Best Tire for Rock Crawling

[Chuckles89]

I am currently shredding my BFG KOs in the rocks. I need something with a tougher sidewall and I would like to go bigger.

I'm narrowed down to 255/85R16 KM2s and 9/34-16 TSLs. A.K.A. 33.3x10 and 33.8x9.0

I can't find a very good review of both of them for rock crawling.

My uses will be light mud and rock. I will only drive them on the road when it's dry when I'm going to the trails.

What's everyones experience with them and sidewall/ tread cutting. Close up pictures would be great

 

[185Runner]

I've seen some great things from duratraks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Chuckles89]

I've seen some great things from duratraks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not getting them because of junk sidewalls

 

[BrandonF]

My treadwright retreads have been great and I run a lot of rocky trails to the point where my rims are so damaged Im surprised they still hold air as well as they do.

Which brings me to my next point: Why are you going narrow if you like to run rocks? Narrower tires are going to give you even less rim protection. Even with 285's, Im questioning how long Im going to be able to make my alu wheels last before Im forced to go to heavy steel wheels.

Also, unless you absolutely don't care about body damage, wider tires make a big difference in keeping big rocks away from the body.

 

[LR Max]

I've got 34x10.50x15 Narrow TSLs on an old rover. They pretty much grip to anything. Sidewalls are ridiculously thick. GREAT on ANYTHING off road. If you sipe and groove them, then they are even better.

IMO, the TSL is the best straight up off road tire at 35" and below (the BFG red label krawler, at 37" and above is obviously better). I mounted them on beadlocks and air down to 8psi. It rides like a caddy off road...SSSSSOOOOOOO nice.

However beware, they suck super bad on the road. They flat spot overnight, will sing you the song of their people, and just ride like crap overall. For a 2nd set of wheels or trailering, I wouldn't hesitate. However after 2 hours of riding with them, it sucks so much. Also they are heavy and it kills what little performance I had. Beadlocks didn't help.

I know this is a toyota forum, but here is a pic of said tires on my old rover.

Medium Pimpin' by Max Thomason, on Flickr

Fly like a G6 by Max Thomason, on Flickr

 

[Chuckles89]

My treadwright retreads have been great and I run a lot of rocky trails to the point where my rims are so damaged Im surprised they still hold air as well as they do.

Which brings me to my next point: Why are you going narrow if you like to run rocks? Narrower tires are going to give you even less rim protection. Even with 285's, Im questioning how long Im going to be able to make my alu wheels last before Im forced to go to heavy steel wheels.

Also, unless you absolutely don't care about body damage, wider tires make a big difference in keeping big rocks away from the body.

I want skinnies because I want to do as little trimming as possible, they preform better off-road, they're lighter, and they look amazing.

I have sliders to keep rocks off my body.

I have a set of $70 alloys that I don't care about lol

 

[Chuckles89]

I've got 34x10.50x15 Narrow TSLs on an old rover. They pretty much grip to anything. Sidewalls are ridiculously thick. GREAT on ANYTHING off road. If you sipe and groove them, then they are even better.

IMO, the TSL is the best straight up off road tire at 35" and below (the BFG red label krawler, at 37" and above is obviously better). I mounted them on beadlocks and air down to 8psi. It rides like a caddy off road...SSSSSOOOOOOO nice.

However beware, they suck super bad on the road. They flat spot overnight, will sing you the song of their people, and just ride like crap overall. For a 2nd set of wheels or trailering, I wouldn't hesitate. However after 2 hours of riding with them, it sucks so much. Also they are heavy and it kills what little performance I had. Beadlocks didn't help.

I know this is a toyota forum, but here is a pic of said tires on my old rover.

Medium Pimpin' by Max Thomason, on Flickr

Fly like a G6 by Max Thomason, on Flickr

Awesome! This is exactly what I wanted to see! How long does it take for the flat spots to even out? And did you use beads to balance them?

 

[JtuckerSvces]

Awesome! This is exactly what I wanted to see! How long does it take for the flat spots to even out? And did you use beads to balance them?

I had TSL in 34x10. Mine was bias-ply and flatspots wore out when you get them warm (10-20 miles of driving) and only noticed it because I ride the street. Offroad and going under 10mph. you'll never notice.

 

[Chuckles89]

I just realized that the 9/34-16 TSLs are actually 8" wide mounted. That may be a little too narrow. My next choice is 34x10.50-16 LTBs. Here are some pictures of my dad's old 4Runner. The guy he sold it to bought them, so idk what kind of trimming he had to do.

Edit: I measured my current tires and they're 31" tall and 7.25" tread width mounted so that isn't bad at all

 

[GVL]

I have put my BFG KM2's thru a heck of a test and they have been fantastic on the rocky, loose, chunky stuff on most of the trails up here. As many trails I've been on with sharp rocks and splintered logs I can't believe I haven't got a flat or sidewall damage (knock on wood) and the trusty KM2 equipped 4Runner gets me home every time. When the time comes for new shoes I'll likely put the same rubber right back on - for our type of terrain I would highly recommend the KM2's.

 

[Dropzone]

I have wheeled with a few guys running both the skinny swampers and the KM2.

As mentioned the skinny swampers are loud. I could tell when a friend was a few miles away on a gravel road while coming to an overnight trip last year.
Heavy beasts, flat spots if sitting for awhile.

KM2- OK tires, have seen a few sidewalls ripped. But you can get that with any tire

I am considering the new BFG AT's as a compromise tire between a regular AT and a full blown MT

You didn't mention them and I don't think they make them in the size you mentioned but I would stay away from the Goodyear Kevlar MTR's. They are major PITA to get balanced. They are one of the biggest regrets I have as far as major purchases

 

[meRockboost]

Hmph, I was looking at the MTR next, my duratracs are chunking apart on the trail I run.

 

[AZ_Trails]

You didn't mention them and I don't think they make them in the size you mentioned but I would stay away from the Goodyear Kevlar MTR's. They are major PITA to get balanced. They are one of the biggest regrets I have as far as major purchases

To throw another data point in there, I didn't have any issues balancing my 285 MTRs, or keeping them balanced.

 

[daniresch]

To throw another data point in there, I didn't have any issues balancing my 285 MTRs, or keeping them balanced.

Also have no issues with my MTR's, I run a set of 40x13.5x17 on my truck. I liked them so much I bought 315/75/16 for my daily 4runner.

I have been very happy with their on/off road performance. I previously had KM2s which were also pretty good(owned a set of 35s and 38s), they seem a little softer than the MTR so maybe wore out a little quicker. Off-road traction is about the same.

 

[v_man]

I have MT/R's and am pretty happy with them . They seem to be wearing a little faster than my previous KM2's , but MT/R do a little better off road . I air them down to like 8-10 PSI , no beadlocks . Sidewalls are very strong and don't flex as much as KM2's...wish they weren't so pricey ....

 

[rolling7high]

I have the Toyo Open Country MT 255/86r16. They have been a great tire and incredibly tough.

 

[Chuckles89]

I'm 90% sure I'm getting the TSLs

 

[Dropzone]

i am glad folks have had better luk with their MTR's than I did.
First set I took back after 500 miles and 3 weeks. Discount tire said 3 out of 4 35x12.50x15's were out of round. The next set wasn't much better. I tried 2 sets of rims, ended up dumping the lead weights and balanced the tires with 8-12 ounces of air soft beads in each tire, helped a lot

 

[4Running Daily]

i am glad folks have had better luk with their MTR's than I did.
First set I took back after 500 miles and 3 weeks. Discount tire said 3 out of 4 35x12.50x15's were out of round. The next set wasn't much better. I tried 2 sets of rims, ended up dumping the lead weights and balanced the tires with 8-12 ounces of air soft beads in each tire, helped a lot

Ya MTR's aren't round. None of mine are. Rockdawg84 convinced me to get them and his aren't round either. I still love them and they're the best tire I've ever had.

Probably gonna try Cooper STT Pros next though

 

[Chuckles89]

Ya MTR's aren't round. None of mine are. Rockdawg84 convinced me to get them and his aren't round either. I still love them and they're the best tire I've ever had.

Probably gonna try Cooper STT Pros next though

My buddy has some STT Pros in the 37x12.50 size and he loves them