Why the Big Tires on Our Super Jeeps?

The Real Reason Iceland’s Modified Trucks Look (and Perform) This Way

“Why the big tires on your cars?”
 Well… you know what they say about guys with big cars — they have small… hands.

Jokes aside, those oversized tires on Icelandic “Super Jeeps” aren’t for show. They are essential tools that make it possible for us to travel comfortably, safely, and stylishly into the most remote parts of Iceland.

If you want to explore far beyond the crowds — deep into the highlands, across unbridged rivers, or over frozen winter landscapes — this is how we get you there.

Iceland’s Highlands: Where Big Tires Matter

Iceland’s main highway, the Ring Road (Route 1), circles the island with good pavement and easy driving. But the true magic of Iceland lies beyond it — in the rugged highland interior, accessible only by rough tracks and river crossings.

To reach these remote places, we require:

  • High clearance
  • Exceptional traction
  • The ability to cross glacial rivers safely
  • A smooth ride on rough, uneven surfaces

This is where oversized tires become a necessity, not an accessory.

How Big Tires Improve the Ride

Comfort on Rough Terrain

Once we leave paved roads, we lower the tire pressure from about 30 PSI to around 12 PSI.
 This lets the tire spread out, absorbing bumps and smoothing out even the roughest tracks — far more comfortable than a normal 4×4.

Safe River Crossings

The large tire diameter keeps the vehicle’s chassis and engine higher above the waterline, giving better protection when crossing Iceland’s unbridged rivers.

Better Traction on Loose Surfaces

The larger footprint helps grip soft sand, volcanic ash, gravel, and snow.

Simply put:
 big tires = safer travel + smoother travel + access to places normal vehicles can’t reach.

Respecting Iceland’s Nature — Always

Even with highly capable Super Jeeps, off-road driving is illegal in Iceland.
 During summer we only drive on designated roads and marked mountain tracks. We never create new trails, and we strictly follow environmental guidelines to protect Iceland’s fragile landscape.

In winter, however, the rules shift — and so does the adventure.

Winter: When Big Tires Become Giant Tires

In winter, when the land is snow-covered and frozen, we can safely travel across terrain that would be extremely sensitive in summer.

This is where the largest Super Jeep tires — 42″ to 46″ — shine.

By deflating them to just a few PSI, the vehicle begins to float on top of deep snow, allowing us to:

  • Drive across glaciers
  • Traverse the interior highlands
  • Navigate in near-zero visibility using GPS routes
  • Reach remote huts and scientific stations
  • Explore areas inaccessible by any other means

These are the expeditions that make Icelandic mechanics famous worldwide.

Icelandic Super Jeep Expertise — A Global Export

Icelanders have become so skilled in functional vehicle modification that Icelandic-built trucks are now exported to some of the harshest environments on the planet — including Antarctica.

Our Super Jeeps are built using the same principles, ensuring unmatched reliability and performance on your private tour.

Want to Experience It?

How about a Super Jeep expedition across Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier — complete with a visit to the geothermal-heated hut at Grímsfjall, perched on a nunatak high above the ice?