If you need a tire that can handle your daily commute but also won’t back down from a weekend trail, you’re in the right place. This Uniroyal Laredo HT review is here to see if it’s the ultimate crossover tire it claims to be. We’ll look at everything from highway comfort to off-road grit, giving you the clear picture you need before buying.
Choosing the wrong tire can leave you stuck or unsatisfied. The Laredo HT aims to bridge the gap, offering a smooth ride on pavement while retaining some toughness for lighter adventures. Let’s see how it really performs in both worlds.
Uniroyal Laredo HT Review: The Ultimate Crossover Tire For On And Off-Road Use – The Tire Reviews
This section breaks down the core features and design philosophy of the Uniroyal Laredo HT. Understanding its construction helps explain its on and off-road behavior.
What Is The Uniroyal Laredo HT?
The Uniroyal Laredo HT is a highway-terrain (HT) all-season tire. It’s primarily designed for pickup trucks, SUVs, and crossovers that spend most of their time on paved roads. However, its aggressive tread pattern and reinforced construction offer more off-road capability than a standard highway tire.
It sits between a pure passenger tire and a rugged all-terrain (AT) option. Think of it as a capable upgrade for vehicles that occasionally see dirt, gravel, or light mud.
Key Design Features & Technology
Uniroyal packed several technologies into the Laredo HT to balance its dual-purpose role. Here’s what stands out:
- Sturdy Tread Compound: The rubber is formulated for long wear and all-season traction, including in light snow.
- Aggressive Tread Pattern: It features large, independent tread blocks and wide grooves. This helps with off-road bite and channeling water away to resist hydroplaning.
- Stabilized Tread Design: This technology helps keep the tread blocks firm during cornering, promoting even wear and better on-road stability.
- Stone Ejectors: Small ridges in the grooves help fling out pebbles and debris, protecting the tire from damage and reducing noise.
- Computer-Optimized Tread: The pattern is designed to minimize road noise for a quieter highway ride, which is a common complaint with more aggressive tires.
Sizes & Vehicle Fitment
The Laredo HT comes in a wide range of popular sizes. You can typically find it to fit many 16-inch to 20-inch wheels. It covers many common applications for:
- Half-ton pickup trucks (e.g., Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500)
- Full-size SUVs (e.g., Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition)
- Midsize crossovers and SUVs (e.g., Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota 4Runner)
Always check your vehicle’s specific size requirements before ordering. The availbility can vary by retailer and region.
On-Road Performance & Comfort
This is where the Laredo HT needs to excel for daily drivers. After all, most miles are logged on asphalt.
Highway Driving & Noise
The Laredo HT is surprisingly quiet for a tire with its look. The computer-optimized tread does a good job keeping hum and roar at bay. You can hold a conversation or listen to music without constant tire background noise. It’s a significant advantage over true all-terrain tires.
Ride comfort is also a strong point. The tire absorbs smaller bumps and road imperfections reasonably well. You get a stable, confident feel at cruising speeds that’s more car-like than truck-like.
Wet & Dry Traction
In dry conditions, the Laredo HT offers plenty of grip for normal and even spirited driving. The stabilized tread blocks provide good feedback during cornering. Braking distances are predictable and short.
Wet performance is solid. The wide circumferential and lateral grooves efficiently pump water out from under the tread. This maintains contact with the road and reduces the risk of hydroplaning in heavy rain. Traction under acceleration in the wet is reliable, though always drive to conditions.
Light Snow & Winter Capability
The Laredo HT carries the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol on many of its sizes. This means it meets specific performance criteria in severe snow conditions. For occasional light snow and slushy roads, it performs adequately.
However, it is not a dedicated winter tire. If you face harsh, icy winters with prolonged freezing temperatures, a set of dedicated snow tires is still the safest choice. The Laredo HT is a good three-season tire with decent snow capability for its class.
Off-Road & Rough Terrain Capability
Now for the other half of the equation. How does it handle when the pavement ends?
Gravel, Dirt, & Hard-Packed Trails
This is the Laredo HT’s sweet spot off-road. It performs very well on unpaved roads, forest service roads, and hard-packed dirt trails. The aggressive tread provides excellent bite and forward traction. You’ll feel secure and in control.
The robust construction resists damage from sharper rocks and ruts better than a standard highway tire. It’s perfect for reaching campsites, trailheads, or remote properties.
Mud & Sand Performance
Performance here is more limited, as expected. In shallow mud, the open tread can clear some material, providing forward momentum. But in deeper, stickier mud, the tread can clog (become “packed”) fairly quickly, leading to a loss of traction.
On sand, lower tire pressure is key. The Laredo HT’s wide footprint can work well on firmer sand, like on a beach. However, its tread isn’t as open as a dedicated sand tire, so it requires more caution in soft, deep sand.
Rock Crawling & Severe Terrain
The Laredo HT is not designed for serious rock crawling or extreme off-road use. Its sidewalls are not as reinforced as an all-terrain or mud-terrain tire, making them more vulnerable to punctures and cuts on sharp rocks.
If your adventures involve technical terrain with large boulders or deep, jagged ruts, you should consider a more specialized tire. The Laredo HT is best for maintained trails and light duty use.
Durability, Tread Life, & Warranty
Getting your money’s worth is crucial. Uniroyal backs the Laredo HT with a 65,000-mile limited treadwear warranty on many of its sizes. This is a strong indicator of the tire’s expected longevity.
Real-world reports often show owners getting close to or exceeding this mileage with proper rotation and alignment. The durable compound and stabilized tread design contribute to even wear, preventing premature aging.
Resistance to everyday hazards like curb rash and pothole impacts is good. The stone ejectors help protect the internal structure from debris damage, which can extend the tire’s overall life.
Pros & Cons Summary
Let’s condense our findings into a clear list.
Pros:
- Excellent on-road comfort and low noise levels.
- Very good wet and dry traction for safety.
- Capable performance on gravel, dirt, and light off-road trails.
- Strong treadwear warranty for long life.
- Good value for money compared to premium brands.
Cons:
- Not suitable for severe mud or extreme off-roading.
- Winter performance is adequate but not for severe ice.
- Some sizes may have limited availability locally.
- Off-road traction can decrease as the tread wears down compared to newer models.
Who Is The Uniroyal Laredo HT Best For?
This tire isn’t for everyone, but it’s perfect for a specific driver profile. You will likely be happy with the Laredo HT if:
- You drive a truck or SUV mainly on pavement but want the look and light capability for occasional adventures.
- You prioritize a quiet, comfortable highway ride but need more toughness than a standard tire.
- You encounter gravel roads, dirt paths, or light snow a few times a month.
- You want a long-lasting tire with a solid warranty without paying a premium price.
You should consider a different tire if:
- Your driving involves heavy mud, deep sand, or rock crawling regularly.
- You face extreme winter conditions with heavy ice and snow for months.
- You want the most aggressive off-road look and maximum trail performance.
Installation & Maintenance Tips
To get the most from your Laredo HT tires, follow these simple steps.
- Professional Installation: Always have tires installed and balanced by a qualified technician. This ensures safety and proper wear.
- Check Pressure Monthly: Maintain the tire pressure recommended on your vehicle’s door placard (not the tire’s sidewall). This is critical for wear, fuel economy, and performance.
- Regular Rotation: Rotate your tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. This promotes even tread wear across all four tires, helping you reach that full warranty mileage.
- Alignment Checks: Get a wheel alignment if you hit a major pothole or curb, or if you notice uneven wear. Misalignment can destroy a tire quickly.
- Visual Inspections: Periodically look for cuts, cracks, or embedded objects in the tread. Catching a problem early can prevent a flat or blowout.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Uniroyal Laredo HT good in snow?
It is rated for severe snow conditions (with the 3PMSF symbol) on many sizes and performs well in light to moderate snow and slush. For extreme ice and deep snow, dedicated winter tires are superior.
How noisy is the Laredo HT tire on the highway?
It is designed to be quiet. Most drivers find it significantly quieter than traditional all-terrain tires, with a comfortable, low hum at speed.
Can I use the Laredo HT for towing?
Yes, the Laredo HT is suitable for towing within your vehicle’s rated capacity. Its stable construction and good load-bearing characteristics make it a fine choice for towing trailers or boats.
What’s the difference between the Laredo HT and an All-Terrain (AT) tire?
The Laredo HT is a highway-terrain tire with off-road styling and light capability. A true All-Terrain (AT) tire has a more aggressive tread, tougher sidewalls, and is generally more capable off-road, often at the expense of on-road noise and comfort.
How long do Uniroyal Laredo HT tires typically last?
With proper maintenance, many drivers achieve the 65,000-mile warranty limit or close to it. Your driving habits, road conditions, and maintenance diligence are the biggest factors.
Final Verdict
The Uniroyal Laredo HT successfully fills a useful niche in the tire market. It delivers a quiet, comfortable, and confident on-road experience that will satisfy daily drivers. At the same time, it provides genuine capability for light off-road and adverse weather conditions that would trouble a standard highway tire.
It isn’t a miracle tire that excels everywhere. Serious off-road enthusiasts will need something more rugged. But for the driver who wants one tire to confidently handle the weekday commute and the weekend getaway, the Laredo HT is a compelling and value-packed option. It lives up to its role as a true crossover tire, making it easy to recommend for that specific, and common, set of needs.