Tire dilemma!

[MCObray]

LT 235/85/16 BFG T/A KO2s (Load Range E) or 265/75/16 Goodyear Duratrac (Load Range C)?

My current tire is a P265/70/16 Michelin LT A/T 2s, which has been a good tire (no complaints really). I commute 20 miles, 95% interstate everyday and am getting out once or twice a weekend per month on forest roads / trails / etc.

Either tire will fit on stock 1st gen suspension from my research. I am ok with losing 1 - 2 MPG going to a heavier tire. What I am really after is durability of a tire when out and about. I believe E is overkill for our trucks but I really have loved all the BFGs I have had in the past including a set of 265/75/16s KO1 on a 3rd Gen 4Runner. I have had the 265/75/16 GY Duratrac in a C on said 3rd Gen 4Runner and did not like them... ended up trading to the BFGs.

Would you...
A. Keep the P rated Michelins and have the slight anxiety of blowing a tire when off road (do not have identical spare).
B. Nut up and go with the tire you've had great luck with (BFG). $732 / 49.2 lbs
C. Give the Duratracs another go, all while saving a bit of weight & ride quality. $828 / 45 lbs

Thanks

 

[zidaro]

BFGs.
I like the Duratrac on a 1st gen runner in a 33". Great snow traction and a decent tire with that weight truck. I ran them on my Tundra and again, great tire bit i wore thru them so quick being a much heavier vehicle and towing. they were E rate on the Tundra, C on the 4runner.
But you already know you don't like them, whatever the reason.

Michelins- those tire are great for highway only. Nuff said.

My take FWIW!

 

[jgilbreath]

265/75/16 cooper at3 load C. Good for commuting and have great offroad reviews for mild use. I got a set for under $500 when discount tire ebay had a $100 off sale that my local discount matched. I did 6,000 miles this summer mostly highway with some forest service roads and they did great.

 

[Kmrtnsn]

Falken A/T3Ws.

265/70R16 - SL 112T 28034667 8.0 7.0 - 9.0 30.6 10.8 692 8.7 10.8 14 42.3 44 2469
265/75R16 - SL 116T 28034301 7.5 7.0 - 9.0 31.7 10.6 671 8.1 10.8 14 43.9 44 2756
LT265/75R16 E/10 SL 123/120S 28030639 7.5 7.0 - 8 31.7 10.4 660 8.1 14.1 18 55.3 80 3415

 

[p nut]

Between those two specific tires, I'd go with wider 265/75/16 Goodyear's. But if I were you, I'd go KO2's in 265/75/16. 235's suck and won't net you any MPG benefits (trust me).
_
You could also buy another cheap set of OEM wheels and get something slightly more aggressive (i.e. KM2) for weekend ventures. That way, you can keep the ride quality and MPG of the highway tires you currently have, and have something stout for the trails.

 

[MCObray]

Keep chiming in guys, I really appreciate the views and suggestions!

Between those two specific tires, I'd go with wider 265/75/16 Goodyear's. But if I were you, I'd go KO2's in 265/75/16. 235's suck and won't net you any MPG benefits (trust me).
_
You could also buy another cheap set of OEM wheels and get something slightly more aggressive (i.e. KM2) for weekend ventures. That way, you can keep the ride quality and MPG of the highway tires you currently have, and have something stout for the trails.

Thanks for the response. I've pondered this thought as well...

If you ran 235's, why didn't you like them?

 

[camodog]

For me it was the 235's KO2's. However I needed the E because of the rocky terrain in CO. Wider is not always better and I have zero problems with my Pizza cutters, I have run in the sand, mud, snow, ice, rain, tarmac, more rocky trails and fire roads in a year than most SUV's see in a lifetime.

If you do not NEED E range than go with a slightly wider tire and be done with it. Most guys care more about the looks of their tires than actual performance.

ps- Our 4Runner is also a daily driver that commutes everyday. Again, zero issues

 

[plainjaneFJC]

Falken A/T3Ws.

265/70R16 - SL 112T 28034667 8.0 7.0 - 9.0 30.6 10.8 692 8.7 10.8 14 42.3 44 2469
265/75R16 - SL 116T 28034301 7.5 7.0 - 9.0 31.7 10.6 671 8.1 10.8 14 43.9 44 2756
LT265/75R16 E/10 SL 123/120S 28030639 7.5 7.0 - 8 31.7 10.4 660 8.1 14.1 18 55.3 80 3415

Those falkens are interesting to me. Do you have some? Whats your opinion of them? Thanks

 

[MCObray]

For me it was the 235's KO2's. However I needed the E because of the rocky terrain in CO. Wider is not always better and I have zero problems with my Pizza cutters, I have run in the sand, mud, snow, ice, rain, tarmac, more rocky trails and fire roads in a year than most SUV's see in a lifetime.

If you do not NEED E range than go with a slightly wider tire and be done with it. Most guys care more about the looks of their tires than actual performance.

ps- Our 4Runner is also a daily driver that commutes everyday. Again, zero issues

My feelings mirror yours.

Got any pics of your tires?

 

[bijanjames]

I've owned 3 tacomas and ran a multitude of tires on them, ranging from 32-10.5 Super Swamper TSL to BFG KO2. My current tire is a 265/75r16 Cooper St Maxx. By far and away the best tire I've owned...So tough. Comparable wear, if not better, to a duratrac, and much better durability and traction. They are a heavy tire, but that's the compromise one makes for a durable tire.

 

[camodog]

My feelings mirror yours.

Got any pics of your tires?

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/9576-Show-us-your-Toyota-4runner-tacoma-or-truck #6830

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/161680-3-wheeled-motion


Do not let anyone force you into thinking wider is better. I have real world experience that says otherwise.

 

[p nut]

Do not let anyone force you into thinking wider is better. I have real world experience that says otherwise.

Nobody is forcing anyone to think one way or the other here. Just all expressing opinions, and yes, even real world experience. We all have different experiences and biases. Just realize your experience does not define the pinnacle of truth.

 

[camodog]

Nobody is forcing anyone to think one way or the other here. Just all expressing opinions, and yes, even real world experience. We all have different experiences and biases. Just realize your experience does not define the pinnacle of truth.

I love your avatar btw! Cracks me up everytime I see it.
I probably shouldn't have said "force", because honestly no one is forced to do anything another forum member suggests. That was silly on my part.

235's have worked well for me in myriad of different situations and experiences. Not a single time on any of the trails in any condition did I ever once say, "Man, I wish I had wider tires in this situation."
On the other hand, I have said "Man, I wish I had a lift and taller (not wider) tires, and a lot more skid protection." That though is another argument all in its own.

If BFG were to make a KO2 34x10.50 Load E or the metric equivalent, I will be buying those tires after my lift.

So to the OP or any lurker out there, depending on how you use your rig will ultimately depend on what you should buy, for me and everything from Moab to Interstate travel and everything in between, I would say take the 235's.

 

[MCObray]

I'm going to take a shot with the 235/85/16 BFG KO2s, and if for whatever reason they are not working out for me in the 30 day time period i'll make the switch to a 265/75/16 Duratrac.

I would be real tempted by the Cooper ST Maxx, but local Discount Tire does not carry 'em.

Pics to come....

 

[TwoTrack]

You can buy them from discounttiredirect.com with free shipping.