Tech/Interco TrXus Review - Questions/Answers

Conclusions & Recommendations:

If you are looking for a street tire that is also okay for occasional off-road use, then I would not suggest the trXus as a first choice. THESE ARE A SERIOUS OFF ROAD TIRE. In my limited opinion, based on accounts from drivers of other off road tires, the trXus also happen to be very well mannered on road too. (that is, for an off-road tire.) I would not try to compare the trXus to a street radial that's also okay off-road.

I was in the market for a serious off road tire that was not a handful on my daily driver. Toward this end, I was originally going to mount a 31x10.5 SSR on 15x7 AR767s for my ZJ. When Interco came out with the trXus in my chosen size, it was a no-brainer for me, given the fact that my ZJ is my daily driver too. I am very happy with them so far. As an added benefit, not only are they a serious off road tire, with good road manners, but they look real serious too. (and are sure to turn heads on and off the road).

I really like these tires. They seem like a perfect fit for a ZJ.

Updates and Ongoing Review

September 24, 2001:

Mileage on the trXus is approaching the 10,000 mile mark. Treadwear is so far very satisfactory. Plenty of tread is left. Wear is nominal and even (due to maintaining alignment and balance.)

Traction is still superb. The off-road capability of these tires is very impressive. This past summer I have done mainly rocks. I have also experimented with different air pressures. I have aired-down to 12 psi and found them to be very sticky. However at that pressure I must admit that I was lucky not to blow a bead. I did sacrifice some ground clearance, but was able to conquer extremely steep granite faces without so much as a spin. For the weight of my ZJ coupled with the added weight of bumpers, skids, winch and gear, have found that 14 psi is a good all around pressure for the trXus.

Mud: I ran mud for a few days in July. Again traction was superb. I was running open diffs front and rear at the time.

Sidewall/tread durability. I have not yet cut a sidewall despite repeated runs on sharp granite and pointed timber slash. Although to be fair, none of the rigs that I have run with this year have experience sidewall cuts either.

Noise: They have become increasingly noisier as they get older. Although I have become used to it, they are still pretty quiet for what they are. As I find myself becoming more of a wheeler and less concerned with creature comforts that the ZJ offers, noise is less of a concern for me. However, to date, not one passenger has complained of the noise level in the cab.

Balance: When I throw a counterweight, I have it replaced. To date the weights have only needed to be installed in the same places. Thus indicating that the tires themselves are maintaining even roundness.

Cuts and trail damage: I have yet to loose a lug or suffer any extreme damage to my tires. The sidewalls are in good shape. The lugs are also in good shape, some are cut, some are frayed, couple of very small chunks are missing, but overall the integrity of the tire is holding up. Again recall, the trXus is a soft rubber compound tire, so lug wear is a concern for it.

In my original early review, I stated that I would be happy to get 30,000 miles from these tires. I still expect to get that kind of mileage and maybe more. I still feel that they are a perfect fit for my Grand Cherokee.

*note: I perform a 5 tire rotation every 4-5,000 miles or so.

*note2: I have installed a locker in my rear differential. This will accelerate tread wear and increase the importance of tire rotation

January 10, 2002

Mileage is rapidly approaching the 15,000 mile mark. Although I have done mostly street driving since the last update, I can report that they are still holding up very well, even with a full locker in the rear differential. My expectation of 30k still holds.

Lastly, as ski season is finally upon us, and this was my last great test for these tires: I have had the opportunity to finally test the trxus on icy and snow covered roads. Man am I impressed. They hold like some sort of super snow tire with invisible chains and studs. In my over 23 years of driving, I have never driven on a set of tires that holds this well. I think this ability alone, makes these tires a first choice for anyone having to suffer through New England winter conditions with an all season radial, or even a first quality snow tire. Again, even if you do not wheel these tires, their winter handling is at the top of any list. Again I would attribute this traction to the fact of the softer rubber and the all around siping on these tires. (Sort of reminds me of a set of Gislaved soft rubber snow tires that I installed on a Volvo many moons ago...only much much better.)

This past weekend, I was at my family's place in north eastern Vermont. With already 2+ feet of snow on the ground. I decided to cut some first tracks on some of the log-skidder paths that criss-cross the land. With my ground clearance, and 31" trXus, (and a little bit of luck, some nearby trees, and my trusty Warn winch), and the front axle plowing the way, the ZJ was able to do several miles of deep snow wheeling. Lots of fun!

Next update, I will provide some tread depth and wheel diameter measurements. Also between now and the end of ski season in late May/early June I anticipate another several thousand miles on the these tires.

Well that's all for now...until the next tire update.