The Latest From Goodyear
Most 4x4 drivers reading this want big and tall, knobby, mud-chewin’, sand-spittin’, rock-chunkin’ tires that will get them through any terrain. But the reality is that for 90 percent of vehicles a good all-terrain will get the job done. It’s sort of like you want a new V-8 in your buggy, but that trusty old four-cylinder will do just fine for most work trucks and SUVs. Most of the miles come on the pavement, while the precious few miles off-road are for camping, fishing, hunting, and accessing the backcountry. That’s probably why the all-terrain tire is so popular, and why Goodyear has come up with a new design to satisfy the dirt in all of us.
The Goodyear Wrangler Adventure with Kevlar is a new concept in all-terrains, as it comes with a different rubber compound in the tread and a layer of Kevlar to increase durability. In fact, the treadwear warranty is up to 60,000 miles, which is better than most comparable tires. Of course, the tread design has plenty of void (open space) and a great amount of siping, which make for better traction both on and off the road. Also, the company’s famed Durawall sidewall construction is retained for better sidewall protection.
The new Wrangler Adventure all-terrain features well-spaced tread blocks, circumferential grooves, and lots of siping. Treadwear warranties are 60,000 mile on this line, which is a good indication of the tires’ durability. We can’t wait to get a set and pile on some miles. Most of the sizes are for replacement applications, with the tallest tire being a 33 in a 20-inch rim size.
But possibly the most important advance is that Goodyear designates the LT and flotation sizes “Pro-Grade.” The difference is that they feature two layers of spirally wrapped Kevlar and a stronger, heavy-duty steel belt package with thicker wire. The Pro-Grades also feature a tread compound more resistant to chips and chunks and have an E load rating. Finally, they are branded with the mountain/snowflake symbol, which certifies them in many municipalities for snow use.
While we haven’t had a chance to do any long-term testing, our short stint on the tires showed much better wet road handling than expected, as well as good prowess in the dirt and mud. Look for a full test on these tires in a few months.
Testing on a wet skid pad showed far better wet-weather traction than the competitive tires. We hope to have some real snow and ice testing when we get our first set of tires.
