Tires for My use

[Anonymous]

(– by Colt #7288 –)

Seeing as i have only a Santa Fe and most my driving is for paved roads. I'm looking for an AT tire that has great everyday performance, in dry/wet/snow, etc… but has just that little extra off road abilities for lighter off road-ing..
Here are some of the tires I'm considering.. feedback of these would be great, though I'm guessing most of you don't actually have these on your vehicles, but you may have it on your regular vehicle…
Cooper Discoverer AT3

Hankook Dynapro ATm (and my leading choice for now..but maybe too aggessive for my everyday use)

Kumho Venture SAT L61

Terra Grappler… great review, but only 35psi max for my tire size.. could this be an issue if 33psi is my current psi…do i need higher psi max for some give or not neccessay if tire is well built..? I wouldn't be airing down…maybe just to 28-30psi.. for my lighter offroading.. or maybe for my use, just leaving at 33 is o.k. ?
http://www.nittotire.com/Tire/terragrappler#size

And I just found these and grabbed my attention and seriously considering them.. M/T's are great racing & mud tires.. but did they pull off a homerun with this AT design… ?

I have seen many more on line and narrowed it down to these above..

Or any other tire recommendation, is appreciated…if giving such, please give more details of why, so I understand it's features or experiences you may have with it…

Cheers,
Colt

[Anonymous]

(– by hustler #5243 –)

I have a set of Falken Wild Peaks (called a Rocky Mountain ATs if you get it from Discount Tire) on my Jeep. They're great everywhere  – quiet on the street, lots of wet road traction, and even worked fine in the mud. Last weekend I ran the Rock and some other trails and got stuck in a sudden and fairly substantial rain storm and they were just fine.

The tires I have now were chosen because of cost and because I talked to someone else that had them already and liked them.

With respect to airing down, I run about 12 psi on a trail, 18 or so for exploring rough gravel roads, and about 30 on the street. You should be adjust ing pressure to suit where you are going – it effectively adds a couple more inches of travel, softens the ride and increases grip.

[Anonymous]

(– by Colt #7288 –)

Actually, the wild peaks were on my list originally, then I took them off, not sure why now.. they do have great tread… did they decrease fuel economy by much.. ? this might be why i took them off my list, i think some reviewers said it hit fuel economy alot.. how are they for winter driving ?
I'll revisit these and review again..thx…

[Anonymous]

(– by hustler #5243 –)

Don't know about winter yet, but if you're not in a rush I can update in a few months. If you want the best in winter traction, just get some winter tires IMO.

Lots of deep tread, nice and round (i.e. good quality), and if anything they have improved my fuel economy. Before I was running larger BFG KM2s though, so I would expect an improvement with the Falkens compared to any mud tire on the market. I would say they compare pretty well to the BFG ATs that I had a couple of years ago in terms of fuel economy/rolling resistance.

[Anonymous]

(– by Wrangler #5246 –)

My last truck had BF Goodrich AT KO's on it …. loved the tires …. I had 135,000km on them when I sold the truck and they still had enough tread left still to pass safety.

[Anonymous]

(– by Colt #7288 –)

I've read how many swear by their BF AT KO's… but their not good for my use… remember I'll be putting on a Santa Fe… so I need overall performing tire, with some decent off road abilities..

Also, the BF AT KO are poorer performing in most other driving conditions that one will use, if putting on their everyday driver….
I, just last night, found this tire test review..of which is not complete, as they're adding more results from different type of conditions, and adding results to the website as they're getting around to it….
And this test is showing the Hankooks (above in OP) out doing the BF's… and even on hill climbing… and of course they'll be better for paved dry/wet braking/handling performance.. but these hankooks are not 3 ply in my size, but would likely be 6- 10 ply in your trucks size…
see this link and decide for yourself, if a better choice for your next tire…of course, not a good choice for the extreme off roading you guys do..but for drivers on their daily car…

http://www.4x4tirereview.com/ATcomparotest.html

And I've stumbled on a rumor of another magazine that did an AT tire shootout of 15 tires models, and the BF At KO' are 14th place… I'm trying to find these results for my reference…. If I find, I'll post link here as well.

[Anonymous]

(– by Wrangler #5246 –)

I really don't mean to come across as a know it all or jerk … but I know what I know about the BFG's from experience …. 6yrs of driving on them and ALL driving conditions. 

I got nothing more to add.

[Anonymous]

(– by Colt #7288 –)

I really don't mean to come across as a know it all or jerk … but I know what I know about the BFG's from experience …. 6yrs of driving on them and ALL driving conditions. 

I got nothing more to add.

No, you're not coming across like that at all.. and I appreciate your feedback…..if anything, I'm coming across like that.. and don't mean to… it just that the last couple of months, I've searched and read countless tire review, etc…. and I'v come to understand tires very well.. i should open up shop.. haha… this is how I've narrowed the list… but I was hoping to get feedback from real people on hear to finalize my choice…

Re: the BF's, I know they're pretty cool tires for off roading.. my buddy has them on his mercedes suv and loves them too…I'd recommend then to some one with jeep who does what you guys do on regular basis.
I'm only saying, that for my specific use, being very high % street use and occasional lighter off roading, there's other options that will be better for everyday performance and still ok. for the minor off road, and that's what I'm looking for… The BF's are great for driver who puts the off road capabilities a head of the other aspects for his use and desires..and is happy with that…

[Anonymous]

(– by Wrangler #5246 –)

I'd disagree actually ….

I say the BFG's are really well suited for someone who does 80% road driving and 20% offroading.

Procomp, Mickey Thompson, Interco, and others  … they all make tires more suited to 80%offroad and 20% on road.

AT tires are best for someone wanting good road manners with reasonable offroad performance
MT tires are better for offroad performance …. but you sacrifice road manners.

I speak in general terms when I make those statements … to each person their personal preference is paramount.  Reading magazine articles and such is great, just remember many are going to be biased based on how much a particular mfg advertises with them …. I personally prefer peoples personal experience and opinions.  There have been many arguements over the years over which tire is best for what …. and one that will never be settled cause it is so subjective and dependant on your uses/preference/tolerances.

Peace Out …. good luck with your search.

[Anonymous]

(– by hustler #5243 –)

After trying other all terrains than BFGs, I can say there are better ones out there. I have had 33 x 10.5" and 33 x 12.5" BFG ATs and in the rain they did not have as much grip on asphalt as Dueler AT Revos, my current Falkens, or even Firestone Destinations.

The current BFG tread design is something like 20 years old, and technology has moved forward since then. I think they need a freshening up to use current tire technology, like BFG did with the KM2s. I was skeptical to try anything else because BFG ATs have been the go-to for so long but there are other more evolved options available.

Side note: I don't know about you guys, but I would consider myself fortunate to do 20% of my kilometers off road … For a road concerned buyer with a daily driver, I bet it's like 99.8% on road, 0.2% off in a best case scenario.

[Anonymous]

(– by v1nc3 #4704 –)

cooper isnt on your list… excelent in wet conditions.

[Anonymous]

(– by Colt #7288 –)

cooper isnt on your list… excelent in wet conditions.

Yes it is, it's the first photo.. which is very similar to the M/T for characteristics, as it's made by cooper.. or they had input in the design, as they own M/T.. spoke to assistant manager at M/T and said the STZ is very close to the AT3 for it's abilities and performance.. not exact same as different tread pattern and some difference in the design/construction, etc.. but wouldn't actually tell me if the STZ are little better than AT3 in wet, or dry or off road. he'd only hint at things or say, he cant quite say certain things about how they make them, cause trade secret… I'm leaning towards the STZ, but wish I could know, between the 2, which is better for the everyday driving ?  as I'm sure both are good enough for my light off roading…..few reviews I found on them, were very good..

[Anonymous]

(– by Drizit #6240 –)

just to add confusion, I haven't tried any of the tires you listed so I can't help there, however have you considered the GY duratrac? mine were 12.5" wide so they sucked in slush and snow however a narrower tire like you plan to run they would be an excellent all round tire.  The only draw back I could see is don't expect stellar tread life, they are a snow tire compound after all.

[Anonymous]

(– by Colt #7288 –)

So I decided to try the M/T' Baja STZ …. too bad they don't come in 3ply sidewalls, for my size.

Just wondering, if on my upcoming hunt trip.. should I remove the side step bar ? and put them back on later.
could it be a problem in some scenarios and help get me stuck ? but I'll not try to go thru any deep mud, and drive over and around where I can, etc… or being between the wheels, will keep it elevated in most scenarios and not to worry ? ?

ps.. Drizit, GY Duratrac is LT tire and not in my size… looks like good tire…

[Anonymous]

(– by hustler #5243 –)

Good luck with the tires!

I'd take the side steps off – it's either that or nature will do it for you.

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