Aggressive all terrain or less aggressive all mud terrain?

[Ozarker]

I had KO2s on my other F 150, nice tire, looked good, but loud on pavement. Good traction in firm mud, dirt and climbing in lose rock/gravel. Now I have Cooper AT, worked well in the snow, can't tell much difference from the KOs but these are much quieter.

Can't imagine sliding at 1/2 MPH off a cliff, my tires would have been throwing mud until they go to perma terra regardless of what tire they were.

I'd also make a note to self: Do not go there again if it could possibly be muddy. Was it really the tire's fault?

I also wouldn't be shopping for tires based on that one experience, unless I had to travel that area often.

Seems like there have been some good AT tires mentioned here, I noticed the comment "can't really tell the difference" which is probably accurate about 99 out of 100 of us.

Good looking tires might pad the ego, but that comes at a price, I consider what most of my driving will be, then boost it up a notch for off road, mud and snow. I'm not buying extra tires for various conditions. I'm just as interested in the compounds used in the tires, I want them to wear like steel, be quiet as a rubber eraser, have the traction of a mountain lion and look as sexy as the cover of a porn video.

So far, I haven't found a tire that checks all those boxes, if you know of one please let me know.

 

[1stDeuce]

An old thread, but WTH...

I have long been a Cooper guy, and have run AT3's and ST Maxx's. More more recently I tried a set of Courser CXT's on my truck and Jeep. They're pretty good tires, though not much better in snow and ice than the Cooper tires that I've run. (None are 3PMS rated...) I haven't seen the CXT's on any tire sites lately, but they are a pretty good compromise between A/T and M/T if you can find them, and IIRC, they are made in a Cooper plant in Findlay OH.

If snow performance is a consideration, I would suggest that the 3-peak Mountain Snow rating is a must. Last time I needed a set of tires for my ranch/plow truck, I found a good deal on Goodyear Ultraterrain's through Discountiredirect.com. They are 3PMS rated, and are impressive in snow, fairly quiet on the highway, and good in muddy conditions as well. I have BFG ATK02's on a Suburban that I just started plowing with and I actually think the Goodyear's are better all-around tires, and actually better in the snow. (Both a re 265's on 3/4 ton Chevy trucks, so pretty good comparison...)

Though new BFG's are great in the snow, they get much worse as they wear, to the point that they are pretty terrible even in rain once they are ~50% worn or so.

FWIW, your sliding issue may not have had much of a fix, with some of the clay roads in the SW providing virtually no traction when wet regardless of tire. Airing down will significantly improve traction, as well as mud clearing for just about any tire, and is probably a better solution than a true mud tire for a once-in-the-tire's lifetime concern...

IMO, anyone wanting decent snow performance in an all terrain should check into the Ultraterrains. Unfortunatly, sizes are limited and there are few deals to be had a present regardless of tire brand. I'm considering replacing the 3/4 worn CXT's on my truck with a set of Multi-Mile Trail Guide All Terrain's. Made in Taiwan is my big hangup, but the Ultraterrains I got were made overseas too...

It's been long enough that we're due an update from the OP... What did you end up with??

 

[1stDeuce]

I should also say that I'm a fan of tall/skinny, or at least not wide tires. Better mileage, better winter performance on the road, easier on suspension and steering parts. I have a set of 235/85R16's on our Comanche and it does great. It also has limited HP to turn the tires, so the tall/skinny tires are my best bet. I run 255/85's on my truck and Jeep, and both vehicles seem to do better overall than when they were shod with 285's. 245/75R17's are also a good choice for taller/skinnier tires, but then you have to go to 17" wheels, and I typically try to stay with 16's for a bit more compliance.

I'll probably try a set of 285's on the truck next go-round, as 255's are few and far between, but time (and whatever deals I can find) will tell...

 

[15PSD]

If you want an indestructible tire, get the Nitto Trail Grapplers. The downside is their weight. I have an excavation business and tow my 35' gooseneck with 18k on it through muddy/rocky logging roads and never had a puncture (jinxed myself). I've even aired them down to 20lbs with the trailer to get out of some nasty snow covered muddy logging roads and they held up great. Only the Toyo MT has as strong of a sidewall IMO.

Now as to putting them on a lite trail rig, they would probably ride like rocks.

 

[RubiconGeoff]

If you want an indestructible tire, get the Nitto Trail Grapplers.... Only the Toyo MT has as strong of a sidewall IMO.

I don't have experience with them, but I would venture that the Kanati Armor Hog ATX would serve you even better if you're looking for puncture resistance.

 

[madmax718]

My thought is always get a good AT tire- and carry real tire chains. Good chains will make even the crappiest AT tire perform better than the best MT tire. Considering the miles that we have to travel to get anywhere, there's always that tradeoff. Chains are a pain to take on and off... tradeoffs.