Looking for a better clearing M/T tire

[DeepSouthTJ]

I mainly wheel on trails with lots of thick clay mud with occasional rocky sections. While the Jeep isn’t a daily, it does see it’s fair share of errands and it is driven to and from the trail (usually 2 hours, but up to 8).

I’ve run Goodyear MT/R Kevlars and Cooper STT Pros in the past and while both did ok, I’m looking for something with better self cleaning. I’m fine with giving up some road manners so long as I can still make it to the 4x4 parks just fine. But I don’t want to lose any traction on the rocks, and I want a tire that will air down properly with my relatively light Jeep (~3600lbs). I’m looking for a 33” tire, bonus points for 33x10.50.

Thanks for any help.

 

[AMS417]

If you are in heavy sticky clay mud a lot you probably will need to go to something beyond a typical MT tread. Most standard name brand tires have features similar to the BFG KM3 pictured below. BFG uses what they call a "Mud Phobic Bar" to break the suction of the mud and help it clean out. Goodyear and Cooper both use a similar tread feature, as do most quality tire makers. Beyond that you could look at some enthusiast focused brands with super aggressive tread like Interco. All tires are a compromise. If you want more mud traction and better cleaning, you will have to give up something. Road manners, longevity, noise, wear, and rock traction will be part of that.

 

[Wildman]

Even big lugged TSL Swampers get clogged up with mud.

And I have a V-8 to spin those tires too.

All I can suggest is that you find a tire you like and then run it. I've had good luck with the Toyo M/T's also but they will slick up in the right kind of mud.

 

[Rick Flair]

I mainly wheel on trails with lots of thick clay mud with occasional rocky sections. While the Jeep isn’t a daily, it does see it’s fair share of errands and it is driven to and from the trail (usually 2 hours, but up to 8).
I’ve run Goodyear MT/R Kevlars and Cooper STT Pros in the past and while both did ok, I’m looking for something with better self cleaning. I’m fine with giving up some road manners so long as I can still make it to the 4x4 parks just fine. But I don’t want to lose any traction on the rocks, and I want a tire that will air down properly with my relatively light Jeep (~3600lbs). I’m looking for a 33” tire, bonus points for 33x10.50.
Thanks for any help.

If you can’t spin them fast, nothing will clean out.


Interco might be your best bet with a hot knife if you they don’t clean like you want. Clay is the worst!! Good luck!!!

 

[Goatman]

I have tractors that can load up the rear tires in heavy clay mud. Nothing sticks like clay. As said, only wheel speed can clear out that stuff. And even spinning at full throttle (25mph-ish) I've had clay stay loaded up for a good 1/2 mile before it would let go.

 

[SvtLdr]

If you are in heavy sticky clay mud a lot you probably will need to go to something beyond a typical MT tread. Most standard name brand tires have features similar to the BFG KM3 pictured below. BFG uses what they call a "Mud Phobic Bar" to break the suction of the mud and help it clean out. Goodyear and Cooper both use a similar tread feature, as do most quality tire makers. Beyond that you could look at some enthusiast focused brands with super aggressive tread like Interco. All tires are a compromise. If you want more mud traction and better cleaning, you will have to give up something. Road manners, longevity, noise, wear, and rock traction will be part of that.

View attachment 153393

I'm really happy with my KM3's, I feel they do a good job of clearing themselves. I had KM2's previously, those tires were really good also. The KM3 is certainly better in all aspects and they're available in 33x10.5R15.

As mentioned above, the right kind of mud will gum-up even the very best tires in the wrong circumstances.

 

[Wildman]

Here is Interco TSL SX-II tires in a 33x9.50x15

https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/super...4347&cjevent=3d4d2d0380c111ea80fb008e0a1c0e14

 

[pagrey]

I've always thougth this was a good test by 4wheeler

http://www.jkfreaks.com/forums/show...R-NETWORK-(Massive-Mud-Tire-Shootout-Results)

Unfortunately you have to read each tire summary to get the answer. I think it all means you need a high void mud-terrain to work in mud. Modern tires like the BFG Mud have always been pretty poor in mud. It only got worse with the KM, KM2 and KM3. Goodyear seems to be one of the few honest mfgs around if you could call it that, at least they have fine print that says, sorry not mud terrain, maximum traction. Don't know if thats really honest or complete scum-baggery. Mud phobic bars, equal portion of bull. Allot of these modern tires have built the mud terrain name into a general purpose tire category after the original BFG mud sucess. They realized people wanted a great all aroud tire that looked good, worked on the freeway and weren't too concerned about the whole mud part.

High void tire just means lots of space between the lugs. If you read the fine print in the articles about tires I linked to above you'll see that tires like the Pit Bull Rocker LT Radial and the Super Swamper did the best in the thick stuff. You have to ignore the overall ratings and read how each tire did in the muck. Personally I run the Nankang Mudstar which is a high void mud terrain, a copy of the Buckshot Mudder. It's not great in mud but better overall than most new low void tires in just about anything. We've moved into the youtube tirerack generation and the term mud terrain tire doesn't really mean the same thing it used to. Sorry for the wall of text but beware folks selling KM3s and MTRs for mud.

 

[MutantNinjaTJ]

Modern tires like the BFG Mud have always been pretty poor in mud. It only got worse with the KM, KM2 and KM3.

I disagree, My KM3's clear the clay mud pretty well and I've never been stuck yet and I've tried, I want to use my winch at some point.

 

[Wildman]

I disagree, My KM3's clear the clay mud pretty well and I've never been stuck yet and I've tried, I want to use my winch at some point.

Well you are lucky then.... I seem to find those mud pits that look so unsuspecting at first and then BAHM I'm buried to my doors....

 

[LONGJP2]

A little less aggressive, but more all around. Trxus MT

https://www.intercotire.com/tire/102

 

[OHFIVETJ]

Even big lugged TSL Swampers get clogged up with mud.

View attachment 153395

And I have a V-8 to spin those tires too.

View attachment 153396

All I can suggest is that you find a tire you like and then run it. I've had good luck with the Toyo M/T's also but they will slick up in the right kind of mud.

QUICKSAND ..................

 

[DeepSouthTJ]

I’ve been considering getting some Super Swamper TSLs for the really mucky days but using some KO2s for around town and the dry trail days.

Should I go for bias plys or radials? I hear Interco’s radials leave something to be desired, but I’m afraid the bias plys wouldn’t flex enough for my relatively light Jeep (~3600lbs). I’ve heard a few cases of bias plys at 5 psi and still driving like they’re at street pressure.

Wheel speed hasn’t really been cleaning my tires as well as I’d like. Sometimes it helps, but nothing sticks like this Louisiana clay. It’s a terrible combination of hard, slick, and sticky haha.

 

[JMT]

Call Interco, and don't forget to check their blem list.

 

[Wildman]

I’ve been considering getting some Super Swamper TSLs for the really mucky days but using some KO2s for around town and the dry trail days.

Should I go for bias plys or radials? I hear Interco’s radials leave something to be desired, but I’m afraid the bias plys wouldn’t flex enough for my relatively light Jeep (~3600lbs). I’ve heard a few cases of bias plys at 5 psi and still driving like they’re at street pressure.

Wheel speed hasn’t really been cleaning my tires as well as I’d like. Sometimes it helps, but nothing sticks like this Louisiana clay. It’s a terrible combination of hard, slick, and sticky haha.

The only tires I have experienced not getting flex out of them was the Thornbirds which were on a rig when I bought it. All the other TSL's I've used have flexed. I've always ran biased ply TSL's and have never tried their radials out.

 

[AndrewLJR]

Having wheeled in NC I know what you're referring to. Clay is definitely a bitch. At the time, ran Kevlars, TSLs, KM2s, Stt Pro's and they all got gummed up. About the only tires I saw handle it well, its Pitbulls. KM2s were the worst of the bunch, have zero clue as to why people like them so much. Kevlars were next which surprised me as I had great luck when I was in NY wheeling.

Id strongly suggest Pitbulls if you want a tire to do both. TSLs are brutal on the road, absolutely brutal

 

[pagrey]

I disagree, My KM3's clear the clay mud pretty well and I've never been stuck yet and I've tried, I want to use my winch at some point.

I cut down a tree with a swiss army knife, that doesn't mean it's a great tool for the job.
I have a feeling if you ran a real mud tire you'd understand. I don't know your situation but plenty of people that have only run KO2s beyond street tires lecture me about how full of awesome they are. If you've run a real MT and the KM3 compares I'd be interested to hear.

 

[Rick Flair]

The only tires I have experienced not getting flex out of them was the Thornbirds which were on a rig when I bought it. All the other TSL's I've used have flexed. I've always ran biased ply TSL's and have never tried their radials out.

This was my experience as well, with bias iroks, super soft and flexed out great.

 

[DeepSouthTJ]

...Id strongly suggest Pitbulls if you want a tire to do both. TSLs are brutal on the road, absolutely brutal

Unfortunately pit bull doesn’t offer a 33” Rocker. If they did, I’d seriously consider them.

 

[Wildman]

Unfortunately pit bull doesn’t offer a 33” Rocker. If they did, I’d seriously consider them.

I feel your pain.... They use to offer a 37X13.5X16.5 in bias but don't anymore. I don't know anyone who has ran their radials either so it's hard to want to take a chance on $550 tires. I'm looking at some 36" Swampers when my current tires wear out.