Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar…

A Long Name for a Great Tire

Story by Jason R. Sakurai

Near the Lucerne Valley, in San Bernardino County, California, the Johnson Valley Off Highway Vehicle Park (OHV) is an off-road mecca of open desert, dry lake beds, sand dunes and extreme rock crawling trails. It was here that Goodyear chose to introduce their new Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar® tires to the press, along with the rest of their Wrangler lineup.
Goodyear’s off-road reputation was built on the Wrangler series, but would the new tire, their first off-road tire to incorporate DuPont™ Kevlar®, a material most often associated with bulletproof vests and racing helmets, provide extreme sidewall cut and puncture resistance?

Journalists often abuse new products for the sake of their readers, and knowing full well the torture tests that the Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar® would endure, Goodyear said, ‘bring it on’. During a day-long trek through every type of terrain in the Johnson Valley OHV, these new tires conquered all that a group of enthusiasts could throw at them, without a single failure or cut. Not on the high speed desert floor, through the thick mud left over after a desert storm, or during some pretty treacherous rock crawling did any Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar® fail.

Goodyear’s introduction was admittedly the first time this editor had engaged in any actual rock crawling, and thanks to the expert guides leading the group, I was able to make my way through both courses without any mishaps. Yes, there were a couple of Jeep Wrangler JKs that did get stuck, high sided over boulders some of the more experienced editors misjudged, so it wasn’t as easy as it sounds. But being pulled out and then being able to drive away is completely different than experiencing a tire failure and having to run to base camp and replace it on the trail, which didn’t happen with any of the Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar® tires.

Features of the Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar® include tread guards to resist stone cuts, mud-flow geometry to provide enhanced self-cleaning and traction, and traction blocks with additional biting edges to enhance traction on rocks, in mud, dirt and sand. The Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar® has three-ply DuPont™ Kevlar®-reinforced sidewalls for greater cut and puncture resistance, staggered sidewall shoulder blocks for traction on the rocks and in deep mud, and rugged Durawall™ rubber to help resist sidewall cuts and punctures.

While much of the preview showcased the off-road characteristics of the Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar®, it was its on road manners that were even more impressive, with an asymmetric tread design for better handling on road and traction off-road, rim protectors to protect wheels from curb damage, and rim locks that minimize the need for balancing throughout the tire’s life. Advanced silica rubber in the tread offered superior wet and off-road traction, but there was a bonus not mentioned anywhere in Goodyear’s press kit, which was the reduced road noise – compared to the previous MT/R and other competitors, the Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar® is as quiet as tires with much less aggressive profiles meant for light off-road duty. 

With 30 sizes available at introduction in a variety of OE replacement and plus-size fitments, the Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar® is a great addition to most ½ ton – 1 ton foreign and domestic trucks, Hummer H2 and H3, Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Xterra, and the Toyota FJ Cruiser. More sizes will be added, and their overwhelming reception by Goodyear dealers means they’ll be ready to mount up and hit the trail whenever you are!

Side story: Johnson Valley OHV Park Endangered

Group Organized to Prevent Its Closing

While writing this story, we learned that The Partnership for Johnson Valley (PFJV) was urging users to email U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein’s office to keep the 189,000-acre multiple-use area as public land. Senator Feinstein had been briefed that Johnson Valley saw little use from the public. This information lacked specific stakeholder-use data that had been disclosed to multiple public agencies including San Bernardino County Supervisor Brad Mitzelfeld, the U.S. Marine Corps, and townships adjacent to Johnson Valley, while supporting the acquisition of Johnson Valley for a Marine base.

A meeting was scheduled with the Senator’s staff to discuss the multiple users of Johnson Valley as well as other issues,” said Harry Baker, Chairman of the Partnership. “The PFJV leadership has traveled throughout California over the last twelve months advising agencies as well as stakeholder groups regarding the possible closure of the Johnson Valley. The PFJV has documented over 750,000 annual usage days from groups ranging from the film industry, scout troops, equestrians, flying clubs and off-highway sports groups, and closure of Johnson Valley would be a significant loss for all Californians as well as the nation, based on stakeholder usage data. This is especially noteworthy since the Marines can expand their operations to the east of their existing base, public land that is mostly unused.”

Jeff Quinn, owner of McKenzie’s Performance Products in Anaheim, California, added, “Growing up, Johnson Valley was a place where our family spent quality time together. We rode motorcycles; back then there were no side effects from lead in my mini-bike, but that’s another story. As a father of two, I have taken my children to Johnson Valley from the time they were three to now 17 and 21 at least 10 times a year. This in turn made me love the desert so much that in 1988, I bought an existing off-road business which was started in 1968 by Scott McKenzie. I have enjoyed a modest living, and employed 17 people for 20 years. Due to the economic slowdown, I currently employ 10 people. I have been so frustrated over the last 20 years seeing more than half of ‘my’ desert closed. I understand we need to preserve some endangered areas for wildlife, but why all of it? It’s not fair to the taxpayer who says leave it open to be excluded from these decisions. If I wish to use my desert in a different way than others they try to tell me I’m wrong, or a bad person that’s ruining the earth? Building shopping centers, gas stations and housing – why aren’t they seen as bad guys? We all need to share and respect one another. Johnson Valley’s control by the BLM, which I help pay for, has been excellent. But why do I have to pay to use the land, when Sierra Club members pay no fees and use it for free? All in all, I love the desert and its views, weather, and animals. Please keep Johnson Valley open so my children can spend quality time with their children.”

The Partnership is asking all Johnson Valley users to email Senator Feinstein’s office stating what effect a Marine takeover would have on you, your family, business, friends, or any other impact. Specifically, the number of visits, days per year spent, how many people in your group, and how much you contribute to the local economy should be included. The Senator’s email message center. Simply complete the fields and leave a brief message. Senator Feinstein’s staff has informed the PFJV they don’t accept automated emails, and the link must be used to leave a message. Alternatively, you can fax a letter to Senator Feinstein’s Los Angeles office at: 310-914-7318. The Partnership is also seeking donations, and more details can be found at www.PFJV.org.

The PFJV has worked with the military and stakeholders to seek alternatives to the proposed land expansion. The PFJV, a division of the 501(c)3 California Trail Users Coalition, is led by Harry Baker, Chairman, Mark Howlett, Executive Director, Wayne Nosala, Secretary, and directors Ray Pessa and Helen Baker. The PFJV’s aim is to unite all who enjoy the diverse activities in the multiple-use, open access areas of Johnson Valley. The PFJV’s charter is to promote responsible recreation and the use of desert resources through conservation and education. The PFJV’s goal is to ensure public open-access to the area in the present, and for future generations. For more information, please visit www.PFJV.org.

Photo: Goodyear/KatieArdner
Off-road legend, Walker Evans & me at the a.m. meeting

MT/R with Kevlar® tires can be ID’d by outline white letters and ‘Kevlar’ on the sidewall.

Photo: Goodyear/KatieArdner
Hardly the rough stuff, here we were just getting started

Rubicon 4-door belonging to one of our guides had all the right stuff for the OHV park.

Crawling through large rock formations, the Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar® tires never failed.

With pedal to the metal headed to base camp, the tires performed admirably at speed too.

Orderly start was in stark contrast to the freewheelin’ finish and ensuing run to base camp.

Larger flotation Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar® sizes are blackwalls.

No lightweight trail, it was quite possible to get high sided and a few did.

Photo: Goodyear/KatieArdner
Maneuvering on two trails, the Wranglers got a workout

Photo: Goodyear/KatieArdner
This mud pit didn’t deter the MT/R with Kevlar either.

Goodyear’s light truck & SUV tire GM Melissa Montisano, took to the trail like a champ