MT/AT Tyre differences?

[G.man]

Hello,

Just wondering about all terrain and mud terrain tyres.

Not looking specifically at street performance as I know the all terrain is obviously better in that situation...

I am more or less trying to get an idea for off-road performance.

In what type of environment/road surfaces are the AT's better and where are the MT's better?

[JKFTW]

Originally Posted by G.man

Hello,

Just wondering about all terrain and mud terrain tyres.

Not looking specifically at street performance as I know the all terrain is obviously better in that situation...

I am more or less trying to get an idea for off-road performance.

In what type of environment/road surfaces are the AT's better and where are the MT's better?

Hi mate I had a similar conundrum recently although for the 18" rims on my JKUO it was the same decision point of AT vs MT, here's a thread that got some great input from the guys here. I ended up accepting the (not terrible) road noise of the Cooper STT Pros (not STT) and the few times I've had it out to the mud I've been extremely happy. Like s**t to a blanket!

http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/...d.php?t=148022

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[Big Dave]

A/T's are better aired down on soft sand than an M/T where they will float over the sand rather than dig in. M/T' probably better everywhere else.

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[st_za]

The line between MT and AT has become a bit blurred and it comes down to comparing one model or brand's features like tread pattern, weight, wear, cost and availability rather than deciding between MT or AT.

That being said, I think the newer "aggressive AT" tyres are the best of both - tougher construction as you would get with MT but a good ability to deform at low pressures like AT, aggressive tread pattern like MT that grips well in mud and on rocks but is quieter on-road and better in the wet like AT.

[Nanook]

The main difference between MT and AT are the side lugs which are used to grip the side of a muddy track. MTs also have a wider tread pattern to fling the mud out of the tread which also helps get traction. These are traditionally better offroad than ATs.

However the newer AT's have a more aggressive tread pattern and have really closed to gap to MTs in all situations and have become a great all round tyre.

I do most of my driving on sand however I also live 5 minutes from the Watagans so changed over to MT's when I needed to replace the ATs I had.

I do find they do tend to dig in a little more on the sand but after airing them down a few psi lower than I would have with the ATs I find they do just as good a job.

The only real difference I've noticed between the two is that MTs are a lot noisier on the road but then a Wrangler isn't that quiet no matter what tyres are on it. They also don't grip as well in the wet as ATs but not dangerously so.

So after all that, it really comes back down to comfort on the road.

[G.man]

Thanks for that.

I was just reading between tyres like the BFG KM2 Mud terrain, Mickey Thompson MTZ (majority of people I found preferred the KM2 BFG) and then i was seeing the BFG KO2 All terrain mentioned.

I don't plan to go out on purpose to find mud to drive in, essentially I would avoid it if possible. I am more or less interested in northern territory sand, hard dirt (compacted stuff thats solid ground but is still off road) and rocks/gravel.

So in that environment wondered which would be better?

Also - as an every day city/highway driver, what sort of KM's can I expect out of a Mud terrain tyre vs all terrain?

[Nanook]

Originally Posted by G.man

Thanks for that.

I was just reading between tyres like the BFG KM2 Mud terrain, Mickey Thompson MTZ (majority of people I found preferred the KM2 BFG) and then i was seeing the BFG KO2 All terrain mentioned.

I don't plan to go out on purpose to find mud to drive in, essentially I would avoid it if possible. I am more or less interested in northern territory sand, hard dirt (compacted stuff thats solid ground but is still off road) and rocks/gravel.

So in that environment wondered which would be better?

Also - as an every day city/highway driver, what sort of KM's can I expect out of a Mud terrain tyre vs all terrain?

For you, especially in the wet of the Top End and as a daily driver I'd recommend going for a good quality AT.

Because of the large tread blocks MT's won't generally last as long as an AT tyre, you could be looking at 15k less at a rough guess but again that would depend on how they are being used. Rock crawling for example can really cut tyres up.