Best 30 Inch UTV Tires
Big UTV tires that deliver even bigger performance
Trying to pick the right set of 30 inch UTV tires out of the nearly endless range of options available can get overwhelming fast. Actually, shopping for new tires is always a bit of a chore. With so many different brands, models, and styles to choose from, how can you be sure that what you’re getting will perform as expected, in the particular sorts of conditions you ride in?
Those off-brand tires sure are cheap, but are they worth the effort to install, or are they just going to puncture on their maiden voyage? Will the tread last, or are they going to wear down to the point of uselessness after one season? Does tread design A find traction just as well as tread design B?
Fear not, because we’re here to help. To make your tire shopping experience a bit less complicated, we’ve put together this list of the best 30 inch UTV tires on the market, spanning a range of different manufacturers and styles. Stick with one of these and you’ll be able to get back to slinging mud and kicking up dust in no time.
Table of Contents
1. Editors Choice - Maxxis Carnivore UTV Tire
A light truck-inspired tire from one of our all-time favorite manufacturers, the Maxxis Carnivore is an 8-ply-rated radial that delivers big performance, with a specialized rubber compound formulated for traction on rocks, roots, and desert terrain. On top of that, these 30 inch UTV tires boast exactly the sort of extended treadwear we’ve come to expect from Maxxis. Additionally, being radial tires, they boast outstanding, predictable ride and handling characteristics at just about any speed.
2. Best All-Terrain - GBC Mongrel
Developed specifically for today’s modern, high-powered side-by-sides, the GBC Mongrel is a legend among UTV tires largely for its stout 10-ply rating – something that gives it better puncture-resistance and durability than just about anything else out there. That’s helped by a reinforced sidewall, while a series of wide channels between tread blocks and good self-cleaning properties mean the Mongrel is suited to a wide range of different terrain types. Yet as much of a beast as it is off road, the Mongrel meets or exceeds DOT standards and is cleared for highway use.
3. Best Lite Mud Tire - ITP Mud Lite XXL
There’s a reason ITP appears twice on our list of the best 30 inch UTV tires, apart from the fact the company just happens to produce multiple tires in that size: on a performance-per-dollar basis, ITP makes some of the best tires around, regardless of size. Part of the brand’s lauded Mud Lite series, the Mud Lite XXL is a seriously heavy duty mud-slinger, with rugged bias-ply construction and an incredible 40/32nd inch tread depth. The characteristically aggressive tread, with its V-shaped lugs and plentiful void area, was designed to do only one thing: claw its way through the thickest, muckiest conditions around.
4. Best Trail Tire - BFGoodrich T/A KM3
Already a legend in the light truck world, the Baja-proven BFGoodrich T/A KM3 mud-terrain is here to totally transform the performance of your UTV as well. Boasting BFGoodrich’s awesome-sounding “Terrain-Attack Tread Design,” the T/A KM3 is right at home in some of the most challenging terrains on the planet. Mud-phobic bars keep the tread clear while driving through the muck, and UTV-specific tread compounds eat up rocks and other slick surfaces like candy. Whether your UTV sees mud daily, or only on occasion, these 30 inch UTV tires are just too good not to check out.
5. ITP Blackwater Evolution
Another 8-ply radial from another legendary manufacturer, the ITP Blackwater Evolution has amassed a loyal following by virtue of its exceptional durability, its smooth, predictable performance, and its innovative non-directional design. These tires are of the all-terrain variety, but they’re most at-home over soft and intermediate terrain, rocks, ruts, and snow, although they’ll hold their own in mud, too, and ITP says they’re even good for racing.
6. Sedona Rock-a-Billy
A high-performance, competition-proven radial tire from one of our favorite manufacturers, where the Sedona Rock-a-Billy really thrives is right in the name: rocky terrain. An 8-ply-rated carcass gives it outstanding resistance to tearing and puncturing, and a hard, biting tread design featuring an all-new compound delivers outstanding grip. On top of that, each tire boasts a built-in rib guard, integrated stone ejectors, and shoulder tread lugs for extra traction. In so many words, these 30 inch UTV tires are – wait for it – 100% ready to rock.
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I ride in every terrain possible. Which of these tires is best for me?
The great thing about this list is that none of tires our experts are necessarily focused on one particular terrain. While we do have the ITP Mud Lite XXL in the list, many people have been happy using it as a general purpose trail tire. It just happens to perform better than some of the offerings in muddy conditions because of its design. While there's no one perfect tire to fit every terrain, you can likely find one that can perform great in most that suit your needs.
My UTV came with 26" tall tires. Can I install 30" tall tires on it when it's time to replace?
In most cases the answer is yes, but with certain requirements. Many of the taller tires offered require a larger diameter wheel. Are you willing to upgrade your wheels at the same time? This could be a significant price increase over tires along. Second, you'll need to make sure that you have the proper clearance to fit the new larger tire. Finally, does your UTV have the power to pull a larger tire? Let's say you own a Polaris RZR 570. Sure that motor has a lot of pep, but can it stand the long term strain of running larger tires? Also, regardless what UTV you own, you'll probably want to perform some clutch modifications to compensate for the larger tire size to avoid burning up your belts.
Aaron is a freelance writer, videographer and car enthusiast based out of the Detroit area. He has a special affinity for the Porsche 944 series, and once owned a Volvo 240 sedan with a Weber carb in place of the factory EFI system. His work has appeared on AutoGuide, GM Authority, /Drive, and VW Vortex, among other sites.
More by Aaron Brzozowski
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