Guides

Wider vs Narrower UTV Tires: Contact Patch, Flotation, and Steering Feel Comparison
Wider vs Narrower UTV Tires: Contact Patch, Flotation, and Steering Feel Comparison
In the world of off-roading, the debate between the "Pizza Cutters" (narrow tires) and the "Steamrollers" (wide tires) is as old as the wheel itself. Choosing between wider vs narrower... Read more...
UTV Tire Pressure Guide & Chart: PSI Specs for Rocks, Sand & Mud
UTV Tire Pressure Guide & Chart: PSI Specs for Rocks, Sand & Mud
Let’s be honest for a moment. You’ve likely spent thousands—perhaps tens of thousands—on your machine. You’ve bought the aftermarket suspension, the bucket seats, and the light bar that can be... Read more...
Best UTV Snow & Winter Tires for 2026 (Buyer’s Guide)
Best UTV Snow & Winter Tires for 2026 (Buyer’s Guide)
When you start shopping for the best UTV snow winter tires, you quickly realize your stock all-season UTV tires aren’t going to cut it once temps plunge below freezing. Most... Read more...
Should I Air Down My UTV Tires for Sand, Mud, and Snow? (And How Low Is Too Low?)
Should I Air Down My UTV Tires for Sand, Mud, and Snow? (And How Low Is Too Low?)
The short answer is: Yes. In fact, if you aren't airing down, you’re doing it wrong. Driving a UTV at street pressure on soft terrain is like trying to run... Read more...
Best UTV Air Compressors 2026: Viair vs. ARB vs. Smittybilt
Best Portable Air Compressors for UTVs: 2026 Buying Guide There is a golden rule in off-roading that every veteran knows and every rookie learns the hard way: You have to air down to go up, but you have to air up to go home. Dropping your tire pressure is the single most effective performance upgrade you can make to a UTV. It turns your tires into caterpillar tracks, tripling your traction in sand, rocks, and mud. It softens the ride, saving your kidneys from the washboard stutter-bumps. But once the... Read more...
Must-Have UTV Tire Tools: Moab, Dunes, Mud & Snow Checklist (2026)
Must-Have UTV Tire Tools: Moab, Dunes, Mud & Snow Checklist (2026) The desert doesn't care if you have cell service. When you are 50 miles deep in Moab and hear the dreaded hiss of a sidewall slice, you have two options: Fix it in 10 minutes with the right tools, or start the long, humiliating walk home. Here is the survival kit that keeps you in the driver's seat. Whether you’re planning your next off-road adventure through Utah’s red rocks, Nevada’s massive dune fields, or snowy mountain passes, building a... Read more...
Best Jacks for UTV Tire Changes: 2026 Complete Guide
Getting a flat tire fifty miles from the nearest trail head is every UTV enthusiast’s nightmare. But buying the wrong jack to fix it is even worse. At Black Buck Overland, we didn't just read the spec sheets. We’ve dragged these jacks through the sand at Glamis and the rocks of Moab to see which ones actually work when the suspension is drooped out, the trail is off-camber, and the sun is going down. Unlike road vehicles that operate on smooth pavement, your machine faces rocks, sand, mud, and uneven terrain.... Read more...
Best UTV Tire Pressure Gauges: The Ultimate 2026 Buying Guide
You just spent $25,000 on a UTV. You spent $2,000 on beadlock wheels and 32-inch tires. So why are you checking your tire pressure with a $1.99 "stick gauge" you found in the bottom of your glovebox? Here is the hard truth: That stick gauge is a liar. It was designed for a 1998 Honda Civic, not a Polaris RZR. If it says 10 PSI, you might be at 6 PSI (rim damage territory) or 14 PSI (zero traction territory). To fix this, you don't need more horsepower—you just need... Read more...
Best CO2 Tank Air Systems for UTVs: Complete 2026 Buying Guide
Nothing kills the momentum of a trail ride faster than a flat tire in the middle of nowhere. Whether you just swapped a spare or plugged a sidewall, you are now faced with the tedious task of inflating a large off-road tire. While standard 12V electric compressors can take 15-20 minutes to inflate a single 32-inch tire, the best CO2 tank air systems for UTVs deliver instant inflation in seconds. But speed isn't the only reason to switch. Speed is nice, but power is mandatory. If you knock a tire off... Read more...
How to Fix a Flat UTV Tire on the Trail: Plug, Patch & Reseat Bead
One minute you are tearing through the landscape in your Polaris Ranger or Can-Am Maverick, feeling like a hero. The next, the steering gets mushy, the rim starts grinding against the granite, and you are stranded miles from civilization with a rubber pancake where your wheel used to be. According to trail data, tire failures account for over 30% of mechanical breakdowns requiring field repair. But here is the good news: unlike a blown transmission or a rod thrown through the block, a flat tire is something you can fix right... Read more...
UTV Wheel Offset & Backspacing: How They Change Stability and Track Width
Every UTV owner who’s pushed their machine on challenging terrain understands the critical importance of stability. The difference between confidently navigating a steep side hill and experiencing that heart-stopping moment when your vehicle threatens to roll often comes down to two crucial measurements: wheel offset and backspacing. These specifications directly determine your UTV’s track width, which can mean the difference between a thrilling ride and a dangerous situation. While most riders focus on horsepower or suspension travel, your wheel fitment is the actual foundation of your machine's geometry. Understanding how wheel... Read more...
DOT Approved vs Non-DOT UTV Tires: What the Markings Actually Mean
If you have been searching for DOT approved UTV tires, you are looking for a ghost. You have likely scoured forums, zoomed in on product photos, and argued with your riding buddies about which rubber is "legal" for that connector road into town. This widespread misconception has confused countless UTV owners who simply want to understand tire markings and stay on the right side of the law. The hard reality—one that many manufacturers dance around—is that under current federal regulations, no UTV-specific tire is DOT approved. Understanding what tire markings actually... Read more...