When choosing an off road vehicle there are literally thousands of options out there for you to choose from, whether you want a tough ‘mud-plugger’ or a crossover you are very well catered for. One huge factor in your decision should always be the frequency at which you use the vehicle off-road and how much capability you actually require. One of the most common mistakes that people make is buying a vehicle that, despite being a 4×4, is not designed for heavy off-road use and can quickly become stuck.
The problem with these vehicles usually doesn’t lie with the drive train or all wheel drive system but in the tyres that are utilised. In order to ensure that they also work on the road, manufacturers generally fit tyres that are more suited to use on the tarmac, and don’t necessarily provide the required grip when the going gets slippery. To make sure that you aren’t at risk of getting stuck we have put together this list of a few things to make sure your tyres have before taking them off-road.
Tread depth
It seems obvious but the tread depth has a massive impact on how well the vehicle can cross difficult terrain. Water and sludge are dispersed into the deep treads of the tyre allowing the protruding tread to dig down and find more traction, therefore keeping you moving.
Tall profile
To give your tyres that best possible amount of grip they will need to be able to flex and react to the terrain. A tyre with a taller sidewall allows more flex; typically an off-road tyre will have a minimum profile of around 70% of the width of the tyre. A taller profile also allows you to use them at low pressure which increases the footprint and therefore grip of the tyre.
Reinforcement
One hazard that has left many an off-road enthusiast stuck is the dreaded pointy rock; they are the enemy and will happily puncture your tyres. Specialist tyres often have a Kevlar belt built into the tyre which prevents rocks from being able to puncture the tyre.
So if the tyres on your current 4×4 aren’t really cutting the mustard then why not get yourself some upgraded ones that are a little more capable. If you make sure that your tyres have these 3 factors in abundance then it will take some seriously rugged terrain to block your path.
Here at CWS 4×4 we are specialists in providing a huge range of 4×4 parts and are committed to helping you keep going when the going gets tough. If you are looking for that hard-to-find part for your 4×4 then don’t hesitate to contact us today and we will be happy to help.