Getting new tires, need insight.

[HB 4X4]

I've narrowed it down to Goodyear MTR's w/ Kevlar or BFG AT KO's for my next set. I am still skeptical of the Goodyear MTR's since they are still relatively new and there aren't many long-term reports yet. My Nitto's are chunked bad, so I am looking for something tougher, but that won't require a new dental plan from a harsh on-road ride as it's my daily driver.

The size I am looking at is LT285/70/17. The KO's are E load rating and the MTR's are D load rating.

I am concerned with on road handling vs. off-road performance. This is my daily driver so I want the best on-road ride while also getting good off-road handling. I think with either tire I will see great off-road traction, so it really comes down to on-road handling. It's a tough call for me since the KO's are E rated. I've never had an E rated before.

The other option I have recently considered is the Goodyear Duratracs, but I have heard they have a weak sidewall. These are LT 285/70/17 w/ a D load rating.

Any advice/personal experiences on any of these tires is greatly appreciated.
Update: Choices are now limited to BFG AT KO's vs. Goodyear Duratracs.

 

[7wt]

I am kinda in the same boat with the same tires. I have the BFG AT's and they have been great tires for the last three years or so and they still have a good amount of usable tread left. I want (not need) new shoes and I would like to get something a little more aggressive this time and have been looking at the MTR's really heavily. I like the Kevlar sidewall idea and the tread design looks up to my needs but truth be told, the AT's are probably a better bet for the amount of road driving my truck does. Add the fact that rarely have I been in a situation where my AT's have left me down. They have preformed above the call so it's hard no to reward that performance with another set. I don't know, I guess I will just flip a coin when the time comes but at the rate my AT's are wearing that might be a while. Blasted load range E's on a light truck.

 

[nater]

Have you considered the Cooper ST's? They are more aggressive then the BFG AT, but not a full mud. They are amazingly quiet for their design, and come in a few different load ranges if you are worried about on road ride quality. I have a set, and LOVE them. We had 14" of snow here last night, and I was out in a field playing around, having no problems. My friend in his xterra had to be winched out as he was on an average set of AT's.

 

[SunTzuNephew]

It sounds weird, but I've been very, very happy with my Big-O Bigfoot ATs':


http://www.bigotires.com/Tire Detail/BIG O TIRES/BIGFOOTATALLTERRAIN/12656


I'm on my fourth set (on my Yukon, they've all I've used since the factory tires were replaced), I get around 50K mixed on/off road with them, they're comfortable on highway, good in snow...

 

[HB 4X4]

I am kinda in the same boat with the same tires. I have the BFG AT's and they have been great tires for the last three years or so and they still have a good amount of usable tread left. I want (not need) new shoes and I would like to get something a little more aggressive this time and have been looking at the MTR's really heavily. I like the Kevlar sidewall idea and the tread design looks up to my needs but truth be told, the AT's are probably a better bet for the amount of road driving my truck does. Add the fact that rarely have I been in a situation where my AT's have left me down. They have preformed above the call so it's hard no to reward that performance with another set. I don't know, I guess I will just flip a coin when the time comes but at the rate my AT's are wearing that might be a while. Blasted load range E's on a light truck.

How do the E rated ride? The 285's come in a D rated and E rated. The D rated is an OEM tire put on some vehicles from the factory, so it does not have the snowflake/mountain symbol. It's still supposed to have the "M+S" though.

Have you considered the Cooper ST's? They are more aggressive then the BFG AT, but not a full mud. They are amazingly quiet for their design, and come in a few different load ranges if you are worried about on road ride quality. I have a set, and LOVE them. We had 14" of snow here last night, and I was out in a field playing around, having no problems. My friend in his xterra had to be winched out as he was on an average set of AT's.

I have looked at Cooper, but I feel like the MTR's fill this niche since they aren't an MT either, yet more aggressive than an AT.

 

[Regcabguy]

MTR's

I'm normally on one of the Dodge sites,but have read on there of a lot of balance problems with the Goodyear MTR's. Conversely,next to no issues(except for the cost) of the Toyo Mt's. Quiet,easy to balance and long wearing. I run E rated tires on my Beast but it would seem a D rated one would be perfect for you guys.

 

[HB 4X4]

I am still leery of the sidewall strength of the Duratracs. Any info on that?

 

[7wt]

How do the E rated ride? The 285's come in a D rated and E rated. The D rated is an OEM tire put on some vehicles from the factory, so it does not have the snowflake/mountain symbol. It's still supposed to have the "M+S" though.

Pretty good actually. They truck is a little stiff though but on nice roads it's smooth as glass. Rough roads and washboards suck. BTW, my tires are 235/85/16 and they have the snow flake. As far as the MTR's go, everything I have read about the new Kevlar model says they balance great with little or no weight. I know the old issue was a little tought to balance but if you are worried about that then stay away from the BFG AT's. They go in and out of balance faster than I do.

 

[Cackalak Han]

I've also got load range E tires (BFG KO) and they've been great thus far. However, I do not use mine for a daily driver. If I did, I would get another set of rims and have a set of all-season highway tires on one set and more aggressive tires on another. Seems wasteful to put a set of MTR's for daily driving use. In the end, two sets will save you more cash.

 

[HB 4X4]

Pretty good actually. They truck is a little stiff though but on nice roads it's smooth as glass. Rough roads and washboards suck. BTW, my tires are 235/85/16 and they have the snow flake. As far as the MTR's go, everything I have read about the new Kevlar model says they balance great with little or no weight. I know the old issue was a little tought to balance but if you are worried about that then stay away from the BFG AT's. They go in and out of balance faster than I do.

I am actually looking at the Duratracs, but I am just a little worried about the sidewall strength. They look way beefier than the KO's and perform much better in the snow.

What are the symptoms of a tire going out of balance as you said the KO's do? Uneven wear, wandering on the road, etc?

 

[Cackalak Han]

They look way beefier than the KO's and perform much better in the snow.

Just out of curiosity, how did you come to this conclusion? My BFG's are good on packed snow, but of course once it gets deeper, it's just ok.

BTW, my KO's have never gotten out of balance and they had no issues balancing.

 

[7wt]

I am actually looking at the Duratracs, but I am just a little worried about the sidewall strength. They look way beefier than the KO's and perform much better in the snow.

What are the symptoms of a tire going out of balance as you said the KO's do? Uneven wear, wandering on the road, etc?

They shake like an epliletic. No wear problems so I don't care, I just turn up the tunes and get down with the truck.

 

[HB 4X4]

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Just out of curiosity, how did you come to this conclusion? My BFG's are good on packed snow, but of course once it gets deeper, it's just ok.

BTW, my KO's have never gotten out of balance and they had no issues balancing.

It's just what I have noticed based on reviews from spending hours on 6 different forums reading up on them. Seems to be a very common conclusion that they slaughter all AT's in the snow by people who have run them so far.

 

[Cackalak Han]

It's just what I have noticed based on reviews from spending hours on 6 different forums reading up on them. Seems to be a very common conclusion that they slaughter all AT's in the snow by people who have run them so far.

Hmm. I might have to look into them for my next set, then.

 

[SpartyKrunk]

I am actually looking at the Duratracs, but I am just a little worried about the sidewall strength. They look way beefier than the KO's and perform much better in the snow.

What are the symptoms of a tire going out of balance as you said the KO's do? Uneven wear, wandering on the road, etc?

I was just going to mention the Duratracs. I bought my first set about four months ago and I love 'em! I really recommend the Duratrac tires, their sidewalls are relatively soft though, at least for me anyways (225/65/16); but i'm happy with them. Amazing traction and handle highway speeds like a regular street tire.