How These Value-Focused M/Ts Have Held Up Long Term
After putting 10,000 miles on the Tamarock MTs, I have to say I’m honestly shocked at how well they have performed and held up.
I chose these tires for my truck because I wanted to run a mud terrain but didn’t want to break the bank. These are 33×12.5R17. I wanted to save money by going with a budget tire. However, I was a little worried that lower prices would result in a lower-quality product.
I am happy to report that I’ve been proved wrong. These tires are an excellent budget option, and you will not be disappointed in the quality they offer for such a good price.
Daily Driving An M/T Tire
If you plan on using a mud terrain (M/T) tire as a daily driver, it is important to explore its advantages and drawbacks outside of its intended purpose.
M/Ts are designed to function on low-traction surfaces when off-road. So, the tread is usually more aggressive than a normal street or all-terrain (A/T) tire. A more aggressive tread pattern on your daily driver can lead to a rougher ride on paved roads. I did not notice much difference with my current setup being used as a daily driver, which was a plus.
Road noise is another common complaint from people who run an M/T tire. However, it should be expected if you do your research. When I first put them on and drove on the highway, I was surprised to hear no change in the amount of road noise coming from my Falken A/T3Ws.
As I have started to put miles on these tires, though, I have noticed a slight increase in road noise. That’s the case for nearly all tires and it wouldn’t deter me from buying these again.
Treadwear & Longevity
M/T tires tend to wear faster than A/Ts when used primarily on the road because the rubber compound is typically softer for more traction off-road. This results in a shorter life span, especially for daily drivers.
Typically, mud terrain tires have a deeper tread depth than your average new tire, around 11/32 or 12/32. The Tamarock starts with a tread depth of 17/32. I tried to measure my tires after putting 10,000 miles on them, but my tread gauge only goes up to 14/32. The tires have more than that on them, meaning they have only gone down a couple of millimeters, which is excellent for the category.
Aesthetic Appeal
For aesthetic reasons, many in the community run an M/T tire. Along with most other designs, these tires have a good-looking, aggressive tread pattern.
Running an M/T tire will definitely give your vehicle a more aggressive appearance.
Cost & Value
Most M/T tires are much more expensive than your typical A/T or the newer category of R/T “hybrid” tires. So, upgrading for looks alone isn’t the smartest choice. They are usually more expensive and have worse tread life than less aggressive tires.
Over time, the added costs of running a more expensive tire and the potential for fuel economy loss can make it hard to justify an M/T. However, their off-road traction is unmatched. Think long and hard about whether that benefit outweighs the cons and is worth it.
Fortunately, the Tamarock line is priced much lower than their premium counterparts, making them more accessible to tighter budgets.
Final Thoughts
I’m pretty sure I already mentioned it, but this is my first time owning a set of mud terrains. Considering the aggressive tread, these tires have been better than I expected. I did not see much decrease in fuel economy, but I was also running a heavier-than-normal A/T before these so that I might have already been used to it.
I was able to take them on adventures that included dry dirt, light mud, rain, and rocky off-road terrain. The only area I have not tried yet was snow. I was very happy with every terrain or obstacle I tackled with these tires, and I experienced zero issues in any environment I had them in. I live in Arizona, so we don’t see rain often. As a result, I haven’t had a chance to put them to the test on super wet roads.
Up until about 8,000 miles, the road noise was surprisingly low for the big knobby tread. From there, I noticed a slight increase in road noise at highway speeds, but nothing that was a deal breaker.
The excellent off-road traction and decent on-road manners make these tires a great option for trail warriors and daily drivers. I highly recommend these tires to anyone interested in trying something more aggressive without having to fork up nearly (or over) $400 per tire for the big-name brands.
