Bridgestone’s road-oriented A/T 002 tyre range

Bridgestone positioned the A/T 002 above the capability of tyres fitted by OEMs to new 4×4 utes and wagons, with an intended skew of 80-percent on-road and 20-percent off-road usage.

The Dueler A/T 002 tread features a hexagonal block shape that has been optimised for good traction and braking performance on a range of surfaces, including on-road, gravel, sand and light-medium mud applications. The staggered shoulder tread design extends to the sidewall of the A/T 002.

Bridgestone has employed advanced Nano Pro-Tech compound technology, with high silica content, ensuring that the A/T 002 offers superior grip, especially in wet conditions, where the rib and void design provides effective water evacuation, while Z-shaped sipes of the tread blocks enhance lateral and longitudinal grip.

The A/T 002 range fits most dual cab utes, 4×4 and SUV models, but the load ratings are in the 98-116 zone, which is well short of the 120+ load ratings that most LT tyres have.

It’s important for outbacktravelaustralia.com.au readers to understand that the A/T 002 range employs passenger-car, not light-truck tyre construction. It adds new sizes and replaces the few sizes the Dueler A/T 697 offered with passenger-car construction. These D 697 passenger-car-construciton tyres were discontinued ahead of the introduction of the Dueler A/T 002.

The flagship Dueler A/T 697 is intended for up to 30-percent off-road use, having additional cut and chip resistance and rigidity. The Dueler A/T 697 range now employs only light truck construction.

If you’re intending to replace the OEM tyres on your wagon, ute or soft-roader with Bridgestone A/T 002s, be sure to check that the load rating of the replacement tyre you choose can handle the loaded weight on your axles. 

This is particularly relevant for those who carry heavy loads, or are towing vans with heavy ball weights.