real purpose of the non directional tire

[jeeptj1]

Ok so I have read acouple of different opinions on the purpose of the non directional tire. Somebody give me their opinion or direct me to a thread. thanks john jr

[idiocrates]

its simple......the tread is non-directional so if the enemy happened across your track.....they couldn't tell if you were coming.....or going!! hehehe......I haven't a clue.....but not much will power to resist the opportunity either.......

[jeeptj1]

Actually thats why im asking. I thought I read a thread about just what you said. Now on the other hand, an article also stated it was so they could back up easier. The theory being that directional tires dont have as much grabbing effect backing up. thanks for the input anyhow. john jr

[idiocrates]

well....seriously......I think its the later......its supposed to describe a tire that delivers an equal amount of traction in either direction...as opposed to a directional traction pattern like a tractor tire. Of course, even this can be described as a tire that is capable of getting you OUT of trouble as easily as you got into it!

[hill]

You have to remember that the military used these tires on many different applications and if you use a directional tire you would need two spares due to directional tires are just that they are designed to rotate in one direction only and can not be installed from left to right of the vehicle.But of course this is only my opinion.That and .75 cents might buy a cup of coffee.

[wesk]

Directional and Non-directional in the tire industry is defined the same way for civvy and military tires. It is usually used with aggressive mud and snow tires to point out their differences. As already stated directional treads are designed to be effective primarily in one rolling direction and non-directional treads perform the same in both directions. A truly directional tread design would require the use of two spares or a single non-matching non-directional spare. At the time the NDT and NDCC were the best compromise the Army could settle on. From 1935 thru 1970 the military kinda stuck with the NDT's and NDCC's until NATO countries moved into the modern radial tire world in the 60's. By the 70's the military was finally moving on with better tread designs.