What Are Mud Terrain Tires? (Are They Right for You?)
Mud terrain tires are built for off-road adventures, especially in deep mud, rocks, and uneven trails. With aggressive tread patterns and reinforced sidewalls, they’re made to handle extreme terrain without slipping or getting stuck.
These tires feature deep tread blocks and wider voids between them. Why? So mud, gravel, or dirt doesn’t clog the tire, it self-cleans as you drive. That’s what makes them terrain-specific tires with off-road traction you can count on. The rugged tread design also boosts grip in sand, snow, and even loose soil.
Imagine you're steering your truck down a soggy, post-rain trail. Standard tires would spin. But with mud terrain tires, the lugs bite into the ground, giving you traction where others fail.
They differ from all-terrain tires in one big way: off-road performance comes first. All terrain tires balance road and trail use, while mud terrain tires focus purely on off-road power. That means more grip in rough areas but usually a bit more road noise and faster wear when driven on pavement.
These are the real deal if your weekend plans include trails, hunting trips, or construction sites. Next up, let’s break down tire sizes and how to pick the right fit for your truck.
Explore Tire Sizes That Match Your Ride
Finding the right mud terrain tire size isn’t just about looks, it’s about getting the perfect balance of performance, clearance, and safety. Whether you’re running stock suspension or a lifted truck, size matters.
How to Choose the Right Tire Size for Your Setup?
When you’re shopping for mud terrain tires, the first thing to check is whether the size matches your wheel and truck clearance. A mismatch can cause rubbing, poor handling, or worse, damage to your suspension.
Here’s what tire sizing typically includes:
Tire Spec
What It Means?
Tire Width (e.g., 12.50")
The width of the tire in inches, from sidewall to sidewall.
Tire Height (e.g., 35")
Also known as diameter, total height of the tire from ground to top.
Wheel Diameter (e.g., 17")
The size of the wheel or rim the tire fits on.
Popular Sizes for Lifted Trucks and Off-Road Builds
If your truck is lifted or running modified suspension, you’ve got more room to fit wide off-road tires or oversized off-road tires without issues.
Here are some of the most common off-road tire sizes that balance looks, ground clearance, and traction:
35 inch mud tires – a go-to choice for light to moderate lifts (around 2-4”)
37 inch off-road tires – perfect for serious builds, gives better clearance in rocks, sand, and mud
285/75R16 or 315/70R17 – popular on full-size trucks and SUVs with mild modifications
325/60R20 or 35x12.50R20 – aggressive look and trail-ready performance
Before going oversized, always check your fender clearance and turn radius. Some sizes might look great but rub unless you trim or lift.
Full Size Range Available at Dually Wheels
At Dually Wheels, we carry a full lineup of mud terrain tires in sizes to match nearly any off-road build:
Wheel Diameters from 15" up to 30"
Tire Heights ranging from 225 to 44 inches
Tire Widths from 11.50 to 85 (including wide, deep-profile treads)
This wide range lets you dial in the right size based on whether you're towing, trail crawling, or daily driving your setup. Use our filters to find tires based on your wheel size, lift height, and driving goals, and get the perfect fit, faster.
Let’s talk about the brands you can trust when it comes to serious mud terrain performance, and why some stand out more than others.
Top Brands of Mud Terrain Tires We Carry
Choosing the right brand means more than just picking a name, it’s about getting proven durability, grip, and trust in tough terrain. Let’s walk through the most trusted names in off-road tires and what makes each one stand out.
BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/A KM3, The Off-Road Legend
BFGoodrich Tires is one of the best mud terrain tire brands with decades of racing and trail-tested experience. The KM3 is built for serious off-roaders with:
Krawl-Tek compound for added grip on rock and loose soil
Thick sidewall armor for extra protection against punctures
Self-cleaning tread lugs for performance in deep mud and snow
This tire is a go-to for weekend warriors and pro rock crawlers alike. If you want something that can grip, flex, and take a beating, this is your tire.
Nitto Trail Grappler, Balance of Quiet Ride and Trail Power
Nitto’s Trail Grappler is designed to be quieter on the road while staying tough on trails. What stands out here:
Hybrid design: part mud tire, part all-terrain
Deep voids and staggered shoulder lugs for off-road bite
Reinforced sidewalls for heavy-duty off-road use
It’s ideal if you want performance off-road but still need to cruise comfortably during the week — that’s exactly where Nitto Tires shine.
Mickey Thompson Baja Boss M/T, Extreme Traction, Built Tough
Known for pushing boundaries, Mickey Thompson’s Baja Boss M/T takes off-road performance to the next level:
Extreme Sidebiters® for added grip when aired down
Silica-reinforced compound for improved wear and wet traction
Wide-shoulder gaps to clear out mud and debris quickly
This is the tire you want for mud, rocks, snow, and everything in between. Mickey Thompson Tires are engineered in the U.S., making them one of the top American-made off-road tires.
Toyo Open Country M/T, Trail-Tested and Road-Ready
The Open Country M/T by Toyo Tires is built for durability and long tread life, even under tough conditions. Highlights include:
Over-the-shoulder tread for confident cornering off-road
High turn-up 3-ply construction for added toughness
Surprisingly quiet for a mud terrain tire
This is a popular choice among lifted truck owners looking for both street comfort and weekend adventure.
Yokohama Geolandar M/T, Lightweight and Aggressive
The Geolandar M/T G003 by Yokohama Tires offers impressive performance without adding extra weight:
Geo-Shield construction for advanced protection
Triple polymer compound to handle sharp terrain
Optimized block pattern for smoother, more stable handling
If you’re into trail riding or overlanding, this one’s built to keep up.
Other Trusted Off-Road Tire Manufacturers We Offer
Aside from the big names above, we also carry a range of trusted off-road tire manufacturers offering rugged terrain tires for all needs and budgets:
Falken Wildpeak M/T01 – excellent mud evacuation and durability
General Grabber X3 – 3-ply construction, great sidewall grip
Cooper Evolution M/T – affordable with strong trail performance
Atturo Trail Blade M/T – aggressive look and budget-friendly
Milestar Patagonia M/T-02 – surprisingly capable for the price
AMP, Ironman, Mastercraft, Kumho, Westlake, Nexen – options for every size and setup
Whether you’re going full-send on the trail or just want your truck to look the part, there’s a perfect match here.
Let’s break down the real-world performance benefits of mud terrain tires, and how they make a difference when you’re deep in the muck or scaling a rocky hill.
Performance Benefits of Off Road Tires
Off road tires are built to do what regular tires can't, keep you moving confidently across unpredictable, uneven terrain. Let’s break down why these tires make such a difference when the ground gets rough.
Grip That Bites Into Mud, Rocks, and Loose Ground
Off-road tires deliver extreme terrain traction by using larger, deeper tread blocks and wider gaps between them. This layout helps the tires dig into soft ground, whether it's mud, sand, or loose gravel, and gives your vehicle the ability to move forward without slipping or spinning.
If you’re climbing rocks or working through washed-out trails, you’ll also notice the lugs wrapping over the shoulders of the tire. These help maintain traction when your tire sidewalls come in contact with the surface, making them true trail-ready tires.
Self-Cleaning Tread That Keeps You Moving
One standout feature of mud and rock grip tires is their self-cleaning tread design. As your wheels spin, the wider voids between the tread blocks allow mud, dirt, and stones to be ejected from the tread. This prevents buildup, which could otherwise reduce traction.
Built Tough with Reinforced Sidewalls
Off-road tires aren’t just about surface grip, they’re also made to resist damage from the sides. That’s where sidewall protection tires come in.
The reinforced sidewalls on these tires help guard against punctures, sharp rocks, tree roots, and other hazards you'd face in the wild. Plus, they provide added support when you’re aired down, a common practice to increase contact patch and control on trails.
Choosing the Right Tire for Your Terrain
Not all off-road tires are built the same, the right pick depends on where you drive most. Here’s how to match the tread to the terrain.
Mud: Choose mud tires with deep, wide tread blocks and self-cleaning gaps. These help push through thick, sticky ground without losing grip. → Best for: trail riders, hunters, or workers on muddy job sites.
Rocks: Go for rock crawling tires with flexible tread and reinforced sidewalls. They offer better grip when aired down and reduce puncture risks. → Best for: off-roaders scaling rocky trails or uneven hills.
Sand: Look for sand tires with paddle-like treads or smoother designs that spread out weight to prevent sinking. → Best for: beach driving or desert dune runs.
Snow: Pick snow-capable off-road tires with softer rubber and sipes (tiny cuts in tread) that help grip icy surfaces. → Best for: winter trail runs or mountain travel.
All Conditions: If you need versatility, multi-terrain tires are a balanced choice. They won’t outperform terrain-specific tires, but they handle a bit of everything well. → Best for: daily drivers who also go off-road on weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mud Terrain & Off Road Tires
How often should I rotate mud terrain tires?
You should rotate your mud tires every 3,000 to 5,000 miles to promote even wear, especially if you’re driving on pavement often. Rotating helps extend lifespan and maintain performance.
Are mud tires okay for all-season use?
Mud tires can handle various terrain year-round, but they’re not optimized for icy roads or deep snow. For winter-heavy areas, look for snow-capable off-road tires or consider switching seasonally.
Do mud tires wear out faster on highways?
Yes, since mud terrain tires are designed for trail-ready grip and not smooth roads, their aggressive tread wears faster on pavement. Rotating regularly and checking alignment helps reduce that wear.
Do mud tires get louder as they wear?
They can. As the tread wears down unevenly or cups, noise tends to increase. Keeping them properly inflated and rotated on schedule helps reduce this.
Are mud terrain tires good in the rain?
Mud tires can handle rain, but they aren’t specifically engineered for wet roads. Their deep tread channels water away, but all-terrain tires tend to perform better for consistent rainy driving.
What does MT mean on a tire?
MT stands for Mud Terrain. It tells you the tire is built for off-road performance, especially in muddy, rocky, and loose surfaces, with reinforced sidewalls and aggressive tread.
What happens if I don’t rotate my off-road tires?
Uneven tread wear will reduce the tire’s grip, shorten its life, and could impact vehicle stability, especially with heavy-duty off-road tires that take a beating on trails.
How do I choose the best mud terrain tire for my truck?
Start by knowing your driving style, daily commuter, weekend trail rider, or heavy hauler. From there, check your clearance, preferred tire size, and terrain. Look for brands like BFGoodrich, Nitto, or Toyo known for rugged terrain tires.
Can off-road tires be used for towing?
Absolutely. Many off-road traction tires are made with strong ply ratings and reinforced sidewalls, making them perfect for towing trailers, campers, or equipment, even in muddy or uneven areas.
Do I need to air down mud tires when going off-road?
Yes, lowering your air pressure (usually to 15–20 PSI) increases the contact patch, improving grip over rocks or sand. Just remember to air them back up before hitting the highway.
Stick-on weights cannot be used for rear outer wheels. By removing balancing beads, you are authorizing the use of stick-on weights for your front and rear inner wheels only and may experience vibration.
