Rock Crawling Tire Review

A picture from the World Extreme Rock Crawling Championship Series, aka W.E. Rock.

Rock crawling is growing in popularity year by year. Much of this growth can be attributed to the World Extreme Rock Crawling Championship Series, also known as W.E. Rock. W.E. Rock was started in 2000 and was originally known as CalROCKS. During the organization’s first year, there was one event, the “Put Up or Shut Up” competition. Since that time, W.E. Rock has become a nationwide series with dozens of events and four different divisions (Central, Mountain, Southwest, and Southeast) that compete for the national championship. With the growing popularity of rock crawling, companies have been working to put out the best possible tires. At 4wheelonline, we offer tire brands that are sure to satisfy any rock crawling off-roader.

The Mickey Thompson Baja Claw is great for turning a truck into rock crawling machine.

Enhance Surface Area

Any off-road driver will tell you the importance of having the proper tires. For off-road rock crawling, this is even truer. The size of the tire is a huge factor when it comes to rock crawling. This is because many off-road rock crawlers prefer to deflate their tires because they mold better to rough, rocky terrain and give better traction. Not only are bigger tires better because it allows the driver to deflate them, but it is also great because there will be more surface area that is in contact with the ground. Simply put: when there is more surface area in contact with the ground, there is better traction.

One of the best brands that provide bigger tires is the Super Swamper line. In particular, the Super Swamper TSL Bogger offers tires that go up to 54 inches in size. Another brand that is similar in size to the Super Swamper is the Mickey Thompson Baja Claw. Of course, when choosing the size of a tire, it is always important to think about the wheel and suspension of the vehicle. If a driver wants to build the meanest rock crawling machine by putting a 54-inch tire on, he will need a smaller wheel and higher suspension. The size of a tire can greatly impact a truck's rock crawling capabilities, and knowing what you want and what your truck can hold is important when picking a tire.

Make Sure You Grab the Right Rubber!

Another component of a good rock crawling tire is the rubber. Along with having a slightly deflated tire, a soft rubber compound can help the tire mold to the ground for better traction. One of the best examples of a tire with a soft rubber compound is the Nitto Mud Grappler. This tire is perfect for both muddy and

The Nitto Mud Grappler is made of a soft rubber compound, which is ideal for rock climbing.

rocky terrains and is one of 4wheelonline’s best sellers. However, if you do choose a tire with a soft rubber compound, there will be a shorter life for your tire because these tires wear at a faster rate. But, that is just a small price to pay for a great rock crawling experience. Along with a soft rubber compound, it is also important to have larger tread, which allows for tires to strongly grip rocks and give more traction. Once again, the Super Swamper TSL Bogger is at the top of the class. The Bogger is composed of monstrous size tread that could put fear into the eyes of any pavement princess.

Some Other Things to Keep in Mind When Looking for a Rock Crawling Tire

A couple of downsides about Rock Crawling tires are fuel efficiency and noise. When driven on the streets, the heavy tread of Rock Crawling tires does not transfer to high fuel efficiency. Of course, that is a small price to pay for having a great off-road vehicle. Another thing that comes with Rock Crawling tires is an increase of noise. For many, that is not a problem, but it is another thing to keep in mind when making a purchase.

As rock crawling continues to grow in popularity, 4wheelonline will continue to offer all of the latest tire information. As you put together your dream truck, it is important to know the different factors that make a great rock-crawling tire. If you have any specific questions, feel free to contact 4WheelOnline.com anytime.

By: Tim Snyder Google
Posted on May 10th, 2013

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