All terrain tire comparison

[sPaulp]

I have the ST Maxx on my LX470, and they have been great. However, while they shine in most areas, they have not been good in wet weather. There are reports online that this is the only downfall of the tire which is great otherwise. So, today I thought I would try the Nitto Ridge Grapplers on my 200 LC and only drove them for about 20 minutes. So far, they are quiet, get great reviews, and honestly are the best looking tire I have seen in person. I posted pics over on the what have you done to your 200 thread. The KO2's having cracking issues, so they were not in the running this time. I agree with @willybeaman in that if your wallet can afford it, don't skimp on tires. It's the only thing between you and the road, and I don't mind to pony up for quality in that regard.

 

[mcgaskins]

Haha everyone saying to not skimp on quality tires - it's not like I'm considering some knock off Chinese tires on eBay! I only put the best stuff on my vehicles and last I checked none I'm considering are junk. The problem with asking for opinions on tires is that it's very hard to get true objectivity. Everyone knows a guy who knows a guy who got 3 flats on a mild unpaved forest road and hates those tires as a result (think Duratracs), and on the flip side some people swear crappy retreads (think Treadwright) are the best things ever made. Gotta take everyone's opinions with a grain of salt.

 

[sPaulp]

Haha everyone saying to not skimp on quality tires - it's not like I'm considering some knock off Chinese tires on eBay! I only put the best stuff on my vehicles and last I checked none I'm considering are junk. The problem with asking for opinions on tires is that it's very hard to get true objectivity. Everyone knows a guy who knows a guy who got 3 flats on a mild unpaved forest road and hates those tires as a result (think Duratracs), and on the flip side some people swear crappy retreads (think Treadwright) are the best things ever made. Gotta take everyone's opinions with a grain of salt.

Well said, and couldn't agree more. There are many great tire choices out there, and certainly the list you compiled is evident of that. I have had a set of KO2's and they were great. The recent cracking reports makes me a little nervous. Again, I have had the ST Maxx for about a year now and it's an outstanding tire other than some wet traction hiccups. But, agreed that everyone has an opinions and like our 4 points of contact, usually stink and are full of ****.

 

[40Man]

The $80 discount you received - was that an online offer or promo code or something? I'm not seeing it on their website...

Google for coupons. Sometimes if you go to the final page with all info entered but do not submit order, tb will email you a coupon within a day w a link to your cart...

 

[Narkhelek]

I don't think I've ever seen a tire review that wasn't glowing. I'm pretty sure nearly all tire reviews were bought.

 

[Markuson]

I don't think I've ever seen a tire review that wasn't glowing. I'm pretty sure nearly all tire reviews were bought.

That's where the value of forums and guys who have owned, used, abused and compared many tires comes in.

 

[4gotalot]

Tell us more about the KO2 problems you have found. Mine 75% remaining and would like to know what to watch for.
I did have what looked like cracks running 360 deg around 3 of 4 tires right in the center of the tread face. Closer insp while tracking tread wear found it to be from the manufacturing process or an emp cutting the factory cover off. They were shallow and gone now with normal wear listed above.

What and were are the cracks you have heard of located?

 

[LCHardriver_02]

^^ I'd like to know this too since I have them on the LX and have not seen any cracks.

 

[40Man]

Tell us more about the KO2 problems you have found. Mine 75% remaining and would like to know what to watch for.
I did have what looked like cracks running 360 deg around 3 of 4 tires right in the center of the tread face. Closer insp while tracking tread wear found it to be from the manufacturing process or an emp cutting the factory cover off. They were shallow and gone now with normal wear listed above.

What and were are the cracks you have heard of located?

I have had two sets of BFG tires with major cracking. The first set was OEM Rugged trails on a Tacoma. Was able to warranty them for a new set of KOs. They KO's also started cracking after a couple years, but I sold the truck before it got too bad. Wish I still had a picture. My cracking on both tires was between the treads and on the sidewalls. Similar to what you may see with a tire with years of sun damage. I have had KO2s for about 3 years now on my 4R Limited with 20" wheels. They have no signs of cracking.

 

[Ali FJ80]

I have had two sets of BFG tires with major cracking. The first set was OEM Rugged trails on a Tacoma. Was able to warranty them for a new set of KOs. They KO's also started cracking after a couple years, but I sold the truck before it got too bad. Wish I still had a picture. My cracking on both tires was between the treads and on the sidewalls. Similar to what you may see with a tire with years of sun damage. I have had KO2s for about 3 years now on my 4R Limited with 20" wheels. They have no signs of cracking.

This is the same reason I am replacing the BFGs rugged terrains on the wifes LX. Given these are not the KO2s but getting odd cracking starting on the front tires on the last tread block by the sidewall. I will try and take a pic when I get home later.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

@bamma - Specific to the KO2s, any ideas as to whether to first set was a bad batch since you have had the second set for 3 years with no cracking? Or maybe the compounds have been updated?

I will definitely keep an eye out on my set. JIC. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[TeCKis300]

I likewise agree that forums are the place to get the comparative research. We openly share and coalesce information. Just tedius to sift through, but hey, I also like the hunt.

K02:
Here's one example of several that I've come across on K02s cracking in my search found on the fjforums. Though I will add that there's many many others successfully utilizing this tire and in general, it's been extremely very well reviewed. So chalk it up to a bad batch. The reason I personally didn't get the K02s was their chunkier sidewall which is just a tad aggressive for my LX. Though on an LC, it'd look great.


Toyo Open Country A/T II
This was the other tire high on my list. Almost got them, but several reviewers on various forums said they had more pronounced hum at higher freeway speeds. Especially in the xtreme sizes. This turned me off a bit as I do a ton of fwy driving. There were also some anecdotal comments on how they are only fair in rain. Rain and snow performance was a requirement for me, especially as I'm going with an especially wide tire. This one does have the snowflake symbol and was said to be rather good in snow. Just not standing water with rain.

Nitto NTG (Gen 1)
These were great tires when I had them on my LX470 over 45k miles. Still a lot of tread left when I sold the car. They were a bit noisier at that point, but not terribly so. I'd put these tires on the milder end of the AT tire spectrum. These performed rather well all around, and especially in dry road handling. Where they left a bit to be desired is in snow/ice performance. No snow flake symbol so I was determined to limit my search to those that stamp this time around. I will add that my research of the G2 of this tire show they went to a harder compound (so did Toyo AT2s). Resulting in better tire wear, but trading off some more noise, but possibly low temp traction.

Falken Wildpeak A/T3W
Loving these tires so far. They are very quite, with just a background whoosh on highway speeds. Much like wind noise. An achievement given how deep the tread is (supposedly deepest in the class at 20/32). Rain performance (as we just had a big storm come through) is epic. I was pushing the limits of this over standing water, and not once did I feel these hydroplane or have to really push aside the water. Credit likely goes to the aggressive tread voids. Anecdotal comments say these are also great in snow and ice.
There were a few really standout comments by tire insiders on their vote of confidence for the Wildpeaks.

This post from an insider in another forum, in particular sealed the deal for me:

The AT3W was released on February 1st of this year [2016], however not all sizes have reached the US yet. The new tread design is one of the deepest tread depths on the market and the tires have a border line Mud tire look, while maintaining an excellent A/T on road feel and wear. Much of the technology in this tire is brand new and at the top of the industry, and data is showing that these tires are testing well above our competition, and even above the likes of the heralded KO2. All sizes carry a 55k mile tread warranty including the LT sizes, and all sizes carry the Severe Snow Rating.

Once you see these tires in person you will be impressed. I can go on, but I won't, because you already think I am biased. Just know that I have worked for other manufacturers, and right now, this is what I would put on my 4Runner regardless of my employer.

 

[40Man]

@bamma - Specific to the KO2s, any ideas as to whether to first set was a bad batch since you have had the second set for 3 years with no cracking? Or maybe the compounds have been updated?

I will definitely keep an eye out on my set. JIC. Thanks for the feedback.

The first set were KOs, not KO2s. When I took the Rugged Trails in, the guys at discount acted like they'd never seen cracking like that before. When they called the BFG rep (or whoever they call from BFG), it took about 30 seconds from them to authorize a warranty exchange.

It sounds like KO2s are cracking on the tread. My cracking was everywhere (sidewall, tread, and in between tread) on both my trails and KOs. The trail cracking was much worse.

 

[TonyP]

Tell us more about the KO2 problems you have found. Mine 75% remaining and would like to know what to watch for.
I did have what looked like cracks running 360 deg around 3 of 4 tires right in the center of the tread face. Closer insp while tracking tread wear found it to be from the manufacturing process or an emp cutting the factory cover off. They were shallow and gone now with normal wear listed above.

What and were are the cracks you have heard of located?

BFG KO2 Cracking at 10k

 

[Ali FJ80]

Falken Wildpeak A/T3W
Loving these tires so far. They are very quite, with just a background whoosh on highway speeds. Much like wind noise. An achievement given how deep the tread is (supposedly deepest in the class at 20/32). Rain performance (as we just had a big storm come through) is epic. I was pushing the limits of this over standing water, and not once did I feel these hydroplane or have to really push aside the water. Credit likely goes to the aggressive tread voids. Anecdotal comments say these are also great in snow and ice.
There were a few really standout comments by tire insiders on their vote of confidence for the Wildpeaks.

This post from an insider in another forum, in particular sealed the deal for me:

I can backup that the A/T3W also perform very well in snow and Ice as I have done quite a few runs up to the mountains and back with them on my LX in the last few months. Was so impressed that I just ordered the 20" version for the wifes LX also.

 

[mcgaskins]

The Discount by my office has a set of the 35" KO2s so I'm getting one tree mounted now to see if it rubs the KDSS. If it doesn't, I'll get the set.

 

[Markuson]

I have had two sets of BFG tires with major cracking. The first set was OEM Rugged trails on a Tacoma. Was able to warranty them for a new set of KOs. They KO's also started cracking after a couple years, but I sold the truck before it got too bad. Wish I still had a picture. My cracking on both tires was between the treads and on the sidewalls. Similar to what you may see with a tire with years of sun damage. I have had KO2s for about 3 years now on my 4R Limited with 20" wheels. They have no signs of cracking.

I started to see slight cracking on my older KOs some years ago... Perhaps the KO2s addressed this...? I'm 2 years and 35k miles in on my KO2's & they are crack-free.

 

[mcgaskins]

The Discount by my office has a set of the 35" KO2s so I'm getting one tree mounted now to see if it rubs the KDSS. If it doesn't, I'll get the set.

View attachment 1417121

So height wise they fit perfect. The problem is the width - at full lock doing u turns in the lot it runs pretty good on the KDSS I was pretty bummed because I think it's about the perfect tire otherwise, but I don't want rubbing. In CO and UT where I wheel there are a lot of tight turns, so I don't want to increase my turning radius by not being able to crank it fully. Looks like I need to decide among the 285/75/17 options.

 

[Markuson]

So height wise they fit perfect. The problem is the width - at full lock doing u turns in the lot it runs pretty good on the KDSS I was pretty bummed because I think it's about the perfect tire otherwise, but I don't want rubbing. In CO and UT where I wheel there are a lot of tight turns, so I don't want to increase my turning radius by not being able to crank it fully. Looks like I need to decide among the 285/75/17 options.

View attachment 1417149

You're in Denver, right? Head over to Slee in Golden and have them put their KDSS relocation bracket on...some bump-stops...and you'll be rockin' those 35s!

 

[mcgaskins]

You're in Denver, right? Head over to Slee in Golden and have them put their KDSS relocation bracket on...some bump-stops...and you'll be rockin' those 35s!

I already did that Only way at this point to keep them from rubbing is to change the offset of the wheel/new wheels, add spacers or reduce steering limits by adding stops. None of those is appealing to me because I don't want to change the turning radius.