Aggressive AT/Hybrid Tire Comparo

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Xrider237

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I've been searching all over the interwebz looking for comparisons as well as others experiences trying to find as much information as I can for my next tire purchase. for reference, ive been running on 265/70/17 Duratracs E Load for the last few years in all sorts of conditions: dry, wet, sand, snow, ice, mud and they have been great.

in all fairness I've never owned any other aggressive AT tires so I cannot compare them with anything i've owned. I've not had any balancing issues or sidewall punctures or flats but I haven't done any wheeling on sharp rocks or stumps etc... I just want a great all arounder that can tackle anything yet be civil on the road

the only complaint I have, and its prolly a little unfair, is that the DT's have become quite loud and buzzy although there is plenty of tread left and still work just fine- im just on the road a lot and the hwy driving has become an issue..im considering getting a fresh set of DT's but at the same time there are some other great options out there, hence this thread

the other types of tires im interested in would be the Cooper ST Maxx & AT3, KO2, and the Grabber AT2

the size will be either 265/70/17 or 255/75/17 minimum C Load up to E

I've read up a lot on all these tires and they all seem like really great tires..ive really been thinking the ST Maxx in 255/75/17 in C load but would really like to hear others opinions and better yet experience

i'd like to just compare the performance of these tires straight up without $$ being a consideration for now

I appreciate any insight or advice
 
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I put the Grabbers on the wifes 2000 4 runner they look great, also they seem to ride good. We just got through winter in western new york and she had no complaints nothing but good things to say. i on the other hand put the BF Goodrich TA KO/2 on my 2010 4runner. Look good and handle great
 
I just swapped out some KO2's for a new set of ST Maxx today. I have nothing bad to say about the KO2. It's been a great tire both on and off the road in all conditions. Very quiet and smooth on the road. The only reasons I am swapping them out is that I wanted a little taller tire and I got a good deal on some 255/80/17 ST Maxx. As for the ST Maxx, to early for me to review but I can already tell they are a little louder than the KO2's.
 
I've been running the st maxx on my tundra since December. I have no complaints so far. Handle wet roads with no sliding or hydroplaning. The limited off road use I've done they do well on muddy field roads during hunting season. They are louder than the stock "at" tire. But that was expected. They are quieter than the nitto trail grapplers I put on my old truck. My wife doesn't say anything about them being loud either and she hates tire noise. So far I think I got the perfect tire for my needs.

I've ran the old bfg on a couple trucks and they are ok unless you get in the mud and then they are slicks. Not sure if the ko2 is any better.
 
Huge fan of the ST Maxx. Both my son and I run 285/70's. I've got about 15K miles on mine and they're still quiet and smooth on the road. I go off-road more than the average bear and they are more than aggressive enough. I replaced a set of KM2's after 20K miles because I couldn't take the noise any more.

My son just replaced his after 30K miles with a set of 35" retreads (I forget the brand, KO carcass) and he has a buyer for his used ST Maxx at $350.
 
I like my store brand Cooper AT3's. They ride and handle great on and off road. They've pulled me through mud, mush, and rocks like it isn't there, except exactly once.

I have had exactly one problem off road. I was on a super slick red-clay road with about 6" ruts a few weekends ago. I decided to take the bypass around some really deep and slanted ruts up ahead, so I backed up and tried to turn. I couldn't get enough grip to pull diagonally out of a little 6" rut to make the turn. At full lock, forwards and backwards, the tires were just sliding sideways along the edge of the rut. I eventually had to get out and dig a notch for the lower tire to grab and lift out. I can't help but think that I wouldn't have had that problem with a more aggressive sidewall like with the Duratrac or ST Maxx.
 
I have to KO2s and couldn't be happier. Good traction, and are reasonably quiet on the highway. I would get them again.
 
it seems the st maxx are more or less pretty close to the duratracs except they have a 3ply sidewall, a bit heavier as a result- the 255/75/17 st maxx in load range C is heavier than my e load 265/65/17 dt's by a few lbs

the ko2's look to be a very solid option that seem to be great for a daily driver- anybody know if the get loud and buzzy as the mileage increases?? i know they are relatively new
 
Just my opinion, but the ST Maxx are everything the Duratracs are supposed to be but aren't. They're a better tire in every respect.
 
Xrider237 said:
the ko2's look to be a very solid option that seem to be great for a daily driver- anybody know if the get loud and buzzy as the mileage increases?? i know they are relatively new
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After 14k my KO2's are just as quiet as the day I bought them. I would consider them a great DD tire.
 
Look good and handle great
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everything im seeing on the st maxx is pretty positive..they are even good on wet roads which matters to me..the sidewall design on the duratracs really grabs in the slop- they just go...im guessing the st maxx's to be similar

question tho- i spend a decent amount of time on the beaches, would going to a 255/75/17 c load tire make a difference compared to a 265/70/17?? i know on sand you want width and flotation..on top of the narrower footprint, the maxx sidewalls are quite a bit stiffer than the 2 ply dt's

i'd hate to have tires that struggled in the sand
 
Xrider237 said:
everything im seeing on the st maxx is pretty positive..they are even good on wet roads which matters to me..the sidewall design on the duratracs really grabs in the slop- they just go...im guessing the st maxx's to be similar

question tho- i spend a decent amount of time on the beaches, would going to a 255/75/17 c load tire make a difference compared to a 265/70/17?? i know on sand you want width and flotation..on top of the narrower footprint, the maxx sidewalls are quite a bit stiffer than the 2 ply dt's

i'd hate to have tires that struggled in the sand
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Reducing tire pressure is necessary for just about any tire in the sand. Really there is not much difference between the 265 and 255 I don't think you'll notice either way.
 
[MENTION=99429]WanderinWhitlows[/MENTION]

Would be interesting to see the ST Maxx tested against another comparable tires for comparison. Looks like a pretty good test in general, but an improvement over a stock tire and an all terrain for puncture resistance should be a given. Glad you are having success with the ST Maxx, i will have to consider them for my next tire purchase.
 
PlanetExpress said:
[MENTION=99429]WanderinWhitlows[/MENTION]

Would be interesting to see the ST Maxx tested against another comparable tires for comparison. Looks like a pretty good test in general, but an improvement over a stock tire and an all terrain for puncture resistance should be a given. Glad you are having success with the ST Maxx, i will have to consider them for my next tire purchase.
Click to expand...

Agreed, it's easy to see that this was an advertiser sponsored test but it does illustrate one of the commonly ignored reasons why we air down in the bush. I know some publishers have done other tire tests for their magazines but it always seems like there are a couple obvious selections missing which frustrates end users like us who are really trying to get the best out of our investment.
 
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