Can't make up my mind in tires....

[xjaugie]

So, I've started the build on the '95 Tacoma and the OME suspension will soon be going on, then it is time for tires....I thought I would move away from my standard BFG MTs for something better and quieter on the road since this is supposed to be a long travel truck not a trail rig, but the more I think about it, the harder it is for me to leave running mud tires.

The thing is that here on the east coast when ever you leave the pavement, most likely you have somekind of wet (muddy) enviroment to contend with.

If all goes as planned, in one year from now I will be embarking on a month long travel across the US from CA to MD. The plan is to hit the more well know off road places like Rubicon, Mohab and such in my travels.

I'm looking to run a skinny 33x10.50 in either a BFG km2 or maybe a Cooper STT. I'm looking to the more experienced long road (off road) travelers as to whether I should give up the big mudders for a better riding road tire or continue to enjoy the tire whine from the mudders. I do kind of like the sound anyhow.

Thanks for the advise

 

[BIGGUY]

Go to the BFG AT/KO all terrain. I run them on the pavement, dirt roads, Moab, and whatever else I'm on. They are quiet too. Another brand of all terrain would work too, but I don't know which ones are good. They aren't the best in mud, but for most everything else they do good.

 

[7wt]

Yup, I know what you are talking about. East Coasters need MT's but that makes long distance and daily driving a bit of a drain. I found a good solution in the form of Goodyear Duratracs but they don't make them in the tall and skinny sizes. They are very capable in the snow, mud, wet rocks and just about anything else I have driven them in and have great road manors. If they made them in 255/85's I'd be pig in poop.

 

[Redline]

snip...Goodyear Duratracs but they don't make them in the tall and skinny sizes. They are very capable in the snow, mud, wet rocks and just about anything else I have driven them in and have great road manors. snip...

I agree that a tread along the lines of the DuraTrac is the answer, some options are: Mickey Thompson ATZ (4-rib), ******** Cepek F-C II, DuraTrac, Cooper S/T Maxx, Toyo M55, something like one of these. Most will not have 3-ply sidewalls, some will, if that is important to you look closely.

 

[john101477]

oI never did like the km2. I much prefer the Toyo MT for a purely off road tire. As for AT tires. toyo has some great options and I hear great stuff about the M55. However, with the newish price hikes on toyo, I have been following the Duratrac pretty close and when my Toyo Mt finally gives out I will probably go that route souly for the cost factor as I still believe the Toyo to be the superior tire.

 

[RR1]

General Tire (Continental) as well.

http://www.generaltire.com/tires/Grabber-ATsup2-sup

 

[Derek24]

I run Firestone Destination Mt's and love them. Have about 10k on them and they still have a sharp edge. Hopefully I can get 40K out of them like my friend did, from the looks of them now I'm sure I will. I was in the same boat as you a year ago when buying tires. I wanted to try an AT, thinking it would be more street friendly, but I just could'nt take the risk. I would have been stuck or over a cliff if I did buy AT's. I like the sound of muds, and if you don't invest in a good stereo! I'm not sure if they make a tall skinny tire, but another option for you.

 

[Nullifier]

I'm running Maxxis bighorns in 255/85/16. Best tire I have run yet. Smooth on the highway. I had no road or off road issues on my last cross country trip out of Florida with these tires. Highly recommend them.

If you are set on an all terrain I would suggest the nitto terra grappler. I put a set of 285's on my suburban 6 months ago and they are great.

 

[xjaugie]

OK, so everyone has a different opinion, I've had a set of BFG AT's once before and they perform like a drag slick at best in the mud, at least with my experience, so that maybe why I'm leary about shoeing on another pair of ATs of any kind. They may work great on the dusty and rocky trails but add water and your stuck. I like the idea of the coopers and may go to them as I believe they are just a little more tame than the KM2s. I've got a little more time before I choose, We'll see.

 

[jim65wagon]

The Cooper ST Maxx is an aggressive all terrain, but they are highly civilized on the road. I love my set so far, I'll let you know if my opinion changes after our beach trip this week.
.
I don't think you'd go wrong with the Maxx's or the Fun Country II's (or the original ST, or the Duratracs). In my opinion (yeah, I've got one too, just like everyone else) the newer, aggressive all terrains have surpassed the BFG AT KO in capabilty on road and off road.

 

[JCMatthews]

I have run and currently run the BFG ATs without any problems. They work on all terrains very well. They last considerably longer than MTs. I tried two different brands and the both lasted about the same between 30-35 thousand miles. Also if you are wanting to run 33x10.5s, BFG has them in the AT also. That is what I had on my XJ. I love them and would highly recommend them.

Here are a few pictures of my XJ running around SE Utah on the skinny BFGs.

 

[JamesDowning]

They are 32s, but the stock 255/75/17 Jeep Rubicon BFG M/T (KM1) are apparently a slightly different rubber blend, with a slightly different tread design. I find them very quiet. I'm retiring my current set with almost 60k miles on them (with still 8/32 of tread left) and sourced a new very low mile set of 5 for $650. The deals are out there.

I was going to up to 33 KM2s, but it's hard to beat the old KM1s.

 

[sardi55]

Throw another bid in for the Nitto Terra Grapplers, great on the street/highway queit, great in the rocks, very good wet/rain performance and fantastic in the sticky mud, clean very easily and dont clog up. I was a huge BFG A/T guy for years, got a set of Nittos real cheap from a buddy and in every situation except sidewall stiffness the Nitto is far superior to the BFG. Not to mention the initial cost of the Nitto is much less.

 

[FshTaco99]

Traded in my Terra Grappler's two months ago for Duratrac's. Very pleased with road manners, noise and traction. They don't hydroplane like the Grappler's did and are, in my eyes at least, a very capable tire for the money.

 

[sardi55]

Traded in my Terra Grappler's two months ago for Duratrac's. Very pleased with road manners, noise and traction. They don't hydroplane like the Grappler's did and are, in my eyes at least, a very capable tire for the money.

Have also heard great things about the duratracs. The one complaint I have seen with some people is that tire wear is fairly quick compared to other A/T's. But no personal experience here.