Southern California Tires

Hi Guys, I am about to buy some new tires / wheels for my 13 Tacoma TRD Offroad, I am having a very hard time deciding. So many options. A lot of info on here, but different scenarios for each person.

Sizes:
265/70/17
Or
265/75/16

Driving details:
Southern California, 95% highway, obviously not much rain / no snow but possible trip to mammoth mountain once a year. About 2 dessert trips per year, very little off-roading. I ride motocross so driving on dirt once a weekend for about a few miles length.

Since its primary highway, I don’t want anything noisy or super low mpg.


Top Choices in order

1. BFG K02 – great look, but is it too aggressive of tire for all my highway driving?

2. Toyo Open Country A/T 2

3. ProComp AT Sport

4. Nitto Terra Grappler G2 - reading that they are loud

5. General Grabber AT2

6. Cooper Discover (RTX or AT3)


I would love to know your thoughts on these options? Did I miss any that you would consider? I am fine with anything around the $200 or less price range.

If it matters, I will probably be getting the SCS Stealth 6 in black.

Thanks guys!

 

Great thread idea if this hasn't been done! I'm curious too, but I'm a bit strapped on cash to go replace tires right away on a month old truck, since mine is used the same way yours is.

I did recently replace all 5 wheels though and remounted the stock tires. I went with the FN countersteer off-road setup.

 

Nice description, more than most. You left off a couple of good choices that meet your needs. Michelin Defenders and Bridgestone Duelers.

Screaming deal on the Michelins right now at Costco.

 

In before all the KO2 nut swingers hop in saying they are the best even though you stated quiet and good mpg's. Are you all about the look or just a good all around performing AT tire? If you want to keep road manners, traction on and off road and cost the Cooper AT3 can't be beat.

http://expeditionportal.com/where-the-rubber-meets-the-road/

The BFG's are the heaviest and most expensive (probably over your price point) and towards the bottom in on road performance (especially rain even though you don't see much) but look great and are above average off road. Ditto with the General Grabbers though they are cheaper by a good amount and better in any rain and are snow rated with a warranty.

Of those listed I would go Cooper AT3, Toyo Open Country AT2, Procomp AT sport, General Grabber AT2, BFG KO2 then Nitto's (lots of mixed reviews on those, but they have been redesigned recently and have been getting better reviews).

Tyler

 

Thanks for your input aMXguy. I was about to buy the BFG KO2s but was reading about the on-road performance which seemed to have mixed reviews, that made me pause.

Looks are important to me, but I like most all on the list that i provided except I am the not really liking the look of the razor wire graphic on the Cooper AT3. Not a full deal breaker but definitely my least favorite in looks.

Do any of these work in the rain or are they all poor?

 

Bfg all the way and it is good in rain.

 

I'm in LA/OC also and I've got the Toyo OC ATII's and really like them. I had 2 sets on my old Ranger and am on my 1st set on the Taco. Aired down to ~18 I've yet to get stuck in sand or dirt. No experience in the snow yet, but since I'm 2wd I'd have a hard time getting past the CHP without chains on to test it. Post your location, maybe some of us are near and could give a ride-along so you could hear them 1st hand. That's how I decided originally.

 

Before moving closer to work, I drove about 95% highway like you. I currently have Dynapro ATm. Awesome street tire. Quiet and would get 20mpg if I keep RPM needle below 2k.

 

^^This. AT3's are perfect for your needs.

 

Same boat as OP, I'm in San Diego and checked Evans tire and Discount Tire but neither of them have the Cooper Discoverer A/T3. Can someone recommend a shop?

 

Express tire will have them.

 

Thanks