GoRV - Digital Magazine Issue #54 | Page 25

RV FEATURE
H / T TYRES
Highway Terrain tyres are the most car-like tyres and are usually fitted to most new 4WD wagons and some utes . These tyres have the lightest construction of 4WD tyres , typically a higher speed rating and lower load rating , as well as the most road-tyre-oriented tread pattern . For this reason , they are ‘ passenger-rated ’ tyres .
If you have a 4WD that is only used occasionally on dirt roads and is otherwise used to drive mostly in the city , this is the best tyre type to buy . It will also be the easiest to find a direct replacement tyre where your vehicle has an odd tyre size or is a large diameter tyre in , say , the 19in to 20in range ( although this is changing , as more aftermarket tyre manufacturers begin to cater for this diameter range with other patterns such as A / T and M / T ).
A / T tyres are a good ' middle ground ' option .
Most new 4WD wagons will come with H / T tyres as standard .
A / T TYRES
A / T tyres are the middle ground , with typically a lower speed-rating than a H / T tyre – often between T and H – and a higher load rating . A / T tyres offer a broad scope of design , according to what the tyre manufacturer believes is important . Some A / Ts will have a tread pattern and construction close to that of a H / T tyre , while others will tend towards M / T in design .
A good A / T tyre should at least have a stronger construction than a H / T tyre . To check this , look at the tyre specifications and compare the number of plies it has with a typical 4WD H / T tyre . The A / T should also have a more pronounced , open tread pattern than the H / T tyre . The A / T tyre is usually the best compromise for urban driving , caravan touring and the occasional light offroad or dirt road trip .
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