needs? If so, will they be primarily on-road wheels, with the ability to occasionally go offroad?
When buying wheels, you need to be honest about how you’re going to use them, and buy accordingly.
If you’ll be primarily on-road, you’ll want an all-terrain tire, a general-purpose solution that won’t offer maximum performance offroad but will handle the basics of pavement and mud.
Understand Your Local Terrain
Wheels are built with a specific terrain in mind. If you’re exploring trails in the Midwest and plan on riding around in the spring, after the snow has melted, and trails are soggy and muddy, you’ll want a set of tires that can eject the mud to prevent it from making up your tread.
If you’re in the Southwest, where you’ll be in dry, rocket terrain, you’ll want tires that are extra tough, that can crawl across the grit of stone piles and hard-packed dirt.
If you’re in Australia, you’re generally going to experience different terrain and conditions than you would in the US. If so, you’ll want to shop at an Australian-specific retailer, such as https://www.ozzytyres.com.au/news/4×4-mag-wheels-for-sale/.
Important Factors of Off-Road Wheels
So what are the factors to consider when you’re at the tire shop? The rubber material used to make the tire is one of the most important. Soft material allows the tire to flex more, helping it grip in wet and muddy conditions.
Along with that, the tread pattern is very important. Off-road tires have larger tread space, which creates better grip and debris ejection. The tradeoff is that these tires are louder on the pavement.
And size will also be a big factor. In general, you want bigger tires, but not so big that you experience tire rub. A balance between all of these factors will help you create the perfect off-road experience.
Choosing the Right Wheels
Off-road wheels are much more complex to choose from than standard wheels for your passenger vehicle. For pavement-based vehicles, tires come in standard styles to maximize fuel efficiency and limit road noise.
But when you head off-road, everything changes, and many different factors come into play. It’s best if you can speak with those who know the terrain you plan on riding, who can make the best recommendations for your area.
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