Tire Search - AT/MT Hybrids & Siping an MT

[NCtrail4R]

Looking for either an aggressive AT or an MT that performs well on road too. I've had alot of AT tires over the years but want something a little more aggressive this time around. Have run a couple sets of BFG ATs, Scorpion AT (old style) and Scorpion ATR, BFG Rugged Trails, Bridgestone Dueler ATs. The BFGs were probably the most consistant overall of the tires I've run.

Like the look of the Cooper STs, Duratracs, and the Rover MT Maxx Tractions. Also like the Cooper STTs, MT/R Kevlars - more aggressive with some siping that may help in the rain. Looking for feedback on these and any others that look like good options.

Not too concerned about noise, but spend alot of time in the truck and need something that performs well in heavy rain, light snow and some occassional ice. Like to spend time exploring the trails, including some mud but less likely to be in heavy mud.

I could always get some reasonably priced MTs and get them siped to be sure the wet traction is there. Anybody running siped MTs that can give some feedback on how they gripped and how they held up after siping?

Found this 'siping how to' on a Toyota site... http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/sipe/ would be open to siping MTs if it works well.

 

[Purple People Eater]

I'll have a set of Duratracs mounted next week. They look great, and I'll give a report on how they are on the street after a few days.

 

[ExplorerExplorer]

What about Goodyear Wrangler Authority? They are a Wal-Mart only special, but they look really nice, with big meaty lugs and good void space, and lots of siping... Seems like the best of both worlds, this or the Discoverer ST is more than likely what I'll get...

 

[Redline]

I have a set of siped Maxxis Bighorns that work well in all conditions. I love them, but not sure I will sipe them next time. I'd like to see how they work without additional siping.

But based on your conditions/criteria I vote for the Cooper ST and not siping them.

 

[craig333]

I had a set of BFG's on my Jeep siped. I didn't notice any extra wear other than a few chunks missing. But thats on a very light vehicle.

 

[mountainpete]

I have a set of siped BFG Mud Terrains. I have noticed marginally improved wet weather traction, but on ice they are still mediocre.

Wear has been fine and chunking hasn't really been an issue. Since my truck is no longer a daily driver, I probably wouldn't do it again.

A BFG AT will outperform a siped mud tire in rain and icy roads 99% of the time from my experience.

Pete

 

[barnstormer]

I ran siped 31" Dunlop Mud Rovers (tread very similar to a BFG MT) on a Toy pickup for a while. The tires were a deathtrap on wet roads or packed snow in their stock form, and were vastly better when siped. They were never as good as an AT or snow type tire for the wet roads or packed snow, but were FAR better than those choices when the snow got deep or there was any kind of mud. I'm sure the weight of the truck (light) made a difference, so of course YMMV.

I thought the siped MT's were a good choice for where I live, which is pretty dry for the most part, but when is snows it's deep snow. They did perform pretty well on wet smooth rocks in the mountains when siped as well.

 

[UCBerzerkeley]

hankook dynapro mt. it is definitely an "XT" or AT/MT hybrid IMO

 

[toyota_jon]

I have the trxus MT's from interco. I REALLY like them. they are an MT that is siped from the factory. they have been great on everything so far. which includes everything from wet roads, ice/snow/slush, mud, rocks. I have them in the 255 and they aren't bad at all for noise. They are a soft tire so they will wear faster, but for me i'm happy to pay for them a little more often when they perform as well as they do. i'm running them on my 85 4runner.

http://www.intercotire.com/tires.php?id=11&g=1

 

[jrose609]

I had a set of Goodyear Mt/r that my buddy siped for me. I think they were great all-around tires after being siped. I did notice better handling on ice and snow after siping. I had almost 50,000 miles before buying new ones. Haven't siped these mt/r yet, but I'm going to.

 

[Pskhaat]

FWIW, I have run Big O XTs for a while. Though many people detest these tires (why?) I really can't say anything bad about them, they've been a good in-between performer.

 

[Redline]

The suggestions thus far have centered more on the siped MT treads, certainly good choices much of the time. Pskhaat's suggestion of the help steer this thread back in the direction of a true 'hybrid' tread.

How about the ******** Cepek Fun Country II or the Mickey Thompson ATZ? I was serious about the Fun Country II, then backed away for a few months, and now seriously considering them again. A recent review in Four Wheeler Magazine says the author thought the FCII was loud for it's void ratio (about the only 'negative' comment). Wear and winter/snow/ice traction is reported to be very good.

 

[NCtrail4R]

Those Hankooks look good too. Will search around for reviews.

Can anyone help out with some feedback? Not familiar with Hankook tires - would love to hear about problems if you know of any.

 

[ExplorerExplorer]

Those Hankooks look good too. Will search around for reviews.

Can anyone help out with some feedback? Not familiar with Hankook tires - would love to hear about problems if you know of any.

I would also like to know more about them... My 2000 Ranger 2WD has some generic Hankook A/S tires (they were cheap and it's just my DD)... They've been about 25,000 miles and have hardly any wear, but one tire has a slow leak (not sure why I just pulled them off and put on another set I had [I've got about 8-10 sets of tires on 5x4.5 pattern wheels])... Like I said, this is the only experience I've had with Hankook tires and it isn't that great... They have terrible rain traction for an all-season tire, most every time I take off it requires careful throttle manipulation to keep from spinning, and hard deceleration (not a panic stop) would cause the fronts to lock almost immediately... Dry weather traction is decent, don't even begin to ask about off-road (mainly driving through the yard) or snow traction (truck doesn't even [couldn't] get out in the snow)... The set I replaced them with are a set of 65% worn Goodyear mild A/T's, and they have the same amount of wet/offroad traction as the practically new Hankooks... Hopefully this is just representative of these very cheap all seasons and not Hankook's other offerings... They have worn well, but at the cost of traction (that if this was not a DD only truck would warrant a return on them)... I'm happy because they were inexpensive and are wearing well, but if I needed this truck to go anywhere but to the local dump and back I'd be seriously disappointed...

 

[redthies]

I live where there is a ton of rain and snow, and put a set of FCIIs on my 05 Dodge cummins. Not super impressed. They look like they should be good in snow, but I would prefer a BFG AT for snow.