Who Makes Predator Tires – (11 Question answered!)
Predator tires are made by the USA-based company TRANSAMERICA TIRE CO. LTD. However, TRANSAMERICA is only the owner and distributor of Predator tires in the United States. Predator tires are manufactured by a Chinese tire manufacturing company ‘WindForce’.
Nowadays, many tire companies outsource their tires from different Asian countries to cut down production costs. That’s why you might have heard that Predator tires are ‘Chinese’ tires. But are the claims true?
Who makes Predator tires? Where are they manufactured? Are Predator tires any good? Let’s get into the details and find out!
Who Is the Owner of Predator Tires?
As mentioned, TRANSAMERICA TIRE CO. LTD. is the only owner and distributor of Predator tires. The company takes pride in having decades of experience in the tire industry and its extensive tire lines. TRANSAMERICA is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
Apart from the United States, the company also exports its tires to many different countries, including Brazil, Canada, and some European countries. TRANSAMERICA introduced a wide line of tires for passenger cars, light trucks, SUVs, and trailers.
Predator is only a subsidiary brand of the company. It includes off-road tires for light trucks. Below are the different tire brands owned by TRANSAMERICA:
Venom Power Tires
This one is probably the most extensive tire line of TRANSAMERICA. It includes on- and off-road tires like the Terra Hunter R/T, All-terrain off-road tires such as the Terra Hunter X/T.
Besides, Venom Tires include a dedicated line for winter and ice tires named Ice Hunter WTS. All these tires have unique tread patterns to conquer the toughest terrains and deliver smooth performance.
Predator Tires
Without a doubt, Predator tires are the most popular brand of TRANSAMERICA. In this tire line, there are only three rugged tire models: New Mutant X-AT, New Mutant X-RT, and New Mutant X-MT. The different models have different tread designs and features. However, Predator only includes tires for light trucks.
Freedom Hauler Tires
As the name suggests, Freedom Hauler Tires are made for hauling heavy-duty loads. This line includes ST Radial Tires, DutyMax tires, and ST Radial II tires for recreational vehicles. To support the heaviest loads, the sidewall and tread of these tires feature all-steel construction.
TransEagle Tires
Similar to the Freedom Haulers, TransEagle tires are also suitable for heavy-duty towing. These tires are aimed at trailers and can be used on rough terrains and highways. A highly durable and symmetric design allows the TransEagletires to tackle uneven, harsh, snowy, and muddy roads.
Trailer Master Tires
Designed to run smoothly on highways, Trailer Master tires are for hauling and RTs. It includes two tire models: ST Pro (polyester and steel belt construction) and ST Pro+ (all-steel construction).
Where are Predator Tires Manufactured?
Although TRANSAMERICA TIRE CO. LTD. owns and distributes the Predator tires, it doesn’t manufacture them. Predator tires are manufactured by a well-known Chinese tire manufacturing company ‘WindForce’. The company makes tires for many different brands as well.
WindForce has plants in different locations in China where it designs and manufactures the tires and exports them. Remember, WindForce is a subsidiary brand of ‘Shandong Haohua Mega Manufacturer’.
It’s one of China’s largest tire manufacturing companies that has been ruling the industry for 20 years. WindForce alone produces around 25 tire sets for passenger cars, SUVs, and trailers. As the costs of materials, production, and testing are low in China, TRANSAMERICA exports tires from there to deliver high-quality tires at affordable prices.
Are Predator Tires Any Good?
People often judge Chinese tires without using them. The truth is many Chinese tires deliver great performance and works great as replacement tires. So, let’s have a look at the design, features, and performance of the Predator tires and find out if you should buy them.
#1- Tire Construction
All three Predator models have dual sidewalls, intermediate could ratio, and staggered shoulder lugs. Besides, the tires feature an 8- or 12-ply construction, making them strong and durable enough to handle wild terrains. As the shoulder lugs are staggered, they offer improved traction in mud, water, and deep sand.
Similarly, dual sidewalls and the intermediate void ratios between two tread blocks deliver smooth handling while off-roading.
#2- Diversity and Compatible Vehicles
One major drawback of Predator is that it only contains three tire models for off-roading. Predator tires are suitable for rough terrains and highways only. You can’t fit them in your regular passenger cars.
What’s more, these tires are only compatible with light trucks. If you want tires for your passenger car, SUV, or trailer, you have to go for a different brand.
#3- Tire Compound
As the Predator tires are made for off-roading, the manufacturer uses the strongest rubber compound to prevent blowouts. Polyester or nylon is mixed with the rubber compound to make it suitable for rough terrains.
Besides, the tire material is made flexible enough to withstand temperature changes. The sidewalls are reinforced, featuring a steel belt that further strengthens the tire’s construction. Overall, the tires are strong and durable for off-road driving.
#4- Tread Design
What we like about Predator the most is that all its tire models have a unique tread design. For example, the New Mutant X-AT has staggered tread blocks and irregular glass-like shapes on the tire tread.
As a result, the tires eliminate anything like mud, snow, or dirt that might get stuck while off-roading. Besides, the net-like structure with zigzag grooves makes the tires self-cleaning. This way, Predator tires offer a smooth ride no matter how rough the terrain is.
#5- Winter and Snow Performance
Unfortunately, Predator has no dedicated tire line for the winter season and snowy roads. Since the deep grooves on the tire tread improve traction, Predator tires will work fine on snowy roads during the winter.
However, none of the Predator tire models has the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification. So, you can’t use them on icy roads while the temperature outside is extremely low.
#6- Comfort, Handling, and Noise
Thanks to the irregular tread blocks, Predator tires have a higher number of gripping or biting edges. The extra edges allow the tires to maintain a strong grip on uneven roads and offer great handling.
Moreover, Predator tires have a self-cleaning ability which removes stone, rock, and debris from the tire surface. Hence, the tire’s footprint is always in contact with the surface you’re driving on. It results in a stronger grip and more comfortable rides.
According to the customers, despite being designed for off-roading, Predator tires are surprisingly quiet, which makes the ride peaceful and even more comfortable.
Are PREDATOR NEW MUTANT TIRES The BEST New tire? >> Check out the video below:
Verdict
So, that was all about who makes Predator tires. TRANSAMERICA Tire Co. Ltd. owns the Predator tire brand and exports the tires from a Chinese tire manufacturing company WindForce. Now the question is whether you should buy Predator tires or go for another brand.
If you want to buy off-road tires without spending much, Predator tires will be a good choice for light trucks. However, we are not sure about the reliability of the brand. Besides, Predator tires don’t come with any official warranty. So, keep these factors in mind while making a purchase.
Certification: BSc in Mechanical Engineering
Education: Mechanical engineer
Lives In: 539 W Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75208, USA
Rasel is an auto mechanic student and writer with over half a decade of experience in the automotive field. He has worked with top automotive brands such as Lexus, Quantum, and also owns two automotive blogs autocarneed.com and taxiwiz.com.