LR3 owners sound off, which tires?
- Thread starter riverratrover
- Start date
jerdog53
Explorer
Those were standard load tires which is why they failed, picture 3 shows it, the install shop should have known better. Which is probably why GY is having issue warranting these tires.
Jwestpro
Explorer
So on the one hand, those look like shT and it would give me pause to ever considering trying the LT version either. However, on the other hand, did you tell us how your lr3 is set up, as in what else is on it adding to weight? Additionally, people often have under-inflated tires and yours does not have tpms to let you know either. Any "airing down" of an SL off road is not going to be good for it anymore than pushing the limits on the load rating ...I don't CARE if the LR "minimum" is 110 SL, that's minimum, not "ideal" and a far cry from "more than enough". I use LT only and they're rated 121 which is over 3000 lbs per tire. Why? Well when off roading, or even crossing a ditch in the roadway, there will be moments when one tire can easily have 30% of the weight on it. My lr3 loaded for camping is in the 7500-8000 lb range.
Why ever push the limitations of load rating when so many alternatives exist ? I'm not giving YOU are hard time, but rather giving warning to others who might wonder why it's worth spending a lot more $ on LT tires.
Anyway, the very best all around choice for the lr3/4 is 265/65x18 E BFG AT KO2 but I also mostly now use the Michelin MS2 LT in 275/65x18 unless it's a trip to "rugged" terrain. These Michelins are fine for all forest roads, snow, and return awesome mpg, handling, and quiet long road trips. I tested tham at a local ORV park and they were perfectly good in all traction situations simply due to the great traction control and weight of the lr3. Weight + 38psi and air suspension traction is quite amazing really.
ColoDisco
Explorer
That was where I was headed as well. Curious about load weight and pressure. I had BFG MT KM2 on my 95 with full load they were good until 50% tread wear then worthless. The LT Duratracs on my 98 with full load were exceptional traction however I sold the truck before the tread really became too worn. Always kept pressures pretty high (4-6 psi over rec.) on pavement and aired down to around 20 psi off-road. Full load put my D1's in the neighborhood of 5500 lbs.
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sunrisehiker
Adventurer
Nothing out of the ordinary in terms of extra load.Just a set of RS sliders and Lots of recovery gear on that back, also was riding ALONE in my truck , so really was not adding ANY additional weight to my truck. As for a tire pressure , we did air sown the first day at all, none of us really , friends in Classics, Disco 1s, D2s .It was COLD but we all made it out OK.Next day we did not have a chance to air down even if we wanted to as our wheels were all covered with solid ice,could not even get to a valves at al.All the water crossings and mud accounted to this situation.next day I CAREFULLY chipped out all the ice on the way back home on the first rest area as I was having a bad vibrations from balance being off due to ice build up,that is all.None of the other guys tires cracked any mine and there were brand new,bought specifically for that event.There was NO cracks during travel back home,I would know as I was removing ice on the way back, also,next day, I went thru a car wash and checked my truck for an damages admiring all the extra scratches on body.
After all these years I learned a ay around my truck, never air down less than 20 Psi and never rooster tail like all the other guys need in older trucks.With LR3 the key is slow and steady in MOST situations.I also owned three sets of other tires from Goodyear for the past 10 years , but never seen a de lamination like mine.Maybe other have been happy with Duratracks, no doubt, I also wanted to give them a chance as there is nothing out there really that looks a nice combination between AT and MT tire and that without any major wheel well modifications.I am not a fan of big wheel on my LR3 and never will be as there is NO need here.
As for a Goodrich TA KO2s , too soon to tell, no real reviews yet, but older model did not do to well in recent Overland Journal tire test.Despite some guys praising to it.I am sure it is a solid Overlanding tire, but it just does not work in combination of terrain variety that we have in NE.
I even had a underraed Goodyear tire, the Silent Armour in 109 T and it did performed a LOT better, never cracked, with all the armor that I had back then and six passengers in LR3.
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I have the dura tracks but I'd be real frustrated if I went through what sunrise hiker did, that's bs. I think the duratracs are a good tire but I think they're overhyped. They are an at tire, excel at things that other good at tires excel at, but they are not close to an mt tire - I think people assume they are based on The aggressive looking tread and design. They suck in the mud, on moss and wet leaves just like any other at tire does. Bottom line is they aren't getting your vehicle anywhere another decent at tire doesn't get it.
Anyone tried the cooper stt pros? I'm trying to find reviews of them vs. the wrangler mtr .
Anyone tried the cooper stt pros? I'm trying to find reviews of them vs. the wrangler mtr .
Victory_Overland
Explorer
I've run many different tires over the years and I agree BFG is a good tire but surely nobody, not even you can say they are the best all around because intent of use/terrain dictates that. I think we are all entitled to our opinion..........all around, long term, period.
I agree with you and am searching for the best MT for my use here in Hawaii. I am thinking of pulling the trigger on one Cooper STT Pro off Amazon and fitting it with and without my spacer set up and check clearance and such before I buy all 5 tires. They have some absolutely excellent reviews online and some great Youtube videos comparing them to other like MT tires on the market. Again, no tire can be stated "its the best period" but I do believe there can be a "best" tire for your specific needs. They are fairly new to the scene, but are getting some great reviews in some nasty environments.
Check out Youtube and do a search for Cooper STT Pro and also check out the various other 4x4 forums. The Toyota guys seem to love them and I know the STT Pro is highly designed for the Aussie market and tested there. Also, they are taking the offroad arena and Baja series by storm.
Just my two cents and I hope it helps you find what you are looking for. :smiley_drive: Drive on brother!
Jwestpro
Explorer
I apologize! You're correct and I should've softened my response with a sarcasm icon.
I've actually been meaning to look into that cooper STT pro for a mud set-up.
edit: I just looked up the cooper stt pro. wasn't aware you can get a perfectly fitting 275/65-18 ! That's kind of awesome and to push the limits of fitting, 275/70-18 as well.
http://us.coopertire.com/Tires/Light-Truck/DISCOVERER-STT-PRO.aspx
Hey, on your roof items, do you run full time with the ARB RTT? I've found having it up there in the winter/rain season is pointless and risks introducing mold.
For awnings, have you looked into the foxwing? I don't recall which of your two "wishes" are 270 degree span.
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Victory_Overland
Explorer
None taken, we can all handle a bit of forum busting once in a while...lol
I love the STT Pro but would go with a 17" if I can figure out this caliper grinding thing you did for the 17" mod. Only reason is I want to be able to air down a bit more and have sidewall to do that and not worry about destroying the tire and wheel. Cooper from the sounds of it makes a bulletproof sidewall so I think the STT Pro might be the ticket I want for mud and lava rock here in Hawai'i. I'll anxiously await your grinding procedure and start looking for those 17" steel wheels I want to bang up on the trail.
I run the tent only when I need too. Short, overnight trips I sleep in the back and put the gear on the roof in the Pelican cases. Longer trips for the weekend, I load up the ARB on the roof. I went with ARB because its proven and the upgrades were to my liking. Definitely not the best RTT IMO but surely tried and true and proven. Customer service with ARB was great too. Ultimately the biggest reason was shipping to Hawaii had me really limited on who I could order from and what I would pay. Do I need such a big tent; absolutely not but it sure is comfy. The downfall is the weight, not super heavy but any weight that high up on the roof can be sketchy on steep, off camber terrain! I throw it up there and it bolts down in about 10 minutes. Sits on a cart in the garage after I spray it off, dry it, powder it and stuff it back in the bag for storage. I bought a pretty rusty M416 trailer I am planning to put the RTT on for the future and that will free up some more options and most likely keep the RTT from ever going on the roof again.
I also went with the ARB awning because Amazon Prime shipping was free. I am waiting on Alu-Cab to finish their design for the Disco 3/4 270 awning and then I will drop the money on that beast. I think all of the 270 awnings out there are pretty decent, I only like the Alu-Cab Shadow awning because it is free standing for most use and can be pinned down with guy-lines only when needed. I spoke to them a few months ago, and they said they are making one for the Disco 3/4 so I'm awaiting patiently. The ARB will probably make its way back to the permanent trailer mount at some point as well.
Jwestpro
Explorer
Ooh, yes, I'd like that although my enclosed free standing Hannibal awnings are pretty darn cool too.
I'm running the STT Pro in 275/70-18; I didn't do any extra trimming beyond what I had already done when running 275/65s.
I haven't had a chance to run them in the rocks yet since I just put them on this winter. In the snow they've been so-so; my Duratracs were better in the snow, but that's pretty much to be expected as MTs never do all that well in ice and snow.
I wouldn't recommend them, at least in this size, for anything but dedicated trail trucks. They really take the fun (if you can call it that) out of highway driving. They are heavier and louder than the DTs and with the taller size I really wish I could re-gear to get my cruise RPM back where it belongs. As it is I get a downshift if a sparrow bats it's wings in my direction even when running on level ground. I'm just working the truck harder with the extra size, weight, and rolling resistance. Mileage is down as well. Again, predictable but annoying. I'm getting about 13 avg. This is not entirely due to the tires of course, but it's down about 1-1.5 mpg from where I was.
They are also just generally less enjoyable on the highway. The steering feel is noticeably worse.
My rig is a dedicated trail truck, but I still pound out highway miles getting to the trail. Assuming I ever get my RRC built, I'll 'downgrade' the LR3 to more moderate use and likely move back to an AT tire; likely the KO2 or ST-Maxx. I've just been trying to make the LR3 do things it simply won't do. Here in June I'll take her back to the Rubicon, but that may be the end of the hard trails for the LR3.
I haven't had a chance to run them in the rocks yet since I just put them on this winter. In the snow they've been so-so; my Duratracs were better in the snow, but that's pretty much to be expected as MTs never do all that well in ice and snow.
I wouldn't recommend them, at least in this size, for anything but dedicated trail trucks. They really take the fun (if you can call it that) out of highway driving. They are heavier and louder than the DTs and with the taller size I really wish I could re-gear to get my cruise RPM back where it belongs. As it is I get a downshift if a sparrow bats it's wings in my direction even when running on level ground. I'm just working the truck harder with the extra size, weight, and rolling resistance. Mileage is down as well. Again, predictable but annoying. I'm getting about 13 avg. This is not entirely due to the tires of course, but it's down about 1-1.5 mpg from where I was.
They are also just generally less enjoyable on the highway. The steering feel is noticeably worse.
My rig is a dedicated trail truck, but I still pound out highway miles getting to the trail. Assuming I ever get my RRC built, I'll 'downgrade' the LR3 to more moderate use and likely move back to an AT tire; likely the KO2 or ST-Maxx. I've just been trying to make the LR3 do things it simply won't do. Here in June I'll take her back to the Rubicon, but that may be the end of the hard trails for the LR3.
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DiscoDavis
Explorer
Someone please try fitting 255/70/r18's and let me know how that goes...
Otherwise slated for BFG AT's in 265/65/r18
Don would you say the weight is what strains your driveline or moreso the height?
Otherwise slated for BFG AT's in 265/65/r18
Don would you say the weight is what strains your driveline or moreso the height?
Jwestpro
Explorer
I think YOU are the "someone" and YOU should try them and let us know how it goes !
All the weights add up but I found with mine that it runs almost sporty with the lighter wheels and lighter tires. The heaviest wheels I have are the factory 5 spoke from 2005 v6 and the lightest are the 18" grooved/fluted 10 spoke, the flat 10 spoke are in the middle. I have an E load range Michelin M/S2 on the light wheel and BFG AT KO2 on the heavier wheel. The combination is very noticeable but so is when the sliders are off which weigh 100 lbs per side. Even more the rack and RTT make a huge difference on top of the lower stuff.
Jwestpro
Explorer
You don't need the stupid rods if you make the proper mods to the fender liners and bumper. I run a 275/65x18 BFG in neutral height with zero rubbing, even in -20mm with no rubbing.