Let’s take a look at wheels. You might think wheels are purely style, but there’s more here than meets the eye. One important factor is size. If off-road performance is important to you, then consider sticking to your stock diameter size (or slightly smaller) wheels. These will allow for tires with larger side profiles, which deform much better than low-profile tires when underinflated, boosting your off-road grip.
Additionally, some wheel manufacturers like Method, Vision, and others offer beadlock versions of their wheels. For vehicles that only see off-road use, these are a strong buy, as they pinch the tire bead much tighter, offering drivers much lower deflation ranges than normal wheels. Other brands, like ICON Alloys, have versions of their wheels with INNERLOCK technology that perform similar to beadlocks.
Tires, meanwhile, do the heavy lifting when it comes down to it. But not all tires are made the same. Rather, they’re differentiated by class—all-terrain, hybrid, and mud-terrain.
All-terrains strike a balance between off-road and on-road performance, leaning a bit more toward the latter. They’re well-known for having less road noise and better grip on asphalt, while still performing adequately in off-road environments. They also wear out less quickly than their counterparts, making them ideal for vehicles that pull double duty as a daily driver and off-road machine.
Hybrids push the needle more toward off-road. These tires might not have the mileage warranty of all-terrains, but their wider tread blocks, aggressive sidewalls, and large shoulder blocks work wonders for off-roading.
Last but not least, there are mud-terrains. These represent the pinnacle of off-road performance. They typically use shoulder blocks that go over-the-shoulder, which come in handy for snow and mud. They also feature large voids between tread blocks, which keep the tire in contact with the terrain at all times.
As you search for the right set of wheels and tires, you might come across other products to help out: air compressors, tire deflators, and rock rings, just to name a few. As always, our knowledgeable staff at Off Road Warehouse will point you in the right direction. What’s more, we offer mounting, balancing, and alignment services for full-spectrum support. So stop by any of our locations or give us a call today!
