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Tire recommendations, please

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by lil_buddy, Sep 1, 2019.

  1. Sep 1, 2019 at 10:09 AM
    #1
    lil_buddy

    lil_buddy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm new to trucks and not the most educated on tire options.

    Can you recommend new tires that would perform well in the following usage cases:
    We will be using the truck for towing a car on a trailer several times a year and driving locally on dirt/gravel roads in Northern NorCal (rain and light snow).

    Tire rack is offering rebates on BF Goodrich tires right now so I was thinking of getting either the All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires or the OEM Rugged Trail T/A tires. The OEM tires seem fine to me, but I have nothing to compare them to and have yet to drive the truck in extreme conditions. We bought the truck used a few months ago with ~55k miles on the odo. The reviews on the OEM tires are very poor which gives me pause.

    Attaching photos of the current tires which seem like they should be replaced due to cracking and fairly low tread. Feel free to provide a 2nd opinion.

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  2. Sep 1, 2019 at 10:16 AM
    #2
    RangerComa

    RangerComa 58008

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    lil_buddy[OP] likes this.
  3. Sep 1, 2019 at 10:42 AM
    #3
    lil_buddy

    lil_buddy [OP] Well-Known Member

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  4. Sep 1, 2019 at 10:59 AM
    #4
    RangerComa

    RangerComa 58008

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  5. Sep 1, 2019 at 11:02 AM
    #5
    RangerComa

    RangerComa 58008

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  6. Sep 1, 2019 at 11:11 AM
    #6
    ryfox0276

    ryfox0276 Well-Known Member

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    I highly advise against purchasing another set of the rugged trails, they did not work well for the previous owner of my truck (he told me he got three flats on them one day driving down a gravel road, 30K on the tires. I have the towing bill to prove). Other users here can testify to the poor quality of these tires...

    I run General Grabber AT2's, I guess you could call them a "knock off" of the BFG K02's but they are in no way of lesser quality. I have nothing but good things to say about them.
     
    lil_buddy[OP] likes this.
  7. Sep 1, 2019 at 11:18 AM
    #7
    BillsSR5

    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

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    if your just running it as a daily driver I would highly consider getting an All Season tire MICHELIN,CONTINENTAL or whatever your budget allows, you can also check out WALMART online have them ordered and sent to the nearest store for mounting and balancing.
     
  8. Sep 1, 2019 at 11:49 AM
    #8
    Gruber1922

    Gruber1922 Well-Known Member

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    KO2’s. Just got my first set of them from discount tire with the 10% rebate. I’m in love, worth the price. Very quiet and great traction. They look aggressive too
     
    lil_buddy[OP] likes this.
  9. Sep 1, 2019 at 2:56 PM
    #9
    road2cycle

    road2cycle Well-Known Member

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    My previous Tacoma had the Rugged Trail tires and they were not happy campers in rainy conditions. No snow driving for me.
    My current Taco has Goodyear Trailrunner AT. They handled the heavy rains of this past winter with easy.
    I couldn’t justify the additional cost and MPG hit for KO2’s since I’m rarely on gravel roads.
     
    lil_buddy[OP] likes this.
  10. Sep 1, 2019 at 3:12 PM
    #10
    lil_buddy

    lil_buddy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    How does one know what tires will be good on gravel roads? I ask because I will probably be moving to a house that is on a gravel road (1.5mi away from paved road)

    Why would the KO2 tires significantly impact mpgs? Weight?
     
  11. Sep 1, 2019 at 4:35 PM
    #11
    Marshall R

    Marshall R Well-Known Member

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    The tires you have are in need of replacement.

    They won't. This is an internet myth where people reach the wrong conclusions based on incomplete information. Heavier tires take more power to get moving, but that same weight helps them maintain speed after you get moving. Strictly for city stop and go driving you may see a slight decrease in fuel mileage. But for hwy driving and overall performance there is no difference. I'm currently running 53 lb E rated tires. Fuel mileage is exactly the same as when I had the 38 lb factory P series tires of the same width and with a similar tread.

    Tires that are wider, have aggressive mud treads, and are under inflated will significantly impact mpg's due to increased rolling resistance. These tires tend to be heavier, but the weight isn't the reason fuel mileage is impacted. They are also stiffer, and many guys don't properly inflate them in an effort to improve the ride. As long as you stay with a moderate AT tread pattern in a stock tire width and if you keep them properly inflated you'll be fine. The BFG's are slightly more aggressive than factory. It is possible that you'll see a slight reduction in fuel mileage, but I'm betting you'll have to take the decimal point out to 2 places to measure it.

    Gravel roads will chew up any tire faster. But this is where a tougher E rated tire will last longer than the typical passenger car tires from the factory.

    Not an endorsement of the BFG's. Cooper makes a good tire too. As do many other manufacturers. But if you're spending a lot of time on gravel roads I'd go with an E rated tire.

    Getting the best PSI is a guessing game. Too much air in a lightweight Tacoma and the ride is stiff. Too little and fuel mileage does take a hit. As a general rule E rated tires need less air to carry the same loads. The tire sticker on my door panel recommends 29-32 PSI for P series tires. That is OK unloaded, but if carrying loads or towing the stamp on the tire recommends 44 PSI. I tend to run 38-40 just in case I have to carry a load and don't have time to air up. With E series tires the 29-32 gives a ride similar to 38-40 with P tires and will still carry any load I'd haul in a Tacoma.
     
  12. Sep 1, 2019 at 4:58 PM
    #12
    Groan Old

    Groan Old Well-Known Member

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    I'm running Hankook Dynapro AT-M on my truck, really like them. Great mud and snow tread, not really aggressive, but grip well. They are fairly quiet and wearing very well for my mostly highway driving. They have a 60K warranty for what it's worth. I went up a size from stock, to 265/75-16 and haven't regretted a thing.
     
  13. Sep 1, 2019 at 7:28 PM
    #13
    BlkDakDave

    BlkDakDave Well-Known Member

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    Tire threads are like oil threads. I've been running MICHELIN tires for the last 20 years on my trucks and the wife's vehicles as well. They cost a little more, but you will get a lot of mileage out of the tire as long as you rotate and check the air pressure. Running on gravel roads means picking up small gravel or stones in the tread, which you'll be chuncking as you get up to highway speed.
     
    fixer5000 likes this.
  14. Sep 1, 2019 at 7:36 PM
    #14
    Dalegribble02

    Dalegribble02 Well-Known Member

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    Dobinson mrrs Deaver leafs archive garage hammer hangers.
    Duratracs. Only tires I run.
     
    lil_buddy[OP] likes this.
  15. Sep 4, 2019 at 2:51 PM
    #15
    PD805

    PD805 Well-Known Member

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    I suggest Cooper AT3's. Low cost, lightweight, aggressive enough for what you need and quiet.
     
  16. Sep 4, 2019 at 2:55 PM
    #16
    Acabsurf

    Acabsurf Well-Known Member

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    Rubber...

    Lol i had to. I had yokahama A/T and they were damn solid. Did alot of dirt and gravel riding.
     
  17. Sep 27, 2019 at 11:46 AM
    #17
    lil_buddy

    lil_buddy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    For the sake of closure...
    I wound up getting Goodyear Wrangler Trailrunner AT's. They seem (from what little driving I've done on them) significantly quieter and grippier than the old, rotting OEM's.
     
    Ren likes this.
  18. Sep 27, 2019 at 12:09 PM
    #18
    Accipiter13

    Accipiter13 Well-Known Member

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    This. America’s tire will match Costco sales prices.

    A stock size all season like a Michelin ltx defender m/s will perform best for your stated usage (and really... it would for 95%) of most of tacomaworld’s driving).

    They just don’t look like a tire you can proudly feature on #overlanding for gram likes.
     
    BillsSR5[QUOTED] likes this.
  19. Sep 27, 2019 at 12:18 PM
    #19
    TacomaMike37

    TacomaMike37 Well-Known Member

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    Michelin ltx defender m/s
     
  20. Sep 27, 2019 at 12:44 PM
    #20
    topoutman

    topoutman Well-Known Member

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    I ended up getting KO2’s in C series instead of E. Perfect for my needs and saves on weight and cost. As you can see from all the replies there are many good tires out there, just stay away from stock factory tires. Good luck OP.
     
    lil_buddy[OP] likes this.

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