M/T tire questions

I want to buy a set of good Mud/snow terrain tires. I have always had BFG A/T tires and have loved how the drove and for the most part how they handle snow and mud. I love the look of the Toyo M/T tires and was debating a good M/T tire until the other night. I drove my friends 2014 Tacoma with Procomp MT tires and a lift. Holy crap did it drive terrible. This first 0-5 mph felt like I was driving on a washboard. And slow turning the tires felt like they were binding on the ground. Is this the experience I should expect with a M/T tire? I never felt this with the BFG A/T and I know it is a different tire but is a characteristic of all M/T's? I know some vibes will happen but the 0-5 washboard ride was not acceptable.

 

Pretty much. They're going to bite in parking lots and make a lot of road noise at speed.

Vibes are not normal.

 

This was a brand new truck with about 7k on the OD. So they were only on 1 rotation. I know that some vibes might happen it is the slow washboard ride that I did not enjoy.

 

So you do not experience the slow washboard ride? I have only heard good things about the Toyo M/T's

 

I would also avoid M/T tires in the snow

 

I have duratracs, and they are great tires that are praised for being aggressive, but quiet. That being said, they are still MUCH louder than BFG all terrains. I've had them in the past and they were great tires. Normally I wouldn't mess with a good thing like that, but I figured I'd try something different. The duratracs are still pretty new to me, and if they last as long as BFG ATs it'll be a tough choice for me between the two when it comes time for new tires again.

 

M/T tires are awesome for dirt, muddy, even snowy trails - but they absolutely suck on wet (or anything slick) pavement.

I've had several sets of BFG M/T's on my old tacoma and a couple different Jeeps. They're fine on the 'dry' pavement.....

 

I have had 2 sets of Toyo's and 2 sets of Nitto Trail Grapplers and Im liking the Nitto more than the Toyo (I have got better wear from the Nitto's). I did have the slow washboard feel when i picked the truck up from the tire shop, just to find out they put over 40 lbs of pressure in them. As soon as i took the air pressure down it went away. I rotate every 2,500 to 3,000 miles and never have any problems with mudders.

 

Good looking setup man. What are your specs on tires and lift?

 

Thank You! I will probably get stoned for saying its a 3" spacer lift with 1 to 1.5 AAL's in the rear (so everyone can let me have it.. Ha) My Toyota Dealership says they have them made for better pricing, but who knows they probably just buy them like everyone else. I have Nitto Trail Grapplers 265/70 (31.97 x 11.02) with 17" KMC XD rims. I like the look of the smaller tire. It actually looks like you have a lift and i don't have to worry about rubbing at all when taking it off road. I had 285/65 18's BFG AT's on my 2007 & 2011 and didn't like the look of the tire. Looked like the tire was too jammed up in the fenders for my liking. Lost a little ground clearance but thats about it.

 

Berk,
I have been looking at the icon coilovers and wondered about the ride quality? I have always liked spacer lifts just to keep the stock ride as much as possible. Will I lose ride quality if i have them set to the 3" in the front. Sorry not trying to jack the thread just a quick question. Just not too familiar with coilover ride quality.

 

Yes it is. You should stay with your girly A/T's.

 

It's hard to give one answer to cover all tires and every ones' views are their own. My 38" Monster Mudders were great. Not very loud, good grip in rain and snow. My 33" TSL Superswamper Thornbirds were bad in the rain, bad in the snow and really loud after about 15k miles. Maybe some one here has the tires you want on their truck and would give you a ride before you decide.

 

OP - Have you considered the Cooper ST Maxx? It's a more agressive all terrain but still rather quiet on the asphalt. My only gripe is the tire weight but amazing traction and look awesome on a tacoma. I had a set and changed to the lighter AT3.

I never considered Cooper as a brand before but needed tires and their price was right. I've been really pleased thus far.

 

^ Never had those but agree thumbs up on Cooper. I had Cooper Discoverers or something, an aggressive AT tire and was very happy with them. They replaced the Thornbirds that I was sick of.

 

The more aggressive the tire the worse it will ride.

I noticed a decent difference in ride quality going from Hankook ATM's to Duratracs. The smoother AT was way better on the road. I've ran MT but not on my Tacoma, they are worse than the Duratracs.

Some are better than others yes, but as a general rule MT will be worse on the road than an AT.

 

Duratracs. I put about 20k on a 31x10.5 set before... well... long story. Quiet to about 45-50, then real noise starts at like 60. 75+ is where you don't want to hear it anymore. Awesome tread wear even on a ford TTB with a powertrax in the rear. The powertrax chewed them up from parkinglot driving and what not, but nothing severe for the mileage. The TTB only caused slightly off treadwear, about 1/16" unevenness over 20k. Amazing traction on all surfaces and conditions I drove on.

Only did snow in 4x4 off road, but didn't have any issues. They self clean like a champ. Not too much clay, but as expected less self-cleaning, still good. Sugar sand... average. Sand/earth mud, unstoppable. Pretty good grab on hidden rock and roots. Pavement dry and wet, no issue.

I have 33x12.5 MT baja mtz right now. Haven't had them off pavement yet except for LIGHT mud, and some packed dirt/gravel. They don't seem to clean very well. They will keep throwing mud/pebbles for 100 yards once I get back on the street. Very noisy on pavement at all speeds over 25. I don't like these tires so far, I'd much rather have duratracs.

Just my 2 cents.

 

Very nice truck and set up, what offset are you running on those XD wheels?

Thanks

 

Thank you!! They are a Zero offset.

 

I'm a big fan of Toyo Wintercats for my uses. Excellent snow/ ice traction, as well as good on wet roads and mud. When they wear down, they work great as summer tires. Not real noisy either.