Every SUV Owner's Quick Guide to Mud Terrain Tires

Are you looking for a decent set of mud terrain tires to fit perfectly into your truck or SUV? Or maybe you're considering whether you should get a set of all-terrain tires instead?

The choice ultimately depends on the type of trip you're planning on taking. If you're going on a trip that will take you to harsh and difficult terrain, then maybe a set of mud terrain tires will serve you better than all-terrain tires. After all, mud tires are designed to especially help you get out of sticky and muddy off road situations.

So the question remains, "Are mud terrain tires the right kind of tires you should be using for your next offroad adventure?"

We've put together this brief introduction to help you find out.

What Are Mud Terrain Tires?

Mud terrain tires are a type of tire often used off road. They're designed to be able to tread through extreme conditions involving mud, sand, or gravel. Most trucks and SUV tires are designed to be able to perform both on and off road. However, mud terrain tires are specifically designed to tackle those challenging off-road terrains.

For now, let's tackle some of the different parts of mud terrain tires that you should familiarize yourself with.

1. Tread Patterns and Tread Blocks

Mud terrain tires often make use of aggressive tread patterns. This is designed this particular way in order for the tires to be able to tear through that off-road terrain. These aggressive tread patterns are also designed for traction, and are more capable of grasping that rough terrain compared to other types of tires.

Other than the aggressive patterns, mud tires' treads are also particularly deep along with large sidewalls. This helps give them that edge against loose and risky terrain conditions.

2. Mud Ejectors

The great thing about mud ejectors, and what makes them effective at maintaining tracking and grip, is the existence of stone and mud ejectors. The way that these ejectors work is that they're able to clear out any mud, gunk, or debris that may catch-on and attach itself to your tires.

Mud ejectors are usually embedded in the treat voids to keep them from being lodged with gunk. These ejectors help keep the tread blocks clear, and allow them to escape so as to guarantee you a continued smooth ride without any hiccups.

3. Sidewall Lugs

Another feature that mud tires have over other types of tires is their sidewall lugs. Designed to help provide your vehicle with a little bit more added traction, these sidewalls generate that extra grip and allow them to further grab onto the terrain.

Are Mud Terrain Tires Alright for Daily Driving?

Mud terrain tires are often made specifically to suit the hard off-road terrain. Mud tires, specifically, are designed to be able to help keep your vehicle from getting stuck in the mud.

This means that mud terrain tires' composition is softer compared to other types of tires. The reason for this is traction. Mud tires have larger spaces between the treads. These larger gaps are designed that way so as to help clean out the mud between the tread blocks. Because if your tires aren't capable of clearing out that mud, then they'll literally be left spinning in place.

Now that we know that mud terrain tires are good off-road, does that mean that they're also suitable enough to be driven along the highway?

The short answer is: No, they're not.

How Long Do Mud Tires Last On the Road?

Because mud tires have softer treads that help them get better traction and grip in muddy situations, this softer tread isn't exactly the best fit for driving down roads or the highway. Instead, what will end up happening is that you'll be wearing down your tires' treads much faster than you intend.

That said, mud tires are usually given a lifespan of about 40,000 miles, whereas all-terrain tires usually come at around 50,000 miles.

The longevity of your mud tires all depends on the way that you use them. If you run them through roads and pavements more than you do on off-road conditions, then you're bound to wear them out faster than intended.

Mud Terrain Tires VS All-Terrain Tires

Now that we know that mud tires are designed specifically for off-road, the question is, "What about all-terrain tires?"

The answer to the question can be found in the name itself. All terrain vehicles are usually designed and meant to be able to perform well both on and off-road. This makes them more suitable for running on roads and highways, as well as on certain off-road surfaces. Many trucks and SUVs come already equipped with all-terrain tires, making them perfect for all sorts of travel straight out of the shop.

Of course, the main drawback of all-terrain tires are what one would expect of a jack-of-all-trades. They're a master of none. So while all-terrain tires can serve you both on and off-road, they aren't especially designed to offer the best performance in either one.

Mud terrain tires, on the other hand, are specifically built for harsh and extreme conditions. This makes them an ideal fit if your trip doesn't involve a lot (or any) roads on the way.

Do Mud Terrain Tires Have Better Fuel Economy?

Generally, one element that greatly affects fuel economy is the size of your tires. In essence, the lower the rolling resistance your tires have, the better fuel economy you'll experience.

Of course, rolling resistance is dependent on a number of factors, including air drag and road conditions. Rolling resistance also refers to the amount of force required to make your tires roll. A lesser rolling resistance means that your tires use up less effort to move the vehicle forward.

Choose Only the Right Type of Tires For Your Trips

All-terrain tires and mud terrain tires each have their strengths and weaknesses, their similarities and differences. What's important is that you now know the differences between the two, and can better distinguish and decide which type of tires will best suit your purpose.

That said, if you're ever in the market for a set of mud terrain tires, have a look at our store here on our website. We've got tires in different diameters and sizes, giving you ample enough choices to truly customize your ride and then take it out for a spin in the great outdoors.