August 1, 2013
Goodyear provided an opportunity to experience their Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar® tires in Colorado Springs, CO, one of America’s top areas for outdoor recreational activities. They offered several on-road and dirt-road experiences behind the wheel of a variety of SUVs and pickup trucks in the shadows of the Rocky Mountains.
Driving a long wheelbase Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab through a parking lot autocross course may not be the most intuitive way to experience an On-/Off-Road All-Terrain tire. However, its asphalt handling and traction are very important since this type of tire will typically spend more time on-road than off. And while no one would mistake this vehicle/tire combination for a sporty coupe on Goodyear Eagle performance tires, the Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar provided good grip, predictable handling and capable stopping traction in both dry and wet conditions.
In order to cover today’s ever-growing range of light truck vehicles, Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar tires are available in Standard Load metric sizes, as well as heavy-duty Load Range E LT-metric sizes. Goodyear identifies the heavy-duty sizes as Pro Grade tires for drivers who work hard and play hard, and are often faced with hauling heavy loads or towing large trailers for work or recreation. A 1 ½-hour scenic drive would provide the opportunity to experience both versions.
Starting out from Colorado Springs in a Chevrolet Tahoe on the 265/70R17 Standard Load metric tires, the route headed south on the road. The Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar tires provided appropriate ride qualities and proved to be very quiet on the road. The route went into the mountains and followed the canyon roads to higher elevations. As the asphalt ended and the graded dirt roads began, the tires’ open shoulders and multi-faceted tread blocks delivered predictable steering response and traction on dirt.
Reaching the mid-point destination, we had the opportunity to change vehicles and drive a Ram 1500 Crew Cab on Pro Grade LT265/70R17 Load Range E tires for our return. The Ram’s driver doorjamb tire placard called for 40 psi cold inflation pressures and we were again treated to a quiet, comfortable ride for the trip back to town.
While we didn’t get a chance to truly challenge the off-road capabilities of the Kevlar-reinforced treads or Durawall Technology sidewall rubber, past experience confirms both contribute to the tire’s toughness and strength.
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