WHAT IS A "DOT" OR REGUALAR TIRE?
So now you understand the differences between the types of tires. Let’s kick it up a notch. Now we’re going to talk about the compound! Most off-road truck/Jeep tires are going to be running what we call a “DOT” tire. A DOT tire is going to be a certified tire by the Department of Transportation. That tire is going to be under strict regulations, have identification numbers, and when it was made; almost like a birth certificate. DOT tires are going to have a stiffer or “harder” compound that will allow it to last longer, function a certain way, and handle certain things that the DOT is looking for for your safety and others.
RACING/COMPETITION TIRES
Then, there is the STICKY! Now just because it’s a sticky, doesn’t mean it can’t be DOT-legal. There are VERY few stickies that carry a DOT label, but they are out there. Stickies are going to have a MUCH softer compound that will allow the tire to grip and function way better than normal DOT tires. They will actually function even better when “heating them up.” This is when the driver purposely spins the tires, usually creating smoke and leaving a fresh black rubber appearance on the tire. THIS is when that tire will shine.
They usually will have a stronger sidewall as well. Now, you’re probably thinking… “I should just buy stickies then!" Well here’s the drawback. Stickies wear down MUCH quicker than regular tires. It is not uncommon for many DOT tires to last 40-60k miles. Stickies, however, when driven on the road, might only last you 10-20k miles! So less than half the lifetime, and almost double the price per tire. So now you understand some of the pros and cons.
Rubber compounds
As we mentioned, stickies will usually be softer, and DOT will be harder. Most will test this theory with a Durometer. Don’t be fooled though. Softness DOES NOT mean performance. Too soft can have negative effects. There has to be a happy medium. There are also different compounds. Open cell, and closed cell. Where this comes into play is with cold temperatures and wet terrain. Open cell compound tires will crack if exposed to freezing temps. Closed cell typically will not. It’s hard to tell which of the two is better or worse as most of the companies do not give much information on their specific uses. But; Mickey Thompson for example, has a silica-reinforced compound, which helps with on-road tread wear, chips, and cuts, and improves wet handling as well as braking performance. So if you’re in the market for stickies, do some deep diving into your favorite brand!
Is there anything different that I have to do when using stickies?
Nothing different! You would air it down normally, and we typically recommend airing down between 6-8 PSI based on the weight of your vehicle for rock crawling (Beadlocks required). If you plan on driving quicker than crawler speeds, feel free to bump it up between 10-15 PSI, and for racers, it is not uncommon for them to run anywhere up to 25 PSI or more for some courses!
What sticky is best for me?
There are several stickies available on the market and honestly, there is not one tire that is the best at one single thing. Some excel in rocks, some in wet muddy terrain, some in overall trail riding, etc… Here’s our take on them!
Over-all trail riding
Nitto Trail Grappler KSPEC (Not easily available)
BFG KR3 (Multiple compounds for racers)
Sloppy east coast
Super swamper TSL competition tire