What can real trail time in the Great Smoky Mountains reveal about where today’s light-truck tires truly fit?

In this episode of What’s Treading, Tire Review heads to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, for a hands-on ride and drive featuring three Hankook Tire Dynapro tires: the Dynapro AT2 Xtreme, Dynapro MT2, and Dynapro XT.

We got the opportunity to test and compare how each tire handled on-road driving and off-road terrain. See the testing conditions, compare performance differences, and hear Robert Nasca, product and sales training manager, and K.C. Jensen, VP of U.S. PC/LT sales, explain how each tire fits drivers who split time between pavement, dirt, and rocky terrain.

This year’s What’s Treading conversations gave tire dealers a direct line to some of the industry’s most influential voices – Bridgestone, Continental, Nokian Tyres, Double Coin, Atturo, Global Air Cylinder Wheels, and Schrader – and today's show brings together the strongest tire dealer insights from those interviews.

Tire Review: www.tirereview.com

The SEMA Show always offers a first look at the tools, tires, and technologies shaping the next year in the industry, and this year’s trip to Las Vegas delivered big for independent tire dealers. In this special What’s Treading episode, we walk the show floor to spotlight the products and innovations that matter most.

Tire Review: www.tirereview.com

Shops want faster workflows, fewer bottlenecks, and equipment that keeps technicians moving. On this episode of What's Treading, we set out to learn how well the new Road Force WalkAway tire balancer supports those goals during a visit to Hunter Engineering’s headquarters. We wanted to see how much time a modern balancer can actually save and what that means for daily productivity inside a busy tire bay.

Hunter’s David Henry kicked things off by showing the biggest change: automatic inflation built directly into the balancer. Technicians can clamp the wheel, hook on the hose, and drop the hood, and the machine handles the rest. Henry explained that this feature frees up 45 to 90 seconds, which technicians can use to mount the next tire, prep weights, grab a tire from the rack, or keep another bay moving.

The WalkAway still performs full Road Force diagnostics, measures spring rate, identifies stiff spots, and uses camera-based wheel measurement. But the team redesigned the hood and roller assembly to shrink the footprint by 4.5 inches to reclaim some space.

Engineering Manager Nate Brower explained how the machine calculates time savings through pressure readings, volume calculations, and flow rate. It gives technicians a countdown that shows how long they have to complete other tasks. In testing, he said, pairing the Road Force WalkAway with Hunter’s automated tire changers cut a four-tire job from 34 minutes to 19, which delivered a 44% time savings.

The WalkAway also integrates with HunterNet, which lets multi-store operations track usage, roller drops, inflation habits, and technician performance.

A growing number of vehicles on the road still lack tire pressure monitoring systems, and Schrader is hoping to change that with its new Aircheck BLE retrofit kit. In this episode of What’s Treading, David Sickels talks with Kelly Sadler, vice president and general manager for Sonata’s aftermarket business, about how the product works and what it means for both drivers and service shops.

The Aircheck BLE is designed to fit nearly any light-duty vehicle and deliver tire pressure, temperature, and sensor battery life information directly to the dashboard through Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Sadler explains that the system uses Bluetooth Low Energy and a range extender to ensure reliable communication even over long distances, such as when towing a trailer.

For installers, Schrader kept setup simple. The sensors mount internally to protect against tampering and provide more accurate readings, while an app-based configuration removes the need for hard-wiring and specialized tools. Sadler says installation typically takes less than five minutes and that the company has produced full training materials and videos to help technicians get up to speed.

With roughly 250 million vehicles still operating without TPMS, the retrofit market represents a sizable opportunity for tire dealers looking to expand their services. Sadler notes that the Aircheck BLE’s single-SKU design helps streamline inventory and reduce complexity in the bay, giving shops a way to add value for customers who want better tire health monitoring without replacing their vehicle.

Tire Review: www.tirereview.com
Hunter Engineering: www.hunter.com

Three tires, one incredible day at the track. At the scenic Burt Brothers Motorpark in Salt Lake City, we spent the day doing a good, old-fashioned Sailun tire test, putting three of Sailun Tire Americas’ newest products – the Atrezzo SVA2 ultra-high-performance all-season tire, the Terramax AT2 all-terrain tire, and Terramax RT rugged-terrain tire – through their paces across asphalt, gravel, and rock, respectively. Each tire showed off its unique performance and character.

We started with the Atrezzo SVA2, developed by the Chattanooga-based R&D team for North American roads. It features an asymmetrical tread design and Quiet Ride Technology for confident handling and a calm, composed feel.

Next up was the Terramax AT2, designed for drivers who divide their time between the highway and off-road. The AT2 features a new casing, enhanced compound, and protective sidewall biters for traction and cut resistance. It’s 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake certified and backed by a 50,000-mile warranty.

We wrapped up this Sailun tire test with the Terramax RT, the company’s first rugged-terrain tire. Positioned between an A/T and M/T, it provides aggressive grip without the excessive noise or harshness often found in mud-terrains. Its squared profile and staggered shoulder lugs with stone ejectors are designed to give it confident traction and a stable, on-road feel.

Which of these three would perform best in your market? Let us know, and stay tuned for more from What’s Treading.

Cosmo Tires wanted to prove its newest extreme all-terrain tire, the Gripit XT, in a place that could push it to its limits. That’s how I ended up in Peru (home to one of the driest deserts in the world) with about 100 dealers, distributors, and Cosmo Tires team members. If you want to see what a tire can do on dunes as tall as mountains, there aren’t many better options.

Loose sand and steep slopes are some of the toughest conditions for any tire to thrive in. If the Gripit XT could climb the dunes of Ica, it could likely handle just about anywhere drivers might take it.

“There is no substitute for having hands-on experience,” CEO Tony Gonzalez said. “The tire performs beyond expectation… and you can see them doing their job right here in the middle of the desert.”

Tires like the Gripit XT are personal for Tony. He literally hand-drew its tread pattern before working with engineers to turn that sketch into reality.

Out on the sand, the scalloped shoulder lugs dug deep for traction, while Bead Claw reinforcements kept the tire locked on the rim. Cosmo’s Quiet Kat technology (using geometric isolation grooves to break up airflow) kept road noise low. Many sizes feature a 3-ply sidewall and up to 12 plies of under-tread reinforcement for heat control, puncture resistance, and stability. The tire also features Cosmo’s Directed Super Silica compound for cut resistance, wet grip, and lower rolling resistance.

Cosmo also backs the tire with a 50,000-mile warranty and its Hassle-Free Warranty Suite.

Tire Review: www.tirereview.com
Hunter Engineering: www.hunter.com

Today's the day that we put drive tire ROI front and center. On this episode of What's Treading, Valentino Faraone, Regional Vice President & New Product Development Manager at Double Coin, explains why fleets and dealers should give more attention to this tire position to boost the bottom line.

Valentino notes that while steer and trailer tires often dominate purchasing decisions, drive tires carry a heavy cost. They also play a major role in a fleet’s total cost of ownership. He shares methods for calculating drive tire ROI, tracking mileage, and comparing acquisition costs. He also suggests using simple spreadsheets to benchmark performance against other products.
The conversation highlights the importance of preventative maintenance. Dealers can deliver real value by monitoring tread depth, air pressure, and mismatched diameters before costly breakdowns occur. Valentino explains that this proactive approach may require an upfront investment but provides significant long-term savings and peace of mind.

He also discusses Double Coin’s durability approach, building heavier, more robust tires that excel in harsh environments and offer strong retreadability. That combination, he says, helps fleets maximize value throughout the tire’s lifecycle.

For commercial fleets, product quality matters as much as service and maintenance. Dealers who prioritize reliability, preventative maintenance, and consistent support build lasting trust with fleets and owner-operators, Valentino says.

Watch now for Valentino’s insights on service, durability, and why the drive tire should never be overlooked in a fleet’s ROI strategy.

Tire Review: www.tirereview.com
Hunter Engineering: www.hunter.com

There’s something satisfying about hammering through a muddy trail and then cruising home comfortably on pavement. That’s exactly the kind of performance Kumho Tire targeted with the new Road Venture RT, its new rugged-terrain tire built for trucks and SUVs. The Road Venture RT sits between Kumho’s all-terrain and mud-terrain offerings, giving drivers weekday comfort and weekend capability.

We hit Hyundai Motor Group’s California Proving Grounds in the Mojave Desert to test the Road Venture RT across four distinct driving modules: mud, pavement, trails, and water-soaked autocross.

Kumho Tire Road Venture RT Technology

Kumho said it designed the tread to be aggressive and look like it can conquer any terrain, both on- and off-road. The design, robust construction, and new compound technologies enhance that, according to the manufacturer.

Rick Cunat, Managing Director at Kumho America Technical Center, said the design details deliver more than just looks. 

"These features give the Road Venture RT an advantage in off-road applications," he said. "The angled sipes and zigzag grooves provide a high number of biting edges that allow the Road Venture RT to achieve high traction. These features enable the tire to achieve a high level of performance in snow and off-road."

Coming This Fall

The Road Venture RT will be available in 27 initial sizes from 17- to 22-inch fitments. Kumho will release more sizes in 2026. It includes a 30-day satisfaction trial, road hazard warranty, and a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty.

Watch the episode to see how Kumho’s Road Venture RT performs across multiple conditions from the Mojave Desert.

The Maverick Pro tire changer is Hunter Engineering’s latest leap forward in tire service technology, and we went hands-on at their St. Louis facility to see what sets it apart. Hunter’s David Henry and Engineer Alex Greenhill to walk through its design, features, and technician-focused improvements on this episode of What's Treading.

The new pick-and-pull wheel lift saves labor and improves alignment, while the automatic bead roller and light tackle visibility challenges. Hunter says the Maverick Pro tire changer makes tough jobs on stiff sidewalls and low-profile tires faster, safer, and more efficient.

Henry explains this equipment “closes the training gap,” helping new technicians reach proficiency in days instead of weeks. Then Greenhill details how real-world feedback shaped upgrades like proportional hydraulic controls, an ergonomic lift, and a waterproof LED system.

If shop efficiency, technician safety, and advanced tire-changing equipment matter to your business, watch Hunter’s latest shop equipment in action.

Tire Review: www.tirereview.com
Hunter Engineering: www.hunter.com