Take 2: Indecisive Tires - 265/75r16

The Cooper ST Maxx is a very nice, agressive looking tire. It is definitely one I will consider when I am looking for tires in the near future.

 

What are you running now?

 

I currently run the Hankook Dynapro ATM in the P rated version. It is a great on road tire and does well offroad but the sidewall on the P rated is a little soft for my liking. I will get 50,000 miles out of them.

 

I currently have duratracs in 245/75-16 and on my 9 hour hiway trip to Missouri and back I got quite irritated in my decision to buy these tires. They were just way to noisy for a distance trip. Granted they have amazing offroading abilities ill never buy them again. 95% of my driving is pavement 3% gravel roads and then 2-track hunting trails.

 

The Michelin LTX AT2 is a great tire. They are expensive though. They are not as "cool" looking as others AT tires but they ride really nice, and you will retain your good gas mileage as well. I have previously had the Duratracks, BFG KO's (all terrains), and the Michelins are my favorite.

If you want them in a 265/75/16 tire then I think the only option is a "E" rated tire. (heavier taller tire resulting in mild decrease in MPG's)

I purchased them in stock sizing 265/70/16 with a passenger rating. I currently have 20K miles on them and the tread depth looks fantastic, barely worn with 95% street use.

Hope this helps and good luck with your final choice!!!!

 

Thanks! The info is much appreciated!

 

I had a set of the Toyoopen Country's in P load range. I liked the tires, good traction, relatively quiet on the road, but they didn't last for shit.

I think got about 30k out of them.

About two months ago I put on a set of Cooper AT3's which Ihave been very impressed with so far.

In a former life I worked in a garage, and I put on a ton of tires

My opinion, Michelin is the best hands down, but get out your wallet...Goodyear = overpriced POS.

 

they are expensive, but the duratracs are hands down the best tires ive ever owned... you wouldnt know what its like running P rated tires and all... which arent shit for O/R use, like many of us with lifts use our trucks....

 

All right, no fighting on my threads! Everyone uses their truck for different reasons and matches tires for their use. Personally, I would've loved to have gotten Duratracs, that's why I dragged this out, but when it came down to it they just aren't the right tire for what I need right now. I love those and BFG's but a combination of reasons put them out of my reach.

So, feeling like Will Ferrell at the end of StepBrothers, i did what's sensible, and went with the Hankook Dynapro ATM in a P265/75r16, put about 500 miles on them on a roadtrip to the Catskills, and can say I am happy/satisfied with my decision. I miss that beefy look, and the hum was cool (who doesn't like a good hum), but my last tank of gas before the tire swap was about 11MPG and on this trip I avg 16.6MPG. BOOM! It was a smooth/quieter ride, I felt a lot more power in the truck (i only knew 285 m/t's), and no more rubbing when I turn hard. Since I am mostly highway driving, it just makes sense. Truck handled well on the dirt roads/mountain access roads I played around on. I know some people complained about wear issues but 50k warranty gave me some comfort, plus i drive about 8k miles/year. So, that ends my search for a while. We'll see where life goes and change tires accordingly one day.
I will add pics so this thread is not worthless ;-) Tried to do identical before/after...

Before: Nankang Mudstar 285/75r16


After: Hankook Dynapro ATM 265/75r16


Thanks for all the info, opinions, and input!

 

what setting did you set your 5100's to?

 

The pic you were looking at was when i just bought it. It had a spacer lift. This is what it looks like currently with the 5100's set at 2.5, preloaded on stock coils. I still want 885x or Eibachs set at 0 but am prioritizing funds.

 

That looks good! Did you do anything to the rear? I thought 2.5 might make it nose high. Also, how does the suspension feel with that much pre load? Thanks for your input

 

It's pretty level. I have an AAL in the back and the matching Bilsteins. It definitely rides a bit stiff but i have also never ridden in a stock Tacoma so I'm not sure. The suspension was garbage when i bought it so to me it was a huge improvement. I think i'd be really happy (for my purposes) with this setup if i had new coils and could go to 0 or even .085. Hope that helps.

 

Cooper AT3 or Michelin LTX.