Recommendations on best "do it all" tire?

[kaitlyn2004]

Picking up my new 2020 TRD off-road next week and looking to change the tires.

I live in Vancouver, BC so driving consists of MAINLY pavement 90% of the time
Rain, gravel roads, rocky "roads", maybe some minor sand, and (generally) wet snow

Would prefer to just have 1 set of tires I think. I think I've heard the KO2s are a good set? I'm not doing any SERIOUS mudding/offroading/etc. These are also 3-peak snow rated, so great for winter driving.

If I could get any more ground clearance from the tire, that's a bonus... but also definitely don't want anything that would require body changes or REQUIRE a lift to support

I've never bought tires in my life... so yeah...

 

[rdruss]

Michelin Defender LTX, you won't be sorry. Not overly aggressive looking, but it performs well in all situations, even off road.

 

[Magnetnerd]

TFL (the fast lane) on YouTube does some great tire reviews. Personally I'd go with an all terrain, but I just bought my runner and have Nitto Ridge Grapplers going on it soon, and blizzaks for winter. That's largely because I'm not comfortable driving in the snow yet, but I think that a lot of all terrains are capable in snow, especially the wet stuff. I'd also check out the Toyo Open Country AT3; they just released it a couple months ago

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Smitty19TRD]

I run the KO2's and I like them but I live in FL. If I was up there I would look more at the Cooper AT3 4S if you want to run them in the winter. The extra siping should help in the white stuff.

 

[CMTAZ]

Wildpeak AT/3

They say they are good in snow, although i have no personal experience with them in snow (I live in Phoenix). I can say they are good on gravel, highway, around town, and wet roads.

 

[87pony]

I loved my duratracs

 

[JLTD]

Cooper AT3/4S are my next set. Good in all conditions and 3-peak winter rated.

It was between them and the Michelin Defender...but the $60(US) per tire difference made the decision.

 

[borfoo3]

After stock tires, I went to BFG KO2, then Cooper AT3

and now back on BFG KO2

I decided the P-rated Cooper were not up to the task for me. Blew two tires on the same trip, albeit I have a fully loaded truck for a 2 week trip, steel bumper and all....

For your case with a stock(ish) weight truck, I'd stick with a lighter P-rated tire

KO2 is great, but you feel the weight (power, fuel consumption...etc)

 

[kaitlyn2004]

After stock tires, I went to BFG KO2, then Cooper AT3

and now back on BFG KO2

I decided the P-rated Cooper were not up to the task for me. Blew two tires on the same trip, albeit I have a fully loaded truck for a 2 week trip, steel bumper and all....

For your case with a stock(ish) weight truck, I'd stick with a lighter P-rated tire

KO2 is great, but you feel the weight (power, fuel consumption...etc)

The KO2 do indeed seem to be the ones I hear the most about anecdotally. I'll look into them some more!

 

[02SE]

KO2 is great in a dry desert environment. They are relatively crappy in rain. There are much better tires for rain.

If you don't mind the mild tread appearance, the Michelin Defender LTX M/S does great in everything but mud.

The Falken Wildpeak AT3W looks pretty aggressive, and if you happen to get a set that's round, they can be a good choice. Lots of people have trouble getting them balanced. Some never do and give up in disgust.

I wanted a tire which does well in rain, snow, is quiet, balances easily, and would be more durable than the OEM tires. After way too much research, and talking to my friend who is a General Manager at a national tire chain, I went with the Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015.

 

[spartacus]

Your stock tires will be fine they are At tire, not sure what brand came on yours. On TRD pro is the nittos and they are pretty decent tire.The biggest size without modding 275/70r17. You can go 285 with a 2inch lift and spc upper control arms without the body mount chop. At tires with a snow flake rating will be ideal, lots of threads on this forum to decide.

 

[Thai]

Stick to your OEM...they are fine.

Now, if you to change, then i love KO2.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=249

Here is another review of KO2 vs. other ATs: https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=449956&d=1497265431


You cannot beat them for true all-terrain with puncture resistance and the awesome "look"!

I have 14k miles on KO2. I have NEVER felt unsteady in heavy rain. Have not tried them on snow/ice.

And yes, i will buy them again once they age and get noisy. But so far, it is very quiet on the road.

 

[kaitlyn2004]

Stick to your OEM...they are fine.

Now, if you to change, then i love KO2.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=249

Here is another review of KO2 vs. other ATs: https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=449956&d=1497265431


You cannot beat them for true all-terrain with puncture resistance and the awesome "look"!

I have 14k miles on KO2. I have NEVER felt unsteady in heavy rain. Have not tried them on snow/ice.

And yes, i will buy them again once they age and get noisy. But so far, it is very quiet on the road.

Yeah, seem to keep coming back to the KO2s. I'll keep them in mind - going to have to decide on tire size and if I'm going to do it with a lift...

 

[02SE]

Stick to your OEM...they are fine.

Now, if you to change, then i love KO2.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=249

Here is another review of KO2 vs. other ATs: https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=449956&d=1497265431


You cannot beat them for true all-terrain with puncture resistance and the awesome "look"!

I have 14k miles on KO2. I have NEVER felt unsteady in heavy rain. Have not tried them on snow/ice.

And yes, i will buy them again once they age and get noisy. But so far, it is very quiet on the road.

You'll notice that the testing was done in a dry, desert environment, and most of the tires the KO2 was up against have since been replaced by newer and improved models from the other manufacturers.

The KO2 only has potentially better puncture resistance in sizes which come with 3-ply sidewalls. The 265/70R 17 C which is so popular on 5th gens, has a 2-ply sidewall.

The OP lives where it's frequently wet. Wet traction, ice, and hard-packed snow are conditions where the KO2 lacks. It has a harder rubber compound. It does okay in deep snow despite this harder rubber compound due to it's more open tread elements.

Here's the rest of the test results from the Tire Rack test you linked, where the KO2 is compared to current models from some competitors:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/chartDisplay.jsp?ttid=249

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/spiderChart.jsp?ttid=249

 

[Thai]

You'll notice that the testing was done in a dry, desert environment, and most of the tires the KO2 was up against have since been replaced by newer and improved models from the other manufacturers.

The KO2 only has potentially better puncture resistance in sizes which come with 3-ply sidewalls. The 265/70R 17 C which is so popular on 5th gens, has a 2-ply sidewall.

The OP lives where it's frequently wet. Wet traction, ice, and hard-packed snow are conditions where the KO2 lacks. It has a harder rubber compound. It does okay in deep snow despite this harder rubber compound due to it's more open tread elements.

Here's the rest of the test results from the Tire Rack test you linked, where the KO2 is compared to current models from some competitors:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/chartDisplay.jsp?ttid=249

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/spiderChart.jsp?ttid=249

Yeah, in the TireRack test, KO2 hung with the leaders, even in the wet. Again, this was a Heavy LT tire vs. much lighter weight P-metric competitors. Even TireRack was surprised how well KO2 did on-road! And surprisingly, it was not the worst in fuel economy either!

BTW, i drive between Texas and Colorado often in all types of weather. Never felt KO2s were unstable or slippery. Now, i do drive sensibly.

 

[02SE]

Yeah, in the TireRack test, KO2 hung with the leaders, even in the wet. Again, this was a Heavy LT tire vs. much lighter weight P-metric competitors. Even TireRack was surprised how well KO2 did on-road! And surprisingly, it was not the worst in fuel economy either!

BTW, i drive between Texas and Colorado often in all types of weather. Never felt KO2s were unstable or slippery. Now, i do drive sensibly.

I had KO2's on another SUV. I've had lots of other A/T tires. I can tell you that in comparison, they aren't great in the wet. They have the classic BFG A/T look. I've had sets of them since the 80's. The KO2's are better in the wet than the KO or older versions, but even Tire Rack stated they would like more wet grip.

You can see from the picture I posted, that I'm running the deeper tread LT Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015. Shortly after I installed them two months ago, they've been in downpours, and snow. They did much better than the KO2's I also owned. They are as quiet as the OEM Dunlops it came with, They balanced easily with no vibration or shimmy at any speed, and only a slightly firmer ride due to the LT construction.

Tire Rack also stated that their fuel economy numbers are not a highly accurate test. But tire engineers will also tell you that to get great wet grip, some fuel economy is sacrificed. I ran a few tanks through my 4Runner with the OEM Dunlops, and have run some tanks through with the Yokohama's. Surprisingly to me, I haven't been able to detect much change in MPG at all, despite driving the same roads, in the same driving style, and using the same gas pump.

 

[Thai]

I had KO2's on another SUV. I've had lots of other A/T tires. I can tell you that in comparison, they aren't great in the wet. They have the classic BFG A/T look. I've had sets of them since the 80's. The KO2's are better in the wet than the KO or older versions, but even Tire Rack stated they would like more wet grip.

You can see from the picture I posted, that I'm running the deeper tread LT Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015. Shortly after I installed them two months ago, they've been in downpours, and snow. They did much better than the KO2's I also owned. They are as quiet as the OEM Dunlops it came with, They balanced easily with no vibration or shimmy at any speed, and only a slightly firmer ride due to the LT construction.

Tire Rack also stated that their fuel economy numbers are not a highly accurate test. But tire engineers will also tell you that to get great wet grip, some fuel economy is sacrificed. I ran a few tanks through my 4Runner with the OEM Dunlops, and have run some tanks through with the Yokohama's. Surprisingly to me, I haven't been able to detect much change in MPG at all, despite driving the same roads, in the same driving style, and using the same gas pump.

Maybe my tread are still good...thus, i have not noticed any wet issue.

Yoko G015 LT was my 2nd choice but it did not come in stock size (for Land Cruiser)...only P-metric available. I did consider a skinnier size but it was Load Range E and was just as heavy as KO2 in Load Range D in stock LC size. It’s been a great match with my LC so far.

My other choice was Michelin Defender, which i love.......but that damn minivan-look!

 

[02SE]

Maybe my tread are still good...thus, i have not noticed any wet issue.

Yoko G015 LT was my 2nd choice but it did not come in stock size (for Land Cruiser)...only P-metric available. I did consider a skinnier size but it was Load Range E and was just as heavy as KO2 in Load Range D in stock LC size. It’s been a great match with my LC so far.

My other choice was Michelin Defender, which i love.......but that damn minivan-look!

I'm running the E load range Yokohama's, in the stock 265/70R17 size. They are a bit taller than most tires in that size at 31.9" vs 31.6" most others in that size run, and they have 18/32nds tread depth. The KO2's have 15/32nds, the New Toyo's 16/32nds. All LT sizes.

I looked at and considered the new Toyo Open Country A/T3's. Compared them all side-by-side. I had the Toyo A/T2's in my 3rd gen. They were like the KO2's I had, good in dry dirt, not so great in the wet.

The new Toyo A/T3's supposedly have improved wet grip, and are now 3PMS rated like the BFG and Yoko. We get tons of snow. But I suspected they would be louder than the Yokohama's.

Ultimately I went with Yoko's because I've always have a good experience with their car and truck tires, they were on flash sale of $100.00 off for a set of 4, a manufacturers rebate of $60.00 off a set of 4, they matched the lowest Walmart price, and I was getting $100.00 for each of my stock Dunlops.

I couldn't beat the deal, and I have been very pleased with them so far.

 

[Thai]

I'm running the E load range Yokohama's, in the stock 265/70R17 size. They are a bit taller than most tires in that size at 31.9" vs 31.6" most others in that size run, and they have 18/32nds tread depth. The KO2's have 15/32nds, the New Toyo's 16/32nds. All LT sizes.

I looked at and considered the new Toyo Open Country A/T3's. Compared them all side-by-side. I had the Toyo A/T2's in my 3rd gen. They were like the KO2's I had, good in dry dirt, not so great in the wet.

The new Toyo A/T3's supposedly have improved wet grip, but I suspected they would be louder than the Yokohama's.

Ultimately I went with Yoko's because I've always have a good experience with their car and truck tires, they were on flash sale of $100.00 off for a set of 4, a manufacturers rebate of $60.00 off a set of 4, they matched the lowest Walmart price, and I was getting $100.00 for each of my stock Dunlops.

I couldn't beat the deal, and I have been very pleased with them so far.

Discount Tire gave me $100 per tire off for my Dunlop stock tires! So, i saved $400 off KO2’s. How can you turn that down?!

A guy i know with Toyo AT3 did not like it. Had a sidewall puncture too. So, you picked good IMO.

 

[02SE]

BTW the Landcruiser is a sweet ride. I considered one. Had an FZJ80 with front and rear e-lockers back in the day. The 200 series is nice. If we could get the Diesel version, I'd have one.