I love the versatility, durability, and all-round functionality of BFGoodrich All-terrains, and over the past four years, I’ve put almost 100,000 miles on them (two sets). However, they’re not without drawbacks, and I’ve often wondered why manufacturers don’t produce more tires that strike a middle-ground between road and all-terrain performance. A tire that’s quiet and fuel-efficient on the highway but will also hold up to off-piste weekend adventures. The new Trail-Terrain T/A Tire promises just that and could be a fantastic option for overland trips that don’t stray far from tarmac or gravel roads.
The Trail-Terrain T/A tire uses a tread compound engineered to resist chipping and tearing. A serrated shoulder design is optimized for soft soil traction in light off-pavement situations whilst not compromising road noise. Furthermore, it promises “severe-snow performance” with full-depth 3D-locking sipes and a three-peak mountain snowflake rating. The central tread pattern is not completely dissimilar to my BFGoodrich All-terrains but is less aggressive and transitions to a more tarmac-friendly design towards the sidewalls. The serrated shoulder does look purposeful, and I’m intrigued to see how these tires perform when things get technical. The Trail-Terrain enjoys a 60,000-mile warranty and a 60-day satisfaction guarantee.
BFGoodrich Brand Director Stephen Peters states, “Over the past decade, growth in outdoor recreation has led to significant demand for AWD-equipped CUVs, SUVs, and trucks. Vehicle manufacturers and consumers are demanding vehicles that give them light off-pavement capability while still maintaining fuel economy. The BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain tire fills a void in our current portfolio and is purposefully built for these consumers who want on-road-focused performance with light off-pavement adventure capability.”
I think BFGoodrich Trail-Terrains will be a big hit, and whilst only time will tell how they perform long-term, I couldn’t agree more with their official statement. All-terrains are fantastic, but most of the time, you only require a fraction of their performance, yet all the while endure their added road noise and fuel usage. The Trail-Terrain offers a brilliant compromise, and if they deliver on their promises, I can see these being a popular choice among overlanders.
$ varies | bfgoodrichtires.com
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