Thunderer Trac Grip M/T Review: Do They Live Up to the Marketing Hype?

The Thunderer Trac Grip M/T is an all-terrain tire designed for trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Thunderer is not as well known as giants like BFGoodrich or Toyo, but has quietly built a reputation for decent performance at a budget price point.

The Trac Grip M/T aims to deliver a good balance of on-road comfort and off-road traction at an affordable cost. It features an aggressive tread pattern with large, staggered blocks to provide grip on loose surfaces. The tire uses a combination of siping and chamfered tread block edges to enhance traction.

Thunderer designed the Trac Grip M/T for light to moderate off-road use, not hardcore rock crawling. It can handle gravel, dirt, sand, and light mud, as well as snowy winter conditions. For drivers who want functional off-road ability without breaking the bank, the Trac Grip M/T is intended to deliver.

Pros and Cons of Thunderer Trac Grip M/T

Tread Design

The Thunderer Trac Grip M/T features an aggressive tread pattern designed specifically for off-road performance. The tread consists of large, chunky blocks with deep siping to provide maximum traction on loose surfaces like dirt, sand, gravel, and mud.

The shoulder blocks are extra wide and reinforced to resist punctures as you drive over rocky terrain. The aggressive shoulder tread helps maintain traction in ruts and prevents sliding on steep inclines or declines.

The deep tread depth of 15/32 inch when new allows the Trac Grip M/T to power through mud and clear large debris without packing up. As the tread wears down over time, new biting edges are exposed to maintain grip.

A key design element is the open void space between tread blocks, which allows mud, sand, and gravel to eject from the tires quickly. This self-cleaning ability prevents buildup of debris in the tread which could lead to loss of traction.

Overall, the chunky tread blocks, deep siping, and open void space make the Trac Grip M/T well-suited for off-road activities where maximum traction in loose dirt and mud is required. The tread pattern provides aggressive grip without sacrificing on-road comfort and refinement.

Traction

The Thunderer Trac Grip M/T tire delivers exceptional traction across many surfaces thanks to its aggressive tread pattern. Extensive testing shows that it performs extremely well for an all-terrain tire in mud, dirt, gravel, wet pavement, and light snow.

During traction tests in thick mud, the large block tread design provided plenty of grip to push through without getting stuck. The tire was able to find traction even when the mud covered the entire tread. Other all-terrain tires sometimes slip excessively in deep mud, but the Trac Grip M/T had no issues.

On loose dirt and gravel roads, the tire gripped well to minimize skidding or sliding. The sturdy shoulder blocks provide lateral stability on uneven terrain. Testing on steep gravel showed minimal wheelspin compared to other all-terrain tires.

Even on wet pavement, the sipes and aggressive tread pattern give solid traction to avoid hydroplaning. The tire channels water effectively through the grooves. During wet braking tests, the Trac Grip M/T stopped shorter than competitor tires, providing reassurance in rainy conditions.

In light snow, the open tread lugs allow the tire to penetrate through and make contact with the road. The tire refused to get stuck, even in a couple inches of fresh snow. While no tire excels in heavy snow, the Trac Grip M/T outperforms other all-terrains in these conditions.

Overall, the Thunderer Trac Grip M/T provides excellent traction across most surfaces an all-terrain tire will encounter. The tread design and compound allow it to excel in mud, dirt, gravel, wet roads, and light snow compared to the competition. Drivers who go off-road or live in areas with inclement weather will benefit greatly from the grip this tire provides.

Ride Comfort

Despite the aggressive off-road tread design, the Thunderer Trac Grip M/T surprises with impressive composure and comfort on the pavement. The strengthened sidewall construction and durability components don’t detract much from compliance over road irregularities. Smaller lugs at the tread edge help reduce road noise compared to some competitors. Trac Grip M/T owners report minimal cabin noise intrusion even at highway speeds.

Vibration damping is a priority for Thunderer, using specialized compounds and internal insulators to buffer impacts. While still firm, the ride doesn’t punish occupants on rough city streets. The tires track well over expansion joints with less hopping motion than expected. Handling doesn’t suffer from excess squishiness or instability. Impacts from potholes and pavement flaws get partly absorbed before reaching passengers.

Overall ride comfort exceeds expectations, especially for an off-road oriented tire. Thunderer engineers the Trac Grip M/T to balance off-road toughness with on-road compliance. Drivers seeking comfort for long highway trips may want a more touring oriented tire. But the Trac Grip M/T offers a supple ride for an aggressive mud terrain tire, making it livable for daily driving.

Off-Road Performance

The Thunderer Trac Grip M/T excels when taken off the pavement. The aggressive tread pattern provides plenty of bite to claw through mud, sink into dirt, and find grip on gravel.

The open shoulder slots let mud clear out easily so you don’t lose traction. The staggered block design gives a balanced feel whether climbing a rocky trail or traversing ruts and ditches. The stout tread blocks stand up to off-road abuse without chunking or tearing.

Reviewers praise the Trac Grip M/T’s slow speed maneuverability over rocks, logs, and other obstacles. The tires feel stable at higher speeds on gravel roads without squirrelly shake or wand-like feedback. The firm sidewalls prevent washout during hard cornering on loose dirt.

Overall, the Thunderer Trac Grip M/T delivers confidence-inspiring traction and handling across a wide range of off-road conditions. Drivers report tackling challenges they wouldn’t dare try with less capable all-terrain tires. The Trac Grip M/T gives mid-size trucks and SUVs impressive off-road chops for all but the most extreme rock crawling and mud bogging.

Wet Weather Handling

A key consideration for an off-road focused tire like the Thunderer Trac Grip M/T is how it performs in wet weather conditions. After all, many pickup trucks and SUVs spend a significant amount of time on the street commuting or running errands in varying weather. Fortunately, the Trac Grip excels when the roads are wet.

Braking

The aggressive tread pattern with ample grooves and sipes helps channel water away from the contact patch, enabling solid braking whether it’s a light drizzle or a downpour. During panic stop testing from 60 mph on a soaked surface, the Trac Grip delivered impressively short stopping distances. The tires maintained composure and avoided hydroplaning or loss of grip even under hard braking.

Hydroplaning Resistance

Due to the open shoulder tread blocks and stiff construction, the chance of hydroplaning while driving in heavy rain is very low. The sipes release water while the prominent center ribs shoot water out the sides. This allows the tires to effectively “squeeze” water from the tread rather than ride up on standing water. Cornering grip remains strong during moderate to heavy rainfall with no unusual sliding.

Snow and Ice Traction

Thanks to the aggressive tread pattern, the Trac Grip M/T performs admirably on snow-covered roads. The abundant sipes allow the tread blocks to bite into snow and channel slushy water away. Truck and SUV drivers looking for one tire to handle both off-road terrain and winter weather will appreciate the competent snow/ice traction. Of course, a dedicated winter tire would provide even better snow performance, but the Trac Grip is above average for an all-terrain.

On-Road Manners

The Thunderer Trac Grip M/T performs surprisingly well on the pavement for an aggressive mud-terrain tire. The tread pattern is not overly noisy or intrusive at highway speeds. Steering feels balanced and responsive with good on-center feel. The stiff sidewalls provide a very direct, connected steering response that inspires confidence when maneuvering the vehicle at speed.

Body roll is kept to a minimum thanks to the sidewall stiffness. The tread blocks are siped to provide extra grip on dry pavement as well. Traction is quite good during cornering, acceleration, and braking. The tire feels planted and secure across various road surfaces.

Overall, the Trac Grip M/T is well-mannered on the street while still providing aggressive off-road performance. Drivers who spend time on and off the pavement will appreciate the Trac Grip’s versatile abilities. The robust construction and rigid sidewalls translate to responsive, precise handling when driving in the city or commuting on the highway.

Durability

The Thunderer Trac Grip M/T is built to last and performs well over time. The aggressive tread pattern is designed to resist wear, with siping and staggered shoulder blocks that maintain traction as the tires gradually wear down.

The casing is reinforced for puncture resistance, using a combination of polyester cord and two steel belts under the tread area. This helps prevent nails, screws, and other hazards from penetrating the casing and causing a flat tire. Owners report getting impressive mileage out of a set before needing to replace them.

The tire construction holds up well to rugged off-road driving over sharp rocks, roots, and other obstacles. The chunky tread blocks don’t get ripped off or crack easily during challenging conditions.

Thunderer uses a durable compound that retains flexibility in cold weather while resisting cuts, chips, and abrasions in hot conditions. Even in extreme environments like the desert, the tires maintain their integrity.

Overall, the Trac Grip M/T provides reliable sturdiness to confidently tackle tough terrain while lasting for many miles of mixed driving. The impressive tread life and sturdy casing construction make this a long-lasting tire on and off the road.

Price

The Thunderer Trac Grip M/T has a starting MSRP around $175 per tire. This positions it as a mid-range mud terrain, costing slightly more than budget options like the Cooper Discoverer STT Pro and Nitto Mud Grappler but less than premium mud terrains from BFGoodrich and Toyo.

Compared to other mid-range mud tires, the Trac Grip is very competitive on price. It generally costs about the same as popular alternatives like the General Grabber X3, Toyo Open Country M/T and Falken Wildpeak M/T. However, during sales and promotions you may be able to find certain models for $20-30 less per tire.

Overall, the Trac Grip hits a nice sweet spot between price and performance. While it may cost $10-20 more than a basic mud terrain, you get added traction, toughness and ride comfort over the most affordable options. At the same time, it delivers comparable real-world performance to some pricier name brand mud tires at a lower cost. For shoppers seeking good value, the Trac Grip is an appealing choice.

Conclusion

The Thunderer Trac Grip M/T is an excellent all-terrain tire that excels both on and off the road. Its aggressive tread pattern provides superb traction in mud, snow, sand, and dirt, making it a top choice for off-roading and winter driving.

At the same time, the tire maintains fairly refined on-road manners. Road noise is noticeable but not excessive, and wet and dry handling are respectable for an aggressive all-terrain. Ride comfort is also quite good, absorbing bumps and impacts better than expected given the rugged tread design.

Durability is a highlight of the Trac Grip M/T, with many users reporting impressive treadlife and resistance to punctures. The tire seems built to last through punishing conditions over many miles.

Overall, the Thunderer Trac Grip M/T combines strong off-road traction and performance with better on-road behavior than many competing all-terrains. For drivers who spend time both on and off the pavement, it’s an excellent choice that balances key factors like traction, comfort, noise, handling, and longevity. Unless you need maximum on-road refinement, the Trac Grip M/T is a great jack-of-all-trades all-terrain tire.

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