Reasonably quiet All Terrain tire

[coleAK]

As to the p metric vs LT discussion.

I run LT (C load) In the summer as most of my miles are towing a ~7k camper. And run p metrics in the winter since the camper is stored. the p metrics definitely ride softer.

Used P metrics for 9 years on my g500 before I had the LX a few summer sets on my 80 before that. found them to be much better in sand and mud then an LT.

The most puckering off roading I do ever summer is the 2-3 miles (each way) of sand to get to and from where we subsistence fish salmon. It is brutal extremely soft glacial silt sand where most people take ATVs. I off road fairly often almost year round. If I didn’t tow the camper I’d likely run p metrics in the summer as well for better sand performance.

I’ve run a few sets of KO2s and they are not quiet. For quietist I’ve run - defender LTX m/s. My buddy just put a set of Nokian outposts on his 200 this summer and they are really nice and also quiet.

 

[21200]

Still love my michelin ltx/at2 after 10K miles. great tire!

 

[1Maverick]

As to the p metric vs LT discussion.

I run LT (C load) In the summer as most of my miles are towing a ~7k camper. And run p metrics in the winter since the camper is stored. the p metrics definitely ride softer.

Used P metrics for 9 years on my g500 before I had the LX a few summer sets on my 80 before that. found them to be much better in sand and mud then an LT.

The most puckering off roading I do ever summer is the 2-3 miles (each way) of sand to get to and from where we subsistence fish salmon. It is brutal extremely soft glacial silt sand where most people take ATVs. I off road fairly often almost year round. If I didn’t tow the camper I’d likely run p metrics in the summer as well for better sand performance.

Funny, with all this anti p-metric talk and I’m absolutely no expert on tires, I keep doubting my decision to run the 295/70r18 SL recon grappler tires even though this will see mostly highway, sand, gravel and mild forest trails.

 

[coleAK]

Funny, with all this anti p-metric talk and I’m absolutely no expert on tires, I keep doubting my decision to run the 295/70r18 SL recon grappler tires even though this will see mostly highway, sand, gravel and mild forest trails.

Don’t doubt it. For your use (and pretty much almost everyone on here that doesn’t tow heavy loads all the time) p’s will be better than heavy, overly stiff LTs.

 

[TeCKis300]

As to the p metric vs LT discussion.

I run LT (C load) In the summer as most of my miles are towing a ~7k camper. And run p metrics in the winter since the camper is stored. the p metrics definitely ride softer.

Used P metrics for 9 years on my g500 before I had the LX a few summer sets on my 80 before that. found them to be much better in sand and mud then an LT.

The most puckering off roading I do ever summer is the 2-3 miles (each way) of sand to get to and from where we subsistence fish salmon. It is brutal extremely soft glacial silt sand where most people take ATVs. I off road fairly often almost year round. If I didn’t tow the camper I’d likely run p metrics in the summer as well for better sand performance.

I’ve run a few sets of KO2s and they are not quiet. For quietist I’ve run - defender LTX m/s. My buddy just put a set of Nokian outposts on his 200 this summer and they are really nice and also quiet.

Floatation is one of the qualities I've focused on in my own build. Beyond just P and LT sizes, there's also flotation sizes identifiable by their designation as 33x12.5 or 35x12.5. It's not commonly fitted to the 200-series, and that's unfortunate. The sidewalls seem to straddle between P and LT for stiffness. Being able to stay on top of deep silt like sand, hot and dry silt like sand, for as heavy of a rig as the 200, is where they earn their keep for my use. Bonus that they ride like butter.

 

[highfructose]

Floatation is one of the qualities I've focused on in my own build. Beyond just P and LT sizes, there's also flotation sizes identifiable by their designation as 33x12.5 or 35x12.5. It's not commonly fitted to the 200-series, and that's unfortunate. The sidewalls seem to straddle between P and LT for stiffness. Being able to stay on top of deep silt like sand, hot and dry silt like sand, for as heavy of a rig as the 200, is where they earn their keep for my use. Bonus that they ride like butter.

A 34x11.50 flotation would be perfect imo.

 

[rscoleman]

I ran factory tires on 2016 all the way to 42k miles. They were quite, they towed my boat, they saw very little off road but did ok when they did, they handled wet roads no issues, they looked really silly on giant suv. I replaced them with Nitto Terra Grappler G2 stock size. Definitely look better, they are not quite but also not loud my standard volume level of 6 to 8 on radio and I don't hear tires (grooved concrete being the exception). They are fine in rain, did well on beach in sand, did fine for little rocky off roading and they tow well. Only issue was pull to right when new fix was moving front right to front left and no more problems. I rotate front to back only every 5K miles. I am just shy of 75K and by looks of it I would say I got about 15 to 20K miles left on Tires.

 

[Tiger Rag]

So here's an update and my experience on the tires I ended up with. Last time I updated I had ordered the Falken Rubitrek in p285/75r17. What shipped in was LT285/75r17. Turns out it would've taken another 2 to 3 days to get the p metric version. It's a nice looking tire, however, I didn't feel it would be any quieter than the Toyo OC AT3's that I had. Interesting visual on the Rubtrek's in that they look grayish on pictures in their website - I thought poor photography, they've blown out the highlights. I reality, they actually look a little gray in person. I guess this is due to the amount of silica in the rubber compound? Anyway, I thought it was worth mentioning.

I decided to go with the Yokahama Geolander AT G015 in the same size P285/75R17 due to the milder appearing tread design and good reviews here and by others online. This is also the first tire recommended to me by my tire guy before me deciding on the Toyo previously.

So my experience: they are dead quiet! I'm completely happy on this front. They are even quieter than I could imagine. They feel lighter and steer more easily than the Toyo's and the ride is more compliant / soft - even at higher tire pressure. 36 was my sweet spot on the Toyo's (Max recommended 44 psi) and 42 is comfortable without trying anything else thus far on the Yokahama's (Max recommended 51psi).

The negatives on the Yokohamas: strictly vanity. They don't look as rugged as the Toyo's. They do at least have some sidewall tread so the vehicle isn't completely neutered but not quite as tough looking. Also the sidewall of the tire is more rounded vs the Toyo's squared off look. I think this also results in a slightly narrower footprint of 11.3"wide on the Yoko's vs 11.5 wide in the Toyo's. This is likely the result of the lighter feeling steering with less resistance from the groundpatch contact.

Performance off-road you ask? Well since it was apparent early on to me that the Toyo's we're going back during their trial period, I did not feel like I should take them off-road. The Yoko's haven't been off-road yet so I'll report later on that and with snow/ice performance. They are 3 peak snow flake rated as were the Toyo's so they should be decent in the snow. The tread pattern reminds me a little of the Michelin LTX/AT I've run on my truck before. They were decent off-road until you get into thick mud where it is difficult to clean any AT tire.

Tire pictures below. I'll add a couple of the LX wearing each for comparison.

 

[Tiger Rag]

Yokohama Geolander AT G015 below

Toyo Open Country AT3's below

 

[Madtiger]

Watch your fuel economy. See if there is any difference.

I love Yokos….their sidewall is traditionally strong.

 

[Tiger Rag]

Watch your fuel economy. See if there is any difference.

I love Yokos….their sidewall is traditionally strong.

Will do. After buying the LX I got 19.5 according to the computer on stock wheels and tires driving home about 2.5 hours. Probably 72mph max on the interstate.

Best I saw on the Toyo's was 15.5mph. With the Yakima mega warrior basket on the roof about 12.5mph. Basket had been taken back off. I'll monitor next few tanks and report back. Tire weight is about the same as the Toyo IIRC. Maybe 1lb different but narrower tread patch may make a difference.

 

[NeilC]

I hate to revive such a volatile thread just after it died down but I am basically faced with the same decision but I probably lean a little more toward the on road side of things. I would like an AT tire but don't do anything more than gravel or dirt roads. Quiet and smooth on the highway is important since this is my long trip ride. Offroad is the specialty of my 80.

I am looking at the Michelin Defender LTX but the price is up there and I have to get 5 tires since I am moving up to 275/60/20 from the stock 285/50/20. It is a 2011 LX570. The other 3 tires are the Continental Terrain Contact AT, the Firestone AT2, and now the Yokohama G015. Nobody talks about the Firestone AT2 but it seems to be right there with the Conti but at a considerable savings especially since I am getting 5. The difference once everything to totaled up is $313 between the Firestone and the Michelin. Not a lot but it is something to consider. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[slipkid13]

I hate to revive such a volatile thread just after it died down but I am basically faced with the same decision but I probably lean a little more toward the on road side of things. I would like an AT tire but don't do anything more than gravel or dirt roads. Quiet and smooth on the highway is important since this is my long trip ride. Offroad is the specialty of my 80.

I am looking at the Michelin Defender LTX but the price is up there and I have to get 5 tires since I am moving up to 275/60/20 from the stock 285/50/20. It is a 2011 LX570. The other 3 tires are the Continental Terrain Contact AT, the Firestone AT2, and now the Yokohama G015. Nobody talks about the Firestone AT2 but it seems to be right there with the Conti but at a considerable savings especially since I am getting 5. The difference once everything to totaled up is $313 between the Firestone and the Michelin. Not a lot but it is something to consider. Any advice is appreciated.

I was between the AT2 and G015 for my '13 LX. Price difference was minimal. Having had great experience with Yokohamas in the past and a $100 gift card sealed teh deal for me. Just finished a 4300 mile cross country road trip and they were great. Very quiet.

Based on the reviews I watched during my research you can't go wrong with either tire.

 

[Tiger Rag]

I think you're safe now. I believe the person that started all the conflict was banned or at least from this thread.

As the OP of this thread what I drilled down to was the Yokohama Geolander G015's. So far really happy with them with their road manners. Also happy with mild off-road traction and rain traction. Zero issues. Haven't done anything major off-road - no mud, but have done some grades on gravel and dirt with no slippage.

A new stretch of pavement I drive every day during the school year for some reason really made the Toyo AT3's sing and they weren't super quiet elsewhere either.

The Geolanders ride better, are significantly quieter, and were around $250 less expensive for the set of 4. I can't speak toward how long they'll last. They're still quiet after around 8k miles. Have a set of Toyo AT2's on my wife's 4Runner and they've been very durable with around 50k on them and probably 20k to give. Geolanders won't last that long on the LX but I don't think the Toyo's would've either. Obviously much heavier vehicle than the 4R.

Anyway, that's my experience on one of your options. Doubt you'd go wrong with Michelins and the Continentals had good reviews when I was looking.

 

[bloc]

I just put defenders on my cruiser and couldn’t be happier, other than the boring appearance. Yes they are expensive but universally people say they wear like iron

 

[DallasTide]

Michelin makes damn good tires. Only thing I'll put on my BMWs. It's too bad they don't make one with a more aggressive sidewall for those of us who have malls to crawl.

 

[highfructose]

Michelin makes damn good tires. Only thing I'll put on my BMWs. It's too bad they don't make one with a more aggressive sidewall for those of us who have malls to crawl.

Bf Goodrich is owned by Michelin I think.

What are the odds the quality of a k02 is comparable to an “all terrain” with Michelin on the side?

 

[Madtiger]

FYI...thanks to another member here for pointing it out, Michelin is starting to roll out Defender 2...now called "Defender LTX M/S 2":

MICHELIN® Defender LTX M/S2 - Durability - All-Season tire | MICHELIN® US

MICHELIN® Defender LTX M/S2 tires - information & user reviews. See if it fits your car (browse by size or by vehicle). Get yours today at the nearest tire dealer.

www.michelinman.com

The sidewall is ever so slightly more aggressive than the current Defender.

 

[DallasTide]

Bf Goodrich is owned by Michelin I think.

What are the odds the quality of a k02 is comparable to an “all terrain” with Michelin on the side?

Didn't know that but I do love my KO2s....

 

[rlynch356]

I am very happy with my Cooper AT3 XTL 285-70-17 E rated tires.
They are remarkably quiet.