If you drive your F-150 in a locality where muddy terrain predominates or you simply want to have the capability to absolutely conquer the occasional swamps encountered during off-roading, it might be a good idea to switch to mud-terrain tires. Mud tires are designed to tackle the challenges that come with driving on soft and soggy ground. They have a specialized construction with tread pattern and depth that is distinct from regular or even all-terrain tires, and saves you from getting stuck. They also ensure that the drive is safe and the stability of the vehicle is not compromised due to the unfriendly nature of the ground underneath.
Top 5 Best Mud-Terrain Tires for Ford F-150
Looking for the best mud tires for your F-150? Here is a list of our top picks for you.
Best tires for stock sized rims (17 inches):
- Nitto Trail Grappler M/T all_ Season Radial Tire-35X12.50R17/10 121Q (Editor’s choice)
- Mickey Thompson Baja MTZP3 Mud Terrain Radial Tire – LT285/70R17 121Q
- Yokohama GEOLANDAR MT G003 All- Season Radial Tire-LT285/70R17 121Q 10-ply
Best tires for after-market rims:
- Federal Couragia M/T Performance Radial Tire-LT275/65R18 119Q
- Cooper Evolution M/T All-Season LT285/75R16 126/123Q Tire
1. Nitto Trail Grappler M/T all_ Season Radial Tire-35X12.50R17/10 121Q (Editor’s choice)
Aggressive looks and performance…
This 17-inch tire by Nitto is one of our favorites when mud tires are considered, and can be a game changer for your F-150. It has an aggressive appearance, thanks to the massive tread blocks and shoulder lugs that play a key role in its off-road surviving capability. These features allow the vehicle to maneuver through deep mud by continuously clearing it, so that the tire does not become clogged. This function is also performed by its widely spaced voids. These ensure a smooth and even ride through rocky areas, thus making this tire a versatile one. Furthermore, this tire is fitted with stone ejectors that get rid of any sharp stones or debris that might get stuck and hinder the ride.
The robust features of this tire, coupled with the sturdy rubber tread make it an extremely aggressive option that is suited perfectly to off-road conditions. On top of that, it offers a long tread life, which is a not so common quality for a mud tire. Surprisingly, however, no warranty is offered along with this tire.
Pros:
- Aggressive
- Excellent mud and wet traction
- Has stone ejectors
- Long tread life
- Easy handling
Cons:
- No warranty
2. Mickey Thompson Baja MTZP3 Mud Terrain Radial Tire – LT285/70R17 121Q
The most fuel efficient option here…
This 17-inch tire by Mickey Thompson is another amazing mud tire. It is unique in the way that it performs excellently on roads, along with its obviously superb off-road capabilities.
The construction of this oversized tire is strong and aggressive. It features gigantic tread blocks in a four pitch pattern, which allows it to grasp the soft mud in small portions. This results in a great and unparalleled traction. The deep voids also allow for self-cleaning, so your F-150 can keep looking tough and tidy despite driving through layers of mud and stones. To get rid of stones easily, stone ejectors are also present in this tire. Its tread compound is reinforced with silica, which imparts great strength and further adds to this tire’s off-road potential. Furthermore, it also decreases the fuel expenditure, which is unusual for a mud terrain tire.
This tire’s chances of surviving in mud are amplified by the decoupling groove, which is an innovative feature that allows it to conform to uneven ground, making sure that it doesn’t get stuck. Nonetheless, there is significant noise production when driving this tire, which can be a menace.
Pros:
- Strong and sturdy
- Superb mud traction
- Stable
- Fuel efficient
- Self-cleaning ability
Cons:
- Noisy
3. Yokohama GEOLANDAR MT G003 All- Season Radial Tire-LT285/70R17 121Q 10-ply
Aggressive, comfortable and a reliable all-rounder…
This 17-inch tire by Yokohama is another excellent mud tire that is extremely aggressive. It has a rugged construction which makes it an ideal choice for off-road driving. The features of this tire are numerous and allow it to cover a wide range of terrains, particularly muddy terrain, with ease. The tread blocks are massive and widely spaced. This results in amplified traction on mud as the grip of the tire is strengthened. It is also effectively prevented from getting clogged. This also allows for sufficient wet traction, as excess water is evacuated away from the tire. Moreover, the oversized voids mean that the chances of any rocks or gruels getting stuck in the tread are minimal, and the tread remains clean.
In order to ensure that this tire remains protected under harsh conditions, it is made of extremely tough and bruise resistant materials. The sidewall is specifically fitted with an armor that keeps it safe. This means that the tire can be used in rough areas without reluctance. Furthermore, the tread has a triple-polymer compound, which imparts great strength to it and resists wearing. Nonetheless, like most other mud tires, this Yokohama tire produces a noticeable amount of noise during driving.
Pros:
- Aggressive
- Ample mud traction
- Sufficient wet traction
- Strong
- Resistant to damage
Cons:
- Noisy
4. Federal Couragia M/T Performance Radial Tire-LT275/65R18 119Q
The highest rated and the most reviewed…
This eye-catching 18-inch tire by Federal has made its place to the top ranked mud tires in recent years. Its features are a perfect balance between aggression and elegance, which make this tire particularly conspicuous. To ensure its survival in mud, its grooves have a bar at their bottom. This, along with the aggressive tread design allow this tire to clear out mud and dirt effectively. Hence, the chances of getting stuck are minimized. The tread blocks and shoulder lugs are also bold and stiff. These guarantee excellent traction in wet and on dry rocky surfaces as well. Thus, this tire is capable of providing an all-round performance. However, it should be kept in mind that it can be noticeably noisy, which might be concerning.
The tread of this Federal tire is unusually strong and sturdy. It has the ability to resist bruising and damage by sharp stones or rough surfaces that are frequently encountered when driving off-road. This is true for the sidewall as well. Additional protection is offered by the protection block present on the upper shoulder. So overall, this tire is very safe and stable for use in challenging conditions, including mud.
Pros:
- Superb traction in mud, rain and dry areas
- Aesthetically appealing
- Strong and robust
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Resistant to damage
Cons:
- Produces noise
5. Cooper Evolution M/T All-Season LT285/75R16 126/123Q Tire
An all-American mud-terrain tire…
This 16-inch tire by Cooper is another marvelous mud tire that can transform your F-150. It is capable of providing a smooth and comfortable ride in a myriad of conditions, ranging from mud to snow and many more. So if you are looking for a versatile tire for your F-150, this is your best bet.
The tread pattern of this tire is moderately bold and has large tread blocks, which provide sufficient traction in all kinds of conditions. As compared to very aggressive tires, it has the advantage of being quiet and comfortable. This can be a blessing for a mud tire on the highways. The tread of this tire also has advanced mud scoops that allow it to perform efficiently in deep mud by clearing the path and firmly holding the ground at the same time. This results in great stability and the chances of sliding or getting stuck are minimized. To provide an even more safe ride, mud slingers are also installed in this tire. However, all these promising features can make the process of mounting and balancing this tire tricky. It is advisable to get it installed by an expert, in order to prevent vibration.
The tread compound of this tire is strong and possesses the ability to withstand assault by stones and gruels. There are stone barriers in the tread for this purpose as well. Hence, it can be used in all sorts of challenging conditions without hesitation. Moreover, this tire comes with a free 45-days test drive.
Pros:
- Amazing mud traction
- Uncompromised grip
- Versatile
- Resistant to damage
- Backed by warranty
Cons:
- Balancing can be tricky
How to pick the best mud-terrain tires for your F-150?
If you’re out in the market, looking for the absolute best mud-terrain tires for your F-150, here are a few tips to keep in mind to help you make the right choice:
1. Choose tires with ridged sidewall
The extension of the tread pattern onto the sidewall is a major advantage when it comes to choosing mud-terrain tires. This is because it allows for a greater contact patch when a single tire is under load and also allows for more clawing activity in deep muddy conditions.
2. Choose tires with big voids
The spacing between the tread blocks should be adequately large. this makes the self cleaning of the tire possible. If the voids are not sufficiently large, they are bound to get choked by the smallest amounts of mud. Completely filled voids have no ability to claw their way out, whatsoever.
3. Check fuel efficiency
Mud-terrains are not precisely known for their fuel efficiency. In order to minimize the expected losses in gas mileage check and compare the fuel efficiencies of all the available options for an informed decision. Mickey Thompson Baja MTZP3 is one such tire.
4. Check noise levels
Mud-terrain tires tend be noisier than their counterparts on the paved pathways. A little increase in road noise is somewhat acceptable for a mud-terrain but the compromise should be well within the tolerable levels. A great number of options are available that are relatively quieter than your typical mud-terrain tires.
If you’re looking for some great all-season tires for your F-150, we have this article for you: Best All-Season Tires for Ford F-150
