Battle of the LT A/T (1 Viewer)

[Madtiger]

I find tire discussions fairly useless. Five other people are just as likely to tell you the BFG KO is the worst tire they've ever owned. What are you to take away?

Don’t forget that people give their bias reviews by comparing their old worn noisy tires with their brand spanking new tires! This is why CONSUMER reviews on TireRack or Discount Tire website are fairly useless or at least read them with a big grain of salt.

As for me, I have had great experience with KO2s………except for fuel economy as they age. They ride well for Load Range D. They remain quiet at about 38k miles:

Interior Noise & KO2

I had a bright idea (for me, it is!) this morning while driving to work. Measuring device: Apple Watch Series 4, which has an accurate mic (per internet sources). Model: 2019 LC Tires: stock sized BFG KO2 (285/60/18 Load Range D) at 46 psi cold. Mileage of tires: approx 22,800 miles (changed...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[tacoduck]

I run ko2’s and love em. Like it or not, the heritage of those tires is legendary at this point. Imo it’s a good blend of aggressive looks with acceptable on road performance.

The Michelin defender is a great tire that is often ignored. It would be perfect for your application. Wife has the Michelin AT on our expo and I really like it as well. Did great in the snow the times we used it.

 

[bloc]

What about number of plies?View attachment 2913661

Not to beat a dead horse but one bit I forgot to mention from your attached image.. note that it says ply “rating.” Roughly meaning X load range will carry the same weight to the rated speed as Y cotton plies. How the manufacturer goes about doing that is up to them, but these days it usually doesn’t mean 66% more structure inside the tire.

Ok I think I’m done with plies.

I find tire discussions fairly useless. Five other people are just as likely to tell you the BFG KO is the worst tire they've ever owned. What are you to take away?

Exactly.

 

[borfoo3]

I use the 4Runner as my main offroad/ overland vehicle. I do the same trips through the GCC (Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE) almost every year, through tarmac, sand, and occasional rocky terrain.

Started with KO2s for the first few years, no issues except for the occasional nail in tire. Switched to Cooper AT3 (P-tire) on Nov 2017. Blew 2 tires on the Oman trip in Nov 2018 going through a rocky section. Now back to KO2s since then. Zero issues. They do suck in rain though, very slippery.

 

[AnyMal]

I use the 4Runner as my main offroad/ overland vehicle. I do the same trips through the GCC (Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE) almost every year, through tarmac, sand, and occasional rocky terrain.

Started with KO2s for the first few years, no issues except for the occasional nail in tire. Switched to Cooper AT3 (P-tire) on Nov 2017. Blew 2 tires on the Oman trip in Nov 2018 going through a rocky section. Now back to KO2s since then. Zero issues. They do suck in rain though, very slippery.

P is for pavement. LOL

 

[borfoo3]

P is for pavement. LOL

Very true lol.

Thought a 3-ply tire and 2 ply sidewall would be enough.. learned I was definitely wrong.

 

[AnyMal]

I run ko2’s and love em. Like it or not, the heritage of those tires is legendary at this point. Imo it’s a good blend of aggressive looks with acceptable on road performance.

The Michelin defender is a great tire that is often ignored. It would be perfect for your application. Wife has the Michelin AT on our expo and I really like it as well. Did great in the snow the times we used it.

INTEGRATED SHOULDER LUGS! I just can never unsee it.
I will drive my toyos bald waiting for an update from BFG or something like it.

 

[AnyMal]

Very true lol.

Thought a 3-ply tire and 2 ply sidewall would be enough.. learned I was definitely wrong.

Going from a 2 ply to 3 ply sidewall is 50% more sidewall. I'll take that for 5-10 additional pounds of weight and a lot more stability not to mention peace of mind.

 

[DadWagon]

Shame the new Tundras switched to 6 lug, some of their new SR5 18s would make an attractive swap and there are tons of take offs flooding facebook.

 

[Angelo1]

Anyone running these Dueler A/T Revo 3? Looks like a good road tire for hwy traveling and the occasional fire roads.

 

[Madtiger]

Anyone running these Dueler A/T Revo 3? Looks like a good road tire for hwy traveling and the occasional fire roads.

I have heard/read that they are noisy on the highway…more AT-ish type noise rather than Michelin Defender quiet. My issue with AT REVO 3 is that it is noisier than regular highway tires but really not that much better than Defender in off-roading. Same criticism for something like Continental AT tire. You’re buying more noise on highway without really a distinct increase in off-road capability over a Defender.

I “think” that the Yokohama G015 is pretty good balance b/w Defender and KO2. Yokohama is a high quality company IMHO (on par with Michelin). Their previous Yokohama AT (generation before G015) did have pretty good sidewall strength…so, i ASS-U-ME that the G015 will have the same.

Personal bias: i do not buy tires from small companies (Nitto, Cooper, Falken, Toyo, etc.). Tires are important because it could literally mean life & death for my family. I stick to big companies with strong reputation. For example, Falken uses cheap steel plies instead of high-tensile to keep prices really low. Toyo AT3 was rushed to market in 2 years...and non-fanboy review of it (see TireRack) reflects the rush to market. I have read enough of Nitto issues to stay away from them. But i am sure that there are millions of happy Nitto, Falken, Toyo fans.

 

[Angelo1]

I have heard/read that they are noisy on the highway…more AT-ish type noise rather than Michelin Defender quiet. My issue with AT REVO 3 is that it is noisier than regular highway tires but really not that much better than Defender in off-roading. Same criticism for something like Continental AT tire. You’re buying more noise on highway without really a distinct increase in off-road capability over a Defender.

Just wish it didn’t look like a semi tire.

 

[Madtiger]

Just wish it didn’t look like a semi tire.

I agree 100% there. Defender appearance is just too minivan-ish for me. But then again, i am driving a Highlander…so, if the shoes fit….

 

[Madtiger]

I “think” that the Yokohama G015 is pretty good balance b/w Defender and KO2. Yokohama is a high quality company IMHO (on par with Michelin). Their previous Yokohama AT (generation before G015) did have pretty good sidewall strength…so, i ASS-U-ME that the G015 will have the same.

Here is an old AT comparison: https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=449956&d=1497265431

I am also a big fan of Goodyear Wrangler AT with Kevlar but they don’t come in stock size for LC. But yeah, you can see where Yoko AT-S (father of G015) did pretty well on sidewall strength. (I am a proponent of sidewall strength if you take LC off-road.)

And why i keep mentioning Defender as gold standard for highway tire that can be taken off the beaten path for LC? Here is a good review to tell you why:

Review: New Michelin Defender LTX M/S Tires

We take the new Michelin Defender LTX M/S off-road in Vermont and put the popular light truck tire to the test, now tagged with the company's Defender name.

tractionlife.com

 

[AnyMal]

I have heard/read that they are noisy on the highway…more AT-ish type noise rather than Michelin Defender quiet. My issue with AT REVO 3 is that it is noisier than regular highway tires but really not that much better than Defender in off-roading. Same criticism for something like Continental AT tire. You’re buying more noise on highway without really a distinct increase in off-road capability over a Defender.

I “think” that the Yokohama G015 is pretty good balance b/w Defender and KO2. Yokohama is a high quality company IMHO (on par with Michelin). Their previous Yokohama AT (generation before G015) did have pretty good sidewall strength…so, i ASS-U-ME that the G015 will have the same.

Personal bias: i do not buy tires from small companies (Nitto, Cooper, Falken, Toyo, etc.). Tires are important because it could literally mean life & death for my family. I stick to big companies with strong reputation. For example, Falken uses cheap steel plies instead of high-tensile to keep prices really low. Toyo AT3 was rushed to market in 2 years...and non-fanboy review of it (see TireRack) reflects the rush to market. I have read enough of Nitto issues to stay away from them. But i am sure that there are millions of happy Nitto, Falken, Toyo fans.

I agree but Toyo/Nitto is not small anymore. Nitto specially has some pretty forward thinking designs and offerings albeit they are street cred oriented.

I would have gone yoko x-at if they didnt weigh a gazillion pounds myself.

And if KO2 didn’t have piss poor wet traction in so many reviews I wouldnt even have thought twice despite wanting a japanese tire from the get.

 

[Supra Turbo]

And if KO2 didn’t have piss poor wet traction in so many reviews I wouldnt even have thought twice despite wanting a japanese tire from the get.

Is there a good AT tire for wet conditions? Seems like all of these are rated sub-par.

 

[AnyMal]

Is there a good AT tire for wet conditions? Seems like all of these are rated sub-par.

I mean, i wanna say the Toyo A/T 3 but i would be fanboying. As far as a proper AT that tire category is so bloated it needs its own tier system. Some are so mildly built i don’t know if i would even consider them.
Nothing will grip like a P rated tire though, and in that case theres multiple offerings for mild ATs. Yoko G015 would be a pick but from research only, no personal experience. Although ill be putting some on my sisters GX shortly.
The LTs will all slip more even though they all mostly have 3 peaks on them.

 

[lx200inAR]

Fuel for the fire.

this is what the 2022 Dakar Rally championship LC200 runs.

Wheel/tire: Enkei Forged PDM1 - 17x7.5, LT285/70R17 Toyo Open Country M/T-R

 

[bloc]

Fuel for the fire.

this is what the 2022 Dakar Rally championship LC200 runs.

Wheel/tire: Enkei Forged PDM1 - 17x7.5, LT285/70R17 Toyo Open Country M/T-R

I haven't figured out what the M/T-R is specifically.. only the M/T is available in the states. Could be 100% marketing. To my knowledge they used off the shelf KM3s when they were working with BFG for their tires.

 

[Tex68w]

I've gotta admit that I am surprised by these results yet delighted at the same time. I guess those on the forum who are against the KO2's are just extremely vocal because I expected the Falken's to have a much bigger representation. KO2's FTW!!!