Tire Help (1 Viewer)

[hayer2021]

Hello Everyone, need your expert advise on selecting new tires for my LC100. My use case is 50/50 - on-roads and trails. Mild to mid level of terrains, nothing crazy. This is not my DD. I have been going through a lot of the posts on this forum but unable to really pin down the tire and size that might work for me. Based on my limited knowledge, and information i have gather from this site, i have compiled the following list of the tires that, i think, might work for me. Please advise what you think or recommend! Thank you in advance.


Tires:
Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT
Category: On-Road All Terrain
Load Range: SL
Pros:
Severe Snow Service Rated
Cons:
Not sure at this point.
Sizes:
265/70R18 - 259.99 ( - 80$ on 4)
275/65R18 - 267.00 ( -80$ on 4)
Warranty: 65K

Tires:
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2
Category: Highway All-Season
Load Range: XL

Pros:
Available from Costco, with all the Costco perks.
Highly rated, smooth highway driving.
Cons:
Not 3 peak rated.

Sizes:
265/70R18 - 287.99 ( -60 on 4)
275/65R18 - 279.99 ( -60 on 4)
Warranty: 70K

Tires:
Toyo Open Country A/T III EV
Category: Off Road All Terrain
Load Range: XL (275/65R18) and SL (275/70R18)

Pros:
Severe Snow Service Rated
Cons:
Bit on the expensive side
Not able to find any reviews for this tire.
Sizes:
275/65R18 - 328.22
275/70R18 - 334.79
Warranty: 50K

I do not think i need E rated tires for my use. From what I have read those tires are heavy, ride is harsh and may take a toll on your trans/drive train etc. Load wise, i might have a rooftop tent in the future. Also, i been thinking to go with 265/70R over 275/65R or 70R... My reasoning is it will keep the tire weight in-check and i also read that a narrow tire might be better for off road use.

 

[Bisho]

Everyone's definition of "mid level" trails is different. I'm less concerned about how difficult the trail is than what the surface is. Jagged or sharp rocks (shale) or even tree branches on a very benign trail can easily cut a sidewall or cause a puncture. So, it depends on your risk tolerance. E rated tires only ride harshly if you insist on inflating them to 40+ psi. My 100 rides pretty well with Falken Wildpeaks, but I inflate them to 33 psi. I got over 65k miles on my first set and they wore evenly.

 

[GTV]

Assuming you're on stock 18" wheels?

Last I checked Costco will only install tires that are no more than 3% larger than stock. So you're maxed out with 275/65's through them.

Most 275/70's are E rated. For your use I would steer away from those to save weight, mpg and ride quality. C load is a good middle ground.

 

[hayer2021]

Assuming you're on stock 18" wheels?

Last I checked Costco will only install tires that are no more than 3% larger than stock. So you're maxed out with 275/65's through them.

Most 275/70's are E rated. For your use I would steer away from those to save weight, mpg and ride quality. C load is a good middle ground.

That is correct. Costco will not install more than 3% of the size difference. I have not been able to find any C load tires for 275/65 or 265/70.... will try to do more search on them.

 

[GTV]

That is correct. Costco will not install more than 3% of the size difference. I have not been able to find any C load tires for 275/65 or 265/70.... will try to do more search on them.

There's a few choices here:

TireSize.com - Compare Tire Sizes, Specs, Prices & more

Use our tire size tools to calculate specs, speed, gear ratios and more. Browse tires by size, vehicle, or brand and compare prices online all in one place.

tiresize.com

 

[SmoothLC]

I went with AT Ascents in 275/70/18. They're E rated, but ride more like a C or D.

I was planning on going with KO3s from Costco but ran into the size issue per above.

 

[Super77]

OP, you did not mention your location but I’ll assume you don’t get weather extremes that your tires have to deal with. Also, consider your ability to air down for off-roading. Running at ~15psi helps your traction and preserves your tooth fillings on washboards, but it favors a taller, more durable sidewall since you’re deforming the tire and lowering your ride height. With 18” wheels, you get a little less rubber to play with than 16s.

 

[hayer2021]

I went with AT Ascents in 275/70/18. They're E rated, but ride more like a C or D.

I was planning on going with KO3s from Costco but ran into the size issue per above.

How is the road noise/comfort? Costco also have the Ascents but most likely they would only install 275/65/18 ( which might be the perfect size for LC).

 

[hayer2021]

OP, you did not mention your location but I’ll assume you don’t get weather extremes that your tires have to deal with. Also, consider your ability to air down for off-roading. Running at ~15psi helps your traction and preserves your tooth fillings on washboards, but it favors a taller, more durable sidewall since you’re deforming the tire and lowering your ride height. With 18” wheels, you get a little less rubber to play with than 16s.

I am in N. California. Locally, we don't have to deal with extreme weather conditions for driving. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I had not considered being able to air-down or even a need for it. I am presuming you will need to air down if you are on a very rocky tail?

 

[Bisho]

Airing down gives you a bigger contact patch, a smoother ride (washboards) and more puncture resistance, so it all depends on what you’re doing and your risk tolerance.

 

[SmoothLC]

How is the road noise/comfort? Costco also have the Ascents but most likely they would only install 275/65/18 ( which might be the perfect size for LC).

They've been great. Very quiet, but I'd add that most new tires are very quiet IMO.

I got the Ascents from Discount Tire who price matched Costco.

 

[Super77]

Airing down gives you a bigger contact patch, a smoother ride (washboards) and more puncture resistance, so it all depends on what you’re doing and your risk tolerance.

Yeah airing down is a great pro tip for washboards and loose rocks. You’ll lose about an inch of clearance but gain traction. You’ll want a good 12v compressor to air back up. Look for one with a healthy duty cycle so you don’t have to pause for it to cool down.

 

[GTV]

How is the road noise/comfort? Costco also have the Ascents but most likely they would only install 275/65/18 ( which might be the perfect size for LC).

I agree it's the perfect size for a "stock" LC. Far more availability than stock 275/60's, rides and looks much better.

 

[hayer2021]

They've been great. Very quiet, but I'd add that most new tires are very quiet IMO.

I got the Ascents from Discount Tire who price matched Costco.

Thank you. Did you have to do any mods to fit 275/70s ? Any rubbing?

 

[SmoothLC]

Thank you. Did you have to do any mods to fit 275/70s ? Any rubbing?

None - my LC has the standard OME lift though and they fit well.

 

[hayer2021]

None - my LC has the standard OME lift though and they fit well.

View attachment 3893618

I am on stock suspension, no lift. Thank you for recommending these tires. I did more search on them and found pretty good reviews all around. It does seem like a good fit for my needs. Quiet, comfort on the pavement and capable off-road. I am debating over SL vs E load and size, should i go 265/70/18 or 275/65/18 or 275/70/18? I have read on this forum that 275/70/18 fits well on the stock LC, without any mods but do I really need to have a bulky tire ( LT size)? Reading more on this while trying to pin down my needs. Thank you.
Here is some tech data on this tire i have collected( tirerack)
SL Load:
265/70R18 39 lbs Tread width 7.5"
275/65R18 41 lbs Tread width 9.2"

E Load:
LT265/70R18 49 lbs Tread width 7.5''
LT275/65R18 48 lbs Tread width 9.4"
LT275/70R18 53 lbs Tread width 9"