Which tire O wise ones?

[tech_dog]

I'm now leaning towards the 295/70/16 to go with a 2.5" OME and stock 16" rims.

This means the Revos are out. Even if they made the size, I don't think I'd pick them. Yes, there's a poll that shows them top rated, but if you read the comments you see that most of the people who responded said they drove on-road only. Also, everyone here knows that most people are idiots, so you don't get all that much info from a poll.

The Nitos Terra Grappler AT seem like it may be a good way to go. Consumer reports real testing rated them the best on-road, and the tread design looks "believable" for off road. Does anyone have recent feedback on on and off road performance on these, as well as quality of wear?

I'm now leaning away from the BFG AT TA KO, since Consumer Reports rated them fairly low on-road, and that would back up the general impression I've gotten that they're rock hard, last forever, but may not be as sticky as some other choices.

Yes, I realize there are other tire threads out there. I think I've read most of them and am continuing to comb through the archives. As someone said, half the fun is the research.


Final word - Is anyone unhappy with their Nittos Terra Grappler AT's, on or off road? How harsh a ride, and how loud a ride on-road?

Danka.

 

[cary]

I'm now leaning away from the BFG AT TA KO, since Consumer Reports rated them fairly low on-road, and that would back up the general impression I've gotten that they're rock hard, last forever, but may not be as sticky as some other choices.


Danka.

You better go back and re-read that consumer reports test more carefully, as they didn't test the BFG A/T, they tested the BFG Rugged Terrain which has entirely different construction from the A/T from the tread through the casing.

It is interesting to note concerning snow traction that the only A/T tire I have seen that is severe snow rated (snowflake symbol) is the BFG A/T.

 

[roncruiser]

jditom, congrats on your choice! You'll be surprised how they perform off the road.

 

[tech_dog]

You better go back and re-read that consumer reports test more carefully, as they didn't test the BFG A/T, they tested the BFG Rugged Terrain which has entirely different construction from the A/T from the tread through the casing.

Thanks for the correction. I've been reading about tires for 48 hours now and I'm starting to loose track.

Maybe I'll just put on some Mich LT's and have a couple beers....



Picking out tires is a beech!

 

[Bruneti]

It is interesting to note concerning snow traction that the only A/T tire I have seen that is severe snow rated (snowflake symbol) is the BFG A/T.

Cary - Interesting in what way? All the feedback that I've read on this forum seems to say the BFG's are not that good in deep snow, ice, or rainy (standing water) conditions. I for one, don't know the criteria for getting this snowflake rating. Can you explain further what you mean?

The comments I have read in many other threads lead me to believe that the BFG would be great for someone in the SouthWest who wants a tire with excellent wear and is good on&off road in the dry. Being up North, I have been looking at Revos and Terra Grapplers due to their reportedly better manners in the previously mentioned conditions.

 

[Hayes]

I don't hold much regard for the snowflake. My Terra Grapplers are night-to-day better in snow (particularly better on packed snow/ice) than BFG A/Ts.

Snowflake schmowflake.

Hayes

P.S. Tech Dog, are you sure you don't mean 295/75 R16?

Hayes

 

[cary]

The snowflake is a standard that was started in Canada to identify tires that meet "snow tire" requirements. Most of these tires are dedicated snow tires, but a few like the BFG A/T have also been tested and qualify. Obviously if a manufacture doesn't submit their tire, it won't be certified, but it at least guarantees you certain level of performance. I have had my BFG A/T's up on the snow in tahoe and never had a problem.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/tire3.htm

http://www.tirerack.com/images/winter/TiresSuitableforSevereSnow.pdf

http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/tires/wintertires/tirelist.htm

http://www.safety-council.org/info/traffic/snowtires.html

 

[NorCalSam]

Cary - Interesting in what way? All the feedback that I've read on this forum seems to say the BFG's are not that good in deep snow, ice, or rainy (standing water) conditions. I for one, don't know the criteria for getting this snowflake rating. Can you explain further what you mean?

The comments I have read in many other threads lead me to believe that the BFG would be great for someone in the SouthWest who wants a tire with excellent wear and is good on&off road in the dry. Being up North, I have been looking at Revos and Terra Grapplers due to their reportedly better manners in the previously mentioned conditions.

Look I have looked for this for 15 years a all around good on and off road tire does not really exist. Its like this .........You only want one chainsaw so you buy and mid sized model but it is to weak and small to cut the big stuff fast and too big and heavy to lim with.

I gave up on this I now have two sets of rims. One for winter toyo MTs and one for summer (have not bought yet).

I ran BFG AT for years the traction was good they lasted long and were very strong. But mud or even an inch of slush and it was over.


there are other newer tire out there that clear out better but the sidewall is weak.

 

[Beowulf]

OK stock is 275/70/16 but you all have talked me into 285/75/17 Revo's. Will oder them today!
Damn this is going to be a money pit forum I have joined.

Not so fast newbie.

Why 285's? Doncha think they are a little small and girlie looking for an 80?

My suggestion:
Install 4" Slee lift kit.
Get five new 36" Krawlers or Swampers on OEM steelies from C-Dan.
You gotta get sliders to protect those fragile rockers.
You'll need a rear bumper to carry that huge spare tyre.
Might as well get a matching front winch bumper.
And you'll need a winch for the new bumper.

Then we'll start recommending how to spend some REAL money on racks and drawer systems, and roof top tents, and sub-tanks, spare parts, tools, electronics, dual batteries, OBA, and of course the obligatory fridge.

Welcome to 'Mud.

-B-

 

[Hayes]

Then we'll start recommending how to spend some REAL money on racks and drawer systems, and roof top tents, and sub-tanks, spare parts, tools, electronics, dual batteries, OBA, and of course the obligatory fridge.

Welcome to 'Mud.

-B-

In a conversation with wife yesterday about the checking account:

Wife: "Another charge to American Toyota?!"

Me: "Necessary maintenence dear."

Wife: "The Cruiser sure needs a lot of maintenence."

Me: "....."

Hayes

 

[cary]

Look I have looked for this for 15 years a all around good on and off road tire does not really exist. Its like this .........You only want one chainsaw so you buy and mid sized model but it is to weak and small to cut the big stuff fast and too big and heavy to lim with.

That really is the bottom line. Every tire is a compromise. BFG A/Ts are good in the snow, have strong sidewalls, and work okay on the street. They absolutely suck in mud (at least our clay here) and as they get worn down start to get sketchy in the rain.

For snow, nothing will beat a dedicated snow tire, period. For mud, nothing will work as well as a dedicated Mud tire. For road, nothing beats a dedicated road tire. You have to decide when buying an A/T what compromises you are willing to accept.

 

[tech_dog]

That really is the bottom line. Every tire is a compromise. BFG A/Ts are good in the snow, have strong sidewalls, and work okay on the street. They absolutely suck in mud (at least our clay here) and as they get worn down start to get sketchy in the rain.

For snow, nothing will beat a dedicated snow tire, period. For mud, nothing will work as well as a dedicated Mud tire. For road, nothing beats a dedicated road tire. You have to decide when buying an A/T what compromises you are willing to accept.

Yep. That's the bottom line. The hard part is figuring out which tire best reflects the compromises you want to make.

Personally, I want a tire thats excellent in the rain, very good in ice, packed snow, deep snow, and good in dirt, sand and mud.

I'm willing to accept some extra noise and a harsh ride to get the above.

The hardest part is figuring out which tire best reflects those priorities and comes in the size I want. The second hardest part is avoiding buying the tire that just looks the coolest.

I'm still leaning towards the Nitto Terra Grapplers, but am hoping to find something a bit more agressive that still has great wet/frozen road traction.

 

[NorCalSam]

In a conversation with wife yesterday about the checking account:

Wife: "Another charge to American Toyota?!"

Me: "Necessary maintenence dear."

Wife: "The Cruiser sure needs a lot of maintenence."

Me: "....."

Hayes

LOL

 

[Brentbba]

OK stock is 275/70/16 but you all have talked me into 285/75/17 Revo's. Will oder them today!
Damn this is going to be a money pit forum I have joined.
And I am glad to be here

I'll help you spend just a little more (about $40 IIRC). Call Slee and order the speedo correction gear. It will almost completely correct the speedo error going from stock 275's to Revo 285's. Super easy install and well worth the accuracy on the speedo and odometer.

BTW - I love my Revo's as well. Have about 20K or so on them and wear is hardly noticable. Much better wear than stock Michelin LTX's.

 

[alvarorb]

OK stock is 275/70/16 but you all have talked me into 285/75/17 Revo's. Will oder them today!
Damn this is going to be a money pit forum I have joined.
And I am glad to be here

Money Pit?
Depends who you ask. There a guy on the forum who tells his wife that mods are really cheap. A bumper is $200. A winch $150. New diesel engine $750.

I don't want to know how much money has gone into the cruiser.

Alvaro

 

[Brentbba]

Not so fast newbie.

Why 285's? Doncha think they are a little small and girlie looking for an 80?

My suggestion:
Install 4" Slee lift kit.
Get five new 36" Krawlers or Swampers on OEM steelies from C-Dan.
You gotta get sliders to protect those fragile rockers.
You'll need a rear bumper to carry that huge spare tyre.
Might as well get a matching front winch bumper.
And you'll need a winch for the new bumper.

Then we'll start recommending how to spend some REAL money on racks and drawer systems, and roof top tents, and sub-tanks, spare parts, tools, electronics, dual batteries, OBA, and of course the obligatory fridge.

Welcome to 'Mud.

-B-

ROTFLMAO! I remember telling B what I'd never do. Of his first list above I've now done all but the steelies and winch. Will be doing the 2.5" OME next month instead of the Slee 4" tho and I'm looking at rear drawers!

Be careful of this site - it's expensive!! hehehe

Too funny!

 

[alvarorb]

Brent,

Just try not to scratch your rig when you go offroad. The slippery slope gets more slippery after that. Once you realize that is ok to have a few dings here and there. That they add character to your rig, there's no turning back.

Alvaro

 

[Brentbba]

Brent,

Just try not to scratch your rig when you go offroad. The slippery slope gets more slippery after that. Once you realize that is ok to have a few dings here and there. That they add character to your rig, there's no turning back.

Alvaro

LOL!

I cringed on the first pinstripe on Millers. I've been ok since then as she was truely pristine before that, even on the hits to the front and rear bumpers and the one little nick I picked up on the front diff on Coyote Canyon. Panel damage by way of creases or dents like you have on LaCabra may be another story. I'm part way down that slope I'd guess and know what you mean. LaCabra is just a well loved truck!

 

[NorCalDoug]

I have Goodyear MT/Rs on mine.

The wife's will be letting loose of those dryed out Michelins tomorrow and will be getting a set of (5) Revos (285/75 R16). Kudos to the counter guy at America's Tire for dropping the total price by about $150...apparently just because he didn't like the total price being as high as it was -- I basically got the tire replacement warranty for free.

I've seen the Revos perform off-road at Moab -- traction was quite impressive. We don't have much snow here and if we head toward the snow, it'll be in my rig anyhow. I've owned BFG ATs in the past and have been fairly impressed -- not great, not bad -- just good.

 

[Brentbba]

The wife's will be letting loose of those dryed out Michelins tomorrow and will be getting a set of (5) Revos (285/75 R16).

You are such a good husband. She'll like them. Better fit for the cruiser wheel wells and IMHO perform as well if not better than the Michelin's everywhere I've been.