Anyone want to tell me what tire to get?

[Thunderbird]

I know, I know, tons of threads and and amazing spreadsheet and I just can't decide, it's overwhelming me! Plus, we just took in three foster kids and my brain can't handle such a major decision

I have a stock 16, no lift or wheel upgrade. Like most on here, I do mostly streets but would say 15% on red mud or gravel roads. I live atop the steepest driveway known to man and we do get some ice and snow a few times a year.

I like the KO2's but feel they are a bit much for my needs but I'm not opposed to them. Would like a hair bigger than stock to help fill the wheel well so give me your size recommendations (no rub) if so inclined.

 

[Sandroad]

Give your tired brain cells some rest and order some Michelin Defender LTX. They will fit your need well. If you have a cell or 2 left, decide between the stock size in standard load 285/60-18 or the heavier duty and hair larger light truck LT285/65-18. No regrets decision for your needs, IMHO.

 

[Yossarian]

I like the KO2's but feel they are a bit much for my needs but I'm not opposed to them.

I'll bite. I think the Nitto Terra Grappler is a good all around tire for an AT. The more moderate AT's don't seem to get much love on mud lately, especially here. But all the extra mass of the more aggressive tires really impacts performance on a DD. I found the TG's to balance well, ride quiet and comfortable, and deliver good MPG for our pig of a truck. Cons, I found them so so on the snow, but others may have a different opinion.

Despite your desire for a slightly bigger tire, it can be had in the OEM size for the 18" rim. Nitto offers it in an XL for extra load, but they don't define what that is.

HTH.

 

[JtFSU]

I’d second the Terra Grappler. The one time we got snow last year, I felt it didn’t leave me wishing for anything else, but snow driving in atlanta isn’t a fair assessment. They are pretty quiet and if you get the G2, will last ridicoulously long.

That being said, I’m two days in with Michelin AT2’s. Seem very quiet. Not as aggressive as say the Nitto, BFG, or Falken. Handled rain yesterday like you would expect a Michelin to. A good buddy in Indy had them on his F150 and said they were awesome for him in the winters.

My $0.02
Good luck!
PS- Prayers for your family with the foster kids. That’s an awesome thing. We just got licensed, but haven’t had a placement yet.

 

[Thunderbird]

Thanks for the insight.

Good luck on the placement, it's a tad insane but it's been a great experience for us all.

 

[OrangeTJ]

I have had BFG KO2s on my 15 LC for the past 25K miles and am very pleased with them. My LC is unmodified and I am using LT275/70 18s on the stock wheels. They are about an inch taller than stock. No rubbing under any conditions and I think they look great. They certainly perform very, very well both on road and off. I lost about 1.5 mpg switching to them from the stock marshmallow Dunlops. Fair trade in my opinion.

 

[TeCKis300]

A comment on the NTG. I've had them prior on my 100-series. I did enjoy the tire. Great road manners, minimal noise, and a capable AT tire. Solid tire wear as well.

As you mentioned snow and ice, this was my only let down with the NTGs. The compound they use tends to be hard wearing and not suited for cold temps. No AT tire is a true winter tire. But some indeed are better than others. NTGs aren't in that good pool for this use.

You'll want to look for a tire that has the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol - https://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=125&affiliate=TZ4

 

[Str8Laced]

I would recommend the Nokian Rotiiva AT, an All-Terrain tire that also has the 3PMSF severe snow rating. It's not an LT tire and is extremely quiet. See my pics here.
Winter tires and driving

 

[Dan Higgins]

Ha ha! I had to chuckle when I read the title of this thread. Lots of opinions and preferences with tires. Lots of good choices. Therefore very difficult for someone to say what is best for you. But they can help you eliminate choices. And thought I drive the KO2s in an E-rating, it is primarily because when going offroad on rougher, rockier trails I needed the stronger sidewall and when towing our travel trailer the stiffer sidewall also feels more supportive. In terms of thread, you don't need an AT tire for gravel or snow. A good D-rated snow tire will do fine. And if you do go off road on trails with lots of sharp rocks be careful how you drive and protect you sidewall. Of course there are still plenty of choices (and thus not an easy, single answer) for a great "less-AT" tire that is 3-peak rated.

And thanks to you and everyone who has opened your home to foster children. Very awesome.

 

[teedubatl]

I recently went through the same process for my 2013 LX570. I looked at all the usual suspects and chose the Yokohama GeoLandar A/T The look is aggressive, but not over the top, which is what I was going for. Ride is excellent on pavement/ I had a chance to go off road last weekend in some very wet and muddy conditions and the performance was excellent. Also 3 peak rated.. GeoLandar G015 LT285/55 R20

 

[Thunderbird]

I'm leaning towards the geolanders, they seem like they will fit the bill. I've had 10 pairs of BFG AT's in my life and loved them but I know they are overkill and are rock hard when the temps drop.

 

[teedubatl]

I recognize that you have a different vehicle and wheel size, but here's how the Geolandars look on mine with 20" oem wheels. My next vehicle will likely be a newer LC with 18" wheels and I would likely choose the same tire again, fwiw.View media item 78224View media item 78223View media item 78213

 

[mooneywa]

I had STOCK size BFG KO2s on my '15. I bought them in a bit of a rush as we were headed to Wyoming for 2 weeks and it was supposed to be snow-mageddon. They performed fantastically. When I got back to Texas I was doing lots of Houston to West Texas drives on highways and minimal snow or dirt I found them to be a little overkill. The MPG hit, the additional tire noise, and the somewhat harsher ride, while individually small, combined were enough to outweigh the fantastic looks and unused performance of them. I was pretty happy to be back into highway tires on my '17. That being said, I know the Dunlops aren't great and I'll be looking for something new eventually. I was probably locked in on the Michelin LTX AT2, but those Yokohama's look like they may be a nice compromise between KO2s and a regular street tire.

@Thunderbird - some of my consideration, even though I live in Texas, was not having to monkey around with chain laws. Anecdotally I've heard they're quite serious about them on I-70 in CO. I knew the KO2s would fit the bill and that's probably why I went with them, but more research probably would have shown me that I could get by without chains with a less aggressive more highway-friendly tire. The three peak/snowflake rating I think is a good place to start, but again, it all depends on where you drive. I lived in OKC during the Christmas Eve storm in '09 and used my 4Runner on Bridgestone Duellers to help pull people out of ditches - I know KO2s would have made the task easier, but smart driving and a good plan worked just fine too.

 

[razzyrazz]

Love the Falken Wildpeak and now have the Rubitrek which are almost identical. Had Terra Grappler G2 in the past as well, but weren't as good in the rain and snow. BFG seem overpriced imo.