Choosing a tire stresses me out

I'm looking for new tires and just when I think i've decided what to get I see another option and go right back to having zero idea. I've had michelin defender LTX's (the MS2 updated) and want an A/T this time around. I'll admit, it's mainly for the looks but also somewhat for snow performance and the very occasional offroad drive.

I've narrowed my choices down to a few, mainly worried about longevity and ride comfort on the highway as I've got a 40 min 1 way commute 5 days a week.

I'm thinking of the following, any experience anybody has please chime in. Also I'd really like to see some pictures of anything worn and how many miles you put on them.

So: Yokohama g015

Falken A/T3W

Continental terraincontact (new tire, not much feedback at all on this yet)

Goodyear Trailrunner AT - also new I think?

ALSO, there aren't any discount tire stores so I was considering buying from Tirebuyer, anybody have any experience with using them and shipping to a "tirebuyer installer"?

 

Everyone's going to tell you to get the tire they have, which is fine - just be forewarned you're going to get a lot of choices thrown at you. For longevity it seems you might be best served by sticking with the Michelins, to be honest. Cooper AT3 and Firestone Destination AT also get a thumbs-up from me as far as tires I've actually run from new until they had to be retired.

I used to be a die-hard Tire Rack guy, but recently I discovered SimpleTire; they have many more choices in various Taco-friendly sizes, and the shipping is free. I'd check them out as well.

 

I’ve heard nothing but good things about cooper at3. Never ran them myself but just parroting what I have read on here.

As far as buying, I never buy tires in store. In my experience buying online and taking to a store is cheaper, so I order from discount tire direct.com since they have free shipping.

 

Going more aggressive just for looks, will also cost MPG, I got sick of my std wheels so I had to throw my 33s back on and looks great MPG down...
I would just get a good all around tire if you're not off roading and stick to the 31s or 32s... 265 or 275 max..
Or for looks looks look a lighter tire like the goodyears ect...
Nice wheels with some off set, may do more for looks than most AT tires....

 

AT3 vote here. They have served me well in snow, ice, moderate off road, highway, towing, looks... You name it. No they are not the best off road tire. No they are not the best highway tire and in LT, they are heavy but I knew that going in. I average about 22mpg highway on a 265/70/16 LT. All in all, they have served me well so far.

 

I would also recommend Discount Tire Direct, they guarantee the lowest delivered price on the internet for all the products they carry.

There are many solid All-Terrain tires these days depending on what size you are looking for and what your specific needs are for your next tire.

I had the Yokohama Geolandar G015 285/70R-17 tires on my FJ Cruiser for about 10,000 miles. I liked them so much I put the same exact tire on my Dodge 3500 4x4 since they were properly load rated. They've been on my truck for about 5,000 miles with excellent on-road handling and traction. What works well for my needs may not work for yours. We would be happy to help you choose your next tire if you need assistance.

 

Thanks for posting, direct tire. Just sent you a message, I read your g015 thread and you seem pretty happy with those. Any ideas how they compare with the falken? I’ve seen pictures of the falken and seems like they don’t wear that well, it looks like they lose their sipes after a while?

 

I have the wildpeak AT3s, like them a lot. The sidewall is rather aggressive so the looks would be accomplished. I've only had them on for 6 months so I couldn't tell you long term how they do.

 

The Yokohama G015 is not as aggressive looking as the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W but they look better in person than in photos if that makes sense. As far as traction they both have the snowflake on the sidewall which designates them as being rated for severe winter conditions. The Yokohama G015 tires ride smooth and are quiet on road. I have not personally used the Falkens but we get a lot of good feedback from them with similar results.

Both of these tires are solid performers that would serve you well. If you want the more aggressive look the Falken may be the tire that fits your needs.

 

The last three 4x4 trucks I've owned each ran Firestone Destination AT's on them.

They were excellent tires. I have a 43 mile round trip on my work commutes.

Each of the sets I've run rank well over 50,000 miles.



I fully intended to do so with my new Tacoma, but changed my mind after seeing some friend's trucks with the Destination MT's on them.

I caved in and had them installed last week.

So far I've one such work commute and was impressed at the handling and low noise. I doubt I'll get 2/3 the life from them as I did the AT version.

They are beefy E-rated beasts....will be interesting to see the impact to my efficiency.

The Destination AT would really be a great option, but I figured I'd try something a bit different this o'round.


















My advice is to really look hard around here and see the great looking AT's that folks are having good results with. C-Rated version with good tread life and a sidewall that appeals to you. The Cooper's, Falkens and others are really cool looking on the sidewall molding they use. Take your time and shop around.

You want to get that grin on your face when you are washing it....and when you park it and walk away & look back.

 

Buy a MICHELIN tire, it will be a euphoric experience

 

Check out General APT. I just got a set so all I can say about them so far is they have a smooth, quiet ride. They are severe snow rated and made in USA. More aggressive looking in person than the photos.

 

Where did the Mich's leave you disappointed?

Was it only looks?

 

Looks and snow and one particular forest road once. They weren’t bad in snow but I had to put it into 4 high more than I thought I would.

 

All three of the Taco's I have owned have all had some type of AT tire on them (BfGoodrich, Nitto, and a few others). But when they all wore out I ended up going to the Michelin LTX because they are superior over any AT I have owned on ice, light to moderate snow, rain, and highway driving. Yes they are very boring looking but they are great tires except if you are doing serious offroading. I have towed down many rocky trails, driven to hunting spots, and been in many blizzards and they have never failed me. I put a set on my brand new 4runner and I do agree OP that you have to use 4x4 slightly more often but you are going to give up a lot of the beneficial daily driving perks of the Michelins if you go with a AT tire...

 

X2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I'm gong to say go with the Geolander G015...

My buddy has a set on his hopped up 3500 Ram, and they are really lasting him..

Mind you, this is a E rated 10ply, 17/32's tread... I'm also impressed with the looks..

Like Discount fella said, you have to be in person, they look like a "smart" tire...


If you don't choose this tire, I would go for the LTX M/S again.. Defender version..

I think they look great... Its what everyone needs... Not what they want though///

 

I decided to go with the Yoko's. My frame's going to get replaced by toyota so they'll only charge mounting/balancing and the alignment will be free, so total with the g015's will be about $630. Not a bad price at all, the lowest I could find anywhere near me for them was still about $100 more than that.

 

How about LTX A/T2’s

 

I am looking for a set of new tires 265/75r16 for my dcsb 4x4or and was between the falken wildpeak ats3w and kumho at51... any thoughts on either of these in the sl load? Now I'm also looking at cooper possibly. Went to a discount tire store but the rep didnt have any info on the kumho tires.