All Terrain or All Season?

Ok, I’m going to start shopping for some wheels and tires for my 2013 TRD sport once winter gets closer. It’s still riding on the original Dunlops. For wheels, I’m going to get the black TRD Pro SEMA wheels:


For tires, I’m torn between All Season tires and All Terrain tires. For all season tires, I’m thinking about Michelin Defender ltx. For All Terrain, I’m considering Bfgoodrich all-terrain t/a ko2.

I commute a lot, about 25-30K miles a year. 99% of my driving is on paved roadways. However, I do plan on heading up to the mountains a couple times a month come ski season. Also, I’ll probably have to commute through the passes a couple more times a month. Finally, now that I have a 4x4, I’ve started exploring some light off-roading, mainly forest service roads and beaches… maybe 1-2 a month. FYI, I’m in Seattle, so – obviously – the roads will be wet most of the winter… hydroplaning and maneuverability on wet freeways is a concern.

From my perspective, I hate how the Michelins look, but I have to be honest about day-to-day usage, and my mid-30s sensibilities. On the other hand, the KO2s maybe a bit less practical, but my inner 18 year old – who’s never owned a truck – is screaming KO2s!

One final note, as I mentioned, I do commute a lot, so my MPG is important to me. In fact, I’ve been religious watching my MPG, and I’ve been getting about 20-21 combined, which is making my 30 something self quite pleased.

What do you all suggest? Practicality or fun?

 

I have Treadwright Wardens on my truck... and I couldn't be happier with them.

https://www.treadwright.com/

They are remolded tires, (Not to be confused with retreads) and they are absolutely amazing. They have a nice hum as you go down the road too. I highly recommend them

Here is a youtube video to explain the difference between retread and remold.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc8SoPUAtxM

 

The picture you have is an M/T not an A/T....are you looking for mt or at?

 

I used that picture for reference to the wheels, not the tires.

 

Copy! Nice wheels

 

Sounds like you know what you need but like the looks or idea of something else... IMHO the Michelin will perform hands down better 95% of the time based on said usage. I have driven in many blizzards (unplowed highways) and my LTXs always gotten me home (thank god). Don't purchased tires based on looks or for 10% of your driving...I have made that mistake. Don't rush your decision and maybe go one size up with the Michelin for a larger look.

 

Michelin will be awesome if you can over look the car tire looks

 

Michelin LTX M/S

 

Ko2s
Brother in law had the LTXs on his tundra, they DIED at 31k, tread was done and the sidewalls were checked like crazy. Had the alignment checked and showed within specs multiple times while running them, eventually got a partial refund from Costco. Where he bought another set of LTXs.
My ko2s never stopped me from going anywhere he did (we live in Montana so we get rain, mud, snow, ice).

Plus, They look way cooler (I can have my opinion!!!), and your inner 18 year old only gets to live once. Suck it rational 30 year old!

 

Youll be much happier with an AT

 

Wow, I've only ever heard glowing reviews of Michelins, but I think your last point is the most important: live's too short to be practical all the time!

 

The michelins will be much quieter, better road performance and wont have balance or wear issues.

That said, they do look tame. I love them but I always go with beefy tires, its a truck, fuck rationality!

 

I have the defender ltx on my truck since last fall. I'm in the northeast and they seemed to do fine last winter. I've gone wheeling in them a couple times and I've been fine. I'm in the same boat as you, I'm mostly on road.

However, as great as these tires are I'm constantly drooling over the KO2's and am planning to get some soon

 

The mpg, noise, and longevity will be better with the Michelins. But, you only live once, so get what you really want. Save the sensibilities for when you're 60.

 

The AT's look cool but the Michelin tires are phenomenal. I live just north of you on Vancouver Island and have had both tires. The BFG's will do a better job of getting you through a mud hole BUT THAT's IT.

Usually you need the traction on the roadway and for year-round traction the Michelins are the best tire available. Their traction on wet roads blows my mind. Good luck breaking loose on wet roads.

Michelin are the overwhelming winner for traction on wet pavement, dry pavement, ice, and packed snow. Their emergency braking capabilities to avoid collisions is remarkable. That could save your life.

BFG's look cool, and thrown more dirt.

As for off-roading, in this part of the world you aren't usually in a bottomless bog or mud hole. It's usually a rock base you're driving on if you dig down a little. If the Michelins can get purchase on something, they have great grip. I'd take these for scrambling up a wet rock face/hill over any A/T's any day of the week.

Get the LTX's and pack along a pair of chains for the worst in the winter. If the Michelins wouldn't get you over a mountain pass, you should either be using dedicated winter tires or using chains anyway. The BFG's don't replace those anymore than the Michelins do.

 

Thanks for the thoughtful response!

 

I was surprised as well, only heard good things about michelins, although I will say the stock michelins on my wife's SI didn't last that long, but she also kind of rips around in that thing so it's not really a fair comparison.

I was in the same boat prior to my bfg's. And really i think either tire is a pretty safe bet. Which is why you should get the bumpy ones. Ha!

 

I had a family member with a Chevy Suburban that drove it like she was in Nascar and would burn up passenger tires in 30 to 40k. She had Michelins LTX's that only went about 37k. I know nothing about how the gentlemen drove this Tundra but driving aggressively with heavier vehicles burns up tire quickly even with proper rotations/alignment.

 

Michelin at2

 

Check in to the Michelin AT2 as noted. Sounds like you need more road performance any way. The BFG's other than looking cool are highly over-rated (and seriously over priced), not to mention those are two completely different ends of the spectrum. With as much rain as you get and all the highway driving I would write off the BFG's. That C shaped tread is notorious for hydroplanning, packed snow and ice they are weak. They will be louder and chances are will be a LT tire and heavier than stock decreasing performance and mpg.

Plus a ton of people buy them and review them with rose covered glasses on because of how they look and aren't giving a true dipiction of how they perform. They see a poll or question about AT tires or BFG's and pop in boasting them being the best at everything or voting for them even though the person asking lists everything the BFG's are bad at in their want list. Case in point, this thread vote. Hydroplanning concerns, road performance, mpg, wet traction and daily manners (noise) yet they are in the lead, hmm...

If you are deciding between those two either go Michelin LTX or do the AT2, which sounds like an even better bet for you. They will have great road performance and handle a little more off road. Not to mention they come stock on the F250 so handling a heavy truck like that they should not have a problem getting nice longevity out of them.

Neverstuck had a great post and his advice would bode well.

Tyler