Decision: Goodyear MTRK or BFG MTKM2

[Applejack]

I was pleased with the KM2's on the Tacoma I had. I didn't have a problem in snow shallow or deep, however VSC and traction control could certainly have improved their perceived performance.
I have no personal experience with the MTRK's but a friend of mine has them on his DD Chevy 1500 truck and really does not care for them and wishes he'd kept his Toyo MT's. He hates their mud and PNW snow performance.
My vote is for the KM2's.

 

[Pskhaat]

The MTR/Ks aren't mud tires...What are you driving? The rig and terrain matter when choosing tires and you haven't said what they're going on or how you'll use them.

Well, I never intend for mud, so that's a exception case. I drive both an FZJ80 and UZJ100 which these tires will see time under both of these, nice medium-heavy vehicles.

I'm a poster-child for US domestic off-highway, from the beaches of Florida to the Cœur d'Alene Mountains, deserts, plains and mountains in-between. See the pic attached that is primary and secondary driving ranges. All of us on this board need to acknowledge how much highway we travel too.

...so now you've heard it from somebody that actually has ran both and no longer runs either.

And what are you running now?

 

[Pskhaat]

As for snow driving, this will be the first tire I've purchased without the studs. I know lots has changed in tire compound, but I'm a firm believe in studded tires for winter, and a little nervous.

 

[Hilldweller]

Well, I never intend for mud, so that's a exception case. I drive both an FZJ80 and UZJ100 which these tires will see time under both of these, nice medium-heavy vehicles.

I'm a poster-child for US domestic off-highway, from the beaches of Florida to the Cœur d'Alene Mountains, deserts, plains and mountains in-between. See the pic attached that is primary and secondary driving ranges. All of us on this board need to acknowledge how much highway we travel too.

Your lack of mud is saying Goodyear; the weight of your vehicle is saying KM2.
I've seen the MTR/Ks wear pretty quickly on heavier rigs than a Wrangler.

Have you considered the new Cooper Discoverer ST Maxx? That seems to fit your bill perfectly.

 

[Darren]

My experience with 3-sets of the gen 2 MTR (the one before the current MT/R Kevlar) was opposite yours . . . Shows to go ya how different opinions can be!

That is very interesting, indeed, along with all the other commentary here. I recently saw another thread on this board or my local 4WD board with at least three users who also complained about the snow performance on the kevlar versions. Then, I found another thread on my local board last night with more differing experiences, including one who said the kevlar MT/Rs outperformed the KM2s in every way. I guess the factors that Beowolf mentions must be the reason. All I know is the MT/Rs on my 4Runner are for the birds in snow.

By the way, there are only two versions of the MT/Rs. I think the ones that proceeded the last versions (2001-2009) were simply MTs that they replaced and renamed with the MT/R designation.

Darren...any idea how much bigger do the Kevlars run?

I have not measured both to be able to give exact numbers, but I believe the kevlars are taller and wider. I have substantially more rubbing with these than I ever have with any of my previous 3 sets. In fact, I lost my right front fender flare shortly after I got them a year and a half ago somewhere on I-25. I had stripped one of the bolts out previously when the tire was stuffed. My driver's side one is also a bit loose.

 

[01tundra]

And what are you running now?

Hankook RT03 MT's - http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56629&page=4

Oh yeah, I made a mistake when I said there wasn't anything I liked about the MTR/K, they did measure a lot closer to advertised size than the KM2's do.

And here's how much your particular vehicle matters on what's the best tire, my KM2's did great in the couple of decent snows we got this past winter and my truck never hydroplane once with them in all the rain we get......go figure .

 

[Pskhaat]

I like the Hankook's as they're ready for studs...

Reading your other thread 01tundra I still can't figure out why so many of you folks blow out sidewalls. I have only ever had 1 tire in my 25 driving years have a split sidwall, and I can comfortably say I spend more time off-road than the average guy. In fact, I purposefully bought a flexible sidewall tire the last time as to help air-down compliance in the rocks, nay a problem after thousands of off-highway miles in difficult mountain states trails.

I've had split-down-the-tread Michelin's and tread punctures of all sorts, but not sidewall damage like so many report. Am I a more careful line-picker? What exactly are all of you folks doing to cause this?

 

[hoser]

By the way, there are only two versions of the MT/Rs. I think the ones that proceeded the last versions (2001-2009) were simply MTs that they replaced and renamed with the MT/R designation.

Since you brought it up, there is also the Military MT/R and the Competition Super Sticky MT/R. :coffeedrink:

 

[01tundra]

I like the Hankook's as they're ready for studs...

Reading your other thread 01tundra I still can't figure out why so many of you folks blow out sidewalls. I have only ever had 1 tire in my 25 driving years have a split sidwall, and I can comfortably say I spend more time off-road than the average guy. In fact, I purposefully bought a flexible sidewall tire the last time as to help air-down compliance in the rocks, nay a problem after thousands of off-highway miles in difficult mountain states trails.

I've had split-down-the-tread Michelin's and tread punctures of all sorts, but not sidewall damage like so many report. Am I a more careful line-picker? What exactly are all of you folks doing to cause this?

Just stuff like this -

 

[Pskhaat]

Call me lucky, I do that stuff too, alas no sidewall tears.

 

[01tundra]

Call me lucky, I do that stuff too, alas no sidewall tears.

We watched six different vehicles each cut a sidewall wide open on this little shelf (including the Goodyear rep vehicle), mine was the only rig that didn't cut one. I was also the only "non-professional" driver amoung the group. We were all running the brand new MTR/K tires with the heavy duty "kevlar" sidewalls........

 

[Pskhaat]

Not to take this off-thread too much (but hey, I'm the OP), my personal observation (opinion) is that the majority of "professional" drivers have a very deep affection for the skinny pedal.

On trails like Pritchett & Pickle (e.g. Moab), Rubicon, and the likes also of what you posted above, as also with manufactured trails, those who winch instead of "gas it" and who take time to pick their lines instead of relying on horsepower I just simply don't see breakage. I don't know what ledge you were on but looks like y'all had a lot of WOT driving. It's fun-n-all, don't get me wrong, but my style must be a little more reserved.

Edit: It now does indeed look like you're crawling, the earlier image did give the impression you were gunning it

 

[01tundra]

Not to take this off-thread too much (but hey, I'm the OP), my personal observation (opinion) is that the majority of "professional" drivers have a very deep affection for the skinny pedal.

On trails like Pritchett & Pickle (e.g. Moab), Rubicon, and the likes also of what you posted above, as also with manufactured trails, those who winch instead of "gas it" and who take time to pick their lines instead of relying on horsepower I just simply don't see breakage. I don't know what ledge you were on but looks like y'all had a lot of WOT driving. It's fun-n-all, don't get me wrong, but my style must be a little more reserved.

Edit: It now does indeed look like you're crawling, the earlier image did give the impression you were gunning it

I'm a finesse driver and will winch 10 out of 10 times before I opt to mat the skinny pedal and risk equipment breakage, now 20 yrs ago I can't say the same.....with age comes knowledge usually .

And on that particular run, we still had another 4 days, 1,000+ miles, several states and several trails to go, so trust me, everyone was driving gently.

I see tires cut on just about every run we go on. In the East the rocks are sharp and jagged and usually muddy, unless you've been on trails out this direction it's kind of hard to explain. I've been on trails throughout the country and I get where you're coming from. Some of the terrain West of here is almost like cheating.....smooth rock, tight packed dirt, and traction galore .

 

[Applejack]

What was the size you wanted to run? 285?

 

[Pskhaat]

315s.

I'd consider a drop down to 295s, but they're only available in the BFG ATs. I'd like a touch more height than 285s can deliver, and 255s are too narrow--not in general but--for my wheels.