What Are RT Tires? 8 Hybrid Tires for Trucks & Rugged Terrains 

Planning on an off-roading weekend trip? Maybe you have to drive home on a muddy country road? Picking out a set of mud-terrain tires may seem like an easy choice for your vehicle, but what if you also want to drive on pavement? 

Rugged terrain (RT) tires are a hybrid choice that land between a mud terrain and an all-terrain. The reason you’d want a rugged terrain tire is that mud terrain tires tend to offer poor on-road performance — they’re noisy and uncomfortable to drive on pavement because their aggressive design has been optimized for tough, muddy terrain. 

RT tires are part all-terrain and part mud terrain. If you’re driving equal time on- and off-road, they’re a great choice for your vehicle. For a dedicated off-roading build, you may want mud terrain tires. Check out some of the best mud terrain tires here. Alternatively, you can see some of the best all-terrain tires here.

RT tires are a top choice for aggressive truck builds. Let’s take a look at some of the top RT tires for trucks and rugged terrain vehicles. 

What's One of the Best Hybrid RT Tires?

• Starts around $313 per tire*
• Warranty: 50,000 miles, road hazard protection
• Notable: Road hazard warranty protection, on-road stability, and off-road durability

Consider the Falken Wildpeak R/T.With an aggressive tread design that has large tread blocks and open shoulders, the Falken Wildpeak R/T excels off-road. However, this tire has a hybrid design that allows it to perform exceptionally well on pavement because of its high contact ratio center that stabilizes the tire on the road. In the mud and on the rocks, this tire’s aggressive upper sidewall protects it from sharp rocks and other potential damage. 

What's a Good Budget Rugged Terrain Tire?

• Starts around $196 per tire
• Warranty: N/A
• Notable: Durable tread design, larger tire diameter sizes

You might like the Fury Country Hunter R/T.This tire features an extremely thick tread that resists impacts as well as rock and debris damage. The Country Hunter R/T is also built with stone ejectors from shoulder to shoulder to prevent road debris from building up in the treads. On the road, you’ll get surprisingly low road noise and smooth performance due to the flat, uniform tread. For your larger truck build, this tire is a top choice. 

Don't skimp on quality because of budget. Tire Agent connects you with a number of easy ways to pay for a full set of tires and/or wheels, including zero down, monthly payments and flexible terms.

Does Goodyear Make a Hybrid RT Tire?

• Starts around $269 per tire
• Warranty: 50,000-mile 
• Notable: Severe weather readiness, balanced off- and on-road performance.

Yes, the Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac RT is a hybrid rugged terrain tire. The Goodyear brand is known for reliability, and the Wrangler DuraTrac is their off-road adventure tire of choice. This ultra-rugged tire has treads with full-depth, interlocking patterns that enhance stability and control on and off the road. The Wrangler DuraTrac has also been constructed with Durawall technology and a 3-ply sidewall that resists scratches, bumps, and other road hazards. You’ll also find that this tire maintains performance in wet and snowy road conditions!

What's a Rugged Tire with Exceptional Snow & Rain Traction?

• Starts around $217 per tire
• Warranty: N/A
• Notable: Top all-season performance, studdable option for enhanced winter terrain performance. 

Check out the Kenda Klever R/T KR601. It is a rough terrain tire that’s built for a comfortable ride on pavement and exceptional all-season, rugged terrain performance. This tire has a reinforced 3-ply sidewall that protects against impacts, punctures, abrasions, and tearing. It also has high sipe density for better traction in wet, snowy, and icy weather. On the road, the tread design ensures you’re still getting a smooth, comfortable ride. 

Is There an RT Tire With Extended Tread Life?

• Starts around $214 per tire
• Warranty: 40,000-mile warranty, road hazard protection
• Notable: Durable sidewall, road hazard warranty protection, and extended tread life

Most mud terrain and rugged terrain tires aren't UTQG rated for expected tread life. The Radar Renegade R/Tis packed with mud-terrain features but still designed for on-road comfort. Its tread block sizes and shapes are designed to deliver top traction on- and off-road. This tire’s wide center tread blocks balance your vehicle’s weight for enhanced comfort and extended tread life. The Renegade R/T also has dagger-shaped lugs that are perfect for an aggressive truck or SUV build. 

Which Hybrid Tire Offers Better Grip in Mud, Snow and Sand?

• Starts around $243 per tire
• Warranty: 45,000-mile 
• Notable: Unique tread design that’s comfortable on-road and effective for slippery, tough off-road terrain

Consider Toyo's Open Country R/T. The first thing you’ll notice about the Open Country R/T by Toyo is its unique tread design. The pattern has been optimized to be quiet while on the road, but still has excellent off-road traction and protection against impacts. The tire has been overall constructed with a 3-ply polyester casing for better durability and handling. It also comes with open shoulder blocks that improve traction and grip in soft off-road terrain like mud, sand, or snow. 

Can You Recommend a Quiet Rugged Terrain Tire?

• Starts around $202 per tire
• Warranty: 50,000-mile, road hazard protection
• Notable: Enhanced off-road capabilities and improved traction and comfort on the road. 

The Venom Power Trail Hunter R/T is worth a listen. The famous Venom Power brand's excellent R/T option — the Trail Hunter — is an aggressive tire designed with dual sidewalls and optimized off-road capabilities for improved traction in harsh conditions. Its deep treads and deep edge block sipes lead to an overall more stable tire. However, this advanced tread pattern reduces overall road noise for a smooth on-road driving experience. 

Which RT Tire Has the Best Warranty?

• Starts around $222 per tire
• Warranty: 55,000-mile
• Notable: Enhanced traction/durability off the road and improved on-road stability and comfort. 

The Cooper Discoverer Rugged Trek tops this list. Designed as an aggressive tire for light trucks and SUVs, the Discoverer Rugged Trek is an R/T tire that has an off-road design that still performs on the pavement. This tire comes with an Earth Diggers shoulder design that scoops and digs through dirt, sand, and mud. The treads themselves eject stones and other road debris to maintain traction and control while driving through tough terrain. On the pavement, you’ll find the tire’s grooves specially designed to reduce road noise. 

*Tire prices are subject to change and depend on size. Click product links for the latest prices, offers and discounts.  

ID 363269407 | And | Andrii Zorii | Dreamstime.com