VENOM TYRES. Can quality and cheap be used in the same sentence ?
Get 10 4wders around a campfire and we’ll all give different options on what’s the best and worst 4wd tyres that we’ve ever used. I mean, I really don’t think there’s any right or wrong answer to this conundrum for any piece of 4wd gear that we use, just have to find the right one that suits you.
So this year, I’ve decided to trial a new set of tyres from Venom Tyres, based in the USA. Launched in 2001, Venom Tyres ( also known as Venom Power ) launched a budget affordable range to the American market. Initially the range they launched was more focused towards light trucks, SUV’s and Jeeps who wanted durable all terrain, mud and extreme tyres for harsh climates in the US.
Roll on to 2017 when Venom tyres joined with others as part of the Transamerica Tire company who wanted to produce quality tyres at an affordable price. Based in Memphis, Tennessee, Transamerica soon established a base to supply a range of tyres to North America and within four short years they had established a range to include speciality trailer and passenger tyres, that included brands such as Venom, Predator, Freedom Hauler and Transeagle. Now with decades of R & D under their belt, Transamerica Tires is established as one of the fastest growing tyre brands in the world and having their central office in the heart of America they are able to have their finger on the the USA car scene, which apparently dictates the trends and directions of the global market at any one time.
Today Venom Tyres are available to the Australian market in a range of sizes from 15 to a massive 24 inch in All terrain, muds and more aggressive purpose tyre. All the sizes come out of state of the art complexes in either Cambodia, SE Asia and sometimes Europe which make them affordable across the board and keeping their range of tyres to within global industry standards with their quality control. Throughout most of the tyre range they come with a 50,000 mile ( 80,000 km ) Road Hazard Warranty, and for the first 12 months in Australia there’s a full tyre replacement ( when you purchase four at one time ) if the tyre fails or you have any kind of non-reparable damage. There’s a full disclosure on the Venom Power Australia website ( https://venomtyres.com.au/road-hazard-warranty/ ).
In the full Venom range there are 13 different variants of aggressive tyres, all based around all terrain and a more ruggered terrain model, but the core models are based around the Terra Hunter X/T and the R/T. Here in Australia we have access to six in the range and Venom are adding more sizes to the range of each tyre.
On my 80 series, I run 285/75/16 tyres so I was limited to what tread pattern I could go with, so it was with the Terra Hunter X/T ( now called the X/T2 ). Breaking down the tyre data it all complies for what I need and is suited to larger 4wds. With a 126Q rating, load capacity of 1,700kg per tyre and a speed rating of 160km/h ( I’m safe with that speed ), it also has a 10 ply rating with 3 ply in the sidewall.
All this tyre data equates to most good all terrain tyres on the market these days. The squarer shoulder blocks put more rubber on the ground and making for better traction on hopefully all surfaces I’ll encounter. With 5000km already done, the X/T’s feel good on the bitumen and on the dirt trails I’ve tackled around the Coffs Coast. The big test will see how they handle the harsh outback roads this year and with the heat.
When I first heard about Venom tyres and especially the X/T, there were a few reports of the tyre creating a slight whine on tar roads, this does seem to be case and will be interesting to see if it continues with tyre wear, there’s not much but you can definitely hear it with the window down, and that’s about my only negative thing too say about the X/T. But saying that, I am finding the rolling resistance of the tyres to be next to none, ie- they seem to roll on any surface really well.
Other tyres in the range have a different load and speed rating, the more aggressive AT/X and some of the Trail R/T tyres have a 12 ply rating. Measuring the tread depth on my tyres, which by the way are stamped made in Cambodia, they come in at 9.5mm, which on average is a little lower than other big brand tyre names. The Terra Hunter seems like a good mix between a highway tyres where the centre of the tyre has a closed in pattern, yet on the outer edges the more aggressive side wall will be perfect for the weekend getaways and touring the outback trails.
Venom Tires state that their advanced tread design and special rubber compound will offer better grip on all surfaces and with advanced braking tyre technology it will ensure safer braking techniques. I reckon Venom Tyres will soon be a popular choice here in Australia where 4wd owners are looking for a balance between price, reliability and performance.
MORE INFO
Through my local tyre dealer I paid $325 for a 285/75/16 tyre, which was supply and fit for my Landcruiser. There are multiple stockist Australia wide with the main distributor being Neta Tyres, all specs and other info can be found at online at www.venomtyres.com.au
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