Exploring the outdoors is a well-loved pastime for many. However, there are only so many times you can pick up your hiking pack and pitch a tent before you yearn for a new perspective on your favorite places. The Sierra is a beautiful area to explore with your own two feet, but what about with four wheels?
Off-roading is an exhilarating experience for those who dare to try it. While most people go about their days driving from work to school to home and back again, some want more out of their time in an automobile. If you love a good adventure, you should know these tips for choosing the best tires for off-roading. That way, you’ll never get stuck in the mud again.
Set Your Time Expectations
Everyone says they want to off-road, but how many take the time to do it? Start the tire selection process by being honest with yourself and setting realistic expectations. Will you mostly be driving to and from work, or will you hit the mud every other day? Questions like this will give you a better understanding of what you need when choosing tires.
Anticipate Your Extremes
When you go off-roading, you need your tires to hold up under the stress and conditions you put them through. To select the best tires, anticipate the most extreme off-roading experience you will likely endure. Will you traverse a snow-covered valley with hidden rocks and patches of ice? Or will you drive across desert trails and rocky outcrops? Depending on the weather and terrain extremes, you will need different tire treads and durability.
Remember Size and Height
Off-roading tires are becoming larger and larger, owing to the benefits of increased ground clearance. While your first instinct may be to find the biggest, baddest tire, you should think about your wheel well. Your vehicle has constraints on how sizeable an off-roading tire it can manage. Many tires outgrow the size of an SUV wheel well and will cause tire rub on turns. You could lift your car higher, but that may be unnecessary if you find larger tires that still fit.
If you spot the signs you need new tires, it’s time to reconsider the type of tread you use. Remember these tips for choosing the best tires for off-roading as you look for a new set of wheels. Take a few measurements yourself, and bring the rest to a professional who can take you from the street to the Sierra in no time.