Just replaced my 285/75/R16's...... I had the previous set for 7.5 years and 98K miles. Although pricey I thinking their worth it....
BFG AT's last a long time
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Clearly.
Long lasting rubber means harder rubber. This generally means markedly less traction which only comes to light on a heavy 4WD in an emergency maneuver, or on ice, snow or in the wet - just when you really need the margin of traction a softer tire will provide. While I applaud long durability in a tire, I personally prefer to use grippier tires and replace them more often. The price of safety, I guess.
DougM
DougM
Everyone seems to agree on the longevity of the BFG A/T and it seems they also agree on the loss (or lack of) grip in the slippery stuff after time.
I guess the alternative to Doug's theory is just stay with the BFG A/T but replace it sooner than it appears to need it. If you really like the tire otherwise, why not.
Better still, sell your old 'worn' set for some small amount of cash to offset the new purchase!
Better still, sell your old 'worn' set for some small amount of cash to offset the new purchase!
Note the newer BFG A/T's use a multi compounded tread to help minimize the traction decrease as they wear/age. The old ones definitely would get sketchy as they wore.
You idea of trading them early is a good one. I did this with my last set, they had 1/2 the tread left and the dealer was willing to give me a $75 per tire credit. I walked out the door, taxes, mounted, balanced, everything for $500 for 4 new 265/75/16 BFG A/T.
BTW, Tire Rack has an excellent article and video on the change in effective stopping distances in the wet between new tires, tires with 4/32" of tread, and those having 2/32" of tread left. I have always been careful about running tires that are close to the indicators in the wet, but after seeing that article, I will not run tires past 4/32" going in the rainy season.
http://www.tirerack.com/videos/index.jsp?video=5
http://www.tirerack.com/videos/index.jsp?video=4
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=51¤tpage=138
IMHO the BFG A/Ts use harder rubber and are just less grippy overall (even when new) vs. tires like the Revo A/Ts. They certainly do not perform as well as the Revos in the wet. A friend of mine bought a set of BFG A/Ts for his 80 around the same time I bought my Revos, and the difference is noticeable.
Everyone seems to agree on the longevity of the BFG A/T and it seems they also agree on the loss (or lack of) grip in the slippery stuff after time.
I guess the alternative to Doug's theory is just stay with the BFG A/T but replace it sooner than it appears to need it. If you really like the tire otherwise, why not.
Better still, sell your old 'worn' set for some small amount of cash to offset the new purchase!
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Longevity is the last thing I look for in a tire.
So what's the best AT in Rain & Snow?
I like my BFG AT KOs well enough, but they're definitely lacking in handling and stopping on wet pavement and in snow.
For those who have run BFG ATs:
Who has run found other ATs that work better in rain and snow, but don't give up too much in dirt/rock traction and durability?
Revos?
Toyos?
Nittos?
I like my BFG AT KOs well enough, but they're definitely lacking in handling and stopping on wet pavement and in snow.
For those who have run BFG ATs:
Who has run found other ATs that work better in rain and snow, but don't give up too much in dirt/rock traction and durability?
Revos?
Toyos?
Nittos?
Cary, did you use a national tire dealer and, if so, which one? I'm also guessing you originally purchased the 'used' tires from the same dealer, correct?
Interesting (albeit scary) links from the Tire Rack testing. I have better than 6/32" on my BFG A/T tires, but I may start shopping for a trade-in deal before winter hits. Maybe the Truxxus or Revos or just another set of BFG A/T . . . .
I think it's worth repeating Alaska's comment as it was my point as well. To get long wear, the mfr makes the rubber harder which means they are less grippy the day you buy them than other tires built to provide more traction with normal rubber. You can go to a large tire shop and use your thumbnail to test a high load LT tire's harder rubber and next to it the same exact tire in a P metric and you'll notice the difference. At the extreme would be the rubber used in a commercial truck tire - surprisingly hard stuff - and it's not uncommon for a tire like this to see 200,000 miles of service.
DougM
DougM
If you are looking for better rain performance, no brainer, go to the Revo's. Better snow, questionably the Revo's, or (as much I hate Goodyears), their new A/T tire that has the severe snow rating.
This was through America's tire company, and yes, I have dealt with them for years. I would not recommend the Truxxus as a good road/rain/snow tire. Even if they do well in deep snow, their performance vs an AT will be compromised in wet and dry.
IMO- I can't imagine a tire much better than the Toyo's on my rig...yes, they're relatively expensive & heavy, but ride great on pavement, off-road exceptionally and I've had zero balancing issues.
285/75/16 Open Country AT's
"Slicker than owl s*** on a wet log." ...that's almost as slick as greased whale s*** on an iceberg
BINGO! I just put 315s Toyo open country ATs. One tire has no weights on it
Talk about smooth and quiet, this is the AT for highway at this size. It will be interesting to see the snow performance but these tires are head and shoulders above the BFG ATs I had prior.
Rode in Rick's truck over the weekend. The toyo open country are sweet. Very smooth ride, more like a passenger tire than a LT tire in ride. Still noted hydroplanning in deep puddles during the ride but still better than my BFG's.
I may dump my BFG for the toyo's if the snow/slush performance is good.
I may dump my BFG for the toyo's if the snow/slush performance is good.
Why am I the only one here unhappy (=understatement) with the Revos on wet pavement? "hydroplaning in not too deep puddles" is worse than with BFG ATs, and on a heavier truck. Not impressed. Oh, and my Revos seem to be a nail magnet. Rant off!
