BFG Rugged Terrain vs. Factory Tire - would love your input

Hi Folks,

My 16' Tacoma is about a week old. Not looking to do any wheel upgrades at the moment as I actually like the factory TRD sport wheels. However, I did want everyone's opinion on a tire question I had. I plan to do some light to moderate off roading with the truck (fire roads, smaller rocks, light mud, no snow, etc.) no rock crawling etc...

The truck came w/ Firestone Destination LE2, which is more of an all season tire. Based off of everyone's experience, will this tire be OK for my needs? I was about to pull the trigger on 265/70/17 BFG Rugged Terrain (not trail/fail) as the tire is more aggressive, and seems like it would perform better off road, while still doing well on the highway. Although I love the look of the KO2, I don't think I need that for where I'll be taking the truck.

Would love to hear your thoughts...leave the current factory tires on, or pull the trigger on the Rugged Terrain? (or perhaps another tire suggestion?)

Thanks.

 

Sounds like the stock tires won't really be holding you back much insofar as your off roading needs and will be a bit more comfortable and quieter on road. I'd drive them until they wear out and then reevaluate when it is time for new. I do similar "off roading" to you in the summers on easier forest service trails and the stock rugged fails have been fine for that purpose (definitely NOT fine for winter).

If you are going to replace them though, do it now so you'll get a better value out of the stock tires at sale.

 

Thanks so much for your input. I appreciate it.

I forgot to mention that in my original post, I've called several local tire dealers and the most they'll give me for the Destinations is $50/tire, so $200 credit towards new ones...(as they need to turn around and make a profit and sell them as a used tire).

Or I could sell them on here, or Craigs List and maybe get $100/per tire as the vehicle only has 189 miles on it...

Thanks.

 

I think that the perfect tire for you is the Cooper AT3. You will gain a little puncture resistance, and traction over your current set up, but won't give up much at all in the MPG's and comfort department. I put them on my wife's rig and they are my favorite mostly road/little off road AT tire.

To give me some street cred, I used to shoot out in the woods near Hayden Idaho so I know the terrain you'll be in

 

Thanks - appreciate the input. I'll look into those, as that's the reason why I would change, a little more puncture resistance and a little more traction compared to the LE2.

 

I just replaced my Rugged Terrains with Cooper A/TWs after 30,000 miles. The Rugged Terrains started out great: quiet, excellent in the rain and snow, nice ride on the highway, but they went downhill fast. By 20,000 miles they were loud and rolled rough, like a much more aggressive tire - when coasting to a stop, you could literally feel the tire slowing the truck down. Traction went downhill fast as well, especially in the wet.

I wasn't happy with them at that point, so I replaced them even though they had plenty of tread life left. Based on my experience, I wouldn't recommend them at all.

I went up a size to 265/75/16 on the Coopers, and despite the larger diameter, my truck feels faster, and of course it's way smoother.

 

Thanks Matt, great feedback. I'll take that into consideration!

 

Just to note for you OP, the Cooper ATW is the winter version of Cooper AT3.

 

Great, thanks - I'm looking into the AT3 now as I wouldn't need the ATW in SoCal.

 

FWIW, The A/TW isn't a winter specific tire, it's a year round all terrain, but it is designed for better winter performance.

 

Going w/ the AT3 (265/70/17)- between input on here, and a lot of online research, those seems to fit my needs the best.

Thanks Everyone.

 

You won't be disappointed