[sgjii]

This is an informational posting, in case anybody wanted to know first hand experience with an off brand tire choice for a factory replacement.

If you followed my other thread where I tried to find a 14" steel wheel solution for 2022 T2 S LE, you might wonder why I am pursuing tires for my factory alloy wheels. I wanted to run my 14" factory alloys (vain cosmetics) everyday and switch to the steelies for rocks and Hatfield McCoy trails.

The Story: I purchased a QuadBoss steel 14" 4+3 wheel (thanks for advice on ITP Delta leading to easy sidewall cuts) for a spare and started looking for a cheap used tire. Locally I picked up three Big Horn 27" stock tires for only $75. The two rears were in good shape with 65%+ tread and a lone front tire that was worn and a little cupped but would be a welcome "blessing" to get off a deep trail in a pinch. Since I was half way to a set, with two good Big Horn 2.0 rears, I needed front tires to complete a set. Maxxis Big Horns seemed expensive, then I found the Atlas Roadguider tires on eBay from Free Country (I have previously purchased 8 light trailer tires from them with good success) | eBay

I initially found them when looking for a new UTV spare tire and found that for a single 27x9-R14 tire it was $109 and funny thing, for a pair of front tires it was also $109... go figure. They appear to be an exact clone of the Big Horn 2.0 So much so, that without checking the sidewall, I would swear they are Maxxis Big Horns. I ordered, got them delivered and mounted them up last night. Photos attached of All 5 of my tires, which includes the spare. Compare the treads, etc. Photos attached and Atlas new front tires are on the alloys on the left, Maxxis rear tires on the alloys on the right and the steel wheel has a Maxxis front spare. Just thought I would share my thoughts thus far and will update at some future date when I have run them for awhile.

A final note, the Maxxis tires have a date code that is melt stamped into them, like car tires with a DOT code. 4 digits showing week and year of manufacture. The Atlas have no indication of manufacture date stamped into them or on any sticker. I remove road tires from service at 9 years, regardless of tread remaining (whole other tire topic but ask Paul Walker if you want to know why). Not sure I am worried so much about ATV/UTV tires since they don't achieve anywhere near the speeds or with traffic. It will be more about condition and/or cracking to pull them out of service. Just another piece for consideration when deciding if this tire and "price point compromise" are right for you.

 

[sgjii]

Photos Installed

 

[JerrBear]

This is an informational posting, in case anybody wanted to know first hand experience with an off brand tire choice for a factory replacement.

If you followed my other thread where I tried to find a 14" steel wheel solution for 2022 T2 S LE, you might wonder why I am pursuing tires for my factory alloy wheels. I wanted to run my 14" factory alloys (vain cosmetics) everyday and switch to the steelies for rocks and Hatfield McCoy trails.

The Story: I purchased a QuadBoss steel 14" 4+3 wheel (thanks for advice on ITP Delta leading to easy sidewall cuts) for a spare and started looking for a cheap used tire. Locally I picked up three Big Horn 27" stock tires for only $75. The two rears were in good shape with 65%+ tread and a lone front tire that was worn and a little cupped but would be a welcome "blessing" to get off a deep trail in a pinch. Since I was half way to a set, with two good Big Horn 2.0 rears, I needed front tires to complete a set. Maxxis Big Horns seemed expensive, then I found the Atlas Roadguider tires on eBay from Free Country (I have previously purchased 8 light trailer tires from them with good success) | eBay

I initially found them when looking for a new UTV spare tire and found that for a single 27x9-R14 tire it was $109 and funny thing, for a pair of front tires it was also $109... go figure. They appear to be an exact clone of the Big Horn 2.0 So much so, that without checking the sidewall, I would swear they are Maxxis Big Horns. I ordered, got them delivered and mounted them up last night. Photos attached of All 5 of my tires, which includes the spare. Compare the treads, etc. Photos attached and Atlas new front tires are on the alloys on the left, Maxxis rear tires on the alloys on the right and the steel wheel has a Maxxis front spare. Just thought I would share my thoughts thus far and will update at some future date when I have run them for awhile.

A final note, the Maxxis tires have a date code that is melt stamped into them, like car tires with a DOT code. 4 digits showing week and year of manufacture. The Atlas have no indication of manufacture date stamped into them or on any sticker. I remove road tires from service at 9 years, regardless of tread remaining (whole other tire topic but ask Paul Walker if you want to know why). Not sure I am worried so much about ATV/UTV tires since they don't achieve anywhere near the speeds or with traffic. It will be more about condition and/or cracking to pull them out of service. Just another piece for consideration when deciding if this tire and "price point compromise" are right for you.

 

[JerrBear]

I learned my lesson with my China travel trailer tires. 2020 Keystone 30RKD less than 1,000 miles on it. proper inflation, blew up and ripped up the side of the camper. Long story short 4 of the 5 tire were bad and had to be replaced. No warranty coverage from manufacturer of tire nor Keystone. Bottom line: If you need to depend on it avoid Chinese and Chinese tires AKA "China Bombs".

 

[Andy>]

Those knock-offs look good. I've seen copy's of bighorns before but the lugs were closer together and packed with mud too easily. The Atlas ones look way better. If they're mostly round and hold air I'd run em.

As for trailer tires...I had to replace the ones on my old 1991 holiday trailer a few times. First set I installed were Maxxis and they were great. After 10 years or so I had to replace them because of age, cracking, natural causes...This time I went with the cheapest garbage I could find knowing I was gonna sell the trailer in a few years anyways. The new cheapo tires had the same amount of tread than the 10 y/o maxxis tires that I was throwing out. After about 2 years they were more than half worn out. I didn't have any problems with them even though they were loaded to max capacity at all times when towing. I won't buy cheap trailer tires again though, I didn't care about the old trailer much.

I install a lot of china and other cheap tires at work a lot. Some are ok-easy to balance, quiet and last a long time and some are pretty crappy-out of round,crack prematurely, and wear ridiculously quick. Price doesn't seem to be a factor but maybe that's just because some are marked up more?

 

[sgjii]

I learned my lesson with my China travel trailer tires. 2020 Keystone 30RKD less than 1,000 miles on it. proper inflation, blew up and ripped up the side of the camper. Long story short 4 of the 5 tire were bad and had to be replaced. No warranty coverage from manufacturer of tire nor Keystone. Bottom line: If you need to depend on it avoid Chinese and Chinese tires AKA "China Bombs".

I agree with your sentiment for "mission critical" applications, use what you know and trust vs. the unknown. The cars/trucks tend to get proven name brand tires but low impact items like farm wagons, lawn mowers, light utility trailer, ATVs, etc., I tend to me more price conscious. Without heavy load or high speed I am willing to experiment or even gamble a little more.

In the early days, who would have thought Korean made items, such as Hyundai/Kia cars, Kumho/Hankook tires, Samsung/LG electronics would turn out to be Top Brand, Quality Equipment, though in the beginning they too were hit or miss. We used to think "Made in Japan" was bad and now many seek it out as "best quality", including our powersports. Right now, so much is made in China... times keep changing and a majority of our daily lives are China made products.

Don't get me wrong and don't get me started on NAFTA giving/driving our US manufacturing economy away, I am not defending Chinese manufacturing or poor quality products BUT I guess I am at the point I can either look at what fits my application/wallet best and where I feel a compromise is a good financial choice for my family OR sit back and go without because I 'refuse' China products OR cannot outright or cumulatively afford the alternatives. Unfortunately, it is the world and times we live in and we must adapt.

Ironically, 15 years ago Maxxis was unheard of and was labeled "Off Brand, Import Junk", now they are considered a respected choice, but they too manufacture all their products off continent and a material amount of their products in China.

 

[sgjii]

Those knock-offs look good. I've seen copy's of bighorns before but the lugs were closer together and packed with mud too easily. The Atlas ones look way better. If they're mostly round and hold air I'd run em.

They really are an extremely close copy. Lug spacing, shoulder design, etc. are so close I would not be able to tell them apart from Big Horns without the branding on the sidewall. I was very happy with the fit & feel, how they mounted up and how they ride. Only time will tell on longevity but at the rate I ride I doubt I will ever find out. My last SxS had Wanda brand China tires as OEM, I only put 1200 miles on it in 11 years and they were no issue. I expect to put a few more miles on the Teryx by adding trail riding into my equation but I bought the steel wheel setup for that so right back to low miles and farm use on the Roadguider Atlas. For my application, I am very happy with $55/ea vs. three times that for other brands. I don't think I am any worse off than the SunF China tires I see a ton of people running successfully.

 

[JerrBear]

I wouldn't call ATV/UTV low impact unless your just riding around the yard. If your running trails 30 miles away from a road or town (perhaps no cell service) then your tires do become mission critical.
With tires you really do get what you pay for, I'd rather pay a little more and not take the chance. Everyone is going to have their own use dependent comfort threshold.

 

[sgjii]

Everyone is going to have their own use dependent comfort threshold.

Well stated. It is the spirit I have tried to convey in the post.