The Wrangler MT/R works well...
The Wrangler MT/R works well in all off-road conditions. The tough new Kevlar reinforced sidewall is still flexible, and when aired down to 12 psi the MT/R provides a wide and pliable footprint for better floatation and traction in soft sand.
The original Goodyear Wrangler MT/R, launched in 1999, was almost immediately regarded by off-road enthusiasts as a tough, aggressive tire that provided great traction in a broad range of harsh conditions and terrain. The decade-old MT/R was a great tire, but wasn't without limitations. The tight voids between the tread lugs could easily fill with thick mud and lose traction; and sometimes the tread pattern just wasn't quite aggressive enough. Ten years later, Goodyear has launched an even tougher and more aggressive mud-terrain tire--the all-new Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar.
The new Wrangler features a more aggressive asymmetrical tread pattern, completely redesigned rubber compound, and a Kevlar-reinforced sidewall that is 35 percent more puncture-resistant. Now, we know what you are thinking, but these tires aren't bulletproof--so we're told. We haven't shot one of these MT/Rs yet, but don't think we haven't thought about it. The more aggressive tread pattern on the new Wrangler provides better traction over a broader range of terrain. The tread does look directional, but we've been assured that the tire will provide the same traction and performance either way it's mounted.
Recently we spent the day on the trail with the new Goodyear Wrangler. We ran the MT/R hard in thick mud, soft sand, and rocks and found that the tires handled and performed exceptionally well.
Kevlar is five times stronger than steel, and these rocky conditions are just what the engineers had in mind when they reinforced the sidewalls with Kevlar. Not one of our new Wrangler tires failed or experienced a sidewall tear after a day of wheeling tough terrain in the Mojave Desert. The three-ply sidewall is constructed with opposing cord angles for increased resistance to sidewall cuts and punctures. Kevlar strengthens the sidewall with less belting, which also makes the MT/R easier to air down than tires with more sidewall belting. The tread is constructed with two polyester belts, two steel belts of opposing angles, and one nylon belt for C and D load ranges. The E-rated tires have an additional nylon belt.
A wide variety of light trucks...
A wide variety of light trucks and SUVs can use the Wrangler MT/R, as the tire will be available in 30 sizes up to 42 inches. Wheel sizes will range from 15 to 20 inches, and it will be available in load ranges of C, D, and E. We are told that these are true tire sizes. Testing this theory, we pulled out our tape measure. Sure enough, a 33-inch-tall tire measured in at 33 inches tall.
Even with the Jeep in two-wheel...
Even with the Jeep in two-wheel drive, the MT/Rs were able to dig their way through thick mud, keeping traction and the rig's momentum. The large voids between the tread blocks quickly self-cleaned by allowing the goo to spin out. The staggered sidewall shoulder blocks provide additional traction in deep mud and rocks. The MT/R's new and advanced silica rubber compound also provides stable and enhanced performance in wet conditions, both on- and off-highway.
The Wrangler MT/R easily bit...
The Wrangler MT/R easily bit and clawed its way up, over, and around rocks. The tire's soft, wraparound sidewall tread conformed to the toughest rocks, providing excellent traction. The tire also features a tread guard; this is a small ridge placed between the tread lugs to help prevent cuts from stones. We also spent some time testing the MT/Rs on the highway, and found that the aggressive tread pattern didn't produce the loud drone of road noise we had expected.