Downside of P-metric tires

Jetboy

Jetboy

New member
Put on new Toyo AT2s on my 4runner two weeks ago. Got out for the first time on the trail. Within 30 minutes a had punctured one right through the tread on a rock.

Traction up to that point was impressive. No problem making a clean run up this hill. https://youtu.be/gdvArMQYHkg?t=127 But it was dry. A dude on a side by side was pretty surprised how easy it was in the 4runner.

Then I put a hole through the tread. It's sharp rocks, but it seemed really surprising to puncture that easily. The big downside of p rated tires. Or at least Toyo's P casing. Never had a flat in 40k miles on my last goodyear ATS tires. Maybe the toyo AT2's aren't up for the task of offroad use? We'll see how things go going forward.

Anyone else find the AT2s to be weak or the P rated terra grapplers (basically the same tire with different tread pattern)?
 

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I think you are supposed to hit the sharp rocks on the tread blocks and not in-between.

I did not want to go to an E rated tire due to the harshness and stiffer ride, but this looks like a reason to reconsider. Were you aired down or running street pressure?
 
Sometimes it's just luck of the draw, I've known people to wheel "P's" for years and have no problems. I used to work for a major tire brand as a distributor and would be in charge of adjustments/warranty issues. I've seen it all, and even "E's" will come back damaged in the same manner as yours. Yes, you will be better off getting a load range tire, however if 90% of your driving is pavement then the P will offer a nicer ride for you.
 
Jetboy said:
Put on new Toyo AT2s on my 4runner two weeks ago. Got out for the first time on the trail. Within 30 minutes a had punctured one right through the tread on a rock.
Click to expand...

This was a surprise to you?

They work on dirt roads... that is about it. In the rocks you need at least a D rated tire IMHO. Granted, the rating is not the actual strength, but it does give you an idea of the construction.

I had good luck with Duratracks in the D rating, but some people claim the sidewalls are weak, I never had a problem in very rocky conditions.
 
I ran P rated all terrains on a wheeling rig once. After the third flat I gave that up.

Was that hill the bypass right before Wayne's World?
 
I honestly don't think P rated is the way to go off road at all, I'd be scared as hell. I know it's not a question of experience in your case, but maybe it would behoove you to have a set of street tires for longer trips, and a set of something more durable (C,D,E) for trips off the beaten path.

I'd be curious about the pressure as well.
 
I've generally had good luck with p tires. But I also almost always buy Michelin or Goodyear tires.

I was at street pressure. Just out for a quick run.
 
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I've run "E" rated tires and got flats on a trail. I've run "P" tires on a trail and got flats. I've run most tires in between and got flats. Sure, "E" tires have a heavier casing but when you run over certain things at certain times you get flats, plain and simple. Heavier casing tires should last longer on trails but I've had lighter casing tires do just fine. Again, luck of the draw.

I could put steel railroad wheels on my wife's vehicle and she would get a flat. She has the worst luck. A few weeks ago I took it in for a leak and she had run over a utility razor blade. Find a tire that would stand up to that! She has run over sticks, screws, nails and she never leaves the highway and does not drive strange places. She just has the worst luck with tires. We definitely get road hazard with her tires. Paid for itself many times over.
 
Depending on what part of Utah you are in there are probably a lot of sharp rocks like the desert in Arizona. I have helped change to many p tires cut on rocks. In other parts of the country you may get by with p tires but most of the western states it is not a good idea. It is to the point that I will not go out with vehicles with p rated tires. It seems it is always an older person that can not change the tire himself and it usually happens going higher speeds down the smoother trails. Airing down slightly will help but with a p tire you can not air down much as you expose the weak sidewall to the sharp rocks. When I had my 03 4runner when it was stock I did a lot of the easier trails around Moab with the stock tires. I did not get a flat but it was just luck but I was always thinking about a tire getting cut and tried to drive around any suspicious rocks or rougher areas. When I put BFG all terrains on it I could just drive over about anything I wanted and not have to think about the tires. I could also air down much more on trails and this really smooth the ride out.
 
A few tricks to help while off-road and I'm sure most already know of these, but, here goes anyways. It's always smart to keep the tires moving over objects so as the surface continues to change over, so when trying to let's say make a u-turn you don't want to just sit and turn the wheel without either rolling forward or backward, do not just pivot the tire in one place. Also, spinning the tires at an excessive speed in the right conditions will cause failure to its integrity, yes sometimes we have no choice but to use the throttle to get us out of a sticky situation. The problem, is if the tire hits an object while spinning at high speed it will cause the object to puncture it instead of rolling over it like in normal conditions. I once had a 3" shotgun shells puncture my tire as I was spinning them trying to work my way up a dirt road, instead of slowing down and putting it in 4lo. This leads me to another problem, pick up your dam casings when you go shooting in the woods!! Me personally, I lay down a tarp and just fold it up when done:gun6:
 
IMO it's the tire, Toyo AT2s are soft. I had the Toyo AT2 Extreme on a previous rig and they were solid with a better pattern and sidewall. Good luck.
 
I have P rated dura-tracs, I have taken them off road in mud and a lot of rocks and had no issues. They're supposed to have Kevlar reinforcement so I guess that helps avoid punctures. I will be getting the BFG KO2s next and will get at least a C or possibly E rating.
 
KidVermicious said:
I ran P rated all terrains on a wheeling rig once. After the third flat I gave that up.

Was that hill the bypass right before Wayne's World?
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I don't really know the area very well. That was the first time I've been out there. It was the hill right below where there are two old mines with grates over them. Basically right by this area if you recognize it.
 

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^ That's the Anthills. But in that case I have no idea which hill that was you climbed, unless it was the first part of Sidewinder. I can't think of anything like that on Rattlesnake, anyway, but it's been a while since I've been out there too so maybe I'm forgetting it.

Thinking I'll be out there a couple times this winter though. No danger of flats when you're snow wheeling, wanna come get stuck? :)
 
Do you know what the air pressure was? Out West, people drive over pine and fir branches and a twig stub find their way though the tire all the time.
 
KidVermicious said:
^ That's the Anthills. But in that case I have no idea which hill that was you climbed, unless it was the first part of Sidewinder. I can't think of anything like that on Rattlesnake, anyway, but it's been a while since I've been out there too so maybe I'm forgetting it.

Thinking I'll be out there a couple times this winter though. No danger of flats when you're snow wheeling, wanna come get stuck? :)
Click to expand...

I'd love to go play in the snow. Shoot me a PM when you're going out there.
 
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