For episode two of our Jeep Beach series, we talk with the Hankook team about their Dynapro line of overland and off-road tires. This includes their popular Dynapro MT, Dynapro XT, and Dynapro AT2 Extreme models.
Presented by Hankook Dynapro Tire
How to Select a Mud Tire for Overlanding:
- A mild mud pattern will serve most travelers, as highway manners are still a consideration.
- Select a mud tire with siping on the tread face for improved wet rock and road traction.
- A chamfered lug profile will reduce mud retention and improve lug integrityShoulder lugs will increase traction in ruts and also reduce sidewall punctures
- Look for mud and store ejectors between the side lugs
- Favor a taller, narrower tire for muddy conditions
- Mud tires also excel in most rocky conditions, due to the mechanical keying between the large lugs and irregularities in the rocks surface
- Use a Light Truck tire (LT) with a two or three ply sidewall and a load rating appropriate to your curb weight
- Due to the lug spacing, mud tires produce more road noise than a typical all-terrain, which can increase driver fatigue
- Mud tires will typically have longer stopping distances on the road, particularly in wet conditions
- Mud tires also reduce fuel economy (and ultimately range) due to increased rolling resistance and weight over an all-terrain
- Mud tires will have a shorter tread wear life than a typical all-terrain
How to Select an All-Terrain Tire for Overlanding:
- Select a tire that favors being taller than wider. This means choosing a tire with a 70-80% aspect ratio for a 17 inch rim (75-85% for a 16″ wheel). A narrower tire reduces rolling and wind resistance and the taller aspect ratio improves ground clearance.
- Select a slightly more open lug pattern to improve mud evacuation and stone ejection.
- A chamfered profile will improve lug integrity and also reduce stone/mud retention.
- Select an all-terrain with a light truck rating (LT) and two or three sidewall plies for durability. Ensure the load rating matches your GVWR.
- Find an all-terrain with a three-peak mountain-snowflake rating for winter conditions. This will also improve wet pavement-stopping performance.
- Avoid focusing only on tread life, as the longest-lived ATs will have a much harder rubber compound and less adhesion on pavement and dry rock.
- Staged and sound-tuned lug profiles significantly reduce noise and fatigue for long trips.
- Look for all-terrains with shoulder lugs to help improve side lug integrity and increase traction in mud and ruts.
- All-terrain tires are more likely to pack with mud and clay.
How to Select a Hybrid (XT) Tire for Overlanding:
- A hybrid tire is all about versatility, so choose a model that balances characteristics of both all-terrain and mud tires, providing attributes for various terrains, from rock obstacles to muddy trails.
- Aspect Ratio: Opt for a tire with a taller aspect ratio (70-80%) to enhance ground clearance while maintaining a narrower profile to improve fuel economy and ensure that the tire tucks up into the wheel well.
- Look for a more aggressive shoulder lug pattern that allows for effective mud evacuation and stone ejection, making it suitable for both wet and dry conditions.
- A chamfered lug profile will enhance the integrity of the lugs and minimize mud retention, ensuring consistent performance in varying terrains. Stone ejector bars will also help prevent small rocks from wedging into the space between the lugs.
- Select a tire with a Light Truck (LT) rating and two or three sidewall plies for increased durability. Ensure the load rating aligns with your vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
- Low driver fatigue is important in overlanding, so look for tires with staged and sound-tuned lug profiles, which can significantly reduce road noise and vibration during long trips.
- Be aware that hybrid tires are heavier compared to all-terrain tires, potentially affecting fuel economy and range.
- While hybrid tires may not offer the longest tread life, they provide a good balance between durability and traction, making them suitable for diverse overlanding adventures.
- Look for siping on the tread face to improve traction on wet rocks and pavement, enhancing overall grip in a variety of weather conditions.
- The hallmark of an XT tire is utility, striking the balance between noise and comfort and off-highway performance. The hybrid tire is quickly becoming the option of choice for overlanders planning to cross continents or encounter a wide variety of terrain conditions.
