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There’s a lot of debate surrounding the best size tire for off-roading. While 33 inch tires are often considered the standard, there are those who believe that 35 inch tires offer better performance.
So, if you are looking for off-road tires to give your vehicle a driving boost in harsh conditions, this article is for you. We’ll take you over the basics of what difference offroad tires make, which tires are the best for off-road, the difference between the two sizes, and provide you with our favorite recommendations.
Table of Contents
- Do Offroad Tires Make a Difference?
- How Much Does a Tire Weigh?
- Which Tire is Best for Off-Road?
- Differences Between 33 and 35 Inch Tires
- Recommended Tires for Off-Roading
- Recommended Off-Roading Gear
Do Off-Road Tires Make a Difference?
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Off-road tires are made for driving on unpaved surfaces, so they typically have a more aggressive tread pattern than regular tires. This tread pattern helps the tire grip the surface better and gives you more control when driving in difficult conditions.
Do off-road tires make a real difference? In short, yes, they do.
Off-road tires provide better traction and handling on rough terrain, which can be crucial when navigating tricky obstacles. They can also help you stay safe by providing better stability and braking performance on loose surfaces.
How Much Do 33 Inch and 35 Inch Tires Weigh?
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The weight of 33 vs 35 tires can be pretty different, ranging from 40 pounds all the way up to 75 pounds. This means that your tire selection can add a lot of extra weight to your vehicle. You need to take this into consideration to reduce the risk of overheating your truck and reducing its maneuverability.
Heavy tires, such as those designed for the most challenging off-roading conditions, will be much more durable.
The difference between a 45 pound tire and a 55 pound tire may not seem like much when shopping for new 33 or 35 inch tires. However, if you factor in the weight of an entire vehicle, adding an extra 40lbs can significantly impact fuel efficiency and handling.
Which Tire is Best for Off-Road?
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When it comes to off-roading, one of the most important decisions you need to make is what size tires to put on your vehicle. There are many options on the market, but the two most common sizes are 33 inch tires and 35 inch tires. So, which one is better? The answer to that question depends on a few factors.
First, it depends on the type of terrain you plan to drive on. If you’re going to be driving on rough terrain with many hills and valleys, you’ll want to go with 33 inch tires. They’ll give you more stability and better traction in those types of conditions.
On the other hand, if you’re going to be driving on flat ground, then 35 inch tires are a better option. They’ll give you more speed, and they won’t wear down as quickly when compared to 33 inch tires.
Both sizes have their strengths and weaknesses in terms of ride comfort. 33” tires are a bit more comfortable, while 35 inch tires offer better control.
So, to summarize, if you plan on driving in rough terrain with many hills and valleys, go with 33 inch tires. If you plan on driving on flat ground or mostly on dirt roads, go with 35 inch tires. If you are an average citizen that doesn’t plan on racing across the desert, go with 33 inch tires to give yourself a little more comfort.
Differences Between 33 and 35 Inch Tires
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Before we can really consider the benefits and detriments of 33 vs 35 tires, we need to understand what each tire is designed for.
On the one hand, 33 inch tires were initially designed as all-terrain (AT) tires. They are capable of both on-road and off-road use. When they first came out in the mid-to-late 80s, the tire offered increased off-road performance without sacrificing too much on-road driving ability.
On the other hand, 35 inch tires are usually classified as mud-terrain (MT) tires. They were developed specifically for use in difficult conditions such as deep sand and thick mud. However, they wouldn’t be a good choice for a driver who wants a tire capable of both on-road and off-road use.
MT tires are also designed to be run at lower air pressure than AT tires. This means they can offer better traction in challenging conditions.
While each size has its advantages, 33 inch tires remain the standard for many car and truck owners. Typically, 33 inch tires are cheaper than their 35 inch counterparts. And, as noted earlier, they provide a better ride quality on the pavement.
They’re also less likely to be affected by a strong wind. This makes them a good choice for those who live in areas that experience high winds or strong gusts (like Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana).
But does that mean that every off-roader should run 33 inch tires? Not necessarily. If you want a tire that offers tremendous off-road performance, then 35 inch tires are probably more your speed.
However, even if 33 inch tires give better gas mileage quality, they can be detrimental to your off-roading ability. Because they’re narrower than 35 inch tires, 33s can get stuck more easily on rugged trails or obstacle courses.
Still, 33 inch tires are frequently recommended by off-road enthusiasts for casual drivers who want more of an off-road look without sacrificing too much performance on the pavement.
Recommended Tires for Off-Roading
33 Inch Tires to Consider
Mastercraft Courser MXT Mud-Terrain Radial Tire
The Mastercraft Courser MXT 33 inch tires are aggressive off-road mud tires perfect for truck owners that are looking to combine good looks with solid off-road performance, all while featuring a great price.
Mastercraft’s mud-terrain tire has deep biting lugs and aggressive sidewalls that offer a great clean and rugged look. Despite the deep lugs, these tires will still grant your truck a relatively smooth and quiet ride on the highway.
Key Features:
- Good looks
- Solid offroad performance
- Great price
- Deep lugs
- Aggressive sidewalls
- Great cleanout
- Rugged off-road look
- Relatively smooth and quiet on the highway
Thunderer Trac Grip All-Season Radial Tire
The Thunderer Trac Grip All-season 33 inch tires feature great looks and even better performance.
This tire has a chip-resistant rubber construction, wide-open tread lugs to quickly clear mud and sand, and traction bars on the upper sidewall to protect from punctures. In addition, the aggressive tread pattern is perfect for extreme conditions.
This tire is an excellent choice for any off-road enthusiast looking for a tire at a reasonably low price.
Key Features
- All-season tires
- Great off-road look
- Chip-resistant rubber construction
- Wide-open tread lugs
- Quick cleanout
- Traction bars on the upper sidewall
- Protection against punctures
- Aggressive tread pattern for extreme conditions
- Great price
Cooper Discoverer STT Pro All-Season Tire
The Cooper Discoverer STT Pro All-Season 33 inch tires are the most extreme all-season, off-road tire Cooper offers to date, providing remarkable off-road performance without sacrificing on-road traction.
The Discoverer STT Pro tire delivers best-in-class off-road performance, empowering the extreme off-roader to take on the toughest challenges.
The Rock Climber Sidewall gets maximum traction to help conquer even the toughest obstacles with deep ‘Climber Cleats’ and Flex Grooves built into the side of the tire that grip jagged rocks and power through thick mud.
The Mud Slingers are deep, wide trenches with additional notches throughout the tread combined to give you more grip to power through and help continuously clear thick mud from the tire. The Earth Diggers can tackle tricky terrain with large blocks with alternating mud scoops that forcefully dig into loose dirt, sand or sticky mud.
Key Features
- All season tires
- Great offroad traction
- Remarkable performance off-road
- Does not sacrifice on-road performance
- Armor Tek3 construction for added durability
- Mud scoops
- Tread designed to prevent stone retention
Falken Wildpeak MT01 All-Terrain Radial Tire
The tough WILDPEAK M/T 33 inch tires are built to get you there and back whether you’re on the pavement, mud, snow or rocks. It’s a versatile tire that can take on anything in its path.
The M/T features Falken’s proprietary three-ply DURASPEC™ Sidewall Technology developed to sustain the most punishing off-road conditions. DURASPEC™ also features two high ply turn-ups that provide an additional layer of protection and durability. An aggressive upper sidewall provides additional traction at low air pressures on rugged terrain.
The WILDPEAK M/T also features exceptional road manners thanks to an optimized variable three-pitch tread pattern and precision manufacturing technology.
Key Features
- Radial construction
- High mileage
- Smooth ride
- Unique tread pattern for improved traction
- Custom sizes available
35 Inch Tires to Consider
Cooper Discoverer STT Pro All-season
Looking for a set of 35 inch tires that can handle anything? Look no further than Cooper Discoverer STT Pro Armor-TEK3 tires!
Based on a 3-ply design, with the third ply at an angle to the other two, these tires are built for maximum durability and resistance against blowouts.
The inner tread ribs have also been reworked into an alternating design, alternating the ribs between three and two in order to reduce noise and improve overall handling. Side cleats give this one a special edge in the deep mud.
If you’re looking for a tire that can handle anything, look no further than our Armor-TEK3 tires!
Key Features
- 3-ply design
- Reinforced tread ribs
- Flex grooves
- Smooth ride
Goodyear Wrangler MT/R tires made of kevlar
The name of these tires should be quite familiar. They are called Goodyear Wrangler K02-Kevlar All-Terrain Tires, and they come with a variety of features that make them perfect for off-roading.
For instance, the tread is highly asymmetric – meaning it has different tread on the inside wall as compared to the rest. And this isn’t your average tire rubber either; it contains silica for better resistance against cracking and dry rot.
If you need a new set of new 35 inch tires that can handle anything from mud to snow without sacrificing performance in any area, then these are exactly what you’re looking for!
Key Features
- Made of kevlar
- Extremely strong
- High-grade rubber
- Resists cracking and dry rot
- Well researched asymmetric tread
BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3
There’s a good chance that you already know about the BFGoodrich MT KM3 and are considering them when you’re looking for 35 inch tires. It’s no surprise that they’re one of the most popular brands in the world for all types of offroad adventures.
One reason for this is because their products are designed to last as long as possible under tough conditions without compromising performance or safety. This means that if you invest in a set of BFGoodrich tires, you’ll be able to enjoy them for many years without worrying about replacing them prematurely.
Key Features
- Extremely deep tread
- Thick side walls
- Able to climb rocks with efficiency
- 3-ply thickness helps guard against blowouts
Federal Couragia M/T Mud-Terrain Tire
If you want to get the best bang for your buck, the Federal Couragia M/T may be the best 35 inch tires for offroad driving you can find. They’re available at a great price, and yet they still offer top-tier performance and design. They’ll look great on any truck or SUV, and these tires offer versatile performance to back up their looks.
However, they are only 10-ply, which is something to be aware of. That means there is a chance they can wear down faster than 12-ply tires if you do a lot of driving, especially on hot roads.
Other than that, these tires are great for anyone who wants to add a little spice to their old-school offroading look without sacrificing too much commuter comfort or road performance. They can handle small water crossings and mud with ease, but they’re still built well enough to take you from the office to the grocery store when necessary.
Key Features
- Great MT tires for the money
- Aggressive tread design
- Above-average traction
- Mostly quiet on the road and pavement
- Rugged performance
- 3-ply thickness guards against blowouts
- Unique tread design
- Siped lugs to clean out debris
- Groove help clear mud and rock particles
Recommended Off-Roading Gear
- Recovery Strap
- Recovery Board
- Winch
- KC Lites
- Shackle Hitch Receiver
- Hi-Lift Jack
- Tire Inflator/Deflator
- Portable Power Station
- First Aid Kit
- GMRS Radio