[Armstrong](https://simpletire.com/brands/armstrong-tires) is an American tire manufacturer founded in 1912. The tire manufacturer is known for its heavy focus on everyday value and structural durability. Armstrong utilizes advanced materials and innovative designs to provide highly reliable performance for light trucks and SUVs without putting a dent in wallets.

[Summit Trail Climber](https://simpletire.com/brands/summit-tires) is a value-focused tire manufacturer that offers tires for budget-conscious drivers without compromising on quality and functional versatility. It offers a reliable range of tires for passenger, CUVs, SUVs, light trucks, and other vehicle types. The advanced technology pertaining to noise control, all-season performance, and long-lasting service makes its range of tires one of the viable options at an accessible entry point.

The Armstrong Tru-Trac SU is an all-season tire engineered for use on SUVs and CUVs with enhanced year-round grip, good highway stability, and low rolling resistance. In contrast, the Summit Trail Climber SUV2 is a touring all-season tire that also comes as a compatible choice for CUVs and SUVs. This tire allows drivers to enjoy low tread noise, long-lasting tread life, and solid braking performance.

If you need a reliable set of SUV or CUV-specific all-season tires, this Tru-Trac SU vs Trail Climber SUV2 tires comparison will help you choose the right tire depending on your driving needs, budget, and preferences. We will use our proprietary tire rating system, [SimpleScore](https://simpletire.com/simplescore), to determine each tire’s overall ability, along with its capability in areas like traction, handling, and longevity on a scale of 0-10. Read on! 

## Armstrong Tru-Trac SU tires

The Tru-Trac SU is specially optimized for use on CUVs and SUVs and features an all-season rubber compound. This tire is tuned for increased road impact resistance, better passenger comfort, and solid vehicle stability. The tire is tuned for low rolling resistance, which results in better fuel efficiency and has the ability to offer solid handling performance under load. All thanks to specialized shoulder blocks, the tire prevents tread wriggling and layout distortion during fast maneuvers.

Overall, the Tru-Trac SU earns a great 8.5 SimpleScore, thanks to its long-lasting tread life, sharper handling, and great traction year-round.

[Get Armstrong Tru-Trac SU tires at the best deals for your vehicle here](https://simpletire.com/brands/armstrong-tires/tru-trac-su) 

## Summit Trail Climber SUV2 tires

The Summit Trail Climber SUV2 is another capable tire built exclusively for use on CUVs and SUVs, and offers drivers the confidence to drive in dry, wet, and light winter conditions because of its year-round compatible compound and pattern. The tire is tuned for relaxed and confident highway driving and advanced SPPS noise control technology for a quiet cabin experience. The tire is also optimized for hydroplaning resistance for solid year-round traction, better handling and braking while driving under loads, and resistance against irregular tread wear.

Overall, the Trail Climber SUV2 achieves a great 8.5 SimpleScore, thanks to its excellent tread life, responsive handling, and reliable year-round traction.

[Get Summit Trail Climber SUV2 tires at the best deals for your vehicle here](https://simpletire.com/brands/summit-tires/trail-climber-suv2) 

### Armstrong Tru-Trac SU vs Summit Trail Climber SUV2 tires on traction


With overviews covered, now let’s take a look at the traction analysis of both tires and find out which one is better when it comes to maintaining grip throughout the year.

Starting with the Tru-Trac SU, the tire secures an 8.1 SimpleScore in traction, assuring great traction and grip in dry, wet, and mild winter conditions. The tire features a wide footprint design and deep water channels to establish better contact on a wet surface. The tread elements work in conjunction to establish a solid contact in rain and reduce the chances of hydroplaning.

On the other hand, the Trail Climber SUV2 also gives tough competition to its peer with a solid 8.2 SimpleScore for its reliable traction performance. Summit has engineered this model with broad longitudinal channels and optimized siping for extra biting ability, which results in solid surface grip and optimum hydroplaning resistance. Additionally, the wider footprint allows a larger portion of the tread to come in contact with the road, ensuring solid grip year-round.

No doubt, both tires are good on the traction front; it is the Trail Climber SUV2 that excels with a slightly higher score.

ADVANTAGE: Summit Trail Climber SUV2  

### Armstrong Tru-Trac SU vs Summit Trail Climber SUV2 tires on handling

Moving on to the handling part, let’s learn which of the two tires is better when it comes to handling, better ride control, stability, steering response, braking efficiency, and cornering performance year-round.

The Tru-Trac SU assures reliable handling performance and earns an 8.5 SimpleScore on a scale of 0-10. Thanks to its integrated shoulder bottom base technology, the tire withstands lateral forces for crisp handling. Likewise, the stiffened sidewall assures seamless steering response and great tracking stability, especially while you are cruising on highways. The sipes across the tread additionally power the tire with enhanced braking performance.

On the contrary, the Trail Climber SUV2 secures a great 8.3 in handling. The optimized footprint of the tire, along with its flat contact patch, provides improved stability and in-time braking performance. Likewise, tread blocks are tuned to withstand driving pressures during high-speed cornering. Even the tire sidewalls are durable enough to offer smooth lane changes, withstand driving pressures, and maintain their original shape.

In handling, the Armstrong tire earns a slightly better rating than the Summit tire.

ADVANTAGE: Armstrong Tru-Trac SU  

### Armstrong Tru-Trac SU vs Summit Trail Climber SUV2 tires on longevity


Long-lasting ability corresponds directly to the value drivers get from tires. So, let’s find out which tire is better when it comes to controlling wear life and covering more miles.

Commencing with the Tru-Trac SU, the tire secures an excellent 9.3 SimpleScore in longevity, ensuring better wear resistance and extended service life. The tire is also backed by a 65,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty. The block-stabilizing shoulder base design and optimized contact patch ensure uniform pressure distribution to prevent irregular tread wear.

On the other hand, the Trail Climber SUV2 achieves an outstanding 9.1 SimpleScore in longevity, giving tough competition to its peers. It is covered by a 60,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty for a good ownership experience. Likewise, the balanced weight distribution design helps prevent uneven wear for long-lasting performance.

In the longevity race, it is the Trail Climber SUV2 that surpasses the Tru-Trac SU and offers better performance.

ADVANTAGE: Armstrong Tru-Trac SU  

## When to use each 

Both the Tru-Trac SU and the Trail Climber SUV2 are all-season tires that offer solid performance year-round. Whether you are driving on dry highways, wet lanes, or on light, snowy roads, these tires offer dependable performance. They both offer great handling and a comfortable driving experience when used on modern CUVs and SUVs. However, neither tire is Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certified, which means they should not be used in moderate to severe winter conditions.

In terms of rim sizes, both tires are available in 16- to 21-inch choices to maximize compatibility with standard CUVs and SUVs on the market. 

## Which one should you choose?


Looking at overall SimpleScores, both tires tie with an identical score of 8.5, proving that they are a great choice for use on SUVs and CUVs. However, your purchase decision should be based on whether you need a tire that’s better in traction vs a tire that’s better in handling and longevity.

As far as prices are concerned, the Tru-Trac SU is available at a starting price of at least $87, which means a set of four is available at a starting price of at least $348. On the other hand, the Trail Climber SUV2 is offered at an initial price of $81, costing $324 for a set of four.

Based on SimpleScore, you must choose the Tru-Trac SC if you:

• Drive a vehicle like the [Honda Pilot](https://simpletire.com/vehicles/honda-tires/pilot), [Ford Explorer](https://simpletire.com/vehicles/ford-tires/explorer), or [Toyota Highlander](https://simpletire.com/vehicles/toyota-tires/highlander).

• Want a tire that’s better in longevity (9.3 vs 9.1)

• Want a tire that’s better in handling (8.5 vs 8.3).

• Want a tire that’s backed by a better 65,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty.

• Are comfortable paying more to buy a tire that’s good at cornering under load and keeping the sidewall in its original shape for better maneuverability.

On the other hand, you should pick the Trail Climber SUV2 if you:

• Drive a vehicle like the [Nissan Rogue](https://simpletire.com/vehicles/nissan-tires/rogue), [Hyundai Tucson](https://simpletire.com/vehicles/hyundai-tires/tucson), or [Subaru Forester](https://simpletire.com/vehicles/subaru-tires/forester).

• Need a tire that’s better at keeping the noise levels in control.

• Need a tire that’s better at offering all-season traction (8.2 vs 8.1). 

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.