Colorado Tires Opinions

First this argument is always personal "knowledge" based and little actual facts. Second, I am biased towards Goodyear but as long as it's American made I can just laugh off the choice. I think we can all agree that an AT type tire is what you need here in Colorado.

If you want informed opinion than educate yourselves on the actual thickness of a ply of "rubber" and you will find that roughly 1mm separates a 2 vs 3 ply sidewalls tire.

If any of you are really serious about sidewalls, the Wrangler uses Kevlar in theirs, you know the stuff that bullet proof vests and military uses for armor in just about everything, is made of. However, I don't care for how those tires handle (MT/r type) personally.

This data is a few years old now and I have no data on any "pure off-road" manufactured tire:
BFG AT KO2 - 3 ply sidewall, 1000 denier poly.
Cooper Discoverer ATP/AT3 - 2 ply sidewall, 1500 denier poly, full ply (load range E only. C has 2 1000 denier poly)
Cooper ST Maxx - 3 ply sidewall, 1500 denier poly for the inner 2 and the 3rd is angled; made from 1000 denier poly
General Grabber AT2 - 2 Ply sidewall, 1500 denier poly.
Goodyear DuraTrac - 2 Ply Sidewall, 1500 denier Poly, full ply
Goodyear Wrangler/ Kevlar - 3 Ply Sidewall, 1500 denier encased Kevlar, full ply

 

Benefits being hits to gas milage, ride quality...everything basically? Plus I dont typically drive through endless expanses of obsidian shards.

 

If that's something you're concerned with why not just stay with the stock tires?

 

Everything is a trade off... you trade MPG, ride quality(to a point), and longevity, for durability, puncture resistance, and off road/poor weather grip.

there's no magic bullet that gives you the best of everything. just have to decide which categories are important to you... then look. if you're looking for snow traction above all else, then stop looking at AT tires... look at snow tires, it's not just the tread pattern, it's the makeup of the rubber that remains pliable at colder temps.

 

Can't say I even noticed a change in power/mpg/ride quality when I switched to my KO2's in 265/75. I noticed when I went 285 though.

 

I have had more slippage than I felt acceptable from the stock tire. E-rates tires have theit place, but by and large they are a meme perpetuated by the Brocoma fraternity who seem concinced over indulgance is the only way to get it done.

For example, i don't think mud tires with wicked sidewall lugs will do you much good in CO where most 4x4 req trails are more of a rock crawl. They sure look cool though. I was hoping for local opinions where folks put an AT tire on and were satisfied with performance on our snowy roads.

 

You need to get out more.

As far as snow, basically any snow rated 3 peak AT tire will suffice.

 

I just purchased a set of Falken atw 265-75-16. I will chime in on how they do once installed. Figured for $615 installed with certs from discount tire they were worth a shot. C rated and snowflake approved. Time will tell but the reviews so far have been good.

I'm replacing Michelin at2 and they were decent street tires that left much to be desired off-road.

 

YMMV, but my (CO) tire experience is...
- BFG A/T KO = Excellent in snow, Mediocre on ice, Minimal road noise, Excellent on dry pavement, Excellent A/T performance, Good ride, Mediocre in rain, Excellent tread wear
- Michelin LTX M/S = Good in snow, Mediocre on ice, Minimal road noise, Excellent on dry pavement, Mediocre A/T performance, Excellent ride, Good in rain, Excellent tread wear
- Duratrac = Excellent in snow, Mediocre on ice, Moderate road noise, Excellent on dry pavement, Excellent A/T performance, Good ride, Mediocre in rain, Mediocre tread wear
- Cooper Discoverer A/T3 = Good in snow, Mediocre on ice, Minimal road noise, Excellent on dry pavement, Excellent A/T performance, Excellent ride, Good in rain, Excellent tread wear
- Cooper Discoverer M+S (Studded) = Excellent in snow, Excellent on ice, Moderate road noise, Good on dry pavement, Mediocre A/T performance, Mediocre ride, Good in rain, Good tread wear

 

I'm far from expert but figured I would give my experience. When I bought 08 tacoma it came with BFG Rugged Trail T/A's 265/70/16's. Decent on gas mileage, not best on trail but ok and tread wore pretty quickly as most of my mileage was highway. I can't speak a ton on these as I changed them out back in May 2010 and my memory is fading but I got about 25k miles and had about 1/2 tread left.

I upgraded when I put a ToyTec lift on and did tons of research before I decided to go with GY Wrangler Duratrac 285/70/17's. Many of you seem to be haters on the duratrac's and if you have personal experience for that then that is good but I would warn you to bash them based on someone else opinion as you never know truly their driving habits or terrain they were on. I personally am a big fan of the duratracs for the following reasons:

-Wear is phenomenal from all I have heard on most any other tire. I have currently about 70k miles on them and I can probably get another 10k on them just before next winter (October) or so I hope. I have mileage and tread to prove it for all you haters! Although I have S/C I baby my truck and live up in mountains so I don't deal with tons of traffic like most of you in the Denver metro area and we don't have may traffic lights. I tend to stay on highway anytime I can since I have a manual. For what its worth I also have my original stock brake pads and rotors with plenty left over. Another benefit living in mountains.

-Gas mileage best: 22 Hwy & 19 City (taking in consideration for mileage since not re-geared yet)
-Gas mileage worst: (not towing) 18 Hwy & 16 City

-Off-road the seem well but I stay on moderate trail since I don't have all body armor needed. So see other reviews for this.

-In the snow/ice I would say they are moderate at best. I would say this is biggest weakness since my expectations were high due to most reviews say they are above average but I feel personally they are moderate is more accurate value.

-In the rain they are also about moderate or slightly better.

-Cost: since I have 285/70/17 they are pretty expensive but Costco in Aurora just started carrying these and they are approximately $265 a piece. Most everywhere else Big O or local shops up here have them from $253-285 each. I believe Costco also has $80 rebate so that is also big deal in my opinion.

-I don't particularly think they are too load but I also have the wine of my S/C and aFe cold air intake that probably cover up that sound. Soon to be aFe headers, y-pipe and 3" aFe cat exhaust will definitely cover up sound.

I hope this helps. I am about 90% sure I will go with duratracs again mainly because for value and mileage. Even thought he KO II's are cool and proven I've heard you are lucky to get 50K miles out of them and they are only $20 cheaper per tire. For me I'd rather spend $20 more and get 30k miles more. Again I drive my truck easy and not like I stole it.

 

Here are some pix

 

Lots of good input, but just because some of us like a certain tire over this one, doesn't make us haters, nor fanboys of the other tire. we all have different opinions, yours seem to be based on solid reasoning from your experiences, but that doesn't mean the rest of ours aren't because we had a different experience or have different priorities in what we require from a tire.

 

Well put and didn't mean to come across like my opinion or experience was more valid or anyone else was wrong in my reply. Was just hearing more negative then positive on the duratrac's & personally haven't experienced that (knock on wood)so wasn't sure if it was based on direct experience or what.

I hope my input helps others in their choice/search. I am still researching other tire options too as never know there may be something better.

 

no worries... I was probably a bit touchy with the "Hater" comment. Just tired of the overuse of it on this forum whenever people disagree it's because they're a hater of brand x and fanboys of brand y.

for the record I had take off Duratrac's... they were quick wearing, and LOUD compared to my Toyo M/T's that I took off which was surprising (the loudness I mean) they weren't great in the snow from what I dealt with, but they were under 30% tread so I won't put that on them.

 

No worries!

What tires you running now and do you like them? What kind of use?

I know you mentioned "Cooper ST/Maxx are my next tire" are they on their currently?

 

I'm on the stock tires on my 3rd gen. and some 2nd hand KO2's for my 1st gen so I can sell it.

I'm not sure when I'll be putting on new tires, but it'll come when I can afford a lift and gears too. I may actually try pushing it to next year, or the winter.

 

Ya I hear that, its pretty expensive but worth it. Good luck!

 

I also daily drive with STMAXX and stil get 17 mpgs

 

Good to know

Where in CO are you at?

How do you like your STMAXX's in snow, ice & rain? Do they wear well etc? Thanks very much!

 

I'd down south highlands ranch area. Love these tires, quiet on road. Did great this pass winter. Wears good (i've only had the truck for 5k miles) put them on a week out of the dealers lot. Best upgrade, 2nd only to the lift.