Barum 15×21 (15.00×21) tires for Tatra 813 KOLOS and Tatra 815

The tyre that made the Tatra 813 legendary.

When the Czechoslovakian Army needed rubber for its fleet of Tatra 813 KOLOS trucks — the ones that were supposed to carry bridging equipment, heavy cargo, and rocket launchers through the mud of Central Europe in case World War III kicked off — they didn’t mess around. They ordered the Barum MP913. A tyre specifically designed for a truck that weighs 28 tonnes and has to keep moving regardless of what’s underneath it.

These are those tyres. New Old Stock. Never mounted. Manufactured by Barum (later Matador) in Czechoslovakia, stored in military warehouses, and waiting for a war that thankfully never came. Now they’re waiting for your Tatra.

Why the MP913 is the original and the best

The Barum MP913 is not just “a 15.00×21 tyre that fits a Tatra.” It IS the Tatra tyre. It was designed from scratch for the 813 and 815 platforms — the correct rolling diameter, the right load rating, the proper sidewall stiffness for an 8×8 vehicle that weighs as much as a small house. Every dimension, every groove in the tread pattern was engineered for this specific truck.

Modern replacements exist — and we sell some of them — but none were designed with the Tatra as the primary platform. Tyrex tyres from Russia are wider than the originals, which causes asymmetric wear and can create problems at TÜV inspection. Chinese alternatives have inconsistent quality. These Barums were made in a factory that supplied the Czechoslovakian Army — quality control wasn’t optional.

Are there better off-road tyres in the world? Probably. Are there better off-road tyres for a Tatra 813? We haven’t found one yet.

What you actually get

Each tyre is a genuine Barum or Matador MP913, never mounted on any vehicle. We inspect every tyre visually before offering it for sale — checking for cracks, sidewall damage, and rubber condition. The tyres have been stored indoors, away from sunlight and extreme temperatures, which is why they’re still in excellent shape despite their age.

The tread pattern is the original MP913 off-road design — deep grooves, aggressive blocks, self-cleaning capability. This is the pattern you see on every Tatra 813 in military museums and at vehicle shows. If you’re restoring a Tatra to original specification, this is what belongs on your truck.

NOS condition — what does that mean in practice?

These tyres are 15+ years old. We won’t pretend they were made last Tuesday. But here’s the thing — military-specification rubber compounds were designed to survive years of storage in unheated warehouses across Czechoslovakia, Poland, and East Germany. The compound was formulated for longevity, not for low rolling resistance or fuel economy. Nobody cared about fuel economy when they were planning to fight NATO on the North German Plain.

We’ve sold hundreds of NOS tyres over the years. Zero safety complaints. That said, we always recommend having them professionally inspected and properly inflated when mounting. Use common sense. These are military truck tyres, not passenger car tyres — they were built to survive worse conditions than your weekend drive to a military vehicle show.

The price: why €469 and not €499

We have 30 of these tyres in stock right now. That’s a lot for a tyre that’s no longer manufactured. We’ve reduced the price from €499 to €469 to move them before the season — and because we’d rather see them on Tatras than in our warehouse. A Tatra 813 needs eight tyres. At €469 each, a full set costs €3,752. That’s roughly the same as four premium car tyres for a BMW. Not bad for rubber that can carry 28 tonnes through a swamp.

Which tyre is right for your Tatra?

We currently stock four different 15.00×21 options. Here’s how they compare:

Barum MP913 (this tyre) — €469 The original. The iconic tread pattern you see on every Tatra 813 in museums and at shows. Best for: authenticity, restoration projects, mixed terrain. NOS condition.

Matador 914 — €330 Same Czechoslovakian military spec, different tread pattern. Equally capable, €169 cheaper per tyre. Best for: owners who want proven NOS rubber and prefer to save €1,352 on a full set of eight. [→ View Matador 914 tyres]

Rosava 15.00-21 with inner tubes (brand new, 2023) — €750 Factory fresh, modern production. Best for: owners who want absolutely new rubber and don’t mind about originality. Comes complete with tubes. [→ View Rosava tyres]

Retreaded 15.00×21 — enquire for price Original Barum carcass with new tread applied using modern technology. Best for: heavy use, expedition vehicles, daily drivers. [→ View retreaded tyres]

Don’t know which one you need? Call us. We’ve been putting tyres on Tatras for over 10 years — we’ll help you choose the right one for how you actually use your truck.

Inner tubes

Inner tubes for the 15.00×21 size are available separately. If you’re ordering tyres, add tubes to the same order — one shipment is cheaper than two.

→ [15.00×21 inner tubes — click here]

Other Tatra 813 and 815 parts

We specialize in Tatra parts. Besides tyres, we currently have in stock: gearboxes, differential assemblies, complete wheels in other sizes (18R22,5 for Tatra 815 6×6), and various mechanical components. If you need something specific, ask — we probably have it or can source it.

→ [Tatra 815 gearbox — €4,999] → [Barum 18R22,5 complete wheels for Tatra 815]

Specifications

• Size: 15.00×21 (15.00-21)
• Model: MP913
• Tread pattern: Off-road (mixed terrain)
• Condition: NOS — never mounted, no cracks
• Manufacturer: Barum / Matador (Czechoslovakia)
• Fits: Tatra 813 KOLOS (8×8), Tatra 815 (8×8)
• Weight: approximately 100 kg per tyre?
• Stock: 30 tyres available

Warranty

12 months on all tyres.

Shipping

Tyres are in our warehouse in Jarocin, Poland. Delivery to Germany in 3-4 working days by dedicated transport (small truck). Cost starts at approximately €300 for a set, depending on your location and quantity ordered. Express delivery (48 hours) available at additional cost.

We’re located about 230 km from Frankfurt (Oder) on the A2 motorway. Personal collection is welcome — call us to arrange a date.

For shipping quotes to other countries, contact us with your town and postal code: info@fortankmen.com or +48 739-475-487.

Stay awesome!