AT Tires

[hbrogers]

My 2017 TRD Off Road should arrive this weekend and I plan on switching out the stock wheels and tires. I'm going to get the TRD Pro wheels in matte black and planned on getting a set of 265/70-17 KO2's but I've read mixed reviews about them. Also, the tire shop I went to said those tires are meant more for sand and not suited for where I'd be using them most of the time (North GA and middle TN). I won't be doing any serious off roading but will be used when going camping and on my farm/land on the weekends. Thinking of the following:

BFG KO2
Cooper AT3
Continental TerrainContact
Toyo AT2

Any input would be greatly appreciated

 

[SlickTRD]

My 2017 TRD Off Road should arrive this weekend and I plan on switching out the stock wheels and tires. I'm going to get the TRD Pro wheels in matte black and planned on getting a set of 265/70-17 KO2's but I've read mixed reviews about them. Also, the tire shop I went to said those tires are meant more for sand and not suited for where I'd be using them most of the time (North GA and middle TN). I won't be doing any serious off roading but will be used when going camping and on my farm/land on the weekends. Thinking of the following:

BFG KO2
Cooper AT3
Continental TerrainContact
Toyo AT2

Any input would be greatly appreciated

If the tire shop said the KO2s are meant for sand, what did they recommend instead? I think the KO2s are very capable for what you described. Many users on this forum use it with good results.

 

[DigitalVex]

I owned a set of KO2's once in my life. Had them for about 2 weeks. Turned into slicks with even the slightest mud build up. This was in California . Needless to say, I have never purchased another set.

I would go with a good open tread-block tire with decent siping. Of your listed tires, the Toyo AT2 is the best. I actually had a set of these on my Grand Cherokee and was impressed with on/off road capability.

 

[007Tacoma]

If you would like a much more affordable option that still performs great on sand, dirt, rock, rain, snow, and ice; I can highly recommend the Firestone Destination ATs in stock size. I am over 55,000 miles on mine. They are still quiet with plenty of tread. I have run these on both my 4Runners and both my Tacomas. They handle very well, and they are very quiet.

Now, after saying everything that I said above; you should also know that by the end of the summer they will be over 60,000 miles, and I intend to experiment with the Falken Wildpeak AT3Ws in a either stock size or slightly larger. This is due to the fact that I will be doing much more off-road and snow/ice driving in the next year.

The Destination ATs did great in the snow and ice, but they aren't the best in mud or gravel roads (no ejection bars in the tread).

I hope this helps!

 

[hbrogers]

If the tire shop said the KO2s are meant for sand, what did they recommend instead? I think the KO2s are very capable for what you described. Many users on this forum use it with good results.

He said the Coopers were the best thing to go with. Seeing as how I'm going to be driving more in the city and only light off road on weekends I was wondering if the Continental TerrainContact would be the best choice. They aren't as aggressive and would be better on pavement, but then I begin to wonder if I'm severely limiting the capability of the vehicle with those tires and it's waste.

I really like the look of the KO2's but the lack of a tread warranty worries me.

Also looking for a that performs really well on wet pavement.

 

[Angelo]

My 2017 TRD Off Road should arrive this weekend and I plan on switching out the stock wheels and tires. I'm going to get the TRD Pro wheels in matte black and planned on getting a set of 265/70-17 KO2's but I've read mixed reviews about them. Also, the tire shop I went to said those tires are meant more for sand and not suited for where I'd be using them most of the time (North GA and middle TN). I won't be doing any serious off roading but will be used when going camping and on my farm/land on the weekends. Thinking of the following:

BFG KO2
Cooper AT3
Continental TerrainContact
Toyo AT2

Any input would be greatly appreciated

BFG KO2s are one of the most popular AT tires on the planet, there's a reason for that- I've never seen nor heard that they're "more for sand" anywhere, ever. Anything with millions of users is going to have mixed reviews to some extent, but the reason BFGs stay at or near the top of the list because they work well in many different scenarios where AT tires are called for.

You could spend literally 4 continuous uninterrupted months reading about different tires on this forum and be no better informed on what specific choice to make than you are right now. I'm pretty sure that any of the above choices would work well for your stated application (light off-road, camping, etc.).

I'd say just pay close attention to how well the tire does in NON-typical AT application (rain, snow, ice, etc) if that pertains to you (if the 4R is your DD) and make a popular choice with a good warranty, installation, and balancing and you're golden.

Good luck.

 

[hbrogers]

If you would like a much more affordable option that still performs great on sand, dirt, rock, rain, snow, and ice; I can highly recommend the Firestone Destination ATs in stock size. I am over 55,000 miles on mine. They are still quiet with plenty of tread. I have run these on both my 4Runners and both my Tacomas. They handle very well, and they are very quiet.

Now, after saying everything that I said above; you should also know that by the end of the summer they will be over 60,000 miles, and I intend to experiment with the Falken Wildpeak AT3Ws in a either stock size or slightly larger. This is due to the fact that I will be doing much more off-road and snow/ice driving in the next year.

The Destination ATs did great in the snow and ice, but they aren't the best in mud or gravel roads (no ejection bars in the tread).

I hope this helps!

Tires will most likely see mud and gravel roads and little to no snow or ice so not sure the Destination AT's would be best for me. Thanks for the input though.

 

[Scriffer]

What's the opinion on Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 2's? My neighbor has them on his FJ and loves them. He used them religiously when he lived in Colorado.

I'm in Dallas and don't do serious off-roading, but I want something capable for the odd camping trip and reasonably durable for my highway commute. I'll take any other recommendations y'all have too.

 

[007Tacoma]

Tires will most likely see mud and gravel roads and little to no snow or ice so not sure the Destination AT's would be best for me. Thanks for the input though.

They do okay in mud - just not great in deep mud. Here is a pic of me this past weekend in 1-2 inches of mud doing donuts...

(Photo Credit goes to Victoria Zamora)
https://www.facebook.com/victoriaza...otif_t=photo_reply&notif_id=1495514195423162#

 

[007Tacoma]

What's the opinion on Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 2's? My neighbor has them on his FJ and loves them. He used them religiously when he lived in Colorado.

I'm in Dallas and don't do serious off-roading, but I want something capable for the odd camping trip and reasonably durable for my highway commute. I'll take any other recommendations y'all have too.

Excellent tire that is really quiet, but not the best off-road. Very good in rain though.

 

[Scriffer]

Excellent tire that is really quiet, but not the best off-road. Very good in rain though.

Thanks, sounds right in my wheelhouse. Now I gotta find some wheels.

 

[DesertRnr]

Even though I am now running BFG KO2s, because I find myself going further out into the boonies these days, I ran the Firestone Destination ATs for several years. I found them to be very civilized on the road and quite capable for mild off-roading. I never tried them in any real rough stuff so I cant's speak for that.

 

[Irikumi]

I'm a fan of the KO2's. We use that tire on our work trucks in the Arizona desert, and they rarely have a problem. Our 4x4 get used and abused pretty hard offroad on a daily basis. Those other tires you mentioned I'm sure are fine too, but haven't used them personally so won't comment. I also think the KO2 is a good looking rugged tire.

 

[Cymon]

I spent 2 years researching and reading every tire thread on here and went with Cooper AT3. My justification is on my thread...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/222282-cymons-weekend-warrior-mfd-thread-9.html

 

[007Tacoma]

Even though I am now running BFG KO2s, because I find myself going further out into the boonies these days, I ran the Firestone Destination ATs for several years. I found them to be very civilized on the road and quite capable for mild off-roading. I never tried them in any real rough stuff so I cant's speak for that.

I have beaten the snot out of the Firestone Destination ATs between all 4 of my Toyota Trucks. They have always been surprisingly capable - especially in snow and ice. My only disappointment was in deep mud, but that is to be expected out of an AT Tire.

My hope is that the Falken AT3W does a bit better in mud because I drive too much highway to go full M/T.

 

[Beaumont67]

My 1st choice - Cooper AT3 (very long tread life)
2nd choice - Firestone Destination ATs or Bridgestone Dueler A/T

BFG - shorter life

 

[007Tacoma]

My 1st choice - Cooper
2nd choice - Firestone Destination ATs or Bridgestone Dueler A/T

Cooper ATP and Cooper AT3 are both being carried by my local Discount Tire.

Really good reviews on both.

 

[xpress]

He said the Coopers were the best thing to go with. Seeing as how I'm going to be driving more in the city and only light off road on weekends I was wondering if the Continental TerrainContact would be the best choice. They aren't as aggressive and would be better on pavement, but then I begin to wonder if I'm severely limiting the capability of the vehicle with those tires and it's waste.

I really like the look of the KO2's but the lack of a tread warranty worries me.

Also looking for a that performs really well on wet pavement.

I keep seeing comments every now and again that KO2s are not great on wet pavement. I know it's probably something that will be hard to explain unless you experience it but is that bad that it could be hazardous or more like say driving on snow with all weather tires ?

 

[e60ral]

I keep seeing comments every now and again that KO2s are not great on wet pavement. I know it's probably something that will be hard to explain unless you experience it but is that bad that it could be hazardous or more like say driving on snow with all weather tires ?

i only notice it when accelerating from a stop in wet pavement, i have never felt any traction issues at speed

 

[xpress]

i only notice it when accelerating from a stop in wet pavement, i have never felt any traction issues at speed

Sounds like an acceptable trade-off and minor issue then given the other great positives of the tire?