If you ask me, there’s nothing better than overlanding. The combination of camping and road-tripping is a great way to spend your time, enjoy the company of others, and see the big, beautiful work we live in.
But overlanding is hard work. It requires a ton of planning and preparation – both for yourself and your overlanding rig. Part of that preparation is having a good set of overlanding tires that are up to the task of your travels.
If you’re not sure what overlanding tire size or type to invest in, or if you have other general questions about the overlanding tire world, this guide is for you!
Table of Contents
- How Big Should Overlanding Tires Be?
- How Long Should Overlanding Tires Last?
- Are Overlanding Tires Bad for Driving on the Highway?
- Are All-Terrain or Mud-Terrain Tires Best for Overlanding?
- What is the Best PSI for Overlanding Tires?
How Big Should Overlanding Tires Be?
The ideal size for overlanding tires depends on a bunch of different factors, including your vehicle type, the terrain you’ll encounter, and your specific overlanding needs. However, there are general guidelines to consider when sizing your tires…
Vehicle Compatibility
Most stock SUVs and trucks can accommodate tires in the 31 to 33-inch range without requiring significant modifications. If your vehicle has a lift kit, though, you can usually fit larger tires, such as 35 to 37 inches, which provide more ground clearance and better off-road capability.
Terrain Considerations
For a balance between highway driving and off-roading, tires around 31 to 33 inches are often sufficient. But if you plan on tackling extremely rough or rocky terrain, larger tires (35 inches and up) offer more protection and better clearance over obstacles.
In the sand and mud, though, larger, wider tires can help distribute the vehicle’s weight more evenly, reducing the chances of sinking into soft surfaces. Of course, airing your tires down can also help keep your vehicle “afloat” on soft sand or mud.
Performance and Efficiency
Larger tires can negatively impact fuel efficiency due to increased rolling resistance and weight. Likewise, extremely large tires can affect your vehicle’s handling and braking performance, especially on paved roads.
In other words, when choosing overlanding tires, be sure you go with something that’s big enough for your overlanding needs, but also provides a level of comfort, performance, and efficiency for daily driving, too.
For that, I can’t recommend Milestar Tires enough…
I’ve been running Milestar’s Patagonia MT-02 tires on my Jeep for quite some time now, and they’ve proven to be some of the best tires I’ve ever owned. They have superb grip, good ride comfort for mud-terrain tires, and their build quality has been fantastic. These tires are durable, function well, and have held up nicely despite facing some truly rough conditions, from mud to snow to sharp rocks to sand and everything in between.
However, not every overlander needs mud tires. What’s more, some folks want a smoother ride with their overlanding tires, and for that, the Milestar Patagonia AT Pro is worth a look…
These tires have many of the same qualities as my mud tires, but offer a smoother, quieter ride due to the less aggressive tread pattern. But don’t think that these tires are snowflakes! Milestar has designed them to be among the most aggressive all-terrain tires so you can confidently drive in rain, snow, sleet, and other elements you encounter on the road or trail.
Furthermore, the tire’s design specifically enhances off-road grip. How? Well, it’s simple: it has rigid tread blocks that increase traction and widen the tire’s contact patch while you’re driving. Additionally, these tires have angled tread notches that make the ride quieter. It’s the best of both worlds!
Milestar’s Patagonia MT tires have an aggressive tread pattern that enhances traction.
Whether you’re looking for AT or MT overlanding tires, Milestar has you covered with dozens of sizes available for each tire type. And regardless of which type of tire you get, you can trust that Milestar’s MILETECH sidewall compound gives the tires enhanced strength and impact resistance.
I could go on and on about these tires…they have proven to be that good over the years. But instead, I’ll just say this: tires are an investment, and an important one at that. When you’re heading out for a days-long journey (or longer), don’t leave your tires to chance by investing in something cheap. Milestar has been good to me and my Jeep; their tires will do the same for you!
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How Long Should Overlanding Tires Last?
Overlanding tires might last anywhere from 40,000 to 60,000 miles. However this depends on many different factors:
- Tire Quality: Premium brands like Milestar often offer tires with more durable compounds and better tread designs, which can extend lifespan.
- Terrain: Regular driving on rough terrain like sharp rocks or deep mud can cause tires to wear faster compared to driving more often on paved roads.
- Driving Habits: Aggressive driving, such as sudden stops or high-speed off-roading, can reduce tire life.
- Maintenance: Proper tire maintenance, including regular rotations, balancing, and maintaining the correct tire pressure, can help maximize the lifespan of your tires.
It’s also important to regularly inspect your tires for signs of wear and damage, especially if you’re frequently driving in adverse conditions. Even if the tread looks good, the rubber compounds can degrade over time, so consider replacing them if they reach the 5-7 year mark, regardless of mileage.
Are Overlanding Tires Bad for Driving on the Highway?
Photo by EB Adventure Photography via Shutterstock
Overlanding tires are not inherently bad for highway driving, but there are some trade-offs to consider versus road tires:
Pros:
- Durability: Overlanding tires are designed to handle rough terrain, so they are typically more robust and durable than standard tires, making them resistant to punctures and other damage.
- Versatility: All-terrain overlanding tires offer a good balance between off-road capability and on-road performance, allowing you to transition from highway to off-road without needing a tire change.
Cons:
- Noise: Overlanding tires often have more aggressive tread patterns, which can create more road noise at highway speeds compared to regular highway tires.
- Fuel Efficiency: The rugged design of overlanding tires usually increases rolling resistance, which can lead to slightly reduced fuel efficiency on highways.
- Comfort: The stiffer sidewalls and tread patterns designed for off-road use may result in a rougher ride on paved roads.
Are All-Terrain or Mud-Terrain Tires Best for Overlanding?
As I discussed earlier, companies like Milestar offer both all-terrain and mud-terrain options. The question is, which ones are best for you? Well, the choice between all-terrain and mud-terrain tires for overlanding depends on the specific conditions you’ll encounter and your personal preferences. Both types have their pros and cons…
All-Terrain Tires
Pros:
- AT tires like the Milestar Patagonia AT Pros shown above are designed to perform well on a variety of surfaces, including pavement, gravel, dirt, and light mud. They’re a great all-around option for mixed driving conditions.
- AT tires typically offer a smoother and quieter ride on highways compared to MT tires, making them more comfortable for long road trips.
- Due to their less aggressive tread patterns, AT tires generally offer better fuel efficiency than MT tires.
- AT tires tend to have longer tread life, making them a more economical choice for those who spend a significant amount of time on paved roads.
Cons:
- While AT tires are capable off-road, they may struggle in extremely muddy, rocky, or sandy conditions compared to MT tires.
Mud-Terrain Tires
Pros:
- MT tires like the Milestar Patagonia MT-02s excel in challenging off-road conditions, such as deep mud, loose sand, and rocky trails. Their aggressive tread patterns provide superior traction and grip in these environments.
- MT tires are often built with reinforced sidewalls and tougher compounds, making them more resistant to punctures and damage in harsh terrain.
- Many overlanders prefer the rugged look of MT tires, which can enhance the overall appearance of their vehicle.
Cons:
- MT tires are louder on paved roads due to their aggressive tread patterns, which can create a more uncomfortable and noisier ride.
- The increased rolling resistance of MT tires can lead to reduced fuel efficiency, especially during highway driving.
- MT tires tend to wear out faster, particularly if used extensively on paved roads.
What is the Best PSI for Overlanding Tires?
The best PSI for overlanding tires varies depending on the terrain, vehicle load, and tire size, to name a few factors. While I can’t give you the correct PSI for every single scenario you might encounter, here’s a general guide to help you adjust your tire pressure for common overlanding situations…
- Highway Driving: Typically, you should keep your tires at the manufacturer’s recommended PSI, which is often around 30-35 PSI for most vehicles. This pressure ensures optimal fuel efficiency, tire wear, and handling on paved roads.
- Gravel Roads: Lowering the pressure to 25-28 PSI can improve traction and comfort on loose gravel. Slightly deflating the tires allows them to conform better to the uneven surface, reducing the risk of punctures and improving ride quality.
- Sand: Dropping the pressure to 15-18 PSI is common for sandy terrain. Lower pressure increases the tire’s footprint, helping to distribute the vehicle’s weight more evenly and prevent it from sinking into the sand.
- Mud: 18-20 PSI is a good range for muddy conditions. Reducing tire pressure allows the tire to flex more, which can improve traction in slippery mud. However, be careful not to go too low, as this can increase the risk of the tire coming off the rim.
- Rocks and Technical Trails: 20-25 PSI is often ideal for rocky terrain. Lowering the PSI helps the tire mold to the shape of rocks, providing better grip and reducing the chances of tire damage.
- Fully Loaded Vehicles: When your vehicle is heavily loaded, you may need to increase the tire pressure slightly above the manufacturer’s recommendation, typically by 3-5 PSI. This compensates for the added weight and helps prevent excessive tire deformation, which can lead to overheating and damage.
- Cold Weather: Cold temperatures can cause tire pressure to drop, so you may need to inflate tires to maintain the recommended PSI. Proper inflation in cold weather ensures consistent performance and safety.
The next question is this: How do you adjust tire pressure on the fly, and do so quickly and easily?
Well, the answer to that is simple: get yourself a MORRFlate TenSix PSI Pro Gen 2 portable air compressor. I have had this compressor for more than a year now, and it is a lean, green PSI machine. On the one hand, I appreciate how compact it is – I keep it under my seat and grab it whenever I need to adjust my tire pressure (but you can mount it on your vehicle if you like).
On the other hand, despite being so small and portable, this thing puts out a ton of air! In fact, with the MORRFlate MegaQuad hose kit, I can adjust the tire pressure on all four of my Jeep’s tires at the same time. And if I’m pulling a trailer, I can adjust them at the same time, too!
But, the best feature of my TenSix PSI Pro is the automatic PSI setting. I just dial in the PSI I want and let it do its thing while I tend to other tasks. Nice! But that’s not the only notable feature – MORRFlate has crammed this thing full of amenities:
- It is capable of 10.6 CFM at 0 PSI and 6.5 CFM at 30 PSI
- The dual-cylinder design is rated to 150 PSI.
- There’s a PSI cutoff switch as well as a thermal cutoff switch.
- The unit has an 80 percent duty cycle at 0 PSI (45 minutes on and 10 minutes off)
On top of all that, it’s quiet for an air compressor at 70-75 dB from about a foot away.
As I said earlier in regard to tires, making a quality purchase is of the utmost importance when you will be on the road for an extended period of time. The same applies to the air compressor you use. Sure, there might be cheaper options than my MORRFLate TenSix PSI Pro, but when it comes to being prepared for my journeys, I want reliable, functional, easy-to-use gear, and the PSI Pro is just that!
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