I'm done with AT Tires

[Argyle Edison]

I have just under 300K on this 2010 and she is still running great, but the AT tires have worn me out. They start off great and eventually get super noisy and annoying. I don't wheel this thing anywhere these days and spend most of my days around 70 MPH to and from work.

Had some Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 installed the other day in the stock variety. They all took only virtually no weight and ride like your on glass.

Yes, the Wildpeaks looked better, but this ride is amazing. I had forgotten just how nice it can be. :boink:

Yeah, she's a dirty girl. It's winter...

 

[T4R2014]

Depends on the AT honestly. I had some Yokohama AT's installed on a GX470. Very mild for an all terrain. Now a BFGoodrich AT is on the more aggressive side and will ride like crap by comparison.

 

[Hungryhawk]

The defenders are a great tire. I put them on my sons CRV all wheel drive . Perfect tire so far.

 

[rdruss]

You will never regret the Defenders.

 

[Humble Leader]

unpopular opinion: if you have a daily driver AT tires are not worth it. even if you offroad occasionally. and don't tell me they perform good in winter. if you've had dedicated winter tires then moved to AT in the winter, there is no comparison. 3 peak don't matter.

I have michelin defenders and they are great

the only time I'd get AT tires are if I Lived somewhere very hot and offroaded a lot

 

[Yamahamer]

One of my first mods when I bought my 4R was to install Michelin Defender tires on it. Most of my driving is on dirt roads and the Defenders have handled them just fine for the past two years.

 

[MattRunningman]

Yeah man, I switched from some noisy ATs to Defenders on my daily and it's night and day difference - they're boring but super quiet and smooth on the highway.

 

[sport2004]

Big fan of Defenders here.

 

[emmantik]

I also have a daily driver with AT's but no offroading. Had BFG KO2 and now Falken Wildpeak AT3. The trick is to find an AT with lower ply rating like 6 ply. Like a C or SL load rating. You get the look of the AT but not as stiff and heavy. Both I had/have are in stock size 265/70/17.

I'm due for new tires and looking at the AT4W Wildpeaks in standard load rating for my next set.

 

[1100 Remington Man]

Everybody has different needs and I Hike and Hunt and Fish too much too not have AT. One has to find what works for You TC.

 

[KJ4RNR]

I’m looking for new tires and am undecided what to go with.

If I get winter tires then for my daily driver I need something that is light, good in rain, not noisy and can handle light off-roading here in northern Ontario.
Any suggestions???

 

[progress4m]

Everybody has different needs and I Hike and Hunt and Fish too much too not have AT. One has to find what works for You TC.

Same here, so I 100% agree.

To OP: some AT in SL configuration can be as good (or almost as good- brand \tire dependent) as HT tires on a pavement.

Just as a data point: I have Nitto Terra Grappler G2 AT, I have approximately 60K on them - no issues and looks like they can go another 20K. There other tires\brands that would perform as good or better.

 

[sport2004]

Same here, so I 100% agree.

To OP: some AT in SL configuration can be as good (or almost as good- brand \tire dependent) as HT tires on a pavement.

Just as a data point: I have Nitto Terra Grappler G2 AT, I have approximately 60K on them - no issues and looks like they can go another 20K. There other tires\brands that would perform as good or better.

How are those tires on the streets?

 

[progress4m]

How are those tires on the streets?

IMHO, they are very good to excellent, quiet, soft and great traction on dry pavement.

They were great on wet roads when new, but not anymore, however, my tires are over 5 years old so that would be expected. Also, again IMHO, they are not the best for snow.

At the same time those Terra Grappler G2 were on my 4Runner for many sky trips to Colorado, long family vacations that included off road trails in Colorado and Moab, and I use 4runner for hunting - not one issue with tires.

As far as I know, Terra Grappler G2 has been replaced with Terra Grappler G3, new version is heavier and I am not sure what else changed, but new G3 is 3 peak rated, G2 was not.


Based on my research, if I would be looking at AT tire that is not too aggressive, with great road manners I would strongly consider new Yokohama GEOLANDAR A/T4 in SL load rating.

 

[MZ2215]

+1 for the Defenders. All around great tire. Don't do a whole lot of off-roading but they've never disappointed in sketchy conditions.

 

[Shredder54]

Going on my second winter with BFG KO3’S and they’ve been great. I drove through ten inches of fresh snow today without any issues. Also great in sand and mud.

 

[Lexington]

Same here, so I 100% agree.

To OP: some AT in SL configuration can be as good (or almost as good- brand \tire dependent) as HT tires on a pavement.

Just as a data point: I have Nitto Terra Grappler G2 AT, I have approximately 60K on them - no issues and looks like they can go another 20K. There other tires\brands that would perform as good or better.

Unfortunately the Grapplers I had on my 4Runner would slide in heavy rain. I got rid of them. I put on a set of KO2 and been happy ever since. However, I would be interested in seeing how they compare to the Defender. It sounds like the Defenders might be a little quieter.

 

[Nick B]

To me the only thing I don’t like about the Defender tire is the look .
They look like a tire my grandma would have on her Buick .

 

[Yamahamer]

To me the only thing I don’t like about the Defender tire is the look .
They look like a tire my grandma would have on her Buick .

And that's a bad thing?

I've never been able to understand why anyone would choose "looks" over "functionality" in any product.

 

[fourrunnerbill]

In my opinion if you have a 4x4 and go off road you need AT tires. Otherwise what's the point in having a vehicle like this.