How much of a difference does tread pattern make to off-road performance?
How about tire size?
Which is a more significant factor?
Do Off-Road tires have much worse performace on a wet road than street tires?

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99 XLT 5.4L Regular Cab 4x2 120" Wheelbase 4 wheel disc brakes/ABS 5 star larait style wheels Toreador Red/Silver 3.55 gears 275/70/16 Micheln LTX Delta toolbox, Ford Running Boards, Ventshades, Bugflector, Bullrings, Donnelly compass mirror, 2" Rear drop.

54regcab@ifreedom.com




[This message has been edited by 54regcab (edited 09-01-2000).]

 

Tread pattern is very important to off-road traction (just like on-road). You have to consider what kind of off-roading you'll be doing (sand, mud, rocks, snow, etc) and buy accordingly.

Size is also important. In most (not all) cases, bigger is better... as long as your drivetrain can handle the stress.

Good rock & mud tires usually don't have very good street traction and are quite noisy on the highway. Other types of off-road specific tires may be better. Just remember, the more you go in one direction (street vs off-road), the worse the over-all performance is in the other realm.



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1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, 2000 "XLT" wheels, 4.10 gears, Auburn LS, Clarion In-dash CD player, Smitty Bilt push bars and nerf bars.

2000 4x2 F150 XLT Reg. Cab LWB- 5.4L, Tow Pkg, 3.55LS, CD player,Remote Keyless Entry, Sliding back glass, Special Appearance Pkg., tinted windows, Line-X bedliner, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, 285/60R16 Goodyear Eagle GT IIs and Prime #155 wheels.

http://members.visualcities.com/NoMo

 

That isn't always true about the tread pattern being bad on wet pavement. I have Bridgestone Dueler ATs, and my parents have BFG Radial All-Terrain tires, and they are both very excellent offroad as well as on the pavement. It just so happens that all-terrain tires that are good in the mud, also work well with wet pavement, because of their ability to get water "channeled away" from the tire...less chance of hydroplaning. That is just from what I have gathered, and I have owned many different all-terrain tires, and they do excellent in many conditions.

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1999 F-150 4x4 Offroad, SuperCab, Prairie Harvest Gold, 5.4L Triton w/ K&N Air Filter, Lund Interceptor Bug Guard, Lund Headlight Covers, Lund Screenfront Grill Insert, Vent Visors, Smittybilt Outland Sport Bumper Gaurd w/ Hella 500 & 550 Driving lights, Access Roll-up Cover, Bedliner, Ford Reciever Hitch Cover, Taillight Covers, Bridgestone Dueler AT's

Future Mods:
Gibson Cat-Back Exhaust, Nerf bars, 4" Suspension Lift, 3" Body Lift, 35" Tires