What kind of tires do I need? 18k highway/year with minor dirt road driving

I've never changed the tires since I bought the truck, but now it's time. I don't know anything about tires or lifts. I usually have my Leer camper on it. I do about 15,000-18,000 highway miles a year. I do minor dirt road driving with the camper to get to surf spots or lookouts.

I do not want to lower this truck.

What do you recommend? Is Costco or Discount Tire cheaper?

 

265/75 will do you right, price check the local shops and grab some all terrains that fit your budget.

 

Don't go following suggestions yet until you tell us what you're going to use the truck for.

With that being said, what are you using your truck for?

Someone posted all terrains, which I personally run, but if you're on the highway a lot, you're better off getting a highway tire for less money (and more mileage).

 

This.

Exactly.

 

Has anyone mentioned Thornbirds yet?

 

I do about 15,000-18,000 highway miles a year. I do minor dirt road driving with the camper to get to surf spots or lookouts.

 

I have Michelin LTX on my F350. Done 17k miles since October and they've done great in dirt and snow as well as highway. I think I'll be getting another set even though I'd like something that looks more aggressive

 

Ideal price range??

Cause we can recommend $1000 dollar tires all day long, but if you only want to spend $500 whats the point in going through all of our expensive suggestions?

 

I don't want to spend more than $600. Not into putting money into a depreciating asset. Dad just put some niiiice Pathfinder tires on his '14 for ~$550

 

You can also get a hybrid tire of sorts. Yokohama Geolandar AT's are more highway oriented, and my Firestone AT2's are as well. For those of us that want the look but cant compromise on mileage as much.

 

@Speedytech7 has these I believe. Right there in your price range and they have great reviews. https://m.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ewall=Blackwall&partnum=67TR6AT51V2&tab=Sizes

 

I like the way this one looks

P225/75R15 all-season SBR BSW



Leveling kit?

 

You don't want to go too cheap on tires unless you plan to sell the truck before you think you'll wear out the tires. A set of $600 tires might last twice as long as a set of $400 tires and be cheaper in the long run. Not to mention be safer to drive on wet roads.

I don't do any true off roading even though my truck is 4X4. But I do spend a fair amount of time on rough gravel roads that may be muddy or snow covered at times. Those roads are hard on tires with all of rocks and ruts. I've had to replace too many cheap tires that were ruined. I've found it cheaper to buy a set of 4 LT tires than buy 4 cheaper passenger car tires and have to start replacing them before they wear out.

But I think you should be able to find a set of decent tires for $600. That might not be the driveout price. With taxes and mounting fees you may have to go over $600.

 

I'm thinking of doing Pathfinder ATs

Edit: They don't have them for a 2002 Tacoma it looks like.

 

I’ve done 3-4 sets of Michelin LTX over the years, great mix between an awesome highway tire and off toad/mud/snow capability. Actually in snow I think they rival BFG AT’s which I have on my other Tacoma (road ride is not as good but they look cool and are great for the fire road off roading I do). Back to the LTX’s- I rarely rotate them and on one set where I did mostly Interstate driving I got 98,000 miles on them. Yes they might be a bit over your budget but if they last 50% longer than the cheap stuff it’s a better value.

 

Yup. $600 for tires plus another $75 or so for mount and balance, then another $75 for an alignment if you desire (you should).

 

It looks like Costco doesn't have any Michelin LTX, only X LT.

 

shop around, I think for tat size you want Michelin part number 10103
https://www.michelinman.com/tires/defender/defender-ltx-m-s.html

Most independent and chain shops can get any tire you want in about 6 hours, just don’t let them talk you into what they have in stock.

 

Definitely round ones

 

$302+ Michelin Defender LTX M/S Tires

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...eModel=Defender+LTX+M/S&partnum=675TR6DLTXOWL