Need new tires, not off roading, are these any good?

[CelticRunner]

TLDR: I realized my initial post rambled (little distracted by family while writing).
Does anyone have experience with the Achilles Desert Hawk HT2 tires? Positives/negatives?


I’ve been reading a lot of tire posts the last couple days but forgive my ignorance on this topic.

SIZING
First, I’m leaning towards 265/65R17 tires, because that’s what I’ve always had. After a lot of research I still don’t understand what makes them worse than the 265/70R17 tires. It’s almost like the 70s ARE better, and everyone notes the drawbacks (speedometer is not as accurate, aesthetics, and possibly ride quality). What I’m most concerned about is safety since I’ll have the kids in this car with me.
Some of the benefits of the 65 tires may be that they are lighter, contributing to better gas mileage (not as important) and better pickup (which I would appreciate). But let me know if I’m way off base in this assessment.

TIRES
I liked the Michelin’s I’ve had in the past, but when it came time to replace them I put on a pair of cheap Autogrip At-Tracks since money was tight. These tires sucked and I noticed my stoping distance Suffered as a result. They didn’t wear evenly despite alignments and new shocks/suspension.

Local tire place has recommended Achelis Desert Hawk H/T2 tires (Just over $600 total). Has anyone used these? Reviews are hard to find. They are much less aggressive than what I have now, which means I need to buy 4 (the two rear tires are still plenty good, but as I noted above, they just don’t seem like good tires.) however, I’ll probably get one of these two put on the spare which has never been replaced (in the 140k miles I’ve owned it) and doesn’t hold air, constantly trowing the low tide pressure light.


WHATS IMPORTANT
Obviously, there are many tires for many tasks. I’m not off roading with this vehicle so I don’t need the blizaks, or other higher end off road tires.
I generally use this as an around the town car, with some highway driving and as I previously mentioned, this is the car that drives the kids/fits the car seats, so safety is important. Fuel mileage is not as important since it’s just around town and I’m not putting a lot of miles on it commuting anymore. I’d also like to avoid Chinese tires, even if it costs me a little more.

Essentially:
-Safety, including in wet conditions
-Mostly around town driving and some highway/highway speeds
-would like something somewhat capable in a couple inches of snow, in case of emergency and we need to get somewhere
-low mileage, so the tires would probably dry rot before I hit any warranty miles.
-price is a factor, but I’m also a proponent of “you get what you pay for” and I’m trying to balance the two.
-preferably not made in China tires (though I’m having trouble even verifying where the tires are made these days

What’s not important:
-gas mileage
-aggressive off road capabilities (especially due to higher price and sacrificing on road safety)


I didn’t want to make another tire post but haven’t seen some of these specific points addressed. I appreciate any input/suggestions as there is such a wealth of knowledge on this forum.

Thank you!

 

[Syr4RinNC]

Im not sure you can go wrong. I dont have any experience with the achilles. You could probably youtube a review.

I really liked my mastercraft courser tires I had in the past and theres different levels of high way/ all season/ all terrain you can get.

If youve always had 265 65 17, and are happy with it, no reason to go bigger. another option would be 255 70 17s, which will be slightly narrower but taller - maybe a little less cornering ability, lighter tire and more traction in snow

I think you balance price and reputable brand, but dont over think it. you could also check here, craigslist, facebook for someone selling some used tires and you could try them for a while before you buy brand new - though they may have problems and thats a little riskier than any new tire

 

[CelticRunner]

Appreciate the feedback. I probably am overthinking it to a degree.

Quick question, why would a thinner tire provide better traction in the snow?

 

[02SE]

Appreciate the feedback. I probably am overthinking it to a degree.

Quick question, why would a thinner tire provide better traction in the snow?

A thinner tire means less rubber on the ground. So the pounds per square inch of tread in contact with the ground increases. Thinner tires can also dig through the snow down to the roadway easier because of that.

However, if the snow is so deep that digging down through the snow means the vehicle will be high-centered, with the belly of the vehicle resting on the snow, and all four tires spinning uselessly, a skinny tire won't help. In that case you want the tread footprint to be as large as possible, to reduce the pounds per square inch of tread.

Those that drive in deep snow with no hope of digging down to firm ground for traction, will usually run very oversized tires, and air them down to very low air pressure, to make the tire contact patch even larger. The idea in this case is to stay on top of the snow, instead of sinking into it.

 

[Vwright14]

SInce you dont plan on off roading two I would recommend are the Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT or the Kumho Crugen HT51. I have had great luck selling both and the Kumho has been a surprise to most people I have sold it to. Pretty quiet, 70k mile rating and triple peak snow rated.

 

[Morse34]

A thinner tire means less rubber on the ground. So the pounds per square inch of tread in contact with the ground increases.

 

[<<<<]

... unless you are in mud or sand and need as much contact area as possible with the least pounds per square inch.

 

[Bezzos]

I got my Michelin tires from 4wheelonline. It was a perfect tire for my car. I gave it a 5-star rating because it exceeded my expectations.

 

[JLTD]

Sorry I have no clue on the Achilles, but they are made in Indonesia by the same company that makes Corsa tires, which I've heard of but never owned.


With budget in mind, have you considered Cooper Tire? The AT3 4S is a great all around tire, in all conditions. Or the Yokohama Geolandar G015. Both have great reviews.

Don't see where you live, but Big O and NTB frequently have specials on them.

 

[another-bill]

I bought a used 2005 V8 SR5 with Mastercraft Courser tires on it and they were like water skies in the rain and it rains a lot in South Louisiana. Replaced them with Michelin Defender LTX AT2 tires that were simply awesome. I drive 99% on the road with a bit of gravel, these tires had what I call the "Michelin ride" which is incredible, zero hydroplaning and great tracking. Hit a deer and totaled the 4Runner so the almost new tires went with it

Replaced it with a 2018 SR5 with the factory Dunlops, that sucked. The Defender LTX AT2 tires were unavailable due to the COVID issues so I bought the Defender LTX M/S tires and while not as aggressive looking's the AT2s they transformed the ride incredibly. Rock solid in the rain, like rails on dry payment and a super smooth ride. Happy camper here.

BTW, my old neighbor bought a 2003 4Runner SR5 4WD new with the goal of putting 250K miles on it, he sells industrial steel and travels a LOT. Today that 4Runner has 700,000 miles on it, original V6 motor, transmission and diff. In that time he went through 3 sets of Michelin Defender LTX M/S tires and got 100,000 miles on all 3 sets. Another tire that gave him good results were the Firestone Destination tires but the Michelins were incredible.

I have run many many sets of Michelin Pilot Sports on my BMWs with my crazy ass driving and I am an unabashed Michelin fanboy, so there's that.

 

[DrewHealy]

Work at Discount and these are the more common and respected tires for highway use...

Bridgestone Dueler LHT
Yokohama Geolander
Scorpion Verde
Cooper Discoverer

 

[alexa0ne]

Other options that you may consider getting if you are not into off-road adventures are as follow:

Michelin Defender LTX
Falken Wildpeak H/T
Kumho Crugen HT51
Goodyear Assurance MaxLife