The impossible tire question

[Quicklybroken]

I know this is always discussed and many opinions, but I just can't decide so looking for some feedback.
I ordered a 2021 Sport S Max Tow. I will be adding a 2 inch lift in spring. I am going back and forth between two tire options. Kanati Trail Hog and Mud HOG 35x12.50r17. I live in Northern,IN and will hopefully be off roading a decent amount but will also spend time on road. I like the aggressive look of mud, but obvious on road benefits of trail hog for weather, sounds, etc. I then worry that the trail hog wont perform well when off roading and maybe worth driving mud hogs even on road. Please give advice, heckle, etc... pretty set on Kanati as I have read good reviews and my neighbor has mud hogs and really likes them.

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[dcmdon]

Have you driven a jeep in mud tires on the highway?

I am coming from a car and test drove a Willys on mud tires and it was unbearable.

I switched to a Mojave on AT tires and it was fine.

I'd suggest you go to the dealer you bought your jeep from and drive a Willys, Mojave, or Rubicon on mudders and go from there. Also keeping in mind that your aftermarket mud tires will probably drive worse than the factory ones.

 

[kevman65]

A TRUE mud tire sucks on the road, always has, always will. They are loud, they track every crack and tar seam. They are a pain to balance and keep balanced. They get hard when cold and ride like crap. They don't clear snow like they clear mud.

The MT's that come on Rubicons, and most other MT's that are advertised as good on the road are hybrids compared to the True MT.

Afterthought; If you want/need MT's for your offroading up there, consider a second set of cheap steel wheels, mount your MT's to them, switch sets when you KNOW you're going offroad. That way when you bounce off the hidden stumps and rocks in the mud, the steelies are easier and cheaper to fix.

 

[HorneyBadger]

The AT's are better all around. MT's are great in mud but lack in rain/snow. Unless you will be offroad alot in the mud then the AT's are a better choice.

 

[kevman65]

The AT's are better all around. MT's are great in mud but lack in rain/snow. Unless you will be offroad alot in the mud then the AT's are a better choice.

Up where he's at, you can go from soupy mud to sticky mud in less than 50 feet. The AT's would plug solid and they suck clearing cloying mud.

 

[bcurtman]

I have the Trail Hawgs and so far so good. Only been on for 2 weeks but my wife daily drives the JT and she has not complained of tire noise. We are running about 32 psi for what its worth and the ride is good as well. These are a 10 ply tire, so great for us as we live on a gravel road where 4 plys die and most 6 plys get several repairs a year. Tire shop had 45 psi in them when I drove it home and dropping the pressure made it ride noticeably better.
WalMart had the best price on these, but be warned, they looked at the sticker in my door and refused to mount the 35's. Didnt mention the wheel width, which I thought would be the issue. She said "since this vehicle doesnt call for an LT tire, we cant mount them".

 

[NateKY]

I have had Trail Hawgs (315/70/R17 on factory wheels) on for 30K miles. I have had them clog up and not clean one time. It was on a pretty steep hill that was just slick with thick mud. I had to lock in the front and back axels with backing down the hill to get a running start multiple times. This was the only time that I have had an issue with them. I have had them on rocks and loose packed stuff with zero issues. They aren't quiet but nothing that the radio can't take cover up. Trail Hawg has a lot sipping just like the Duratac and they are great in wet and snowy conditions.

All that being said, I may go with the Mud Hawgs when these wear out.

 

[bcurtman]

By the way, see my signature. We dont do mud. So my input for a "mud" tire will always be useless. I have tractors for mud.

 

[brianinca]

I've gotten several sets of tires from Walmart, never did take a vehicle to them, just dropped off the wheels. Didn't realize they were that sticky about things!

I have the Trail Hawgs and so far so good. Only been on for 2 weeks but my wife daily drives the JT and she has not complained of tire noise. We are running about 32 psi for what its worth and the ride is good as well. These are a 10 ply tire, so great for us as we live on a gravel road where 4 plys die and most 6 plys get several repairs a year. Tire shop had 45 psi in them when I drove it home and dropping the pressure made it ride noticeably better.
WalMart had the best price on these, but be warned, they looked at the sticker in my door and refused to mount the 35's. Didnt mention the wheel width, which I thought would be the issue. She said "since this vehicle doesnt call for an LT tire, we cant mount them".

 

[brianinca]

I have been assured by many posts here that the lockers on the Rubicon are unnecessary and just for show. You have been warned!

I have had Trail Hawgs (315/70/R17 on factory wheels) on for 30K miles. I have had them clog up and not clean one time. It was on a pretty steep hill that was just slick with thick mud. I had to lock in the front and back axels with backing down the hill to get a running start multiple times. This was the only time that I have had an issue with them. I have had them on rocks and loose packed stuff with zero issues. They aren't quiet but nothing that the radio can't take cover up. Trail Hawg has a lot sipping just like the Duratac and they are great in wet and snowy conditions.

All that being said, I may go with the Mud Hawgs when these wear out.

 

[bcurtman]

I have been assured by many posts here that the lockers on the Rubicon are unnecessary and just for show. You have been warned!

Not a clue as to what that means....

 

[Renegade]

I have been assured by many posts here that the lockers on the Rubicon are unnecessary and just for show. You have been warned!

Huh?

 

[NateKY]

Huh?

Not a clue as to what that means....

I think I understand what he is trying to say. There are numerous posts on here saying the Rubicon lockers are only useful if you rock crawl or wheel at very slow speeds. I my situation the lockers were vital to me getting up a slick muddy hill at a moderate speed. For the record, due to the lack of other vehicles or a tractor, if it wasn't for the lockers, I would have had to leave the truck at the bottom of the hill until it dried up. There were several spots that I wasn't sure the lockers would even get me out.

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