May 26, 2022
4WD Driving and Tyre Tips: Navigate Australia's Terrains in Safety and Style
If a 4WD adventure is your idea of a great time, then you’re lucky to live in Australia. The Land Down Under teems with off-road tracks and terrains for the daring road tripper.
From the Outback’s red-tinged dust to Queensland’s rocky mountains, you’re guaranteed heart-pumping action while testing your 4x4's limits.
When conquering these trails, a set of good off-road tyres is non-negotiable. These aim to let your vehicle roll on the roughest roads while sustaining zero or minimal damage.
How is this possible?
Deeper tread designs boost traction, while reinforced sidewalls protect tyres from punctures and tearing. Also, an off-road tyre’s rubber compound is typically softer to allow maximum grip on various surfaces.
Which tyre is best for off-roading? All Terrain tyres or Mud Terrain tyres?
Australia’s landscapes are so diverse that you can’t possibly conquer them all with just one type of off-road tyre. In truth, All-Terrain tyres may have the upper hand when consumers judge tyres solely by their name. But hardcore off-road warriors know that nothing beats their reliable “muddies” or Mud Terrain tyres when the going gets mucky and slippery. To help you choose, we tread deep into each tyre’s unique features.
All-Terrain Tyres
All-Terrain tyres generally fulfil their name’s promise, performing well in off-roads and sealed - or paved - roads. Often mounted on SUVs and other 4WD vehicles, All-Terrain tyres are designed frequently sport an open tread design to help them gain traction on dirt roads, light snow and other uneven surfaces.
YES to:
• Decent performance in wet weather
• Better road manners than thicker off-road tyres
• Can accommodate daily pavement driving and occasional off-road exploring
YIKES to:
• Weak grip on loose surfaces like sand and mud
• Softer rubber means shorter tread life than typical street tyres
• Lower resistance on cornering and braking at high speeds, especially on the tarmac
Mud Terrain Tyres
Typically chunkier than All-Terrain tyres, Mud tyres guarantee maximum traction and performance on muddy surfaces. Huge tread blocks sectioned by wide and deep grooves prevent mud from getting stuck on the tread. Meanwhile, sidewalls are reinforced by several plies, protecting the tyre from damage.
YES to:
• Provides the best traction and stability on muddy trails
• Excellent grip and handling on dry surfaces such as dirt and gravel
• Allows traction in colder temperatures because of flexible rubber
YIKES to:
• Usually an aftermarket purchase, so you have to spend extra for them
• Noisy and uncomfortable on the tarmac at highway speeds
• Only recommended if you mostly do off-road driving
4WD Driving in Australia
Now that you’re acquainted with off-road tyres, it’s time to test them on Australia’s challenging terrains. Aside from recommending the best tyres for each, we’re also giving tips on how you can best navigate the different terrains. Like you, we believe that the journey is the destination.
Terrain #1: The Outback
When traversing the Outback, it’s essential to plan your route. The good news is that some Outback areas have become driver-friendly with many signposts marking the roads. Country towns entice visitors with caravan parks, motels, and pubs.
4WD Driving Techniques: As they say, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. So, when you’re driving here, try to maintain a straight course even when the road is corrugated. Avoid overtaking on gravel and dirt roads where your vehicle might kick up a lot of dust, resulting in poor visibility. For the same reason and the risk of hitting animals, authorities advise against night driving in the Outback. Also, watch out for road trains (trucks with trailers) along narrow roads. When you see one approaching, give way to avoid accidents.
Tyre Tips:Outback roads are often covered in bulldust, that soft and fine red dust that distinguishes the area. Some off-roaders recommend reducing tyre pressure to boost traction. However, others advise against this because beneath the bulldust is a solid rock foundation, which can damage aired-down tyres. But if you do decide to deflate your tyres, make sure to re-inflate them before tackling more complex surfaces.
All-Terrain or Mud Terrain? The right tyres depend on your preferred track. If you’re driving on the pavement with some dirt roads, stick with Highway Terrain tyres with gravel competence. For more demanding trails, choose All-Terrain tyres, which you can also comfortably use on sealed roads. Still, others prefer Mud Tyres if bad weather strikes, making the tracks boggy. However, don’t even think about driving in the Outback after it recently rained. Aside from potential risks, you’ll be fined for entering roads that have been marked impassable.
Tyre Brands for the Outback
This tyre conquers rough terrains while giving you a stable ride. Once your route transitions to the highway, you can still depend on this All-Terrain tyre for stability and less road noise.
Specifically tested in the Outback, this “mild” mud tyre boasts of its on and off-road capabilities. In 2014, off-road drivers covered almost 20,000 kilometres in the Outback using this tyre to prove its superb performance.
Terrain #2: Rocky Trails
Rocky terrains are the ultimate test of tyre and vehicle endurance for some off-roaders. Australia also has its share of bone-rattling trails for 4WD enthusiasts who like their surfaces wild and jagged.
4WD Driving Techniques: The most crucial tip in navigating rocky tracks is to keep all four wheels on the ground. Avoid huge rocks and reduce speed, or else you’re in for a bouncy ride and risk damage to your vehicle and tyres. It is also essential to check ground clearance, defined by the Australian Design Rules as “the minimum distance to the ground from the underside of a vehicle excluding its tyres, wheels, wheel hubs, brake backing plates and flexible mudguards or mudflaps.” Ground clearance helps gauge if your vehicle can go over obstacles (which you can also measure) like ruts and rocks.
Tyre Tips:Some drivers like airing down their tyres as soon as they face rocky terrain, while others prefer doing this only when dislodging a stuck tyre.
All-Terrain or Mud Terrain? Whether you choose All-Terrain or Mud Terrain tyres for your rock crawling adventures, toughness is the most important thing to consider. Study the product description for features such as high load rating, large and stiff blocks, reinforced sidewalls, and resistance to punctures, cuts and chips.
Tyre Brands for Rocky Trails
This tyre is reinforced everywhere—from its under-tread gauge and sidewalls to its carcass. All these make it capable of hill climbing and giving you stability in various terrains.
Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure
This tyre is infused with Kevlar, making it lighter yet tougher with boosted puncture resistance. Its treadwear warranty of over 96,000 kilometres is also a huge selling point.
Terrain #3: Muddy tracks
Mud driving may be fun for those who do it as a sport
4WD Driving Techniques: Before diving into the mud, plan your move if your tyres get stuck. It’s better if you’re travelling with other vehicles, so you can use your snatch strap to recover. Good knowledge of winching techniques can also help pull you out of a sticky situation. If you’re on your own, go easy on the accelerator and move your steering wheel back and forth. Once you’re out, keep moving to get momentum, but drive slowly to slough off excess mud.
Tyre Tips: Seasoned mud drivers recommend airing down your tyres to150 to 190 kPa on muddy tracks with a soft base. Anything lower than that is not advisable as mud can sink into the spaces between the wheel and tyre, causing further deflation.
All-Terrain or Mud Terrain? As their name suggests, mud tyres are engineered for mud terrains. However, if you crave flexibility in a tyre, opt for an All-Terrain tyre with mud capabilities.
Tyre Brands for Muddy Tracks
Thanks to its notched shoulder design and extra-thick carcass, this mud tyre can be a powerful ally when you’re crawling over big rocks. It also performs well on other off-road surfaces.
This all-season mud tyre is built for off-road traction in terrains covered by rocks and mud. Many race teams have used this tyre on extreme tracks, proving its durability.
Terrain #4: Beach
Beach driving used to be a staple scene in 1960s summer movies, but modern off-road drivers still enjoy this activity. Remember though that salt water can damage your vehicle’s undercarriage. So, after rolling on the sand, give your ride a thorough wash to prevent rust.
4WD Driving Techniques: The best beach driving terrain is compact and fine sand. Drive at a maximum speed of 80 kilometres per hour. Time your beach drive during low tide and do it fast so you don’t get caught in rising sea levels. Also, pack recovery gear, including a shovel, traction tools and a snatch strap kit.
Tyre Tips: If the sand is loose and easily blown by the wind, experts recommend lowering your tyre pressure to a minimum of 102-110 kPa to give it a bigger footprint.
All-Terrain or Mud Terrain? Mud tyres perform well on sand, but All-Terrain tyres are the more popular choice for sandy surfaces. Aside from being more affordable, All-Terrain tyres offer a quieter ride.
Tyre Brands for Beach Driving
This all-season mud tyre is built for off-road traction in terrains covered by rocks and mud. Many race teams have used this tyre on extreme tracks, proving its durability.
This tyre ensures off-road traction with its stone and mud ejectors and rock-solid construction. Its triple polymer compound lets you effectively grip almost any surface.
Before You Go
The road stretches before you, daring you to conquer it without fear. Still, it would be best to make some preparations before embarking on your adventure.
Have your vehicle thoroughly inspected. Get wheel alignment and replace or repair damaged parts, including tyres, wheels, shock absorbers, wiper blades, etc.
Carry a spare tyre. If your load capacity allows it, carry an extra wheel. Bring a puncture repair kit if you don’t want the excess weight. However, it’s best to keep weight down as much as possible to protect your vehicle.
Check the weather and road conditions. Roads can transform overnight due to the weather. Check closed routes, and avoid affected areas.
Equip yourself with communication tools. Your mobile phone may not cut it in remote areas. It may be wise to invest in a satellite phone or radio when exploring the backwoods.
Are you looking for 4x4 tyres? Buy them online at Tyroola and have them fitted locally. For more tyre tips, explore our blog and helpful guides.
