Controversial tire. First of all, I need to say that I have the LT version, which is also known as 108s, I think. I bought it specifically because I saw reviews about problems with balancing the regular tire after some time. The LT has a stronger carcass, so the probability of problems is lower, or so I told myself.
Now, about the facts.
It balanced normally, that's a fact. The size is 255 55 19.
It's significantly cheaper than other tires, that's a fact, but the price has already been inflated and they're managing to sell it with a difference of 20,000 from the same Duratrac.
It really slips in wet weather. This is not about crazy driving or aquaplaning, it's just the composition of the rubber. There may not be rain, you can drive 40 km/h, but if you turn sharply into a 90-degree turn, the front will start to slide out. You definitely need to leave a margin when driving. If you need to brake sharply because you misjudged the distance and the asphalt is wet, your chances of stopping in time are at least twice as low. For those who know how to drive, it's more than enough, but remember to leave a margin.
I was driving with a trailer, turning right at an intersection. And then, from the right lane, a guy started to sharply turn around, like a Japanese kamikaze, aiming straight for my left wing. It was wet, the rain had almost stopped, but it was still drizzling, I had a heavy trailer with good brakes, but the towing vehicle was loaded to the max. The speed was 15 km/h, I was right in the middle of the turn, and I slammed on the brakes. And the trailer, pushing me with its inertia, started to brake (it needs to tighten the cable, rolling onto the tow ball, because it's an inertia brake, which means it brakes with a slight delay compared to the vehicle) and threw my rear end to the left by at least a meter. This was with a fully loaded vehicle, and the trailer weighed 4 tons, with its tongue weighing at least 150-200 kg. At that moment, I remembered for the first time that I bought a Chinese Roadcruzer and remembered all the comments about its poor wet traction.
On dry roads, it didn't exhibit any problems, the vehicle is heavy, but I didn't have any questions or issues. It doesn't make noise, it holds the road. I often drive with a heavy trailer - the rear swings up to 3.0 points - everything is okay. No problems, no bulges, etc.
I haven't changed the tires yet, because I have separate sets for winter and summer, so I don't know what will happen with the balancing yet.
If it cost what it did 1.5-2 years ago, it would be an excellent option.
And one more thing - when I was studying the differences between the regular and LT versions, I found it surprising, but allegedly, they don't have any differences in terms of layering. But the LT has a deeper tread by a couple of millimeters. And it seems like the sidewalls are slightly softer than on the regular version. Accordingly, the weight of the civilian and LT versions is approximately the same, plus or minus. But this is if we trust the Chinese manufacturer's website. And we all know what's written on the fence. But based on my feelings, it really seems like it weighs about the same as my old Duratrac, non-LT.
It's questionable, but okay. We'll see.
So, decide for yourselves, guys, all the best!
