Tall skinny tires

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REDrum said:
I don't understand "fair" in this context. They are a fleet government tire that is an outdated design, they handle like a bias ply on tarmac, don't air down well, have poor lock-up on gravel (and other conditions noted), had to source and over priced. YMMV....
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It's a figure of speech. I didn't think I would have to explain American colloquial expressions to another American. It's not exactly a new figure of speech. It's been around forever.

I'm not gonna defend the Michelin. I'm not selling them or encouraging anyone to buy them. I dont have a dog in this fight. What I have observed about them on other people's rigs has been pretty favorable. That really doesn't matter though. I have not used them myself. As I mentioned I'm pondering them. You can like them or dislike them.You can use them or not use them.It doesn't matter to me and I'm sure it doesn't matter to you what I use. I don't care to get an argument about it. Personally, if I can pick up a set of 4 in excellent condition for a $1000, I'm willing to give them a try. If I don't like them I have no doubt that I can get every penny back out of them selling them locally.

The only part of my post that was replying to you, was that muddy rocks are a pretty tough test for any tire. If the expression "to be fair" is too obscure or opaque, for you then I really don't know what to say other than "never mind don't worry about it".

Mark.
 
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Mark W said:
To be fai

To be fair, few tires are gonna do great working over mud slick rock. Can't get grip on the rock and can't dig into the mud. :(

I am currently pondering having a go at some taller but still skinny Michelins that are available as mil-surplus. 325.85R16 XMLs. More aggressive than the XMLs. These run 38x13. They ain't ag tires, and they ain't highway darlings, but for my uses they *might* turn out to be a good middle ground. They will be noisy and I don't expect a really smooth highway ride. They are heavy, but once you go that large you are accepting that you are not driving a sports car anyway. ;) They will be virtually indestructible even on the Dalton or the Denali Highways as well as the rockier trails I run. The biggest question in my mind is just how well they will do in the softer stuff. I have watched a couple of rigs running these and doing great compared to anything less aggressive than Bogger.

From what I have seen from the handful of outfits selling them, there are actually two different tread patterns (older and newer i assume). One seems much more mud suitable than the other.


Mark...
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A less durable radial core tire with aggressive tread will flex very well when deflated IOT deform on rocks/roots and grip well. I think this is a shortcoming with the XML/XZL military type tire. It is a very stiff, thick durable tire, and likely doesn't deform to grip as well. May modern tread designs also have grip on the sidewall so when you air down and it expands it gives you significantly more traction.
 
Hi
robmobile73 said:
A less durable radial core tire with aggressive tread will flex very well when deflated IOT deform on rocks/roots and grip well. I think this is a shortcoming with the XML/XZL military type tire. It is a very stiff, thick durable tire, and likely doesn't deform to grip as well. May modern tread designs also have grip on the sidewall so when you air down and it expands it gives you significantly more traction.
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True, and agreed on all points. Perhaps my version of a mud rock trail is different than what others might be speaking of. When I encounter a stretch of smooth, large-ish, rounded river rock that is no longer part of an active riverbed, but is now a plain or a hillside slathered with a mix of clay and peat... that stuff has about as much traction potential as oil on ice and my experience has yet to show me a tire (or a boot for that matter) of any type that does well on it.😕

My previous comment to the effect that a mud rock trail is a tough challenge for any tire has nothing to do with my thoughts about or anyone else's thoughts about the XMLs. I just happened to mention both in the same post.
🙂

Mark...
 
I'm on my 5th year and almost 20kkm with the 7.50R16 XZL on the FJ40 and still happy with them, particularly off-road.
Haven't found a terrain they did not feel secure on it, mud, rock, sand... They also resisted a lot of sidewall attacks and scratching.
Even with the 40 being light they flex very well as soon as I drop a little the air pressure (but I wouldn't run any bigger size as those are made for real big trucks, not for 4x4/LT).
They flex better (and are more comfortable) than the XZY in the same size 😅

Where they are the most criticizable is on road, as yes they belong to an older generation of mud tires. They have a N speed rating after all... On a modern IFS 4x4 they are probably unsuitable.
My biggest complains at first with them was road noise over 90kph and wet road grip but I feel they improved a bit on these points since they are well used. At least they are for sure a lot less noisy and haven't scared myself on wet road recently (but also not looking to).
 
For the side grip, I know it's currently trendy for tire manufacturer to sculpt very aggressive looking sidewall (even on AT) but these have no effect on grip. Only the shoulder can realistically provide you extra grip when you deflate and for this the XZL shoulder is actually quite good with its alternating width lugs (but yes there are some other MT with more aggressive shoulder).
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Sidewall things are more useful for protection but I have no doubt the good old deflecting rings did at least as well than the modern sidewall pattern made to look cool (particularly when you see some brand offering 2 completely different design on both side to chose from).
 
I recently read about BFG releasing a new version of their all terrain tire they call the T/A KO3. Its available in limited sizes only, but BFG says it will expand to over 100 sizes by 2025. Wonder if they will make a 15" tire in either 31" or 33" that would be "skinny"
 
garfieldthecat said:
I've been looking at the Toyo Open Country MTs but now that these might be coming out, I wonder if I should wait and see if they offer something in 15"
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Maybe I'm missing something, but if you're looking at an MT style of tire, why does an AT tire influence your decision, especially when the K03 prices start near $400/ tire?
 
80t0ylc said:
Maybe I'm missing something, but if you're looking at an MT style of tire, why does an AT tire influence your decision, especially when the K03 prices start near $400/ tire?
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I have Mickey Thompson Baja MTZs now. I like them but Mickey Thompson doesnt make them anymore, they make Baja Legends. The Toyo MTs are similar tread, but the sidewall on the KO3s is supposed to be even better than the KO2s or so BFG says. My Mickey Thompsons are 10.5" but they actually look narrower than that and narrower than the BFG KO2s. If the KO3s fit similar in size to my current tires I'd be open to them even if all terrains and not mud terrains. I saw some KO3s (not in 15") for around $312 on America's Tires site. And, yes, Toyo MTs are $60-$80 less. Maybe some BFG KM3s might work too, but not sure what their "skinny" factor is


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I have read that the K03 is supposed to be a new standard for being able to flex around things as you drive over them, leading to a larger percentage of contact over the contact patch on an uneven surface(in theory).
 
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Hiluxforever said:
A coworker has those in a 35x12.5 on a Bronco. He loves them.
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In US sizing mine would be equivalent to 28.5x8 😅
I have to admit that choice was for the size first, before the tire model... for some weird old rule I can legally replace the homologated 195/75R16C by 195R16C here... But Only Yokohama offer this weird size in Europe nowadays, so the choice was G016 or G003.
 
Txfireman said:
Been following "tall skinny" thread for a while. Finally pulled the trigger on 35×10.50 r 15 Kanati Mud Hogs. Simpletire.com Memorial Day sale $170.99 +free shipping. Upgraded from 32×11.50 BFG's.... super stoked. 🤙🏼View attachment 3642163View attachment 3642164View attachment 3642165View attachment 3642166View attachment 3642184
Before with 32×11.50r15 BFG
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I really like my mud hogs. They look great, drive great, and so far, no complaints!

Just played around on the website, looks like they are sold out as a I don't see that size offered. I hate their website, probably a hardware issue on my end, but it's glitchy as all get out.
 
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