Armstrong Tru-Trac AT vs Thunderer Ranger A/T R404 tires

When you want a reliable all-terrain tire that could do great on- and off-road driving without breaking your bank, Armstrong and Thunderer names are sure to cross your mind. While Armstrong is among the oldest known tire brands in the world, Thunderer is relatively new but has affirmed its position in the budget tire category through its fleet of capable tires.

When you're looking to balance on-road civility with off-road performance, the comparison between the Tru-Trac AT from Armstrong and the Ranger A/T R404 from Thunderer offers an interesting scenario. Both tires are engineered to provide trucks and SUVs with the versatility needed to transition from smooth highways to rugged gravel paths without missing a beat.

The Armstrong Tru-Trac AT carries the American heritage and places a heavy emphasis on longevity and a quiet ride. It features interlocking center blocks and ‘connecting bridges’ between shoulder blocks to reduce irregular wear and vibration. Contrarily, the Thunderer Ranger A/T R404 features an aggressive, high-void tread design meant for those who might find themselves in deeper mud or loose soil more often. It features a reinforced sidewall and a built-in rim guard to protect against trail debris and curb damage. Lastly, Armstrong and Thunderer all-terrain tires are backed by solid mileage warranties.

Which tire is right for you? Let’s do a quick Armstrong Tru-Trac AT vs Thunderer Ranger A/T R404 tires comparison based on their traction, handling, and longevity performance in our SimpleScore. It’s our in-house developed scoring mechanism, which rates each trait on a scale of 0-10. Keep reading!

Armstrong Tru-Trac AT tires

Designed for SUVs and light trucks, the Armstrong Tru-Trac AT is a versatile all-terrain tire that balances on-road comfort and off-road performance. It features interlocking center blocks and a rugged casing to ensure high-speed stability and precise steering response on paved roads, while its four zigzag circumferential grooves provide the grip needed for light off-road adventures.

To maximize durability, connecting bridges between shoulder blocks resists irregular wear and reduces block wriggling, extending the tire's lifespan. Backed by a 60,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, this tire is a reliable choice for drivers who need consistent year-round performance and occasional off-road drives.

With an 8.2 overall SimpleScore, the Armstrong Tru-Trac AT assures great year-round performance on different terrains.

Get Armstrong Tru-Trac AT tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Thunderer Ranger A/T R404 tires

The Thunderer Ranger A/T R404 is a rugged, all-terrain tire designed to offer light truck and SUV drivers a dependable balance of off-road grit and smooth highway manners. Its aggressive tread pattern features large, staggered blocks and a high void ratio to provide constant grip and traction on soft, loose, or uneven surfaces like mud and gravel.

To ensure a quiet and stable ride on paved roads, the Thunderer tire is designed with a closed shoulder pattern that improves cornering stability and steering response. Built for durability, it features a reinforced sidewall and an integrated rim guard to protect against trail debris and curb damage.

With an 8.0 overall SimpleScore, the Ranger A/T R404 is backed by a 55,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty and offers great, go-anywhere versatility.

Get Thunderer Ranger A/T R404 tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Armstrong Tru-Trac AT vs Thunderer Ranger A/T R404 tires on traction

The Armstrong and Thunderer tires return adequate grip, traction, and braking on paved and unpaved roads. In terms of traction performance, both tires are very close, but one manages to sneak a win.

Securing an 8.1 in traction, the Armstrong Tru-Trac AT delivers solid grip with four zigzag circumferential grooves that bite into road surfaces for enhanced stability. Its interlocking center blocks feature slanted edges to improve traction on uneven terrain while maintaining a quiet ride. These special design elements ensure the tire provides consistent, confident performance across both dry and wet conditions.

Achieving an 8.0 in traction, the Thunderer Ranger A/T R404 provides reliable year-round grip with an aggressive tread pattern featuring large, staggered blocks. These elements create extra biting edges for navigating loose or uneven off-road terrains. Four deep, wide grooves efficiently channel water and slush away from the footprint, significantly reducing hydroplaning risk and ensuring confident wet-weather performance.

With a better score, the Armstrong Tru-Trac AT wins the traction tussle.

ADVANTAGE: Armstrong Tru-Trac AT

Armstrong Tru-Trac AT vs Thunderer Ranger A/T R404 tires on handling

The steering response, stability, and handling define the control you have over your vehicle. The Tru-Trac AT and Ranger A/T R404, too, have a close fight here, and, again, one edges out the other. Let’s check their handling performance.

Striking a fine balance between stability and responsiveness, the Tru-Trac AT secures an 8.1 and features a rugged casing that maintains structural integrity under stress. The interlocking center blocks and slanted edges provide a solid contact patch, ensuring precise maneuvering at high speeds. Whether navigating paved highways or light off-road trails, the Armstrong tire offers the steering feedback necessary for a controlled driving experience.

With an 8.0 handling score, the Ranger A/T R404 features an optimized tread design that maintains constant surface contact. This consistent footprint improves steering responsiveness and stability across different driving conditions. Additionally, the Thunderer tire’s sturdy shoulder blocks and multiple sipes work together to improve cornering and braking precision, giving drivers better control on paved highways and light trails.

Yet again, it’s the Armstrong Tru-Trac AT that wins the handling battle by a thin margin.

ADVANTAGE: Armstrong Tru-Trac AT

Armstrong Tru-Trac AT vs Thunderer Ranger A/T R404 tires on longevity

Longevity is the most critical aspect in a tire selection process. Most drivers prefer tires that last long. Being all-terrain tires, both offer respectable tread life and come with superb mileage warranties. Let’s check their scores.

Boasting an 8.8 in longevity and designed for the long haul, the Armstrong Tru-Trac AT earns high marks for durability and is backed by a 60,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty. Its robust construction and interlocking block design resist the wear and tear of tough off-road trails, effectively improving its service life.

Securing an 8.1 in longevity, the Ranger A/T R404 utilizes a durable, long-lasting rubber compound that resists cuts, chips, and abrasions. Its reinforced sidewalls and integrated rim protector further shield the tire and wheel from external damage. Backed by a 55,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, the Thunderer tire is designed to provide an extended service life and even wear.

The scores only get better with an increasing number of rounds. The Armstrong Tru-Trac AT gives a final blow to the Thunderer Ranger A/T R404 and wins the longevity race comprehensively.

ADVANTAGE: Armstrong Tru-Trac AT

When to use each

All-terrain tires are designed to offer a balanced performance on and off the road. They are engineered to lend solid grip and traction in dry, wet, and light snowy conditions.

You can use the Armstrong Tru-Trac AT if you are looking for a reliable all-terrain tire that offers a superior tread life and solid traction and handling, while the Thunderer Ranger A/T R404 is ideal for those wanting a budget all-terrain tire with decent year-round performance.

Which one should you choose?

To sum up, the Armstrong Tru-Trac AT is an overall better all-terrain tire than the Thunderer Ranger A/T R404 as it wins all three rounds of traction, handling, and longevity. However, each tire has unique attributes, which should be considered before finalizing. Additionally, do check out your specific needs and requirements.

For the LT245/70R16 111T XL size, the Armstrong tire costs $108 per tire, while four tires cost $432. Similarly, the Thunderer tire costs $125 per tire, while four tires cost $500 (a difference of $68 on four tires).

Based on SimpleScore, you should choose the Armstrong Tru-Trac AT if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, or the Honda CR-V
• Prefer an all-terrain tire with better traction (8.1 vs 8.0) and handling (8.1 vs 8.0)
• Want a long-lasting all-terrain tire (8.8 vs 8.1)
• Want an all-terrain tire with a longer mileage warranty (60,000 vs 55,000 miles)

Contrarily, you should go for the Thunderer Ranger A/T R404 if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler, Ford F-150, or the Dodge Ram 3500
• Prefer a solid all-terrain tire with adequate traction and handling
• Want an all-terrain tire with a 55,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty

Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.