Product Review Super Swamper LTB Rockcrawler Traction

Sep. 01, 2002 By Alex Parker

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Rockcrawling Traction To Put Your Jeep Into Action

The TJ stands tall on its Interco LTBs. It also rides quite well and performs superbly on the asphalt for mud-type tire.

Interco (AKA Super Swamper) recently released a new tire to the U.S. called the LTB. This tire that happens to be new to us here, already has an extensive past in other areas of the world. This tire has a lot of rumors surrounding where exactly it came from, and we got the straight scoop from David Guidry at the Interco headquarters in Louisiana. Apparently, a couple of years ago Super Swamper set out to create a more affordable Swamper for the masses. They still wanted this new tire to have the same traits of their other Swamper such as tough sidewalls, and ultra aggressive tread patterns, but it needed to be inexpensive. They started production of this tire in India, but the factory there had troubles producing a tire so aggressive in a consistent fashion. So, Super Swamper got A plant in Mexico to try to produce this tire, and they did, but the plant was just to small to produce enough tires to meet the overwhelming demand. So currently this LTB is actually produced here in the USA at a plant in Ohio, but only until the plant in Mexico grows to handle the demand, which could take a couple of years. So there you have it, the real story behind the "new-to-us" LTB.

At home overcoming obstacles, the Interco LTB becomes one with the rocks for impressive traction.

I decided to set up my TJ with 33x13.5x15R LTBs on a 15x8 bead lock rim. One of the first things I noticed about this tire is that it appears to be slightly more aggressive than the ever-popular TSL line from Interco. However, this tire happens to be just slightly softer than the TSL, which means it's really sticky on the rocks! We haven't gotten a lot of wet weather here where I live in California, so the trails and rocks out here are getting really dusty, yet these tires stick to this stuff like they were made for it. The one time we did get any rain, of course, the Jeep was sent out on a mission to see how these LTBs stuck. Usually, the difficulty of a trail increases greatly when the terrain is wet, yet the LTB-shod Jeep walked over the local rock gardens with ease. Overall, the LTB is right at home on the rocks, and I attribute this to the aggressive tread and super gummy rubber compound.

Our TJ spends a lot of time on the trail. The side lugs of the Interco LTB bit into tough rocks without a worry for the notoriously tough sidewalls of the Interco.

Now the mud we get out here isn't what you would call "gumbo" mud, considering we haven't gotten much of any rain out here recently. However, what little mud we did get, this tire felt right at home in. I don't see why this tire shouldn't be able to handle the sticky stuff, since it so closely resembles the TSL line, which excels in muddy areas. The LTB should also perform in sand and snow with no problems as well, but there wasn't much of that around here to really grab any pictures to show you.

Swamper has created a name for itself by creating very durable sidewalls with the use of bias ply styled tires. And, since the LTB is a bias ply, well it's no surprise that its just as durable as the other Swamper. On my test runs I have aired out to 4-6 PSI in my tires and gone out to try and cut these tires, and I haven't even come close. I have however put tons of nice new marks on my nice new bead locks in the process though. I also found that since these sidewalls are so thick, the tire practically stands up on its own without any air in it. You really can't see a difference between an aired down LTB and an aired up one, on a jeep.

With enough room to sipe to your particular liking and terrain, the Interco LTB can be easily adapted to hard pack trail running, making rally turns like a pro.

Now, on the street I expected this tire to wear pretty fast considering its so soft. Again, I am amazed, the LTB seams to wear just as well as any other Swamper I've had. Being that I live among the mountains, where tight twisty roads are the norm, it's difficult for me to give an accurate estimate of how well these tires hold up on the road, since tread life only barely hits the 18,000-mile mark for the average mud-terrain tire.

Currently, the LTBs are currently half worn, and they have 9,000 miles on them. So, they they're on track with any other high-quality tire in its class.

The LTB handles quite well on the streets. I was surprised; you really don't expect good street manners from such an aggressive tire. Again, they probably excel because of how soft they are. The braking is great, and they stick to the road corners like a sports car tire. Now, I put a loud exhaust on my jeep and I want a loud tire. Quiet tires are for cars not jeeps. Again, Super Swamper and I see eye to eye on this one. I've had friends with other Swamper tell me, well, yell to me, that they're jealous and they wish their tires were as loud. So, if you want a quiet tire, the LTB shouldn't be top of your list.

Comparing to other tires, the Interco LTB sizes up quite well. Will it become the next rock jock of competition? Well, we'll see. The competition is tight. See you in Johnson Valley!

Now all bias ply tires do get flat spots if they sit for a while. The LTBs are no exception to this rule. I find that because they're soft, they flat spot quicker. Oddly enough, again because of their softness, they round out quicker too. I don't really notice it anymore, and its not much of a big deal as far as I'm concerned.

Overall, the LTB is one of the best performing tires out on the trail, and they handle the street great. Of course, you can tell I like loud tires, and lets just say the LTB is the king in that arena too. You can't complain about their cost, as its well below what most aggressive tires run these days. The only down fall of the LTB line currently is that the largest size they make is a 34x10.5-incher, a size that seams a little out of place here in the United States. I've been told however that Interco is always listening to its devoted customers and if the interest remains in this tire, larger sizes will be added. Right now however, I hear Interco is currently working on some new sizes for the popular Bogger tire, so be looking forward to those soon.

Until then, check us out in Johnson Valley.

Check In With Interco Tire Corporation

Interco Tire Corporation

Interco Tire Corp.

P.O. Box 6

Rayne, LA 70578-0006

Phone: 337-334-3814

Fax: 337-334-9796

www.IntercoTire.com

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