Once the OEM tires were done and I embarked on a modification journey including some BBS TRD Pro wheels, I embarked on a tire journey.
Use case: 80% highway/city, 20% fire trails, logging roads, loose sharp rocks and hills but no rock crawling per se. No towing. Minnesota, so snow and ice.
Started with LT Nokian Outpost NaT in 275/65-18. However, I immediately felt the ride was too harsh and the vehicle sluggish. They were supposed to be SL and an exchange was permitted after a week or so.
The ride smoothened out and quieted down. There was a howl at 62mph or so that didn't exist above or below that.
After reading a post, I decided to try the Michelin Defender MS2 is 285/60-18. Very quiet, transformed handling, great on snow and aforementioned off road usage. Very capable for my use case.
However, my vain side decided I couldn't handle the look. Put the Nokian's back on. Surprisingly, the snow grip was significantly worse than the Michelin's.
The howl bothered me so decided to try the Falken Wildpeak AT4W in 285/65-18.
Similar to before, I ordered the SL. But the shop ordered the LTs and those went on. I drove away and was shocked at the sluggishness and ride quality and I checked and they were LTs.
The howl was gone compared to the Nokian's but they were overall a little noisier. Though as one could anticipate, the stiffer carcass made the handling sharper.
An exchange was enabled a few days later to SLs. The ride is great, they are quiet, and the vehicle feels more responsive with the reduced weight.
Conclusions:
1) For my use case, the Michelin's are the best.
2) If you need the capability and look of an AT, go with the Falken's though I don't have snow experience with them yet
3) I would pass on the Nokian's
4) Be more diligent than I in checking on what the shop receives
Use case: 80% highway/city, 20% fire trails, logging roads, loose sharp rocks and hills but no rock crawling per se. No towing. Minnesota, so snow and ice.
Started with LT Nokian Outpost NaT in 275/65-18. However, I immediately felt the ride was too harsh and the vehicle sluggish. They were supposed to be SL and an exchange was permitted after a week or so.
The ride smoothened out and quieted down. There was a howl at 62mph or so that didn't exist above or below that.
After reading a post, I decided to try the Michelin Defender MS2 is 285/60-18. Very quiet, transformed handling, great on snow and aforementioned off road usage. Very capable for my use case.
However, my vain side decided I couldn't handle the look. Put the Nokian's back on. Surprisingly, the snow grip was significantly worse than the Michelin's.
The howl bothered me so decided to try the Falken Wildpeak AT4W in 285/65-18.
Similar to before, I ordered the SL. But the shop ordered the LTs and those went on. I drove away and was shocked at the sluggishness and ride quality and I checked and they were LTs.
The howl was gone compared to the Nokian's but they were overall a little noisier. Though as one could anticipate, the stiffer carcass made the handling sharper.
An exchange was enabled a few days later to SLs. The ride is great, they are quiet, and the vehicle feels more responsive with the reduced weight.
Conclusions:
1) For my use case, the Michelin's are the best.
2) If you need the capability and look of an AT, go with the Falken's though I don't have snow experience with them yet
3) I would pass on the Nokian's
4) Be more diligent than I in checking on what the shop receives
