Dueler APTs vs. BG AT KOs? (Revos not an option)

[BathysHawaii]

Aloha All,

I live in Kauai where there's basically no choices when it comes to tires for my 2003 Sport. I have a Sears and a couple other small dealers with very limited stock. Shipping from Tire Rack etc is out as well because it'll cost me over $120-200 to ship them here, and then pay to have them installed.

At the moment there's no 265/70/17 revos on the island, but there are both Dueler APTs and BG AT KOs in stock at Sears. (The BGs are $190 each here...). I searched here and found lots on revos but only one small post regarding the APTs. Anyone have them?

Ah..what is my planned use you say? Well here we do some pretty serious trail riding and rock/mud crawling. I have a 3 yo and a baby on the way so a lift is not happening soon (though Cornfed spacers might come someday). "Highway" driving here is kind of a joke...there's only one hwy! Mostly what I need is something to haul me through deep mud, through streams and over big ass rocks....gas mileage/noise are secondary.

And I must admit the Dunlops that are on there have taken some serious beating, more than I would've thought...but I have now scraped off the lettering and there are numerous cuts in the sidewall so they need to go asap.

One final question. I've seen mostly posts saying that 265/70/17s don't rub, but a few that say they DO rub?
What's the real answer?

mahalo,
John

ps. one other option is Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ Radials 245/70/17...these are about $260 each though and are narrower.

:arrow:

 

[RonMAIDEN]

How about a set of Yokohama Geolandars AT+IIs;they've gotten some good reviews on trips over Moab and when on the pavement they are still quite good and are another tire that withstands hydroplaning much better than the BFGs. Yokohama does also sell their mud tire too and Nitto offers a mud terrain tire too and their prices are nice too.

 

[Bluto]

BFG or Goodyear Mud Terrains.

 

[Thai]

I don't know about Dunlops. However, for YOUR use, i would get BFG AT KO from the choices that you are giving us. It is more tear-resistant over rocks than other AT tires. However, NO AT TIRE IS GOOD IN MUD. So, don't expect a miracle with any AT tire in deep mud. Mud requires mud-terrain tires...BFG MT, GY MT/R, or Toyo MT are excellent choices (if available in your area).

 

[BathysHawaii]

Thanks Guys!

Well the saga continues....went to Sears for the BFG AT KOs and despite the fact that the computer said they had 6...they only had 2. sigh.

That left only the APTs so I decided to wait. I did find some of these Interco Super Swampers SSRs:
http://www.intercotire.com/site34.php for $228 each, which is a bit much, but these puppies should definitely get me through most anything. Might go for them...(I'll do a search and see if these have discussed here or on yotatech before.)

I see now that 265/70/17s will fit...

thanks all!

ps well now I see the super swampers are 32.5" so probably too big for my stock. Odd since other 265/70/17s are more like 30.6"...

 

[Kmvreter]

I'd personally order the BFG.

 

[Red3.slow]

if you want to go with the Super Swampers you best prepare your self to dish out the cash for them more often then with normal tires. The tread on those things gets eaten on the street. You'll be very impressed what you can make it though with a set of BFG A/T

 

[Falls]

I would go with BFG AT , I've alway's had them for many year's and they have never let me down .

I currently have 265/70/17 Revo's on and they are nice At tire , but would prefer BFG AT. No rubbing with my 265/70's either.....

 

[BathysHawaii]

I appreciate the answers that keep coming in. I'm still waiting for the BFGs to come in. The other option that I might have is some Goodyear Mud Terrains. I need to search posts and see what folks think about it...

Here in Kauai, MUD is definitely the main thing I face. It has rained 14 inches here in the past 12 days....that gives you a feel for what it's like here in March.

Aloha,
John

here's a photo showing mt. waiele'ele
the wettest spot on earth. this is about 5 miles from my house...looks DRY in the foreground, and it is, but look back at the mountain and you'll see the 3500 foot waterfalls coming. lots of MUD and good 4-wheeling back in there!


http://www.pfischer.com/Hawaii%202003/Hawaii%202003-4%20iPhoto-Images/106.jpg

 

[Falls]

What about the BFG Mud terrain , it seem's with that much moisture there that might be a better choice.

I can't comment on the GY Mud Terrain 's since I've never had them.

 

[BathysHawaii]

as if i haven't changed my mind enough already...

Thanks Falls (and everyone else) for your input. I will check the BFG Mud Terrains...also I read many favorable things here and elsewhere on the Goodyear MT/Rs. It'll be one of these 3...

A bulb (finally) came on in my head today and I'm going to try calling over to Oahu and see what it would cost for shipping from there. There's several large dealers there. Shipping with Tirerack was $180 (not bad really...but 3-6 weeks) and at Discount Tire I had the choice of either $463 or $687 shipping...hmmmm...don't think so.

I got a 17 foot Kayak shipped over from Oahu for $40...so these should be about the same.

I wasn't really aware of this and the other forums for my 2003 Sport...so I'm stoked to have such a great resource. Whatever choice I make, it'll be much more well-informed!

Since I'm sure it'll be keeping everyone up at night wondering, I'll get back to you once I get some tires on this pup.

shoots,
John

 

[SKO450ES]

For an all around tire go with the KO's, if you want a more aggresive tire like an M/T with excellent on road caracteristics try the Toyo M/T I did and am very happy so far.

 

[BathysHawaii]

OK, well the story is starting to wrap up - I ordered 4 x 265/70/17 Goodyear MT/Rs from Tire Rack. Here's how my options broke down:

First off, Goodyear in Honolulu could not even find these tires in any GY warehouse in the country (he looked as far west as Memphis TN)...neither could Sears. But what was interesting is how much these guys as asking vs. Tire Rack.

Here's the math if they COULD get the tires...
Goodyear in Honolulu:
MT/Rs $304 each+$40 ship+$85 mount = $1341

Sears here in Kauai (wait time 3-4 weeks or much longer):
MT/Rs $280 each + $40 disposal fee = $1160

Tire Rack (wait time 3 days FedEx 2 day ship)
MT/Rs $204 each + 180 shipping + 85 mounting = $1081

So, it's a no brainer. Tire Rack is cheaper, and actually has the tires in stock.

From everything I read on several dozen websites and Tire Rack's online poll, the MT/Rs are the best blend of mud/rock/trail performance. No real "highway" driving here (50 mph max speed limit island-wide), and tire life isn't a big deal on a small island.

Once they arrive and get mounted, I'll send in some pictures and a report.

Thanks to everyone for the help!

Aloha,
John

 

[Falls]

Congrat's on the purchase , can't wait to see some muddy pic's ....