Are you an off-road enthusiast looking for a tire that can handle the toughest terrains without compromising on-road performance? Look no further than the Maxxis Bighorn. In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive deep into what makes the Bighorn a top contender in the all-terrain tire market.
The Maxxis Bighorn is a versatile all-terrain tire designed for pickup trucks, SUVs, and dedicated off-road vehicles. It’s engineered to dominate challenging off-road conditions while still providing a comfortable ride on paved surfaces. With its aggressive tread pattern, robust construction, and impressive durability, the Bighorn has earned a reputation as a go-anywhere tire that doesn’t back down from adventure.
Whether you’re navigating muddy trails, crawling over rocks, or cruising down the highway, the Maxxis Bighorn promises to deliver exceptional performance. In this Maxxis Bighorn review, we’ll explore the Bighorn’s tread design, on-road and off-road capabilities, durability, comfort, and more. So buckle up and join us as we take a closer look at how the Maxxis Bighorn lives up to its reputation as a true all-terrain warrior.
Maxxis Bighorn Review
- All-Terrain Tire for trucks, SUVs, and off-road vehicles
- Aggressive tread pattern for excellent off-road traction
- Good on-road performance and comfort
- Durable construction with reinforced sidewalls
- Impressive treadwear rating of 500
- Smooth and comfortable ride on and off-road
- Strong load ratings for heavy-duty use
Maxxis Bighorn Overview
The Maxxis Bighorn is an all-terrain tire designed for pickup trucks, SUVs, and off-road vehicles. This versatile tire combines aggressive off-road capabilities with a comfortable on-road ride, making it an excellent choice for those who frequently venture off the beaten path but also need a tire that performs well on paved surfaces.
The Bighorn’s tread pattern features deep, interlocking tread blocks and wide grooves, providing exceptional traction in mud, sand, and loose terrain. The tire’s reinforced sidewalls and robust construction allow it to withstand the rigors of off-road driving, ensuring durability and puncture resistance.
Despite its rugged nature, the Bighorn is engineered to deliver a smooth and quiet ride on the highway, thanks to its optimized tread design and advanced noise-canceling technology.
The Maxxis Bighorn is available in a wide range of sizes, from 15 inches to 20 inches in diameter, catering to various vehicle types and applications. Whether you drive a full-size pickup truck, a compact SUV, or a dedicated off-road rig, there’s a Bighorn size to fit your needs.
Tread Pattern and Design
The Maxxis Bighorn features an aggressive, mud-terrain tread pattern designed to excel in off-road conditions while maintaining respectable on-road manners. The tread blocks are siped and have a staggered, interlocking shape that enhances traction and cleaning ability. The shoulder lugs are particularly tall and pronounced, providing exceptional grip on loose surfaces like mud, sand, and rock.
The tire employs a special rubber compound that balances cut and chip resistance with flexibility for improved off-road traction. Maxxis incorporated their proprietary 3-Ply TechnoTwist construction, which utilizes a unique casing design to enhance durability and stability. Additionally, the Bighorn has stone ejectors and rim protectors to prevent damage from trail debris.
A notable feature is the Bighorn’s Sidewall Traction technology, which uses an intricate pattern of interlocking blocks and sipes on the sidewall itself. This innovative design improves grip and self-cleaning ability in deep mud or when aired down for extreme off-road situations. Overall, the tread pattern and advanced construction make the Bighorn a formidable choice for drivers who demand exceptional off-road performance without sacrificing too much on-road comfort.
On-Road Performance
The Maxxis Bighorn delivers impressive on-road performance for an all-terrain tire. On dry pavement, the tire provides excellent grip and traction, allowing for confident acceleration, braking, and cornering. The tread pattern is designed to evacuate water effectively, ensuring reliable wet traction and hydroplaning resistance in rainy conditions.
Handling and steering response are responsive and predictable, thanks to the tire’s stiff construction and optimized sidewall design. The Bighorn maintains its composure during spirited driving, enabling precise steering inputs and stable cornering. Even at highway speeds, the tire feels planted and inspires confidence.
While the aggressive tread pattern does generate noticeable road noise, it’s not excessively loud or intrusive. The noise levels are comparable to other high-performance all-terrain tires and shouldn’t be a major concern for most drivers.
Overall, the Maxxis Bighorn strikes an impressive balance between on-road manners and off-road capability, making it a versatile choice for those seeking a tire that can handle various driving conditions without compromising performance or safety.
Off-Road Capability
The Maxxis Bighorn is engineered to tackle the toughest off-road terrain with confidence. Its aggressive tread pattern and robust construction make it a formidable choice for mud, rocks, sand, loose dirt, and off-camber situations.
In muddy conditions, the Bighorn’s deep, widely spaced tread blocks and angled shoulder lugs provide exceptional traction and self-cleaning capability. The tread design effectively expels mud, preventing it from packing and ensuring consistent grip even in the stickiest situations.
When navigating rocky terrain, the Bighorn’s reinforced tread compound and sturdy casing offer superior resistance to punctures and cutting. The tread blocks are designed to interlock with the terrain, providing reliable traction and stability over jagged surfaces.
In sandy environments, the Bighorn’s open tread pattern and specialized scooping action work together to prevent the tire from digging in and losing traction. The tire maintains excellent forward momentum, even in deep, loose sand.
On loose dirt trails, the Bighorn’s aggressive tread pattern bites into the surface, providing exceptional grip and control. The tire’s off-road prowess shines through, offering a confident and stable ride, even on challenging off-camber sections.
Overall, the Maxxis Bighorn is a true all-terrain warrior, delivering outstanding off-road capability across a wide range of challenging conditions. Whether tackling muddy bogs, rocky trails, sandy dunes, or loose dirt paths, this tire provides the traction, durability, and confidence needed for your off-road adventures.
Durability and Treadlife
One of the standout features of the Maxxis Bighorn is its exceptional durability and impressive treadlife. These tires are designed to withstand the toughest off-road conditions while delivering reliable performance on the pavement.
The Maxxis Bighorn boasts an impressive treadwear rating of 500, which is significantly higher than many other all-terrain tires on the market. This rating is a testament to the tire’s robust construction and the high-quality materials used in its manufacturing process.
User experiences with the Maxxis Bighorn have been overwhelmingly positive when it comes to durability and treadlife. Many owners report getting 40,000 to 60,000 miles out of their Bighorn tires, even with frequent off-road use. This longevity translates into substantial cost savings over the lifetime of the tire.
Maxxis backs the Bighorn with a generous warranty, offering coverage against manufacturing defects and premature wear. The company’s confidence in their product is a reassuring factor for consumers seeking a reliable and long-lasting tire.
The Bighorn’s tread compound is engineered to resist excessive wear, even in harsh environments. The tire’s aggressive tread pattern and reinforced sidewalls contribute to its overall durability, ensuring that it can withstand the rigors of off-road adventures without compromising its integrity.
Whether you’re tackling rocky trails or logging highway miles, the Maxxis Bighorn’s durability and treadlife make it a compelling choice for those seeking a tire that can go the distance without sacrificing performance or safety.
Ride Comfort
The Maxxis Bighorn tires deliver a remarkably smooth and comfortable ride, both on and off the road. On paved surfaces, the tire’s tread pattern and construction work together to minimize impact harshness and vibration, resulting in a plush highway ride quality that belies the tire’s rugged appearance.
Off-road, the Bighorn’s robust carcass and reinforced sidewalls help absorb shocks and dissipate vibrations from obstacles like rocks, roots, and ruts. This not only enhances ride comfort but also contributes to the tire’s durability and resistance to punctures and sidewall damage.
Additionally, the Bighorn’s optimized tread block design and variable-pitch pattern help reduce tire noise, further enhancing the overall ride experience. Whether you’re cruising on the highway or tackling challenging off-road trails, these tires provide a smooth and comfortable ride that minimizes fatigue and maximizes enjoyment behind the wheel.
Sizing Options
The Maxxis Bighorn is available in a wide range of sizes to fit most pickup trucks and SUVs. From smaller sizes like 265/70R17 for mid-size trucks, all the way up to massive 37-inch tall tires for the biggest off-road rigs. Popular fitments include 285/75R16 for the Ford F-150, 285/70R17 for the Ram 1500, and 285/65R18 for the Toyota Tundra.
When choosing a tire size, it’s important to consider your vehicle’s limitations and intended use. Larger tires will provide more ground clearance and traction, but can negatively impact fuel economy, ride quality, and handling. Maxxis provides detailed load ratings and inflation specs to ensure you select a properly sized tire that is safe and legal for your vehicle’s GVWR.
For hardcore off-roaders, plus-sizing with a bigger overall diameter can be beneficial to increase ground clearance and improve off-road geometry. Just be aware of clearance limitations with your vehicle’s fenders and suspension components. The Bighorn is available in plus sizes like 35×12.50R17 or even 37×13.50R20 for the most extreme builds.
Load Ratings and Capacity
The Maxxis Bighorn is an all-terrain tire designed to handle heavy loads and demanding conditions. It features robust load ratings and impressive weight capacities, ensuring reliable performance even when carrying heavy cargo or towing trailers.
Maxxis offers the Bighorn in various load range ratings, from D to E, catering to different vehicle types and load requirements. The higher the load range, the greater the tire’s ability to support heavier loads safely. For instance, the load range E rating indicates that the tire can withstand higher inflation pressures and carry more weight compared to a load range D tire of the same size.
Proper inflation is crucial for maximizing the Bighorn’s load-carrying capabilities and ensuring optimal performance. Maxxis provides specific inflation recommendations based on the tire’s load range and the intended application, whether for highway use, off-road adventures, or hauling heavy loads. Adhering to the recommended inflation pressures not only enhances the tire’s load capacity but also contributes to improved fuel efficiency, handling, and treadlife.
When it comes to weight capacity, the Maxxis Bighorn excels in its class. Depending on the specific size and load range, these tires can support maximum loads ranging from 1,610 pounds to over 3,000 pounds per tire. This exceptional load-bearing capability makes the Bighorn an ideal choice for heavy-duty pickup trucks, SUVs, and off-road vehicles that frequently carry substantial payloads or tow trailers.
Maxxis has engineered the Bighorn’s robust construction to handle the demands of heavy loads and challenging terrains. The tire’s reinforced casing and advanced compound technology work together to provide superior strength and durability, ensuring reliable performance even under the most demanding conditions.
Value and Pricing
The Maxxis Bighorn represents an excellent value proposition in the all-terrain tire segment. Positioned as a budget-friendly option, the Bighorn undercuts many of its premium competitors while still delivering impressive off-road performance and on-road manners.
Compared to popular alternatives like the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 or the Goodyear Wrangler TrailRunner AT, the Bighorn can often be found at a 20-30% lower price point. This makes it an attractive choice for cost-conscious buyers who still demand capable all-terrain capabilities.
Despite its budget pricing, the Bighorn doesn’t compromise on key features. It boasts an aggressive tread design, robust construction, and a variety of size options to fit most trucks and SUVs. While it may not quite match the absolute pinnacle of performance from the most expensive tires, the Bighorn delivers a well-rounded experience at a much more accessible price.
For those operating on a tight budget or looking to maximize value, the Maxxis Bighorn stands out as one of the most compelling options in the all-terrain category. Its combination of affordability and respectable performance makes it a smart choice for drivers who need a versatile tire without breaking the bank.
Conclusions and Recommendations
The Maxxis Bighorn is a versatile and capable all-terrain tire that excels in both on-road and off-road conditions. Its aggressive tread pattern and rugged construction provide excellent traction and durability, making it an ideal choice for those who frequently venture off the beaten path.
Pros:
- Impressive off-road performance, with excellent traction on mud, rocks, and loose terrain
- Suitable for on-road use, with decent handling and a comfortable ride
- Durable construction with sturdy sidewalls and cut-resistant compounds
- Wide range of sizing options to fit various trucks and SUVs
- Competitive pricing compared to other premium all-terrain tires
Cons:
- Increased road noise and vibration compared to highway-terrain tires
- Slightly reduced fuel efficiency due to the aggressive tread design
- Limited availability in some regions or for specific vehicle models
Optimal Uses:
The Maxxis Bighorn is an excellent choice for those who frequently engage in off-road adventures, such as overlanding, rock crawling, or exploring remote trails. Its versatility also makes it a suitable option for daily driving on paved roads, especially in areas with variable weather conditions or rough terrain.
Competitive Alternatives:
- BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
- Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar
- Nitto Ridge Grappler
- Falken Wildpeak AT3W
While these tires offer similar capabilities, the Maxxis Bighorn stands out for its balance of off-road performance, on-road comfort, and value for money.
In summary, the Maxxis Bighorn is a highly recommended all-terrain tire for those seeking a reliable and capable companion for their adventurous journeys, both on and off the beaten path.
