Could I get some opinions on these tires?

[TeeDiggs]

I originally wanted a mud terrain (the BFG KM2s) since the cruiser badly needs new tires but money is pretty tight right now so I am either a.) Looking to just get some decent A/Ts which are generally less expensive or b.) Looking into a bit cheaper MT without getting something that I may regret.

I am moving to Colorado so part of me questions the snow-handling of a MT in the first place?

I have heard of Kelly, but not Hercules. Opinions on these tires? Can't beat the price for a mount and balance on 4, but I am also not one to normally get a "little known brand" either.

KellyMUD265x75R16 (Kelly)

HerculesMTLT265x75R16 (Hercules)

Thanks all,

 

[maybe_a_80...]

MT tires and ice don't mix too well.

That Kelly is a Safari TSR. Actually looks like it could be decent, there is siping in the tread pattern, looks somewhat like a General Grabber or BFG AT somewhat, or at least up the same design concept.

the Hercules will work less well on ice than the Kelly.

I don't know much about who makes either brand...

good luck!

Brian

 

[kbahus]

I think Wal Mart sells a cheaper/similar version of the Good Year Duratrac you might want to look into, or just get the Duratrac

edit: Here it is, Goodyear Wrangler Authority

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Wrangler-Authority/11983160

 

[6894kevin]

Treadwright??

 

[arndog123]

x2 on Duratracs.

 

[drom68]

Kelly-Springfield tires have been around for a very long time (1890's), the parent company is Goodyear.

They make good field service and truck tires. Don't know much about their efforts into the mud tire deal though and not sure how well they stand up to abuse.

 

[DBWood]

My brother has Hercules on...
A 1 ton chevy crew cab 4x4,
2 1/2 ton chevy Suburbans,
2 1/2 ton Chevy trucks.

He swears by them. All 5 vehicles are either high mileage family haulers (1 Sub) or heavily abused, (and high mileage) work trucks.

The only reason I went with the new Silent Armors (I really like) is because I got a pretty sweet deal. And, I wanted the look.....
Hopefully the Silent Armors turn out to be REALLY good, or else he will be saying I told you so!

 

[kbahus]

If your budget is $800, go to a local tire shop and see what they can do for you on a set of Duratracs installed. Some shops will help you out on the pricing if you ask. If you only need 4 new tires I don't see why you couldn't get 4 installed for $800 if you shop around.

 

[Wagnerwerks]

fyi

Cooper, Dunlop, and goodyear all have rebates on for tires right now and Treadepot.com has free shipping on coopers.

 

[wspastorbryan]

Check this out. I run Nittos, but it's a good deal.

PCT Blems @ NTW

 

[packetstormin]

Hercules trail diggers are the way to go. I love them and they do extremely well on road. A little noisy but overall they hold up well.

 

[Josh N]

I think Wal Mart sells a cheaper/similar version of the Good Year Duratrac you might want to look into, or just get the Duratrac

edit: Here it is, Goodyear Wrangler Authority

Walmart.com: Goodyear Wrangler Authority Tire LT265/75R16: Tires Result Shelf

I just started running these not long ago. No real difference in the ride quality from the A/T s that were on my truck when I got her. Slight in crease in noise but 1mpg increase at the pump since I got em put on. Haven't had em in snow yet. That's probably about a month away or more for the mid-Atlantic. They do great in the dirt. Walmart had em on sale for $130 each this week locally.

 

[lt1fire]

Kelly truck tractor trailer tires are just about the best money can buy.

I've seen some of their mud tires and they also seem well made with a good lug pattern.

 

[Corbet]

I don't know of anyone that has ever run those tires out by me. But neither look like great wider tires. MT's just are not generally. The GoodYear Duratrac is excellent in CO snow. An AT will be better than a MT. Nitto Terra Grapplers? 265's should not be too expensive.

 

[Flank]

If your budget is $800, go to a local tire shop and see what they can do for you on a set of Duratracs installed. Some shops will help you out on the pricing if you ask. If you only need 4 new tires I don't see why you couldn't get 4 installed for $800 if you shop around.

x2 on this. Amazing what you can get when you ask and appeal to the shop manager. Mention that you belong to a land cruiser club and that you'll be reporting back on the performance of the tires to your buddies and watch the price shrink. They rightfully will be enticed at the prospect of repeat or referral business.Also, shop the mail order prices, and bring the add or a print out to the shop and ask them to match price. Don't demand, but ask... Shops obviously incur higher costs than mail order, but I got $12 each off my KM2s when I did this.


When I ordered up some KM2s in a less common size (255/85s) I had the entire shop of Discount tire huddling around my truck asking about it and if I wheeled it. The Aussie manager of the shop kept pining about how he wanted to look for an 80... Gave me a few freebees and extras when I mentioned the SNLC chapter.

 

[bamachem]

I just orderd (4) Cooper STT's in 305/70/16 from treadepot for $848 with free shipping and a $75 rebate. The same tire in 275/75/16 is about $10/tire cheaper. If you go with 285/75/16, then you could get them delivered and installed and still be under budget. Great tire, excellent reputation, and something you can trust.

 

[WAF450]

I haven't had any Herc or Kelly Mt's, but i can tell you about the Kelly TSR's. Compared to my previous Pro-Comp XT MT's the kelly's are extremely quiet on the highway and noticeably better controlling hydroplaning and winter conditions and turn seems better as they don't seem to roll as much in the corners. Both sets were 285/75/16's. They are 10ply and don't wear out as other muds, i was hesitant at first because i never knew about Kelly tires, but once i've done some research on them i was impressed and even more after they were on. All to they're own though.

 

[duggy]

Had the wrangler authorities on my truck and they are a great tire, although a bit loud on the freeway.

 

[diego355]

I would get the Duratracs, a friend of mine got hem for his Isuzu Rodeo in 33's and they work great on snow and ice. Another friends Tacoma has km2 and sometimes gets pretty scary on the road but i think is due to the lack of weight in the back. Last year I got the Cooper Discoverer STT's for my Cherokee and those ones worked amazing but are a bit expensive. I got recently the Federal Couragia MT's for the 80, look really good and have a good score in snow and ice, living in Canada I can give you some feedback on snow in less than a month.
Federal Couragia MT M/T Mud Tire Reviews

 

[2 E L O]

Another vote for Duratracs! I had a set on my '07 Tahoe and they performed awesome and after 20k miles they looked new. I immediately bought another set of Duratracs for the LX when I picked it up a few weeks ago... They are badass in the dirt/mud and incredible in snow.

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