Paralyzed by indecision on tires
- Thread starter Knoxes
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Sconnie
New member
You and me sound exactly alike. After researching since July I finally pulled the plug on Toyo Open Country ATIII tires. Stock size, P load. I got them installed last week Friday. So far everything feels identical to the stock Duellers they replaced. MPGs are still holding steady at 18 mixed highway/city. I don't hear them at all. Maybe a scosch when lumbering down my road at 25mph? Maybe!? My wife has great ears too (ughh) and she hasn't "MADE ANY COMMENTS" yet. I'll be taking my on some forest service roads a week from today.
My research led me to believe these were the correct choice due to:
price
balanced well (nightmare threads on certain tires I wanted to avoid)
aggressive looks
maintained MPGs/ on road manners
not loud or for that matter any louder than stock Duellers
65K warranty
toyota dealership had a buy 3 get 1 for $1. Out the door for $837 after tax. That included a standard balance and 4 wheel alignment. Plus new wiper blades for some odd reason?
I have zero shimmys or wobbles in the steering wheel so far. 200 miles ish. Thats city driving plus freeway (60-80mph).
and when it does snow for you these are 3PMSF rated.
i would seriously give these a look if i were you!!!
My research led me to believe these were the correct choice due to:
price
balanced well (nightmare threads on certain tires I wanted to avoid)
aggressive looks
maintained MPGs/ on road manners
not loud or for that matter any louder than stock Duellers
65K warranty
toyota dealership had a buy 3 get 1 for $1. Out the door for $837 after tax. That included a standard balance and 4 wheel alignment. Plus new wiper blades for some odd reason?
I have zero shimmys or wobbles in the steering wheel so far. 200 miles ish. Thats city driving plus freeway (60-80mph).
and when it does snow for you these are 3PMSF rated.
i would seriously give these a look if i were you!!!
Sconnie
New member
Here is my thread on nearly the exact issue you're currently dealing with. I was in this boat less than a month ago!
Need Advice (Tires/Balancing)
Need Advice (Tires/Balancing)
John in NC
Member
Didn't some folks on here say the ko2s were scary on wet roads? And how do they track at 70 mph?
If I were driving 95%+ on the road, highway manners and wet road traction would be top of the list for me.
I put the Michelin's on mine and I'm pretty happy with them. But yes, boring looking.
If I were driving 95%+ on the road, highway manners and wet road traction would be top of the list for me.
I put the Michelin's on mine and I'm pretty happy with them. But yes, boring looking.
I generally agree, but also - some of the comments in this thread, and others that I've read, add some confirmation to my experience. For example, I vaguely remember the T/A's being a bit slippery in the rain. TBF, that was probably 25 years ago. But I also remember choosing another brand to replace them because I didn't like something (was it the noise or the grip... can't remember for sure, but I think it was both). So I was already reluctant to choose KOs and a couple of comments in this thread confirmed it. Add the lack of support for the Revos, despite my own positive experience, made me reconsider them as well.
And Humble's point about outfitting my wife's car was dead on. I read that and thought, yeah, he's right. That's what I needed to hear.
So, to me, there's some value in these discussions. Also, no car enthusiasts is ever going to completely dismiss aesthetics. I've downgraded it on my priority list, but would never leave it off. The Subaru, while it may be completely competent, just doesn't appeal to me.
And finally (!), considering how to reply to this has made me more confident in the decision. So, in my case, this thread AND your reply really helped!
Sooo…. I eventually had an epiphany about the same as you. 95% of my miles are on pavement. My 4runner is not only my daily driver and weekend warrior wagon, and may see a lot of highway miles just getting to an rough adventure. Much of what I do tends to be pretty rocky and I’m running solo more often and in worse places (with worse weather) than I should. But no Moab, rock crawling, magazine worthy stuff.
Anyway, what I’ve been running for a few years now is the 32” Cooper AT3 LT 235/80/17. It weighs in at 42lbs iirc, so just a tad taller and a few pounds heavier than stock. I also run them at high psi of 55lbs (less wears them outside on the tread). I almost went with 255/75’s (and may try those out next time) but thought I’d take a try at these.
As for manners, road noise is nonexistent and traction is fine in most all road conditions. Nothing freaky or scary, yet. Mpg’s can be anywhere from 19.x to 23.x depending. Off road, aired down, these have done everything I’ve asked and more.
BUUUUT, they are admittedly tame looking compared to MTs and others. And yes, they ride kinda hard, but that seems to be well offset by the added weight of my rig but being E ply tires I’ve not flatted out once, and that has inspired some confidence at times. About the only other negative I got so far is that the higher psi takes more air to puff them back up. I use a Powertank so that’s my solution there.
Happy decision making!
Anyway, what I’ve been running for a few years now is the 32” Cooper AT3 LT 235/80/17. It weighs in at 42lbs iirc, so just a tad taller and a few pounds heavier than stock. I also run them at high psi of 55lbs (less wears them outside on the tread). I almost went with 255/75’s (and may try those out next time) but thought I’d take a try at these.
As for manners, road noise is nonexistent and traction is fine in most all road conditions. Nothing freaky or scary, yet. Mpg’s can be anywhere from 19.x to 23.x depending. Off road, aired down, these have done everything I’ve asked and more.
BUUUUT, they are admittedly tame looking compared to MTs and others. And yes, they ride kinda hard, but that seems to be well offset by the added weight of my rig but being E ply tires I’ve not flatted out once, and that has inspired some confidence at times. About the only other negative I got so far is that the higher psi takes more air to puff them back up. I use a Powertank so that’s my solution there.
Happy decision making!
Why so skinny? Better in snow? MPGs? So many good options in lighter loads in the OE 265/70r17 size that are about the same weight. Curious as to why you chose them.
Have you looked into the Michelin LTX A/T 2?
They seem to have a slightly more all terrain design than the Defender but still have great reviews for highway, ride, quiet, good balancing, etc…
Also, I am not sure what this is all about, but I noticed what looks like a new Michelin AT tire in some of the promo photos for the 2022 Tundra. The “LTX Trail”. I can’t find ANYTHING about it online anywhere. But if it’s a Michelin and in the LTX line it will probably be good. I am guessing it must be a replacement for the AT2 (which is an older design now), but can’t say for sure or when it will be released.
They seem to have a slightly more all terrain design than the Defender but still have great reviews for highway, ride, quiet, good balancing, etc…
Also, I am not sure what this is all about, but I noticed what looks like a new Michelin AT tire in some of the promo photos for the 2022 Tundra. The “LTX Trail”. I can’t find ANYTHING about it online anywhere. But if it’s a Michelin and in the LTX line it will probably be good. I am guessing it must be a replacement for the AT2 (which is an older design now), but can’t say for sure or when it will be released.
Have you looked into the Michelin LTX A/T 2?
They seem to have a slightly more all terrain design than the Defender but still have great reviews for highway, ride, quiet, good balancing, etc…
Also, I am not sure what this is all about, but I noticed what looks like a new Michelin AT tire in some of the promo photos for the 2022 Tundra. The “LTX Trail”. I can’t find ANYTHING about it online anywhere. But if it’s a Michelin and in the LTX line it will probably be good. I am guessing it must be a replacement for the AT2 (which is an older design now), but can’t say for sure or when it will be released.
Good find. They do appear to be very new, and only overseas right now.
I will always buy Michelin if they offer what I need. Hopefully these come out soon in the US.
2021nightshade4x4
New member
Michelin (Defender) LTX M/S, which has been around forever, is wonderful - never slipped for me in slush or snow, I have them on my old 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee. They are able to sipe deep slush without floating. (I have the 30x9.5R15).
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Sure, it was a little of all that really. My rig had 285/70/17s when I got it and I hated how lethargic it felt and 15mpg was about as good as it got. I tried stock tires (take offs) through that summer and mpg was indeed better as was acceleration, however a couple catastrophic punctures off road had me both needing a new set and wanting for a more durable tire.
Anyway, when I found out these Coopers we’re about the same weight I thought I’d give them a try. Id had really good luck with Coopers AT tread on a prior truck. As for the skinny-ness, mpg was a big motivator plus my experience with other trucks and Jeeps has reinforced the skinny tire theory, at least that it is better for what I do when I do it.
For example snow. They’ve been great on snow packed roads the last two winters then off road in the snow they do dig down and Im good to at least 12” of new snow. More snow than that and/or steep snowy inclines off road and I’m chaining up the rear anyway. Sand I don’t do, and mud holes are few and far between. Sticky-sticky-heavy Mud on the high plains/desert is my more plausible scenario, and these AT3 Coopers do just fine so long as there is a bottom.
Last edited:
Kandor
New member
I found this guys take on the Defender LTX M/S interesting reading.
Perfect off-highway tire = LTX? What? | Expedition Portal
Perfect off-highway tire = LTX? What? | Expedition Portal
2021nightshade4x4
New member
I agree with him. I've owned every version of the LTX M/S tire since the early 90's. Every version of the BFG A/T since the 80's. And too many other tires to count.
I would've gone with the Defender LTX M/S tires on the 5th gen, but I wanted more snow traction, and more durability on 4wd trails. The tires I went with are nearly as quiet, do as well in the rain, and better in snow. I don't know how long they'll last, but they will be replaced due to age, likely long before they wear out.
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johnnygraphic
Member
We’ll, I got one part of the wheel/tire equation taken care of today. I ordered a set of TRD Pro wheels. They’re on back order, so it’ll be a while before they land at my doorstep.
Once they’re here, it’ll be a set of Falken Wildpeak AT3w’s in stock size.
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Once they’re here, it’ll be a set of Falken Wildpeak AT3w’s in stock size.
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5thGenHunter
New member
I am running Discoverer AT3 E load tires on my Ram 1500. I have had them on for a couple years now and they are an amazing tire! Quiet and traction in all kinds of road conditions, on or off. I drove on them for over a year in Idaho, before moving after retiring from the Air Force. My commute, one way, was 62 miles. Mostly highway. I had to endure hard rains, snow, sleet, slush, you name it. I also went on winter adventures where I was driving in 8+ inches of snow. The tires never missed a beat. They are a tad stiff but that is too be expected with the E load rating and my truck is also running a 20 inch wheel.
I liked them so much that I am getting a set of them in 275/70/17 put on my 2018 4Runner Off Road Pro tomorrow morning. These are a bit bigger than the 265/70/17 stock size but not big enough to where I have to cut anything.
I have also looked into this and I can tell you that the feedback on this site has been great with these tires as well.
Hope this helps a little. Good luck in your search.
I liked them so much that I am getting a set of them in 275/70/17 put on my 2018 4Runner Off Road Pro tomorrow morning. These are a bit bigger than the 265/70/17 stock size but not big enough to where I have to cut anything.
I have also looked into this and I can tell you that the feedback on this site has been great with these tires as well.
Hope this helps a little. Good luck in your search.
5thGenHunter
New member
A Subarau does not outperform the 4Runner in winter conditions and they are not more functional. I'm curious why you think that.
Depending on how back ordered those wheels are, you may want to look into the FN f(x) pro wheels. 0 offset and 8" wide future proofing you in the event you want to upsized. Plus 0 offset just looks better.
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For what it's worth, I just replaced my Falken AT3Ws with Toyo AT3s. Got over 50K miles out of the Falkens and they were great tires except the fact that they got feathered despite 5K rotations (allignment in spec), and stupid loud. I had another 10K miles left probably thread wise but I could no longer take the noise. In comparison the Toyos feel like a street tire (that will likely change as they age tho) noise wise, and are 6 lbs lighter than the Falkens.
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