OEM Tires (or Tyres)
Posted by David A. Wright on November 26, 2003 at 22:12:04:
In Reply to: For those that gave advice, I thank you posted by AB in UK on November 26, 2003 at 12:27:48:
Thank you, Andrew, for your write up.
A comment on OEM (original equipment on new vehicles) tires for SUVs and other 4x4s. They are actually passenger tires with an agressive tread. Out here, as you found out the hard way, the sidewalls take a beating.
Three-ply sidewalls, found on off road truck tires, are the de-riguer equipment out here in DV country (I live in Big Pine and 4x4 DV country regularly). Most manufacturers put on cheap and adequate tires - which the rental company doesn't change - since they both don't expect you to be a serious off-road type, or take it only on maintained dirt roads. If you do take it off road, they generally damage quite easily.
Those who regularly off road in a serious manner trash the OEM rubber as soon as possible and spoon on a set of real truck tires and have at it.