I run Continental TerrainContact A/T on the 20s and have good and bad-roaded extensively in them. My picture is on them after a 85 mile one-way 4x4 road in Utah: Amazing tire in all conditions, but I couldn't air them down enough for crawling obviously. But I did a ton of sandstone light slab climbing, babyheads, and it does great. Off-road I run the RG on 17s and they are incredible tires for everything but snow and mileage.
tire recommendation
- Thread starter Samuraj
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Well, there goes my dream of getting Defender as my next tire....
Yeah, sidewall protection is utmost importance to me. Thanks for the feedback!Guess that i will be sticking with KO2....
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My take based on my experience with 80, 100 and 200 series as well as some tire science - as far as the brand is concerned - skip the learning curve and go with the Michelins, it is where I find the most perfect rubber compound.
I’ve tried various tires including Ecco compositions and treads which promise more mpg. Skip unless you are looking for that xtra 0.1 mpg gain. They hydroplaned in the slush and truly did not meet my all season needs. Seems to me like there is more natural rubber (caoutchouk) in the Michelin rubber compound. They re softer to start with and maintain that softness over the years. Other brands are likely good tires but they sure feel thermoplasticky (synthetic) to me, try feeling the rubber and they feel less soft even when new on the store shelf.
Caoutchouk (also known as gum) is very expensive natural ingredient and in their never ending value engineering quest tire manufactures look into synthetic substitutes. Synthetics are less expensive on the large scale. Giant tire manufacturers can afford to invest in technology in order to save on expensive natural ingredients. Below picture from ATA explains it best as no one depends on their tires more than truckers. Well, notice the natural rubber (caoutchouk) ratio in the truck tires. I suspect that is also the case with Michelin’s and that is how they maintain their great overall reputation.
Tire selection would likely depend on your geo location and on your daily use pattern.
1. Mall cruising (what we call) as well as heavy foot performance highway driving (light load) - Michelin Latitude, great on the highway, high speed rating, good in the city, truly not all season tire, possibly quieter. If you tow or drive in the snow stay away. I had original Latitude tire deforme from towing after 3 seasons to the point it was making schlapping noise on each revolution. I thought at the time Michelin was loosing it and gave up on the Michelin’s for the next set but recently went back. Up states you should truly consider second set of dedicated winter tires.
2. Universal all around - Michelin Defender LT (light truck) my current tire, truly best all around, all season tire, you loose 1 speed rating but gain on the load rating. Good for towing, not a dedicated winter tire but acceptable for snow and rain. Possibly little more noise on even pavement but less noise on uneven surface as this tire is as good as it gets on small bumps and uneven roads. Considering not many roads are perfect I personally find Michelin Defender best overall noise dampening for average condition roads. All season for my use in the Midwest where we deal with occasional snow.
3. Off road tires, specific use tires - not n expert but I would imagine sky is the limit as smaller manufacturers usually have less access to expensive synthetic technology and likely many base production on natural rubber compounds. If I would be in the market I would go for the coolest looking solid rock grabber I could find and call the manufacturer to verify the natural rubber content percentage. It is truly what you want in the tire and how you justify the value per high price.
As much as engineered synthetic fluids are generally better for our rides that is not the case with tires so when shopping for tires think of boobs - natural and organic will always take you for a better and softer ride. Synthetic boobs are getting there but rather slowly. Synthetic rubber technology is not there yet to replace cushioning properties of natural caoutchouk.
Back in the days shoe manufacturers based soles production on natural rubber. One company “Mephisto” uses 100% caoutchouk soles to this day. Their shoes are known to be most comfortable in the world, quiet pricey on Amazon but despite the high price have great reviews. What is interesting about it is that just like Michelin, Mephisto is a French company. Not a historian but I would imagine French colonies were caoutchouk rich. If I recall India was a major producer back in the Goodyear days.
I’ve tried various tires including Ecco compositions and treads which promise more mpg. Skip unless you are looking for that xtra 0.1 mpg gain. They hydroplaned in the slush and truly did not meet my all season needs. Seems to me like there is more natural rubber (caoutchouk) in the Michelin rubber compound. They re softer to start with and maintain that softness over the years. Other brands are likely good tires but they sure feel thermoplasticky (synthetic) to me, try feeling the rubber and they feel less soft even when new on the store shelf.
Caoutchouk (also known as gum) is very expensive natural ingredient and in their never ending value engineering quest tire manufactures look into synthetic substitutes. Synthetics are less expensive on the large scale. Giant tire manufacturers can afford to invest in technology in order to save on expensive natural ingredients. Below picture from ATA explains it best as no one depends on their tires more than truckers. Well, notice the natural rubber (caoutchouk) ratio in the truck tires. I suspect that is also the case with Michelin’s and that is how they maintain their great overall reputation.
Tire selection would likely depend on your geo location and on your daily use pattern.
1. Mall cruising (what we call) as well as heavy foot performance highway driving (light load) - Michelin Latitude, great on the highway, high speed rating, good in the city, truly not all season tire, possibly quieter. If you tow or drive in the snow stay away. I had original Latitude tire deforme from towing after 3 seasons to the point it was making schlapping noise on each revolution. I thought at the time Michelin was loosing it and gave up on the Michelin’s for the next set but recently went back. Up states you should truly consider second set of dedicated winter tires.
2. Universal all around - Michelin Defender LT (light truck) my current tire, truly best all around, all season tire, you loose 1 speed rating but gain on the load rating. Good for towing, not a dedicated winter tire but acceptable for snow and rain. Possibly little more noise on even pavement but less noise on uneven surface as this tire is as good as it gets on small bumps and uneven roads. Considering not many roads are perfect I personally find Michelin Defender best overall noise dampening for average condition roads. All season for my use in the Midwest where we deal with occasional snow.
3. Off road tires, specific use tires - not n expert but I would imagine sky is the limit as smaller manufacturers usually have less access to expensive synthetic technology and likely many base production on natural rubber compounds. If I would be in the market I would go for the coolest looking solid rock grabber I could find and call the manufacturer to verify the natural rubber content percentage. It is truly what you want in the tire and how you justify the value per high price.
As much as engineered synthetic fluids are generally better for our rides that is not the case with tires so when shopping for tires think of boobs - natural and organic will always take you for a better and softer ride. Synthetic boobs are getting there but rather slowly. Synthetic rubber technology is not there yet to replace cushioning properties of natural caoutchouk.
Back in the days shoe manufacturers based soles production on natural rubber. One company “Mephisto” uses 100% caoutchouk soles to this day. Their shoes are known to be most comfortable in the world, quiet pricey on Amazon but despite the high price have great reviews. What is interesting about it is that just like Michelin, Mephisto is a French company. Not a historian but I would imagine French colonies were caoutchouk rich. If I recall India was a major producer back in the Goodyear days.
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- Jan 8, 2012
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- 241
The Defender did not lose air, just cuts on the sidewall (cords visible) and I moved it to spare. Holds air fine 6 months later.Well, there goes my dream of getting Defender as my next tire....
Guess that i will be sticking with KO2....
One benefit of LT is typically additional ply and/or stiffer sidewall vs P rated tires. My main concern with going to an AT tire is MPG loss, and on-road handling is important (mountain driving). Over landing/gravel roads / easy Jeep roads, but no ‘rock crawling’. My Offroad vehicle rides behind my bumper (hitch carrier for my 450 dirt bike).
@kevin2i, sorry for the late reply. I'm loving my Ridge Grapplers! I've put about 7,500 miles on them now and still haven't worn through the little 'step' the tires have on the tread blocks. I have a pretty good feel for them in most conditions, and they've been pretty true to the reviews I read on them in this forum.
My AT3s were LT275/65R18 (31.9" x 10.8") while my new RGs are LT285/65R18 (32.6" x 11.2"), so this is not a perfect apples to apples comparison. Other mods included the addition of 3/4" spacers to compensate for the shift in scrub radius with the larger tire. The tires fit fine without the spacers (no rubbing), but once you push them out they rub the front mud flaps. Easy fix though. The spacers give the vehicle a nicely balanced and much improved stance, look, and handling (IMO this is the perfect tire/wheel/spacer size combo as the tires don't stick out past the sheet metal, just perfectly aligned).
Versus the AT3:
- RGs are slightly QUIETER. Yes, I was truly shocked. Louder than a highway tire of course, but not much. At first I noticed more vibration in the steering wheel (which annoyed me for awhile) and the tires seemed to get a bit louder at 55 mph, but I don't notice either anymore.
- Road handling is about the same. My wife couldn't tell the difference.
- RGs in the 285 size are about 7 lbs (each) heavier. There was a 1-2 mpg penalty for the size and weight.
- RGs have superior off-road traction. I've used them on some of the same courses as the AT3s and they did things the AT3 wouldn't. Conditions have been mainly in dry, but some wet dirt and rock as well and I have been VERY pleased. Got some chunking spinning the wheels trying to get up steep solid rock, but nothing that bothered me too much. They don't pick up rocks on gravel. I haven't had them on the same insane gravel roads as I put the AT3s through, but no doubt they'd do better if for no other reason than the larger tread-blocks.
- RGs look much beefier, have MUCH better sidewall protection, and feel better off-road, especially when aired down.
- Soft snow seems about the same, but I'd probably give the edge to the RGs.
- RGs are worthless on ice. (I'm a big believer in winter tires, so I don't drive these in cold, snow, and ice if I can help it)
- RGs chatter and skip a bit under full breaking (big tread blocks). I have the Tundra front brake mod which has the power to stop them quick. Just a guess, but I'd say the AT3s would have a shorter braking distance on asphalt.
Final thoughts, I liked the Continentals and they were certainly more comfortable on the highway, but I'll never go back to non-LT tire on this vehicle. Yes, there's a penalty, but when you consider the LC/LX is 300-1000 lbs HEAVIER unloaded than a Ford F-150, passenger tires really have no business on this rig if you're doing any off-road. Just my $0.02
RGs made it up. AT3s didn't.
Nitto Ridge Grappler LT285/65R18
Toyo Open Country ATIII LT275/65R18
Continental TerrainContact 275/55R20
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We did drive a very good car with a well engineered noise cancellation. Even noisy tyres are more noticable outside than inside.
I`m on the road with Cooper STT since 68`000 miles, from africa till south america. Have to switch now, because the old tyre is end of life.
Thanks for your impressions! I`m thinking about a new set of tyres with mud pattern again...
Surfy
We did drive a very good car with a well engineered noise cancellation. Even noisy tyres are more noticable outside than inside.
I`m on the road with Cooper STT since 68`000 miles, from africa till south america. Have to switch now, because the old tyre is end of life.
Thanks for your impressions! I`m thinking about a new set of tyres with mud pattern again...
Surfy
It's important to buy a tire that can be replaced fairly easily in your area, just in case that need arises.
Myself I like the Toyo and the Nitto Ridge Grappler tires.
Toyo comes in an R/T and an M/T tire.
Nitto Ridge Grappler comes in a Hybrid Tire and an M/T.
Currently I'm using the
Nitto Ridge Grappler in a (Hybrid Tire) which does better in the sand than an M/T.
Both of these brands you should get 60k+ miles.
Need some help on picking out a set of tires dedicated for road tripping on 100% pavement. We drive down to Florida from Tennessee a few times a year and the RG’s are overkill. Looking for a dependable, quiet, wet handling and comfortable set of tires. Not towing anything, just family and dog. Currently running 285/70/18 Ridge Grapplers on my new 200 and they have been an amazing tire on my previous 200. However, they are a little loud on the pavement and not the best for road tripping. Certainly not unbearable but about equal to Ko2 if I recall from my previous set.
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Michelin Defender XL in stock size? Strong as hell. Lightweight…39lbs. Great road tires. Since stock size, no loss in performance.
But it does look wimpy.
Come on, the LC deserves a little better.Michelin Defender XL in stock size? Strong as hell. Lightweight…39lbs. Great road tires. Since stock size, no loss in performance.
But it does look wimpy.
I was just looking at the Defender LTX 295/70/18 and the 285/65/18.Oh nevermind…forgot yours is lifted and all. LOLCome on, the LC deserves a little better.
Conti ATs. Love mine. Hybrid highway-AT basically.
TLC2013
SILVER Star
The Geolander AT G015 gets solid reviews for a mild AT tire. Also comes in LT295/70r18 and a bunch of other popular sizes.
Yokohama GEOLANDAR A/T G015 Tires: All-Terrain Versatility for SUVs…
Conquer any terrain with Yokohama GEOLANDAR A/T G015 tires, featuring exceptional off-road traction, on-road comfort, and long-lasting durability. Perfect…
www.yokohamatire.com
Another vote for BFG K02. I've run them on my GX and 200.
I’ve put a couple thousand miles on a set of Nokian Rotiiva AT plus, and think they could be a good fit for your use case and desire to have something that doesn’t look like a pure highway tire.
I am giving them a try after several years on KO2s, and so far like them. Much quieter although MPG is staying about the same.
I am giving them a try after several years on KO2s, and so far like them. Much quieter although MPG is staying about the same.
Unfortunately they don’t make a 285/70/18 or 295/70/18
The only P rated 33” is this one.
General Grabber APT in 275/70r18
General Grabber APT in 275/70r18
I’m not sure I’m ready to jump back onto the KO2. They just don’t seem to grip as well as my current Ridge Grapplers in heavy rain we get here in the South.
I’m leaning towards the defender LTX.
TLC2013
SILVER Star
General Grabber recently released their ATX in a 275/70r18 non-E Rated. Sounds like an interesting option for those looking for a streetable AT with the snow rating. Considering their LT Version rode extremely quiet I’d imagine this one in SL would be even a better ride for highway use.
generaltire.com
Grabber A/TX
An all-terrain tire for light trucks and SUVs. Designed to balance exceptional off-road capability with on-road performance with robust strength and durability.
That’s an excellent find.General Grabber recently released their ATX in a 275/70r18 non-E Rated. Sounds like an interesting option for those looking for a streetable AT with the snow rating. Considering their LT Version rode extremely quiet I’d imagine this one in SL would be even a better ride for highway use.
Grabber A/TX
An all-terrain tire for light trucks and SUVs. Designed to balance exceptional off-road capability with on-road performance with robust strength and durability.