PRICE COMPARISON

In an attempt to ensure accuracy, we secured prices through six different tyre franchises and to simplify matters we took an average and then rounded off the amounts. According to this method the GT Radials are the least expensive, closely followed by Velocity, Nexen, Firestone, and Dunlop Grandtrek AT3 M, but, keeping in mind its performance and price (at around R2,800 per tyre) the Dunlop AT3 G is a bargain for those wanting a three-ply tyre…

Two of the top contenders, the General Grabbers and Bridgestone Duelers, were available for less than R10k per set, with the Goodyears and Continental quite affordable at just above R10k – more than justifying price vs. performance … It is also clear that the Firestone Adventure AT (in eight position overall and fourth in terms of pricing) and the Dunlop Grandtrek AT3 M (sixth overall and fifth in terms of pricing) are the budget bargains in our shootout.

CONCLUSION

In our tests the notion that a more aggressive tread pattern will do better off-road did not necessarily ring true, as it confirmed that a smoother tread could be advantageous, especially in sandy conditions. However, it did confirm that pressures are of utmost importance. Some tyres may have performed better with lower pressures. (However, keep in mind the other tyres could similarly have performed better …)

It is therefore imperative that you make very sure for what purpose you are acquiring a specific tyre. If you need to regularly lug heavy loads over long distances, also off-road, rather choose a more robust tyre with a high load rating (120 R or S), but if you are going to use your vehicle mostly on-road, and only want to transport light loads, rather opt for a less rugged pattern. But you cannot go wrong with any of our top six – be it the Grabbers, the Wrangler Adventures, the Conticrosscontacts, the Duelers, the Michelins, or the Dunlops.