Which tires would you pick?

Hey everyone,

Got my first Tacoma a little over a month ago so as it stands it’s bone stock, and will probably remain that way for the time being, but not forever. Regardless, the stock tires just aren’t doing it for me, off-road they suck and visually they couldn’t be more underwhelming.


So here’s the dilemma, I have been doing my research and reading and comparing in many aspects including price and various performance factors. I’ll be putting 265/70R17’s on the truck.
For background I like to do some off-roading, nothing crazy. But I also do a ton of highway miles so noise is a big factor to me. On top of that I live in Canadian prairies so we get 8 months of sub-zero temp and regular icy/snowy conditions. I also want something I can run year round, and good durability is another important factor.
My main considerations at this time are as follows (from most expensive to cheapest)
BFG K02 (10 ply)
Goodyear Duratrac
General Grabber
Falken Wildpeak

thoughts? Recommendations?

thanks folks

 

Duratracs don't work well as winter tires without weight, I used to run them as my summers.

BFG's are only good in the winter the first year or so.

Grabbers I have limited experience with.

Wildpeaks have the best "year round" reputation.

I would start with the Falkens then decide if you want winters.

Tacomas aren't amazing winter trucks but they aren't terrible either. I'd suggest weight in the bed and use 4x4 anytime you need to when its bad out. I'm in Calgary so drier but similar weather.

 

Out of those, I've only run the Wildpeaks on my truck. But all the research I did leading up to that purchase and then the move to Geolandars I would say this is a no brainer - go with the Wildpeaks.

But like Bishop said, if you get enough cold/icy conditions it may very well be worthwhile to run a dedicated winter tire during those times.

 

Quit makin' stuff up. We don't get 8 months of sub-zero icy/snowy conditions. Ha. Folks to the south already think we all live on frozen tundra above the arctic circle. Don't perpetuate things. It hasn't even snowed yet and will be 10+ today. 8 months from now is August. It sure ain't cold and wintery in August.

On tires...sounds like winter tires would be best for you but they never look cool. I put Blizzaks on my wife's 4Runner. It's the vehicle that we trip with in the winter. Manitoba to Alberta and back a few times each winter. She also commutes daily with it.

But....I put General Grabbers on my Tacoma which I haven't had through winter yet though a couple friends of mine have and liked them. If we didn't have the 4Runner I'd be putting winter tires on the Tacoma too. They really can't be beat. Especially when you're on packed snow/ice and it's -40. Not looking forward to using my ATs on those days.

 

KO2's are awful in anything other than dry dirt, and even then they are marginal at best. Duratracs are better, but I've never had a set on my fleet of trucks that didn't have balancing and cupping issues. The Wildpeak AT3W is probably going to be your best bet, along with the Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT.

 

Michelin DefenderLTX.

 

Probably one of the best tires ever made...except for appearance. If the OP doesn't like the look of the stock tires, the super bland vanilla Defender won't light his fire.

 

Check out the Toyo AT3 with the 3 peak symbol (Mountain Snowflake qualified for severe snow conditions)

 

With the longer winter I'd go with the Falken in C load unless your towing, I have KO2s and really like them, but for long winters Falken. I do have real winters DMV2 if things get bad here.

 

FWIW, suggest to run the OEM tires until worn out.

Learn more about the capabilities of the tires, truck and driver.

Be aware, the more aggressive the tread pattern....the more road noise.



Oh, an observation on the posted "test". Not many roads have that type of driving situation. Perhaps back in the Modal A days. OP did say he does alot of highway miles.

 

Duratracs are my choice

 

My suggestion would be to look and/or consider tires with the 3 peak symbol only. Tires with this symbol have compounds that allow it to be pliable when temperatures drop. Tires that don't have 3 peak symbol tend to have compounds where the rubber hardens in cold temperatures, resulting in lack of traction & pliability. Also look into the amount of sipes on the tires, as that plays a substantial part in tire traction/grip.

Depending on how severe the winter is for you (OP), a dedicated winter tire (not all terrain) would be your best bet.

Just providing some generic advice & consideration.