AT tire choices

[92LXAZ]

Falken WP here. Nothing but good things. Amazing for daily, thousands of highway miles, and tooling around the San Juans. No offense but why are LC/LX guys always concerned about the weight of a tire when driving a 6000 lb mammoth? I know we didn't buy these for the stellar gas mileage, so that's not it. I even went meatier with a 305/55 because I love the look. For an underpowered 80 maybe, but for the 5.7? Never even looked at the weight when shopping for mine.

 

[tacoduck]

Do experience any rubbing or did you have to trim anything to fit that size?

nope. zero. also, no real loss of mileage.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

I have wildpeaks in a P Metric 275/60/20 and love them. Great off road, great on road. Light, comfortable, capable.

 

[Madtiger]

Falken WP here. Nothing but good things. Amazing for daily, thousands of highway miles, and tooling around the San Juans. No offense but why are LC/LX guys always concerned about the weight of a tire when driving a 6000 lb mammoth? I know we didn't buy these for the stellar gas mileage, so that's not it. I even went meatier with a 305/55 because I love the look. For an underpowered 80 maybe, but for the 5.7? Never even looked at the weight when shopping for mine.

Heavy tires are the worst kind...esp when they are big! It affects basically everything from the time you shift into drive. (Much) worst braking, handling, acceleration, ride/comfort, towing, and gas mileage.

IF you could get a good tough tire that weighs less than a heavy tire, then that is a PLUS in every category.

See this thread regarding braking distance: Big tires/rims and braking distance

 

[TeCKis300]

Heavy tires are the worst kind...esp when they are big! It affects basically everything from the time you shift into drive. (Much) worst braking, handling, acceleration, ride/comfort, towing, and gas mileage.

IF you could get a good tough tire that weighs less than a heavy tire, then that is a PLUS in every category.

See this thread regarding braking distance: Big tires/rims and braking distance

Why do you continue to disparage a tire that you have zero experience with?

Why did you buy a big 6000lb cruiser? Why did you upgrade to a heavier tire than stock if it invites those trades? Weight must offer something.

I'll say for myself, and perhaps others, it's because we're looking for more capability. To your point, it can be a trade. Many upgrades add weight, but this may be the most worthwhile weight added because of what it enables with more capability and performance. Sure, Falkens are typically a bit more heavy than equivalent sizes from other brands. What I have found, as an owner of said tires, and others, is that the Falkens deliver. They deliver on more fronts. They are a more aggressive tire. Much more tread depth (rubber is heavy), better compound suited to a wider breadth of conditions. While having some of the best NVH qualities of AT tires.

I've shown many links of substantiation. If you go on any other off-road forum, you'll find many other owners of said Falkens today that are equally impressed after ownership of the Falkens as these have garnered a solid following. Including myself, and I'm a critical and discerning consumer. From a much unknown quality only a few years back, the tire has proven itself, not by name or brand recognition, but by delivering real world performance.

More weight, yes. But better performance,, more than much of its competitive set. That is worth the upgrade.

 

[Madtiger]

Why do you continue to disparage a tire that you have zero experience with?

Why did you buy a big 6000lb cruiser? Why did you upgrade to a heavier tire than stock if it invites those trades? Weight must offer something.

I'll say for myself, and perhaps others, it's because we're looking for more capability. To your point, it can be a trade. Many upgrades add weight, but this may be the most worthwhile weight added because of what it enables with more capability and performance. Sure, Falkens are typically a bit more heavy than equivalent sizes from other brands. What I have found, as an owner of said tires, and others, is that the Falkens deliver. They deliver on more fronts. They are a more aggressive tire. Much more tread depth (rubber is heavy), better compound suited to a wider breadth of conditions. While having some of the best NVH qualities of AT tires.

I've shown many links of substantiation. If you go on any other off-road forum, you'll find many other owners of said Falkens today that are equally impressed after ownership of the Falkens as these have garnered a solid following. Including myself, and I'm a critical and discerning consumer. From a much unknown quality only a few years back, the tire has proven itself, not by name or brand recognition, but by delivering real world performance.

More weight, yes. But better performance,, more than much of its competitive set. That is worth the upgrade.

Huh? My post is in general...not at any tire. WTF dude?

Note that i did get a heavier tire (than stock) but the DIAMETER of said tire is same as stock...which minimizes performance hit. And also note that my heavier tire was chosen for its HD construction that i need when i am away from paved roads.

Sure upgrades add weight...but adding UNSPRUNG weight to the very perimeter of a wheel is perhaps one of the worst of the bunch, no? I get a taller tire will add clearance (and angles) under axle, which is great but it is not without issue with gearing and on/off-road performance in terms of braking/acceleration.

Since you brought up Falkens, Falkens does indeed use cheap steel plies (vs. high-tensile steel used by basically everyone else), thus contributing to its heavy weight. Tread depth is great but Falken's tread wear is on par with everyone else...so, is the rubber they are using not up to par with the more expensive competitors? I am fine with Falkens...they are cheap to buy because of the way they are made...and thus popular on forums. But let's not pretend that it is the second coming of anything.

What i have noticed from surfing different forums...Falkens make a great first choice...but then those very same owners don't stay with them after they wear out. Maybe i am wrong but that is what i see a lot. Not the same loyalty that you see for Michelin, BFG, and Yokohama...which is odd because these tires are more $$$ than Falkens.

Your "research" links in past are commerical advertisements. And Joe Bacal? That guy talks from his wallet. Look at how his opinions all of a sudden changed from his previous employment. I look for comparisons by legit sources, such as off-road mags, TireRack, etc..

 

[TeCKis300]

What i have noticed from surfing different forums...Falkens make a great first choice...but then those very same owners don't stay with them after they wear out. Maybe i am wrong but that is what i see a lot. Not the same loyalty that you see for Michelin, BFG, and Yokohama...which is odd because these tires are more $$$ than Falkens.

Like how you are wanting to go back to Defenders

 

[Madtiger]

Like how you are wanting to go back to Defenders

maybe......... if I become more mall crawler and less adventurous......

 

[littlegreenmonster]

What size is your BFG KO2?

275/70/18

 

[Madtiger]

275/70/18

Well, your fuel economy is due to your increased size and tire weight. No way around this.

I am probably 1 mpg better than you but that is because i stayed at stock height (285/60/18) KO2.

 

[littlegreenmonster]

Well, your fuel economy is due to your increased size and tire weight. No way around this.

I am probably 1 mpg better than you but that is because i stayed at stock height (285/60/18) KO2.

I certainly know it is a factor, however I think the weight has a lot more to do with it. I switched from Bridgestone ATs to K02 on my 2014 Silverado and they crushed the fuel economy on it too. I didn't change size, only type of tire. I thought it was due to the 5.3 engine with variable cylinder management and didn't expect near the impact on my LC200, but was wrong. I assumed that with the additional power and huge amount of rotating mass due to the full time 4wd, it would affect as much as a percentage, but it was almost identical. That's why I firmly believe it is how heavy these tires are. Unless I start doing a lot more towing, I wont get K02's next time.

 

[Madtiger]

I certainly know it is a factor, however I think the weight has a lot more to do with it. I switched from Bridgestone ATs to K02 on my 2014 Silverado and they crushed the fuel economy on it too. I didn't change size, only type of tire. I thought it was due to the 5.3 engine with variable cylinder management and didn't expect near the impact on my LC200, but was wrong. I assumed that with the additional power and huge amount of rotating mass due to the full time 4wd, it would affect as much as a percentage, but it was almost identical. That's why I firmly believe it is how heavy these tires are. Unless I start doing a lot more towing, I wont get K02's next time.

I think that my stock size KO2 is only 2-3 lbs less than yours...yet my fuel economy is at most 1mpg down from stock tires. According to a link i posted above, the DIAMETER change of the tire affects things more than the actual weight difference.

 

[TeCKis300]

Offering perhaps deeper understanding. Weight of a tire does not affect MPG in the simplistic way that it's being presented here. Yes, it does, but as a far lesser secondary factor.

For tires of the same size...

Rolling resistance is the primary factor. That is a largely independent quality vs. weight.

Tires have to be designed from the outset for low rolling resistance. Rolling resistance is not affected by weight as much as it's being assumed here. It's within the fundamental architecture of the tire, which can be prioritized against other qualities. A tradeoff made for other aspects - tread pattern, tractive, and durability qualities etc. - some qualities of a good AT tire may be directly diametric to the qualities that make for a good low rolling resistance tire.

Some tire manufacturers will present the breakdown of qualities (with perhaps marketing tweaks), to help consumers understand what the tire model excels at or is biased for. There are AT tires that do better in regard to rolling resistance, i.e. fuel efficiency. But may give up qualities elsewhere to do so. It's really not much of a weight thing.

 

[littlegreenmonster]

Offering perhaps deeper understanding. Weight of a tire does not affect MPG in the simplistic way that it's being presented here. Yes, it does, but as a far lesser secondary factor.

For tires of the same size...

Rolling resistance is the primary factor. That is a largely independent quality vs. weight.

Tires have to be designed from the outset for low rolling resistance. Rolling resistance is not affected by weight as much as it's being assumed here. It's within the fundamental architecture of the tire, which can be prioritized against other qualities. A tradeoff made for other aspects - tread pattern, tractive, and durability qualities etc. - some qualities of a good AT tire may be directly diametric to the qualities that make for a good low rolling resistance tire.

Some tire manufacturers will present the breakdown of qualities (with perhaps marketing tweaks), to help consumers understand what the tire model excels at or is biased for. There are AT tires that do better in regard to rolling resistance, i.e. fuel efficiency. But may give up qualities elsewhere to do so. It's really not much of a weight thing.

View attachment 2450180

Either way, whether rolling resistance, diameter, width, or weight, I don't think the KO2's perform offroad good enough to justify the fuel economy decrease. They don't do well at all in the mud and just ~OK~ at everything else. They really don't perform any better than the bridgestone AT's I had and nowhere near what the Duratracs will do. Next time I will try something else.

 

[Itsky]

I get good mpg with my BFg at ko2s

 

[cutiger1972]

Update... got my new tires this week. I went with the Toyo Open Country 3 in 285/55 20 in a 114T load index. I have a couple questions and have attach photos for reference.
1. The tire installer set tire pressure to the OEM 38 psi. Is this too low for this tire size? I checked the tire and wheel database but no one has this set up listed.
2. I had my mechanic do an alignment. He stated that he could not adjust the caster due to adjustment being seized. Does this sound accurate?
Thaks for the help!

 

[gaijin]

Update... got my new tires this week. I went with the Toyo Open Country 3 in 285/55 20 in a 114T load index. I have a couple questions and have attach photos for reference.
1. The tire installer set tire pressure to the OEM 38 psi. Is this too low for this tire size? I checked the tire and wheel database but no one has this set up listed.
2. I had my mechanic do an alignment. He stated that he could not adjust the caster due to adjustment being seized. Does this sound accurate?
Thaks for the help!

View attachment 2522410View attachment 2522407

I'll help with what I can:

The Recommended Cold Tire Inflation Pressure (RCTIP) for P285/55R20 114T SL tires on an LX570 is 31psi Front/Rear.

BTW, OEM pressure is 33psi, not 38psi; and yes, 38psi is too high.

HTH

 

[burtlively]

Hercules Terra Trac T/G Max

 

[cutiger1972]

I'll help with what I can:

The Recommended Cold Tire Inflation Pressure (RCTIP) for P285/55R20 114T SL tires on an LX570 is 31psi Front/Rear.

BTW, OEM pressure is 33psi, not 38psi; and yes, 38psi is too high.

HTH

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I misspoke on the OEM 33 PSI.

 

[SWUtah]

Falken WP here. Nothing but good things. Amazing for daily, thousands of highway miles, and tooling around the San Juans. No offense but why are LC/LX guys always concerned about the weight of a tire when driving a 6000 lb mammoth? I know we didn't buy these for the stellar gas mileage, so that's not it. I even went meatier with a 305/55 because I love the look. For an underpowered 80 maybe, but for the 5.7? Never even looked at the weight when shopping for mine.

Got to agree about the weight my truck weighs 6000 pounds we all carry crap in our trucks that we don’t even need most of the time. You guys are worried about gas mileage and how much a tire weighs give me a “break” I love the look feel and durability and longevity of my BFG’s. The 10 mpg on premium I get around town is