Those who have been in the off-roading world long enough know that having the right tire is paramount. Everyone has their own opinions on what the “best” tire is. Major considerations are often brand loyalty, looks, performance, and cost.
Let me introduce you to Arroyo Tires – a newer brand offering a wide range of car and truck tires. They are best known for making more budget-friendly tires without sacrificing performance. While they may not be as well known as the other major tire brands, they should not be overlooked. With the skyrocketing price of tires in recent years, it continues to get more difficult to justify the premium price tags and tire manufacturing tech has improved.
These may more affordable, but don’t confuse them with cheapest options. Arroyo is a brand that I would call the upper end of a mid-tier tire company. You won’t have to worry about a bad reputation or catastrophic failures, and you also won’t have to empty your pockets.
Paired with my Dirt King 2.5 shocks, the overall ride and experience has been great. Let’s see if these are the right choice for your rig.
Table Of Contents
Overview
Key Features
- Aggressive tread pattern to aid in better offroad performance
- A high void ratio helps the tire clear large debris like rocks and also mud for better traction
- Stronger sidewalls for airing down and rock rubbing protection
- Staggered lugs and biting edges give you more traction when you need it
- M+S rated (all season tire category approved for muddy/snowy conditions)
The Tamarock M/T is designed for challenging and rugged terrain with an aggressive tread that provides extra traction in mud, gravel, and sand. They also feature a durable sidewall to protect against punctures on rocky trails. Part of the Tamarock line of off-road SUV and truck tires, the M/Ts are the most aggressive and offer the best off-road capabilities.
Performance
On-Road
Yes, M/Ts are off-road-oriented tires, but they can still perform on the road, believe it or not. The main drawbacks are increased road noise and shorter tread life due to the softer rubber compound. Normal driving handling is decent but will not be as good as something like an all-terrain tire.
Ride comfort and fuel economy will also take a hit due to the more rigid sidewalls and higher rolling resistance.
Off-Road
This is where an M/T tire shines! Large lug voids and self-cleaning tread dislodge rocks, debris, and mud while off-roading for increased traction. These tires are designed to take a beating and will perform better than milder tires on difficult terrain thanks to their more robust construction.
The only negative I found off-road was that these can be too aggressive if you don’t use them appropriately. If you only frequent forest roads or basic off-road trails, go with an all-terrain. There’s no point in sacrificing on-road handling, noise, and poor fuel economy in that case.
Inclement Weather
These tires will do a better job of keeping you going in mud or deep snow. Compared to a less aggressive tire that will have its tread quickly caked up, M/Ts self-clean their tread as you spin the tires. The deep lugs will help these tires fight through these conditions and help give you better traction.
On the other hand, ice or slush can pose issue. But this is the case with all tires in this category. Rain can also become an issue due to the large tread voids and lack of siping. These conditions will always favor an AT, but with this tire being M+S rated, you should be okay for all seasons. This all ultimately dependent on what you’re comfortable with.
How They Compare
Tread Pattern
The Tamarock M/Ts have just as aggressive of a tread as mainstream brands like BFGoodrich, Nitto, or Goodyear. Mud terrain tread patterns can be more or less aggressive depending on the brand. Some can look more like an AT, and others can extra knobby. These tires fall right in the middle, with smaller voids than some of the more aggressive options. This likely helps to keep their road noise down.
Durability & Longevity
For the price, these promise to have solid tread life for the money. While competitors could have advanced rubber compounds for improved stronger durability, they can cost nearly twice as much – and some still have poor tread wear. Taking that into consideration, these carry the appropriate expectation of value for money.
Price
Cost can be the primary consideration for many buyers. With most popular brands topping $1200 for a full set, the Tamarock M/T has a clear advantage in the price department. If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to add M/T tires to your rig, these are a great option and carry solid off-road performance.
Final Thoughts
The Tamarock MT tire is a clear winner for budget tire buyers. Despite the lower price tag, they offer a solid overall package. In my experience, they keep up with all the leading competitors. We’ll have to see how the tread holds up long term. I’ll write another post after 5,000 miles.
Since having these tires mounted, I drove about 1,000 miles to gather my initial impressions. I did some highway and off-road driving, including the mountains of Sedona.
When I left the tire shop, I was impressed with the low road noise. It certainly still exists being that they’re M/Ts, but it’s not as bad as I expected. Compared to my previous Falken A/T3W tires, they’re only slightly louder.
In Sedona, Arizona, I hit Schnebly Hill, Broken Arrow, and Soldiers Pass. All trails included rocky terrain and obstacles like smooth rocks. During my trip, we also had some rain which made mud to play around in. However, I don’t think it was enough to say I have thoroughly tested these in some dense mud.
Overall, I was very happy with how these performed and handled everything I threw at them. I tackled all of the same lines and obstacles I had previously done with my Falkens without issue. If saving money is a top priority and you’re itching to add some M/Ts to your build, Arroyo Tires is pretty impressive for the price.
I’m excited to provide a long-term review of these, so stay tuned!
