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Tesche Ridge Blade X/RT First Rotation
Initial rotation after 2,000 miles. Wearing well thus far.
Tesche Ridge Blade X/RT.
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Tesche Tire USA: www.teschetire.com
Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T LT255/85R17
Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T LT255/85R17
The Baja Boss A/T was introduced to automotive journalists during the virtual 2020 SEMA Show with a press embargo date of April 5, 2021. After the embargo Mickey Thompson sent me a set for a long-term evaluation, which was published in the Turbo Diesel Register magazine. For my initial review I chose a popular 18-inch size aiming for the broadest appeal for those with newer trucks. In that piece I shared that Mickey Thompson introduced a new niche size, the LT255/85R17, that I also wanted to evaluate.
Overview
The Baja Boss A/T is a fairly high-void, four-rib tread design that Mickey Thompson calls a hybrid, AKA a commercial traction or an aggressive all-terrain. Absorbed by sister brand Mickey Thompson a few years ago, the legendary but now defunct Dick Cepek company arguably invented the first hybrid tread in 1978, when Mr. Dick Cepek introduced the first Fun Country. This was long before anyone used the word hybrid to describe tires, and before several other manufacturers started emulating these versatile and multifaceted designs.
When compared to a more conservative all-terrain or all-season, the deeper and higher-void tread offers better resistance to hydroplaning and superior grip on deeper snow and moderate mud. These attributes are often combined with rugged carcass construction, and if the right special sauce is used for the tread compound sometimes they also offer superior longevity.
Continually reducing road noise while improving other benefits of traction designs is a challenge for engineers. Historically there’s been no easy solution, because better traction in sloppy conditions requires bigger blocks and voids, which increases road noise. The Baja Boss A/T is quieter than it looks.
According To Mickey Thompson
Mickey Thompson says the Baja Boss A/T blends Extreme Sidebiters® for a bold look and serious grip with an all-new silica-reinforced compound providing long-wear, all-weather performance and cut/chip resistance.
Design highlights include:
- Large surface-area tread elements for a greater contact area
- Shoulder scallops for an additional biting edge
- Sound-deadening ribs for stability and a quiet ride
- Enhanced stone ejectors to reduce debris retention
- PowerPly XD™ with 50 percent heavier denier cord on the biased-angled third ply for protection, handling and stability
- Rim flange protector for added wheel protection
- 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMS) symbol certifies that all sizes 12.50 (315mm) and narrower are Severe Snow Service rated
- 50,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Increased-load LT-Metric sizing for heavy-duty applications
- Lower-load floatation sizing for half-ton, lighter trucks and SUVs
- A 35-inch tire approved for 17×6.5 dually wheels
That last bullet point is the specific size this review is about, the LT255/85R17 Baja Boss A/T (also know as the 35×10.00R17LT). The substantial siping helps achieve the severe winter rating and increases overall grip, and measures a whopping 17/32” of the total 18.5/32” depth. Calling the sidewall rubber Extreme Sidebiters® is not an exaggeration, as they are up to 14/32” thick!
LT255/85R17 For Duallys
Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) pickups have an import role in the heavy-duty market, above the more common and very capable single rear wheel (SRW) HD trucks, but a notch below what are really medium-dutys, the 4500 and 5500 chassis. But the rear duals greatly restrict aftermarket tire options due to the spacing needed between sidewalls.
Unless someone wants to have their outside tires protruding well beyond the fenders (some do, and they think it looks cool), the DRW crowd has few choices for taller rubber that will fit otherwise stock or lightly-modified trucks. Mickey Thompson invented the new LT255/85R17 size to fill this niche. It is 35-inch-tall (34.6”), and was purposely designed to fit narrow 6.5-inch dually wheels, though it works well on wheels up to eight inches wide for SRW pickups.
When inflated to 80 psi, the 121 load-index supports 3,195 pounds each in SRW applications, or 2,910 pounds for duals. The tread has one nylon, two steel, and three polyester plies, the sidewall construction has three polyester plies, and they are made in the U.S.A.
Single Rear Wheel Use
Narrower tires will almost always clear more easily with fewer and sometimes zero modifications than a wider tire of the same height. What is also routinely overlooked because many are focused on looks, and wider is perceived as tougher and better, is that a narrower footprint usually rolls down the road more consistently, catching fewer edges, rain grooves, or semi-truck ruts. There are some people that still prefer the appearance and performance of moderate width tires (few modern LT tires are actually narrow or small), and avoid negative-offset wheels or grossly wide rubber sticking well beyond the fenders, which sling rain, snow, mud and other debris.
So it was not surprising to hear Senior Project Manager, Light Truck Division at Mickey Thompson, Ben Anderson, say that the Baja Boss A/T in LT255/85R17 has become popular with the Jeep and Toyota crowd, and others wanting taller but not needlessly wide off-road meats for their four-wheel-drives. I’m also one of those folks.
Sidebar
17-inch Tires Limited to 3,195 Pounds
Why are most heavy-duty seventeens rated to support much less weight than a similar 18-inch, or even less than the same 17-inch size was in the past? Nearly all new 17-inch light-truck tires are limited to a maximum capacity of 3,195 pounds regardless of their size, psi, or theoretical capabilities.
It appears that several years ago the Tire and Rim Association (TRA) decided to lower the maximum load index for seventeens. Or maybe there was a government regulation necessitating the change? Whatever the reason, it is difficult to find high-capacity 17-inch rubber.
The official TRA load inflation charts indicate that something doesn’t compute. For example, the LT295/70R17E has 3,195 pounds of capacity when inflated to 65 psi. However, increasing the pressure to the maximum allowable 80 psi offers no increase in capacity. My basic understanding of math and science tells me that this is not how pressure and volume works inside a tire. Plus there are exceptions to the 3,195 limit.
3,970 Pound 17-Inch Anomaly
I think that if a specific tire design and/or size existed before the change, that manufacturers were grandfathered. Specific examples can be seen online, including from Toyo in their Open Country M/T line. Still using LT295/70R17E, the Toyo M/T has a load index of 128, and is rated to support 3,970 pounds at 80 psi, which makes much more sense. That is a whopping 775 pounds more than 3,195, and 1,550 pounds or 3/4-ton per axle!
For a given diameter, smaller wheels yield taller sidewalls, generally flex more, and may generate extra heat. Excessive heat is the archenemy of tires, so I theorize that this was one reason to push folks to bigger rims.
Yet there are big 16-inch sizes rated above the 17-inch, 3,195 maximum. The LT305/75R16 is rated for 3,640 pounds at only 65 psi. What gives? Are you a tire engineer reading this article? If so and you want to share some industry knowledge and history, I’d love to hear from you.
Possible Solutions
Many newer pickups come with 18-inch or larger wheels and there are many sizes that offer excellent carrying capacity. However, there are plenty of older trucks still running around on their original 17-inch rims, and they might need more capacity when hauling big loads. Proceed at your own risk, you are your own warranty station, nobody is responsible but you, etc. Depending on the specific tire, size, and manufacturer, and how one applies the science, it is possible that you may already have, or could source a 17-inch tire with more capacity than 3,195 pounds.
Mount And Balance
The Baja Boss A/T tread is asymmetric and there is a dedicated inside and outside sidewall, so they should be mounted correctly. It is possible to have a tire and wheel that is balanced according to the machine, but drives poorly. One reason can be attaching excessive weight to achieve the balance, and road force is another. As discussed in a previous article, excessive road force, or radial force variation, is a condition that can affect steering, traction, braking and load support. High road force will impart ride disturbances to the chassis and ultimately the driver.
Both the wheel weight required and the road force measurements were extremely low for this set of Mickey Thompsons. An acceptable maximum road force measurement for passenger car tires is 35 pounds, but all of these Baja Boss A/Ts were in the teens, which is phenomenal for a stout light-truck tire weighing 64 pounds. They were mounted on 28-pound OEM Fourth Generation 17-inch Power Wagon wheels, and the average weight needed to balance the resulting 93-pounds was only 3.9-ounces!
#1- 4.5 oz., road force 17-lb
#2- 3.75 oz., road force 11-lb
#3- 4.00 oz., road force 14-lb
#4- 3.25 oz, road force 16-lb
Data is nice, but like with many things these days we must ensure that the machines are accurate and confirm for ourselves that everything is truly working well.
Take It To The Limit, One More Time
My initial seat-of-the-pants freeway evaluation confirmed that Discount Tire’s balance machine was calibrated. These 255/85R17 Baja Boss A/T were fantastically smooth all the way up to 100 miles per hours and straight line tracking was excellent. I was running 58 psi in the fronts, and 40 psi in the rears, plenty for my 2500’s everyday unloaded wet weight.
The Toyo C/T is a similar heavy-duty commercial traction design and one of my all-time favorites, and a set was removed to mount the Mickey Thompsons. While the C/T are not loud for their capabilities, the Baja Boss A/T are noticeably quieter.
Not Loud
The lack of noise from the Baja Boss A/T for the amount of void and traction impressed me back in 2021. There are similar, older treads that I still like and have run extensively in multiple sizes on several four-wheel-drives, and the Cooper Discover S/T MAXX is a great example. The S/T MAXX is a little louder when new, but once they are worn the volume increases substantially, sometimes becoming nearly as loud as a mud-terrain. The Baja Boss A/T starts and remains quieter than others, and the engineers really deserve credit. Are they as quiet as a five-rib A/T or highway tread? Of course not. As with all tires, to help reduce noise and keep your rubber wearing evenly, frequent and consistent rotations are necessary.
Ride Quality
What constitutes a good or poor ride characteristic depends on one’s performance perspective. Some prefer a softer and more compliant on-road ride, while others want or need firmer and ostensibly stronger options. Even within the LT tire category there can be huge differences between tread designs and carcass construction, even when the load index and other ratings are identical. The Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T is sturdy, which I prefer when using my pickup for hauling, towing, and rugged off-pavement use. The PowerPly XD™ with its 50% heavier denier cord and biased-angle third sidewall ply can be felt, but that’s to be expected and is appropriate for the intended applications.
I do prefer a somewhat softer ride during normal daily driving, but this is easily accomplished with the following two practices. I don’t combine super tall wheels with short and silly thin sidewalls (which also reduces carrying capacity), and I run close to the minimum pressure required for the weight on each axle. This means I know what my vehicle weighs, find the appropriate psi using an inflation chart, and am diligent about adding air when the load is substantially increased.
How Low Can You Go?
When unloaded I routinely run my rears between 35 and 40 psi for comfort, traction, and overall performance. The fairly soft riding 2014-and-newer Ram 2500s are not nearly as rough as the older and stiffer suspensions, but it’s still suboptimal to have overinflated tires. The ride quality difference between 80 and 40 psi with no load on the rear axle is dramatic. Over-inflation hurts grip and uneven wear is also possible.
Depending on the exact size, load index 121 tires will have a capacity of about 1,950 pounds each, or 3,900 pounds per axle at 35 psi, more than many think. One can always increase pressure to tune for their speed, ride, and overall preferences. Tires get hotter in warm weather and at higher speeds, and overheated tires can and do separate. Increasing psi for certain conditions might be desirable, but that doesn’t mean jumping from 35 psi to 80 when there is only 3,500 pounds on the axle.
In the front I typically run between 50 and 60 psi depending on the ratings and weight. The Cummins Turbo Diesel is heavy, but front axle loads are less variable so pressure adjustments are rarely needed.
Light Load TPMS Light
The federally mandated Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is an outgrowth of the Ford Explorer/Firestone debacle in the 1990s. It’s also symbolic of a larger problem, which is the unwillingness of the average driver to take responsibility for their machinery, including failing to check something as fundamentally important as tire pressure. Even with TPMS on my pickups, I regularly check and adjust pressures with a handheld gauge.
Having psi information available on the dash is great, but it’s unfortunate that Ram eliminated the light-load option around 2012, and require all 2500 owners to run pressures for maximum loads or accept a warning light on the dash. The 3500 Rams have a different system, the Tire Pressure Information System (TPIS), because their GVWR is over 10,000 pounds. TPIS provides information but does not force a warning light for running less than a predetermined and maximum pressure.
I permanently eliminated the TPMS irritant with a professional Autel MaxiSys MS906 tablet scan tool. One could argue that this was a $1,000 sledgehammer solution to dispatch an ant. True, but I purchased the Autel one year before the AlphaOBD diagnostic software was available, which reportedly works well for adjusting the pressure thresholds.
A professional automotive tablet is a super powerful diagnostic tool, and I have only used a small fraction of its capabilities. But the scanner has come in handy a few times by allowing me to discover the source of unusual problems or clear codes that were too much for my Edge CTS2.
Regardless of the tool being used, I absolutely love being able to adjust the minimum psi thresholds for both the front and rear axles to my liking, depending on the load index of the tires and my needs. My 2017 regular cab has a heavy Hallmark flatbed camper mounted full-time and the rear axle threshold’s are set higher, usually around 70 or 80 psi.
Need Traction?
Traction, handling, and overall performance from the Baja Boss A/T has been impressive in all conditions and on every surface, which has included considerable dirt, gravel, rock, rain, and snow. For those wanting hybrid or commercial traction rubber I don’t envision many people wanting more grip over varied terrain than these Mickey Thompsons provide. My first set of Baja Boss A/T saw less snow than I would have preferred, not taking advantage of the three peak mountain snowflake (3PMS) rating because our local Sierra Nevada winter storms and my travels rarely overlapped in 2021. The story is dramatically different with the second set.
Got Snow and Rain? Lots Of It?
The day after mounting these LT255/85R17 on my 2014 crew cab, I made a 500 mile weekend round trip that included two crossings of the Sierra Nevada’s infamous Donner Pass. There were several inches of wet snow for dozens of miles that required four-wheel-drive. Followed by 100 miles of epic rainfall. The kind of rain that even with the windshield wipers bouncing at full speed I could barely see the roadway, similar to dangerous fog conditions, and using four-wheel-drive was beneficial because of water on the road. Throughout the remainder of winter and spring 2024, the Baja Boss A/T performed perfectly during every winter storm.
Similar to mud, the types of snow and the related driving conditions can vary greatly by region or microclimate, and opinions regarding what is good performance in certain conditions are highly subjective. For my uses I have found that the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T are an excellent winter and wet weather performer under my Ram 2500.
Sidebiters®
Sidewall tread has become popular in recent years, even on tires that are really not intended to be used in harsh off-pavement conditions because it looks cool. However, the Baja Boss A/T Extreme Sidebiters® are legit, and are super thick and beefy. I certainly like how they look, but also put them to work for their intended purpose. If you never leave the pavement, the Sidebiters® aren’t going to complain if you drag them along curbs.
Estimated Longevity Baselines
Wear and longevity for a given tire can be highly variable depending on the vehicle, duty-cycle, and driver. One could argue that all three of these metrics (and others) are important, however, the person behind the wheel has a disproportionate effect, and will invariably influence results dramatically compared to the others.
If we were to take two identical pickups (model, gearing, transmission, tires, etc.), load them the same, and run them over a route with different drivers, it would not be surprising to see measurably different fuel economy. Covering longer distances and varied terrain would make the differences more obvious. More or less mpg is a direct result of how one operates the accelerator and brakes.
Tires and brakes are consumed more slowly than fuel, but over time the driver who gets fewer mpg and exercises less finesse and vehicle sympathy will likely also get fewer miles out of their rubber and brakes. The differences can be dramatic.
Same Guy Driving The Same Truck
No one’s truck, conditions, or driving style are identical, however, if the driver is not one of the variables the data can be more comparable. The treadwear information I’ve gathered from several four-wheel-drives over decades, particularly during the last 10 years driving the same 2014 Ram 2500 crew cab with a G56 6-speed manual transmission, provides relatively consistent and relevant information.
Wear Data
These LT255/85R17 Baja Boss A/T were mounted February 2024, have been rotated twice, and have logged 6,300 miles. Approximately 10% of those were off-pavement, including dozens at low trail pressures to improve ride, traction, and prevent damage. There is zero visible cutting, chipping or lug tearing of the tread, which is impressive considering the amount of off-highway use my truck sees. (Again, driving habits matter, and I keep tire slip and spinning to a minimum, particularly in the dirt.)
While I am smooth and conservative off-pavement, on the blacktop I routinely use all of the torque, horsepower, and rpm that my G56 version of the Cummins 6.7L has to offer with assertive application of the skinny pedal. Just like hard braking and turning fast can disproportionately wear the fronts, the massive twist of modern diesel engines can be hard on the rear drivers. Yet, that is not what I’ve experienced, there has been no penalty for my lead foot.
All Baja Boss A/T come with 18.5/32” of tread, and this set currently has about 15.5/32”, so they have given 2,100 miles per 1/32”. Those 2,100 miles compare well with other quality aftermarket traction designs, on the same truck, driven by me.
For comparison, my previous set of Baja Boss A/T in 295/70R18 were run for 15,000 miles and delivered 2,300 miles for each thirty-second before they started living on a friend’s 1991 W250 Turbo Diesel. If 2,100 miles per 1/32” remains constant, these 255/85R17 Baja Boss will last 36,800 miles before reaching the minimum legal depth of 2/32”.
Still Love Them
After running two sets of Baja Boss A/T over the past few years I’m still enamored with this design from Mickey Thompson, and it might become my favorite hybrid all-terrain. They wear well, provide excellent traction and performance in all conditions, and are extremely rugged while still being quieter than competitors. Currently they are available in 74 sizes, for wheels from 15 to 24 inches. If you are in the market for a new set of tires you owe it to yourself to consider the Baja Boss A/T from Mickey Thompson.
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Copyright J. Langan/RoadTraveler. All Rights Reserved
Resource:
Mickey Thompson Tires: mickeythompsontires.com
Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T LT295/70R18
Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T LT295/70R18
During the November 2019 SEMA Show, I received insider information from a Mickey Thompson manager about a new Baja Boss A/T they had in-the-works; it was still more than one year from being announced. I’m a fan of the Benjamin Franklin quote “three may keep a secret if two of them are dead,” and I focus on being the one that is alive.
The Baja Boss All-Terrain was introduced to automotive journalists at the virtual 2020 SEMA Show, with a press embargo date of April 5, 2021. As soon as possible I requested a set for evaluation, choosing the LT295/70R18 size. One month later I had them.
As you can see in my photographs this is a fairly high-void, four-rib tread pattern that Mickey Thompson calls a hybrid, AKA a commercial traction design or an aggressive all-terrain. Tires like these have been my preference for decades, offering more potential grip via siping, self-cleaning abilities, and deeper tread than more conservative all-terrains or all-seasons, while offering a quieter driving experience, and better longevity than mudders.
Continually reducing perceived noise while improving the other attributes of these hybrid designs has been an ongoing challenge for engineers. Historically there’s been no free lunch, because much better sloppy conditions traction requires bigger tread blocks and voids, increasing road noise. Was Mickey Thompson able to achieve the impossible? Read my opinion about this below under the subheading Quiet?
According To Mickey Thompson
Mickey Thompson says the Baja Boss A/T blends Extreme Sidebiters® for a bold look and serious grip with an all-new silica-reinforced compound providing long-wear, all-weather performance and cut/chip resistance.
Design highlights include:
- Large surface-area tread elements for a greater contact area
- Shoulder scallops for an additional biting edge
- Sound-deadening ribs for stability and a quiet ride
- Enhanced stone ejectors to reduce debris retention
- PowerPly XD™ with 50 percent heavier denier cord on the biased-angled third ply for protection, handling and stability
- Rim flange protector for added wheel protection
- 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMS) symbol certifies that all sizes 12.50 (315) and narrower are Severe Snow Service rated
- 50,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Increased-load LT-Metric sizing for heavy duty applications
- Lower-load floatation sizing for half-ton, lighter trucks and SUVs
- Several sizes approved for 12-inch and 14-inch wide wheels, including three 35X15.50 sizes
- A 35-inch tire approved for 17×6.5 “dually” wheels
To all of the above I say yup, appears to be true! The substantial siping, which helps achieve the severe winter rating and increase overall grip, measures a whopping 17/32” of the total 18.5/32” tread depth. Calling the shoulder tread Extreme Sidebiters® is not public relations department hyperbole, as they are 14/32” at their deepest!
Sizes are offered for wheels from 15-24”. A standout worth noting for the DRW folks or old-schoolers like me that prefer taller, narrower rubber that fits and clears more easily, offering less rolling resistance, potentially better fuel economy, etc., is the LT255/85R17. Also know-as a 35×10.00R17, this load-index 121 size supports 3,195-pounds at 80-psi in SRW applications, and would be great under my everyday crew cab. However, the 129 load-index and 18” wheel of the LT295/70R18 was a better choice for my flatbed Hallmark Camper outfit because the shorter sidewalls are firmer and more stable for maximum loads.
Mount & Balance
Unless a specific tire and wheel combination requires a different solution, my standard practice is to use a single plane, so-called static spin balance, as this method requires less weight and is generally sufficient. Wider tires and wheels, super aggressive treads, or just a carcass with more lateral imbalance may require dynamic balancing, which involves putting weight on both the inside and outside of the wheel.
Many do not realize that it is often the wheel that requires the majority of the weight to balance an assembly, as modern tires are generally fantastically true. An easy way for an enthusiast to see this is by noting where wheel weight has been placed for their current and previous sets of tires. Typically the weight is needed in the same general area, pointing to imperfections in the wheel more than the tires.
According to Mickey Thompson the LT295/70R18 size weighs 67 pounds each, and they were 104-pounds when mounted to an OEM forged aluminum wheel. Maybe you should sit down before you read how little weight was needed to static balance these beautiful meats.
1) 3.0 ounces, right-rear
2) 3.25 ounces, right-front
3) 2.5 ounces, left-rear
4) 3.25 ounces, left-front
Instead of putting the rims with the least weight upfront as is common at most shops, I typically put those with the most weight on the front axle. This helps confirm that they’re truly balanced, and avoids potential surprises after the first rotation. In this instance all the wheels needed just a few ounces. I rarely have tires rebalanced, as Centramatic balancers constantly perform that task. These Bosses have been run up to well above any speed limit on numerous occasions, and they have remained insanely smooth after thousands of miles and a few rotations, living on both of my Ram/Cummins trucks.
Quiet!
Manufactures have been increasingly successful making beefier treads quieter, yet I routinely find that even aggressive hybrid treads that start out impressively tame get louder with wear, sometimes much louder, even with optimal rotations. (All bets are off if proper maintenance and rotations are not strictly observed.) This has not been the case with the new Baja Boss A/T, the barely audible hum has yet to increase. To my ear they are still one of the quietest, if not the quietest, tire in this category that I’ve experienced. Impressive!
Tough Enough? Extreme Puncture Resistance?
Rugged designs help prevent punctures and stout carcass construction helps tires run cooler and support big loads, translating into better performance under heavy diesel-powered rigs that do more than run around empty. Commercial tradesman applications, farming and ranching, off-pavement adventures, and RV users can all benefit from the Boss A/T’s stout construction. Are these treads as rugged as they claim? After over 14,000 miles of hard use, my answer is a resounding yes!
My tire evaluations typically include a photo shoot off-road at low pressures in a nearby National Forest, where I flex and abuse the tread and sidewall on some rocks. It helps gauge ruggedness and flexibility, and makes for some cool photographs. Few other than dedicated a 4WD enthusiast will ever do this, particularly in a big diesel pickup…enter the James-ness!
Even rugged tire designs can be punctured, as they are essentially rubber balloons. However, I was thoroughly impressed with the flexibility and ruggedness of the Baja Boss All-Terrain’s when I subjected the tread, shoulder, and sidewalls to folding and pinching rarely seen outside of competitive rock crawling.
After the photo shoot, they were filled with appropriate street pressure, and have continued to perform flawlessly at all speeds and under all conditions. Tire pressure has been dropped many times to improve off-payment traction, ride, and overall performance, and the tires repeatedly work like they should.
Application Considerations
My 2017 regular cab with Hallmark flatbed camper is a full time RV, so while it’s under a constant, full-load, it accumulates miles much more slowly than a daily driver. One would think that a heavily loaded RV-application Turbo Diesel (hauling and/or pulling) would result in rapid wear, yet that is not necessarily what happens. Chronicling treadlife on many sets of tires on my diesel pickups, and those of friends and acquaintances has provided valuable perspective.
Vehicles that see daily driving are typically subjected to repeated hard accelerations, which loads the drive tires, as well as hard stops and turning, which is harder on the fronts. These realities often contribute to reduced life compared to vehicles that see more steady, long-distance travel.
Occasional aggressive use of the skinny pedal is part of my driving style, although I am extremely soft on the brake pedal and travel slowly through most tight turns. I often obtain superior longevity and slower wear on my daily driver crew cab compared to my friends. Drivers matter.
Longevity
The Boss All-Terrains were initially mounted on my 2014 crew cab to log miles more quickly. As shared in previous columns, I am highly critical of the brief tire reviews in most magazines that say… the tires performed well, we really like them, blah blah; which is typically the result of nothing more than a few hundred miles of use, not thousands. Occasionally there’s an update later after more miles. Thousands of miles of saddle time and evaluation should be the baseline norm, not the exception.
The Boss A/Ts arrived at the perfect time, as I had started working away from home; the 2014 crew cab started seeing daily commuting miles, which included a run home during my lunch break for dog care. I’m often pressed for time, and there’s much firm use of the skinny pedal at the hands of the BD Throttle Sensitivity Booster (still LOVE it!). Due to these lifestyle changes the Boss A/Ts received harder use than any others treads in many years.
Under torque-monster diesel pickups I have repeatedly observed that approximately 1/32” of tread per 2,000 miles is good or average for an aftermarket set of rubber, and substantially more miles, 2,500 or so, is above average. For comparison, a few sets of OE Firestones I’ve measured have melted though 1/32” in a mere 1,500 miles, 25% less than my 2,000 mile baseline!
After the initial mounting and the first rotation on the 2014 crew cab, I had accumulated 6,500 miles on the Baja Boss A/Ts. Three measured 15.5/32”, and one was 15/32”, which was 2,080 mi. per 1/32” of tread depth. Considering the repeated, aggressive accelerations and fast driving this was above average; it would be just average with less spirited driving.
The Mickey Thompsons were pulled from the crew cab and slapped onto the 2017 Ram flatbed Hallmark camper rig, where they logged another 4,500 (s)miles before their third rotation. The rears were down to 13/32”, with the front wearing little and still showing 15/32. (This is part of why we must rotate.) As the tread becomes shallower the overall accuracy of measurements increases, and it’s not uncommon for the rate-of-wear to slow after these more accurate measurements. With another 3,500 miles under the Hallmark Camper, 14,500 miles total, all were showing 13/32”. The Baja Boss A/T treads had achieved 2,600 miles per 1/32”, which is well into the above average column for many diesel pickups.
Traction Everywhere
Traction and handling has been impressive in all conditions and on all surfaces, which included much dirt, gravel, rock, some sand, rain, but unfortunately very little snow. It would’ve been nice to evaluate the severe winter rating more thoroughly. However, the western states multiyear drought has severely reduced precipitation in Northern Nevada and Northern California.
It’s difficult to chronicle the exact number of off-pavement miles these Bosses have seen, but a conservative estimated is 1,500 (10% is huge for non-commercial applications). Opinions regarding traction are mostly subjective, variable, and relative to the platform and driver. Nevertheless, for those wanting a hybrid tire I don’t envision people wanting more grip than the Baja Boss A/T can provide. Should the opportunity present itself I’d gladly run another set of the Baja Boss, as they’ve earned a spot on my short list of favorites.
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Copyright J. Langan/RoadTraveler. All Rights Reserved
James Langan
Resource:
Mickey Thompson Tires: mickeythompsontires.com
draft
Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T second rotation
Tell ’em you saw it on RoadTraveler.net
James Langan/RoadTraveler
January 2022
Copyright James Langan/RoadTraveler. All Rights Reserved
Resource:
Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels
New Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T
Mickey Thompson takes All-Terrain Tires to The Next Level with the new
Baja Boss® A/T
STOW, OHIO – April 5, 2021- Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels introduces the all new Baja Boss A/T (video link) hybrid all-terrain tire in a variety of sizes to fit 16-, 17- 18-, 20-, 22- and 24-inch wheels.
The new Baja Boss A/T offers aggressive looks and smooth performance. The unique, asymmetric tread design is optimized for reduced noise, excellent wet and snow performance with superior on-road handling and off-road traction.
“We are pleased to announce the new Baja Boss A/T tire line, featuring PowerPly XD construction,” said Ken Warner, Vice President of Marketing, Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels. “This new hybrid tire is a great addition to the Mickey Thompson line. We’ve combined the best features of our popular Baja ATZp3 with new, innovative technology to deliver the best hybrid all-terrain tire for our customers. Baja Boss A/T is a true all-weather tire, ready for anything.”
The Baja Boss A/T blends Extreme Sidebiters® for a bold look and serious grip with an all-new silica-reinforced compound providing long-wear, all-weather performance and cut/chip resistance.
Baja Boss A/T highlights include:
- Large surface area tread elements for a greater contact area
- Shoulder scallops for an additional biting edge
- Sound-deadening ribs for stability and a quiet ride
- Enhanced stone ejectors to reduce debris retention
- PowerPly XD™ with 50 percent heavier denier cord on the biased-angled third ply for protection, handling and stability
- Rim flange protector for added wheel protection
- 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMS) symbol certifies that all sizes 12.50 (315) and narrower are Severe Snow Service rated
- 50,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Increased-load LT-Metric sizing for heavy duty applications
- Lower-load floatation sizing for half-ton, lighter trucks and SUVs
- Several sizes approved for 12-inch and 14-inch wide wheels including three 35X15.50 sizes
- A 35-inch tire approved for 17×6.5 “dually” wheels
The Baja Boss A/T is now available. For the latest updates on the A/T line, and all of Mickey Thompson’s off-road tires, visit www.mickeythompsontires.com.
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James Langan/RoadTraveler
April 5, 2021
Copyright James Langan/RoadTraveler. All Rights Reserved
Resource:
Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels
Dodge Ram Cummins 30 month oil change interval
Changing the oil in my fourth generation Ram/Cummins trucks (and Toyota 4Runner) is so easy with the NoSpill Systems drain plug kit; I love them. The gallon freezer bag trick also works great to capture the oil filter, which is easily accessed through the wheel well on manual transmission fourth generation Rams.
This Chevron Delo 400 5W-40 oil had been in the engine of this 2014 Ram 2500 for 14,700 miles, many miles but not excessive based on the guidelines for the platform. However, it took 30 months to accumulate those miles because we have a few vehicles, and I work from home and don’t have a daily commute. Should I have changed it sooner? Maybe.
I’m well aware that Cummins and Ram recommend an oil change interval of six months on these trucks if the mileage recommendation is not met before. This has always seemed excessive and I’ve preferred one year as a general guide. Of course, if one is concerned about meeting warranty standards they probably want to follow the manufacturers’ rules.
Anyone want to bet against me, and take the position that the oil was excessively deteriorated, contaminated, and in bad condition because of the time-in-service? Even if someone was willing, my morals wouldn’t let me take their money. While the results are pending, based on past experiences and testing, I’m confident all will be fine. We shall see.
Oil samples submitted for analysis from both my late-model Ram/Cummins (2014 & 2017) and a 2006 Toyota V8, and other rigs I no longer own, have shown that time is not the old bugaboo that many still fear. At least not for my uses and practices.
Data from some recent samples have shown that theoretically excessive time-in-service did not damage the oil in my applications. Of course duty-cycle does matter, and if one rarely gets engines up to full operating temperature, or makes repeated, excessively-short trips, total time might be a concern. Your environment may matter too. You’ll have to be your own judge.
Stay tuned, the results from this most recent analysis, and those from previous tests, will interest many and might dispel myths.
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James Langan, December 2020
Copyright James Langan/RoadTraveler. All Rights Reserved
Resources:
NoSpill Systems (Original and BEST, Made in Canada with U.S. materials! Not the knock-off.)