Bias vs Ply

[2001ExpSport]

Looking at some Swampers and saw that the TSL's come in either bias ply or radial. What is the difference in ride characteristics and feel between the two. Which is better for both street and 4by?

The radials are cheaper, is there a reason for that?

Also, what is the difference between the SSR and the TSL. They look very similar.

 

[RFR2212]

Matt--The TSL's are more for off road and the radial SSR's are more street design....If ya can say that a swamper has a street tread...
Pete

 

[2001ExpSport]

Ya, Pete, which one of the Swampers is ACTUALLY a street tires..LOL

What about this bias ply thing? My guess is it will not be as good as the radials ride wise?

 

[RFR2212]

I think bias ply is more off road and the radial is more streetable...
I think...
Pete

 

[rock883]

The bias ply will have a softer tread compound, which will make them wear faster, but give you better traction. If you drove around on these mainly on the street they would wear out extremely fast, and the bias ply tires are louder on the street. The radials are basically just the opposite, but will still perform great off road, especially the TSL's. The radials will be quieter, and smoother on the road, but the TSL's whether it is the radial or bias ply is going to be louder and rougher on the road than your BFG's, ProComps, etc would be. I think the best for both street and 4by would be the radials, and they will last longer, which is a plus. I don't know why they are cheaper, though. The SSR is the Super Swamper Radial tire. These would be comparable to those BFG's, ProComps and all those other MT radials. I think the SSR have a tighter tread pattern which make for a smoother ride on the street and these will last the same mileage as the other MT radials. Hope I helped you out.

 

[2001ExpSport]

Looks like I will be getting the Radial TSL's. I don't mind the noise and they are $40 cheaper than the SSR's. The SSR's have a tighter tread pattern like rock883 said and some sidewall tread as well.

 

[olivesman]

Originally posted by rock883
TThese would be comparable to those BFG's, ProComps and all those other MT radials.

true, they are a radial, but still mean as...in the mud or rocks, and they are anything BUT a bfg. don't let the radial part fool yah, they're some mean tires. the thing that makes them last so long is the fact they probably have the best cyping of any tire on the market.

2001, the tsl's may be $40 cheaper, but if you want a better quality tire that's gonna last you about 40-45k miles(trus me on this one) then go w/ the ssr's. i ran a set of 35x14.5 bald on my bronco and could still go through 4' ruts in GA clay w/ stock 355 gears w/ NO problem. the side lugs really make the difference in the mud and that tighter tread and better ply is going to help on the rocks. you may wanna ride to the closest 4x4 shop and check what they've got on the floor and see what you like.

[Edited by olivesman on 01-28-2001 at 09:05 PM]

 

[2001ExpSport]

Originally posted by olivesman
the side lugs really make the difference in the mud and that tighter tread and better ply is going to help on the rocks. you may wanna ride to the closest 4x4 shop and check what they've got on the floor and see what you like.

[Edited by olivesman on 01-28-2001 at 09:05 PM]

olivesman, thanks for the info. I have a catalog with all the Swampers in it with specs. Both the TSL radial and SSR have a 6 ply rating, but the SSR does have a side wall pattern like the Mickey Thompson Baja.

Can you explain the siping part to me? Why would siping make the SSR last longer?

Oh ya, the closest 4x4 shop is an hour away.

 

[olivesman]

i'm sorry about the long distance. the closest shop to me is less than 10 minutes. and i live in the boonies.

i'm sure there's plenty of better qualified people on this sight that can help w/ the cyping question. the best i know is that b/c the tire is cut in such a way in certain areas the tread can give more to the road and not rub off as quickly. i'm not to sure how right i am though. as for the ssr's, i don't know if you've ever seen them up close, but each lug is cyped w/ three cuts that follow the outline of the lug. those cypes go almost clear to the bottom of the tread. the ssr's also have a small lip, maybe 1/8" or less on the top of all the tread. it serves no real purpose but it's just an extra layer that adds almost nothing to the tread. but as an example of how good the tires where, it will take you about 8-10 months to wear that off before you even start riding on the real tread.

the only bad thing i can say about the ssr's is that when mine got worn down to the safety nobs, one of my ply's seperated and my tire swelled up another 2" in the middle almost all the way around. but don't let that scare you, i'm sure their not all that way. mine is the only story i've heard of.

 

[2001ExpSport]

Thanks Olivesman. I just talked to Natnl Tire and they told me that basically the big difference is the siping in the tread on the SSR. Essentially they are the same tire and will get the same mileage. They said about 25k, so they'll probaby last me a year. In that case I will go with the TSL because they are cheaper and the siping isn't a big deal to me. My BFG's don't have siping an I've gotten used to it. Thanks for your help!

 

[olivesman]

no problem. FYI- i'm getting some tsl's too, b/c of the price. but interco was wrong when they said 25k. that may have been an average, trust me, they'll last you at least 2.5years if you don't cut them up real bad and keep them balanced.

 

[2001ExpSport]

Cool!!