Suggestion for tires 2006 Tacoma birthday gift

Hi,
I sold my Tacoma to my boyfriend so it's his now. He drive a LOT -- probably 70% of the miles are freeway driving, 15% on the local highways here in the high desert, and 15% on dirt roads (lots of them here, we also camp).

No real off road activity with this truck. Rarely is there snow, but we would want a M+S tire for those times.

Any suggestions? The Pirelli tires that were on there when we bought it have worked well, but they are just worn out. I am looking for a good value, good handling, reasonably quiet.

Also, we live in the boonies so I may end up ordering online. Is that usually cheaper? Or is there a good reason not to do that?

thanks
Stephanie

 

Interesting tread design on the Hankook Dynapro. Do you think they will be good for lots of freeway driving? I saw online the tread design is good for keeping rocks out. Not sure how that works.

 

Michelin LTX M/S 2, lots of people getting 80k plus with them and they have great reviews.

 

Cooper AT/3 or ATP would be a good choice as well...

 

Cooper Discoverer H/T..

 

Michelin AT2, they are awesome tires! I have 40k miles on mine and they still look brand new. They have excellent highway manners, are great in the snow and seem to be wearing very well. I have the P-rated version but they have held up to towing and hauling (mine are on an F150 and I do tow and haul with it fairly frequently).

 

Best road tire by far. I have over 80K on mine and still looks new.

 

Second the motion for Michelin LTX AT2's

 

Yep, those Michelins are awesome. Check some places for deals "4 for 3," "rebates," "lifetime rotation & alignment."

 

No, those tires are junk LOL and I work for Cooper LOL, get anything but those...

 

which coopers do you recommend? Are A/TW's available in the states yet?

 

I like both the Michelin suggestions both really good tires!

 

I just put a set on a couple weeks ago and love mine so far. Been great in snow and I also do a ton of highway miles. I haven't noticed any difference in road noise from my stock dunlops.

 

Either the AT/3 or ATP, not sure if the AT/w is available in the states yet .? I know most of ours ship north to Canada ... The AT/w is what I plan on getting when my Cooper ST Maxx wear out...

 

+1 Michelin LTX MS2. These tires feel so good on the road, I've had no problems in sand either.

 

I have the Michelin LTX AT/2. We had a big winter this year and they worked great on snow and ice. Supposedly they are a bit more agressive and better on gravel than the LTX MS/2.

I don't think you could go wrong with either. Go with the MS/2 for better mileage and longer life if it's mostly highway driving and no snow.

 

Here's a good thread I just found about MS2 vs AT2 http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/showthread.php?t=106441

 

Thanks for all the suggestions! I will see what deals I can get in my area (So. Cal)

 

HI again,
I've been looking online but since the Tacoma is an older (2006) smaller model I wonder if that is why the Michelin tires mentioned in the thread don't seem to be available. The tire size on his existing tires (and what the searches indicate his truck takes) is 215-70-15. Most of the tires that come up for that size show passenger car tires, and the other tires I can't find in that size.

Again, most driving is highway, but we do live in the desert so there is some driving on dirt roads and rocks. Not really off road or brutal, but there is some driving for camping, etc.

Am I missing something? Are there special tires for light trucks or are the passenger car tires ok for the 2006 Tacoma? We do tow a small trailer on occasion. Thanks again.

 

You can use P215 tires on your Tacoma. I run P235s. The ride is smoother and you get better gas mileage. Just make sure they are decent tires, like the Michelians discussed earlier in this thread of the Dynapros.

LT would probably be overkill for your situation.