Topic: MTs vs. ATs

[chrisfranklin]

Say you are looking at 31" BFG ATs vs 31" BFG MTs for a stock YJ.

Thought I heard/read that with MTs and ATs of the same size, the MTs are going to actually measure larger.  If true, does this vary with the brand? 

[jcsanders79]

The BFG all measure smaller than the claimed size, about 32" for a 33" tire.  Superswampers run pretty true though.

[neale_rs]

The BFG MTs are a bit taller.  This seems to be true for many brands, it may be due to having deeper tread on the mud tires.

[Jeffy]

For most tires brands, you'll get two sizes for any one particular size.  So if the tire is labeled 33.12.5R15, you will get around 32.3-5" for and 32.5-7" for an MT.  The MT's will always be taller then the AT's by a smidgen.  Now when you compare radials to bias ply, the bias ply will be taller then stated.  At least this is true for Interco's.  One reason is because of their poor wear life.  My 34" TSL SS is 35" even.  You'll also get differences between brands as well.  Generally the more aggressive tires are taller.  Oversized car tires are usually shorter.

Keep in mind that height will also change depending on the wheel used.  Narrower wheels will cause the tire to be pinched so if you measure a 12.5" wide tire on a 8" wheel, it will be a bit taller then if it was on a 10" wheel.

Although if you're just going with oversized car tires like what many so called SUV's run then there won't be much of a difference.

[brian674]

So what tire would be better for light wheeling, mostly mud, and then lots of street driving?

[Jeffy]

So what tire would be better for light wheeling, mostly mud, and then lots of street driving?

Cost wise, it's still hard to beat BFG AT's.

[jcsanders79]

Cost wise, it's still hard to beat BFG AT's.

I agree.  My buddy has the AT's on his truck.  He has 65,000 on them and will most likely get another 3-5 K out of them.  Mine are holdin up well too.

[oldjeep]

Cost wise, it's still hard to beat BFG AT's.

Mickey Thompson MTZ is a decent compromise tire.

Mostly mud and AT's don't make much sense.
Here's what a BFG AT looks like in mud - notice how there doesn't appear to be much muck flying, because AT's don't clean out.

[Mozman68]

I have to say, I've been quite happy with the wear on my Dick Cepak AT's....but they do squat in the mud...and are just so-so in the snow.  I think the Interco Trxus MT's I'm putting on next month will suit me much better.

[jfrabat]

Typically, the better the tire is on the street, the worse it is on mud and vice versa.  A good mud tire will (like Swampers, for example) is ussually louder than a WWII bomber, and a good street tire will ussually have no traction whatsoever in mud. 

So the best compromise will depend on what you want to do, how often you expect to be on pavement and off it, what your noise tolerance is, and what you like as far as looks.  This is a subject that has no correct answer, as people's uses and tastes are different...

Having said that, the best tire I have heard about for mixed use is the BFG MT, but again, that is subject to the tastes and preferences of the user.  In my case, I am planning on putting a set of 33 BFG MT in my rig in about a year...  Until then, I plan to keep on rolling on my 31s HT to wear them out a bit more.

Felipe

[Jeffy]

For 90% street or more and light wheeling, I'd still go with the BFG AT's.  They're relitively inexpensive but also a quality tire.  They may not be as good if you're doing more then light wheeling, but you've got to make compromises.  Otherwise, use two sets of dedicated tires.

If you go with something like a BFG MT, you'll be sacraficing some street handling and life.

[jfrabat]

For 90% street or more and light wheeling, I'd still go with the BFG AT's.  They're relitively inexpensive but also a quality tire.  They may not be as good if you're doing more then light wheeling, but you've got to make compromises.  Otherwise, use two sets of dedicated tires.

If you go with something like a BFG MT, you'll be sacraficing some street handling and life.

AND mpg...  The more aggresive the tire, the less mpg you get.  Also important to consider.

[Jeffy]

AND mpg...  The more aggresive the tire, the less mpg you get.  Also important to consider.

That would be more dependent on size, and weight more then tread design.

[jwalls4x4]

That would be more dependent on size, and weight more then tread design.

Size and weight are important, but there are hysteresis losses due to tread "squirm" in aggressive tires.  Theoretically for max mpg you would only buy 50% used tires with street tread as the rubber in "broke in" tires exhibits less of this effect, but whats the fun in that?  That's for EV builders.

I love my BFG ATs and they sound like a good fit for your driving.  If you use enough skinny pedal, they clean out...most of the time (maybe not the best of advice ).  They are quiet and behave well on the street, but I think I'm going to put a set of baby swampies on mine next go round   For some reason, I love loud tires   I miss my Mud Rovers my Bronco had.

[Mozman68]

C'mon...no AT's will look as hot as these once they are on my rig...