Off-Road Tire Test - Nexen Roadian MT

The latest trend in the world of wheels seems to be the notion that bigger is better. You would be hard pressed to find a new truck for sale today with wheels smaller than 17 inches. It seems the tire manufacturers have taken note of this as well and are slowly eliminating models for the traditional 15 and 16-inch wheel. Fortunately, Nexen has gone the opposite direction, offering their Roadian MT off-road tire exclusively for those of us with smaller wheels and no plans of upgrading.

"The tires have an aggressive appearance and deep tread grooves to shed mud and debris"

We mounted up Nexen Tire’s new Roadian MT on our ’02 Ford E-350 van to allow for better off-road capabilities and increased ground clearance. The van had already been leveled with a spacer beneath the stock coil spring, giving us just enough room to fit the larger-than-stock 265/75R16 mud tires without rubbing. The tires have an aggressive appearance and deep tread grooves to shed mud and debris, allowing for traction in even the most inclement conditions. When we went off-road, the Roadian MT tires performed excellently. They provided a confidence-inspiring ride quality and plenty of traction, even with our open differential in sandy conditions.   |   Nexen Roadian Mt Tire Tread This set was a perfect match for the van, as we maintained the E-rated load status for hauling while providing a slightly larger footprint for added stability. We put in some time towing with these tires as well and have no issues to report. To date they have produced a smooth ride with even tread wear. The tires replaced an equally great set of Nexen Roadian HT tires, and they seem to be a bit noisier with increased vibration. However, this is expected with such an aggressive tire, and they calmed down somewhat once we put some miles on them. Overall, the Nexen Roadian MTs have far exceeded our expectations. Nexen Roadian MT Size Tested: 265/75R16 Type: Radial Load Range: E Maximum Load (Lb @ Psi): 3,087 at 50 Sidewall Plies: 4-ply polyester Approved Rim Width (In): 6.0-7.5 Tread Depth (In): 17/32 Section Width (In): 9.3 Overall Diameter (In): 31.7 Revolutions Per Mile: 637.6 Weight (Lb): 36 Test Vehicle: ’02 Ford E-350