tire recommendation

[Angelo1]

I’m still deciding between Ridge grapplers or Cooper AT3 XLT. Can’t decide as wet traction, highway handling, comfort and road noise are top concerns. Not real worried about off-road as most high market ATs are going to be good enough for my couple times a year off-roading. I’m just a sucker for the aggressive looks currently. I would like my new tires to last at least 40k miles. Anyone with these tires glad they picked what the have?

 

[TNLX570]

I’m still deciding between Ridge grapplers or Cooper AT3 XLT. Can’t decide as wet traction, highway handling, comfort and road noise are top concerns. Not real worried about off-road as most high market ATs are going to be good enough for my couple times a year off-roading. I’m just a sucker for the aggressive looks currently. I would like my new tires to last at least 40k miles. Anyone with these tires glad they picked what the have?

Went with Cooper 4s at the end of the 2019. Have a couple thousand miles on them. Wet weather traction, noise and over all comfort has been great. We had Defenders prior too on a GX. The 4s have same tread design as the Cooper XLTs from what I understand. Sidewall and load capacity are different though. 275-60 R20 is the size we decided upon. Fit great. Spare too.

 

[JohnPW]

I’m still deciding between Ridge grapplers or Cooper AT3 XLT. Can’t decide as wet traction, highway handling, comfort and road noise are top concerns. Not real worried about off-road as most high market ATs are going to be good enough for my couple times a year off-roading. I’m just a sucker for the aggressive looks currently. I would like my new tires to last at least 40k miles. Anyone with these tires glad they picked what the have?

Why are you (and so many others on this forum) buying AT tires for looks, when a more road oriented tire would serve you better? A more road oriented tire like Michelin Defender LTX, Continental TerrainContact, etc in a P rating would be better on road in the rain & snow, have shorter ( safer) braking distances, handle better, get better mileage, and be more comfortable. What you say are important (wet traction, highway handling, comfort and noise) would all be much better with P rated Michelin Defenders. Along with better braking and better mileage. Or you can look tough with AT tires that are worse at all of those things.

Sorry for the rant but I think it’s ridiculous how many posers buy LT-E rated AT & MT tires when they almost never go off-road. Every aspect of the truck, except the 2 trips per year off road, will be better with a highway tire.

I’m always impressed with the true off road guys on this forum that push the limits of this truck off-road and truly need LT- E tires. But so many buying KO2’s are total posers.

 

[bloc]

I love my p-metric toyo open country ATIIs. Better than the LT options for the considerable road miles I do, but still not quite as good as a Michelin LTX. Better off-road. For me they strike the right balance.

 

[Angelo1]

Why are you (and so many others on this forum) buying AT tires for looks, when a more road oriented tire would serve you better? A more road oriented tire like Michelin Defender LTX, Continental TerrainContact, etc in a P rating would be better on road in the rain & snow, have shorter ( safer) braking distances, handle better, get better mileage, and be more comfortable. What you say are important (wet traction, highway handling, comfort and noise) would all be much better with P rated Michelin Defenders. Along with better braking and better mileage. Or you can look tough with AT tires that are worse at all of those things.

Sorry for the rant but I think it’s ridiculous how many posers buy LT-E rated AT & MT tires when they almost never go off-road. Every aspect of the truck, except the 2 trips per year off road, will be better with a highway tire.

I’m always impressed with the true off road guys on this forum that push the limits of this truck off-road and truly need LT- E tires. But so many buying KO2’s are total posers.

Why are you (and so many others on this forum) buying AT tires for looks, when a more road oriented tire would serve you better? A more road oriented tire like Michelin Defender LTX, Continental TerrainContact, etc in a P rating would be better on road in the rain & snow, have shorter ( safer) braking distances, handle better, get better mileage, and be more comfortable. What you say are important (wet traction, highway handling, comfort and noise) would all be much better with P rated Michelin Defenders. Along with better braking and better mileage. Or you can look tough with AT tires that are worse at all of those things.

Sorry for the rant but I think it’s ridiculous how many posers buy LT-E rated AT & MT tires when they almost never go off-road. Every aspect of the truck, except the 2 trips per year off road, will be better with a highway tire.

I’m always impressed with the true off road guys on this forum that push the limits of this truck off-road and truly need LT- E tires. But so many buying KO2’s are total posers.

Technically the LC is not a rock crawler to be thrashed around but an over lander to take out camping

Well i actually agree with you but that leads down a rabbit hole for so many other aspects of life in our purchasing of homes, cars, food, etc. I’m a health nut and don’t understand why people eat crap and buy groceries from crap grocery stores/fast food and don’t lift weights at least 4days a week. The body should be fueled with the highest quality ingredients, etc. Not sure everyone needs an suv in Florida, should all be driving electric smart cars and keep a 5-seater for carpool only. The rabbit hole of telling people they don’t need this or that because of lifestyle, practicality and use is a bit silly unless you’re living the perfect life. Not trying to go on a rant either, just be careful falling into that trap. Now it may seem silly i want an A/T tire but when i do go off-road, I really do need an A/T. My local area has lots of local sharp slick rocks, water crossings,mud, narrow trails. When I drive out to CO once a year, I am off-roading on some gnarly trails(not rock climbing) but they generally have deep ruts, snow patches, etc. Besides all that, I like the look of an A/T tire on the LC...looks tough

 

[Angelo1]

It’s worth the mpg hit

 

[BAY2MTN]

Why are you (and so many others on this forum) buying AT tires for looks, when a more road oriented tire would serve you better? A more road oriented tire like Michelin Defender LTX, Continental TerrainContact, etc in a P rating would be better on road in the rain & snow, have shorter ( safer) braking distances, handle better, get better mileage, and be more comfortable. What you say are important (wet traction, highway handling, comfort and noise) would all be much better with P rated Michelin Defenders. Along with better braking and better mileage. Or you can look tough with AT tires that are worse at all of those things.

Sorry for the rant but I think it’s ridiculous how many posers buy LT-E rated AT & MT tires when they almost never go off-road. Every aspect of the truck, except the 2 trips per year off road, will be better with a highway tire.

I’m always impressed with the true off road guys on this forum that push the limits of this truck off-road and truly need LT- E tires. But so many buying KO2’s are total posers.

One issue regarding the P vs LT discussion, whether All Highway/AT/MT, is that if your upsizing from stock size to 275/70r18 or 285/65r18, options are slim in “P” sizes. At least that’s what I’ve found.

I’d guess that the majority of Mud members use their Cruisers for something other than grocery shopping.

I will reserve the name calling for my friend with a Mercedes G-Wagon with KO2s that will NEVER see dirt, mud or snow, and lectures me about the virtues his Tesla... Now that's a poseur.

 

[mad4mdj]

Have had Toyo open countrys on our 80 and loved them, and KO2s on now have never failed us in any weather including rain, snow and icy conditions. We love the look of them too.

 

[Madtiger]

Not sure if anyone has posted this: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=249

BFG KO2 LT-C vs. P-metric ATs. Surprisingly, KO2 (despite LT) did good. Pretty quiet. Handles decently, even in wet. And.......shockingly......NOT the worst on fuel economy, even beating P-metric Yokohama!

My KO2 are excellent over all terrain.

 

[JohnPW]

Not sure if anyone has posted this: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=249

BFG KO2 LT-C vs. P-metric ATs. Surprisingly, KO2 (despite LT) did good. Pretty quiet. Handles decently, even in wet. And.......shockingly......NOT the worst on fuel economy, even beating P-metric Yokohama!

My KO2 are excellent over all terrain.

Interesting comparison, I’m surprised at how well the KO2’s performed. These were the LT-C, not E, though, and wet stopping distance was still 16% longer than the Yokohama GO15... and I imagine a highway tire would stop shorter than the GO15 would.

 

[bloc]

LT-C will still need higher pressure and therefore have worse ride characteristics. I’d bet that requirement contributed significantly to the better mileage, even if it still surprises me that hey did better. My LT-E KO2s tanked my freeway mileage, and I got most of that back going to a slightly taller, just as wide P-metric AT on a 17” rim.

But yes LT-C is a good middle ground, if it’s available in the size you need. It wasn’t that I saw in 285/65/18.

 

[Madtiger]

LT-C will still need higher pressure and therefore have worse ride characteristics. I’d bet that requirement contributed significantly to the better mileage, even if it still surprises me that hey did better. My LT-E KO2s tanked my freeway mileage, and I got most of that back going to a slightly taller, just as wide P-metric AT on a 17” rim.

But yes LT-C is a good middle ground, if it’s available in the size you need. It wasn’t that I saw in 285/65/18.

For me, LT-D is best. From what i understand, LT-C KO2 has only 2 ply sidewall. And if i am going to sacrifice on-road stuff by getting BFG KO2, then i better have the whole protection package that comes with getting KO2.

I think BFG needs to expand the LT-D range. I am very happy with my LT-D BFG KO2 in stock size. Good ride. Quiet. No issue with rain whatsoever. Now, i have heard that KO2 will age loudly.

 

[bloc]

My understanding is the whole concept of “plies” doesn’t apply (get it?!?)

Modern radial tires just don’t have them. I’m not sure how different a C vs D vs E is beyond simply having more rubber and cord but the idea is antiquated either way. Actual measurements of the differences would be interesting IMO

 

[Madtiger]

My understanding is the whole concept of “plies” doesn’t apply (get it?!?)

Modern radial tires just don’t have them. I’m not sure how different a C vs D vs E is beyond simply having more rubber and cord but the idea is antiquated either way. Actual measurements of the differences would be interesting IMO

You're talking about TREAD plies, in which case you are correct for most tires.

But SIDEWALL plies are still very much a thing. It clearly says it on the sidewall of all tires. Of course, the THICKNESS of the plies also matters.

 

[WesSiler]

A plain highway tire isn't going to be a good match for the driving characteristics of a Land Cruiser, even if you stay on the road 99% of the time. We all bought these trucks for a reason, and we want grip in bad weather, and at least the ability to tackle a dirt road even if we rarely do that. A good, lightweight all-terrain tire is going to be an ideal match. Something like the Cooper AT3 4S or Continental TerrainContact A/T isn't going to be so heavy that it destroys fuel economy, performance, and ride, but will offer enough puncture resistance and traction off-road that you'll feel confident in any terrain. If you live somewhere with winter, run the Bridgestone Blizzak DM V2 from November to April. Tires are the most important component on your truck, take the time to get them right.

 

[Madtiger]

A plain highway tire isn't going to be a good match for the driving characteristics of a Land Cruiser, even if you stay on the road 99% of the time. We all bought these trucks for a reason, and we want grip in bad weather, and at least the ability to tackle a dirt road even if we rarely do that. A good, lightweight all-terrain tire is going to be an ideal match. Something like the Cooper AT3 4S or Continental TerrainContact A/T isn't going to be so heavy that it destroys fuel economy, performance, and ride, but will offer enough puncture resistance and traction off-road that you'll feel confident in any terrain. If you live somewhere with winter, run the Bridgestone Blizzak DM V2 from November to April. Tires are the most important component on your truck, take the time to get them right.

Not sure about Cooper, but Continental TC has been known to drop your fuel economy (per reviews). So, if i am going to drop my MPGs, then might as well get BFG KO2!

The best tire that is decent on gasoline and have half-decent puncture resistance is Michelin Defender LT (not P-metric). I would trust Defender over dirt over Continental TC or even Cooper for that matter.

 

[Bunga]

I run the Continental Terrain Contact and I could not be happier for basic Moab and the city. It is shockingly quiet, runs right over stairsteps in the San Rafael Swell, and handles real snow and rain very well, with no flat-spotting in the morning. The tread compounds have gotten really good. It is not a mudder, and not a mining road boulder killer, but everything else...perfect. I'm running this on stock 20" per the pic on the left, and have 0 complaints.

 

[Angelo1]

Not sure about Cooper, but Continental TC has been known to drop your fuel economy (per reviews). So, if i am going to drop my MPGs, then might as well get BFG KO2!

The best tire that is decent on gasoline and have half-decent puncture resistance is Michelin Defender LT (not P-metric). I would trust Defender over dirt over Continental TC or even Cooper for that matter.

What wrong with Coopers? The AT3 XLT has received great reviews, including the cooper 4S. I’m debating between, the XLT, KO2 and Ridge Grappler. If tire weight is a concern, the XLT is the lightest and then the KO2 by a small margin. Wes lives up in Montana and needs a solid A/T and if he’s in Bozeman area, snow storms can hit you on what was supposed to be a clear day. I think he’d be better with an XLT over the Cooper 4S and i would not recommend a KO2 for heavy snow driving. The KO2 was ok for me when I had it on my LC in Colorado during the winter but it hated hardback snow. I agree the LT Defender series are a great tire as well. The Cooper 4S is truly light but limited on sizes. I would buy it but they don’t offer a 285/75/17

 

[Angelo1]

Anyone have stats on the KO2 vs KO2 DT? I can’t find information on the non-snowflake rate KO2. Just curious if the DT version is lighter or heavier. Apparently what I have found, is the DT rides smoother.

 

[Angelo1]

UPDATE: never mind. It’s a heavy duty tire meant for f250+ diesel trucks. Very stiff tire for higher torque trucks.

Anyone have stats on the KO2 vs KO2 DT? I can’t find information on the non-snowflake rate KO2. Just curious if the DT version is lighter or heavier. Apparently what I have found, is the DT rides smoother.