22" Inch HL275/ 50R22 116H XL Pirelli Scorpion MS good enough for light off (dirt) road use?

[andrewket]

I picked up a R1T Tri Max this past weekend. I plan to take a cross-country (~7k mile) camping trip with it in April/May. For the moment, I primarily plan to camp at state and national parks with an overnight at hotels between camping (ahhh showers). The car came with the 22" all season sport wheels with the HL275/ 50R22 116H XL Pirelli Scorpion MS. I understand that this tire isn't particularly loved. I am considering buying a set of 20's with the OEM 275/60R20 116H XL Goodyear Wrangler Territory AT tires. Given that 99% of the actual miles will be on roads, the 22's with the Pirellis would be the most efficient. Am I being foolish to think that I'll manage on these tires for the 1% of time I'll be on dirt roads? Or should I eat the expense and reduced range and get the "AT-lite" Goodyears? I will have a roof top tent so I'm already taking a range hit, and I'd love to only charge to 70% between charging hops due to the max pack's charge curve.

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[Laner]

I just picked up a '23 R1T quad with a tired set of 22" Pirellis on her. As Winter's approaching I searched for 22" AT tires with a 3 peaks snow rating, and and at least the recommended 116 load range. I didn't find anything via Tire rack, Costco, etc. but then stumbled into Venom Power Swampthings A/T extreme dirt with a 116H XL. load rating. I searched the forums here and didn't find any useful reference other than a warning to 'stay away from off brands like Venom' but in looking further they're a US manufacturer with good reviews. They were also less than $1K installed so they are on order, due next week.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Tire-Ven...assType=REGULAR&athbdg=L1100&adsRedirect=true

 

[andrewket]

Well, as luck would have it, someone posted 4 practically new take-off Rivian 20’s with 275/60R20 116H XL Goodyear Wrangler Territory AT’s for $2k so I grabbed those. Now I just need to buy a 5th as a spare. I’m hoping the energy hit will be 5-10% and not 20%.

 

[Golfer04]

Obviously up to you, but I have been driving my AS Pirellis on dirt roads without a problem. I'm very much a Pirelli hater, but these have been a pleasant surprise. Exact same efficiency as the "range" 22s that were on my previous truck. I can't speak to rock climbing, etc, but dirt, mud, shallow water no problems. As expected better than the range tires.

 

[andrewket]

Obviously up to you, but I have been driving my AS Pirellis on dirt roads without a problem. I'm very much a Pirelli hater, but these have been a pleasant surprise. Exact same efficiency as the "range" 22s that were on my previous truck. I can't speak to rock climbing, etc, but dirt, mud, shallow water no problems. As expected better than the range tires.

LOL, you're killing me smalls! I've already bought them, so I might as well use them. Good to know though. If the efficiency hit is too extreme I can switch back.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

It's fine. Even a beat up FWD Prius or Camry could take dirt paths. Tire are tires. They don't care where you take them. The difference is under what conditions each type of tires are more likely to slip or fail before others.

Mind your speed and tire placement (away from anything sharp). Remember your 275/50R22 tires don't have much rubber between the ground and rim of your wheels (vs a 275/65R20). And be prepared; have a recovery plan in case you get stuck.

 

[DD4ST]

Dirt roads should not be a problem, especially if you have good tread. More rough off-roading carries more risks as the stock Pirelli’s (non-AT) sidewall is easier to puncture.

 

[Joe Hoffman]

As for charging, as long as you’re gonna drive away soon after charging, don’t get hung up on charging to only 70%. The concern is charging to 100% and letting it sit in the driveway for days, bad idea. But if you’re gonna drive it right away, feel free to use it.

 

[andrewket]

As for charging, as long as you’re gonna drive away soon after charging, don’t get hung up on charging to only 70%. The concern is charging to 100% and letting it sit in the driveway for days, bad idea. But if you’re gonna drive it right away, feel free to use it.

I am quite familiar - 10 EVs since 2012. My comment about 70% wasn’t regarding degradation, but rather the max pack charge curve is very poor above 70%. If you don’t need the range, it’s a huge waste of time.

 

[mmbmca]

Well, as luck would have it, someone posted 4 practically new take-off Rivian 20’s with 275/60R20 116H XL Goodyear Wrangler Territory AT’s for $2k so I grabbed those. Now I just need to buy a 5th as a spare. I’m hoping the energy hit will be 5-10% and not 20%.

Lucky you! I'd get that also if available for that price.

 

[Rylee44]

You should have no issues. We just took our 2025 R1S with the stock 22" MS tires through Corkscrew Pass / Colorado Pass / Cinnamon Pass from Ouray to Lake City in the San Juans in August. Hours of off roading with zero issues on a 2500 mile trip. I ended up airing down to 29psi for that section of the trip. Just be mindful of where you are placing your tires so you don't pinch the sidewall... Also, take a good patch kit and sidewall patches just in case...

 

[andrewket]

Arrrggggh. Now I really don’t know what to do.

 

[Dave711]

I went off roading at Crawley Lake columns with 22s. We were fine until we ran into some steep rutted areas. We turned about and went back. If I was with other off roaders and had 20s I would have tried it.

 

[HaveBlue]

I think rim protection is the biggest issue for the 22s but they otherwise work fine for normal off road excursions. If you are constantly in the rocks, they'll get messed up but then all my 4wheelers eventually get rock rash. My dad and I drove all over baja on ordinary M/S tires on his FJ40. It didn't care much.

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