Rural Costa Rica tire recommendation

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PuraVida

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After blowing out my 2nd tire (Dunlop AT20 P245/75R16) on rough roads -- this one blew a sidewall in the middle of nowhere -- I need a more serious tire recommendation for my 2000 Limited, stock 16" rims, totally stock.

My usage is:

  • 2% multi-lane highway/interstate
  • 40% good paved roads
  • 25% bad paved roads -- many, many potholes.
  • 30% gravel of varying quality
  • 3% fairly gnarly stuff -- river crossings, steep rocky/muddy slopes (not rock-crawling, per se, but happy to have a locking center diff)

So lots of gravel and rough roads in my life -- a bit more rugged than I feel the AT20 was meant for. I need a tough tire with a reasonably comfortable ride over gravel and potholes (lots of sidewall), decent off-road capability but reasonable on asphalt. Obviously, snow/ice performance are of no concern. :)

Suggestions?
 
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I don't know what you have available down there for tires or how viable it is to have tires shipped in, but here are a few options:

You can't go wrong with some BFG AT KO2's
Tire Details - Discount Tire

I have also heard good things about the Goodyear Duratracs, but I have also heard that they have weak sidewalls:
Tire Details - Discount Tire

Both of those tires are good on road and off. A slightly more aggressive tread pattern will increase onroad noise a bit, but they are by far a more durable tire than the Dunlop AT20s. Im also pretty sure stock tire size on all 3rd gen 4runners is 265/70 R16 unless its a 2wd. 245/75 is really close in size tho.
 
There is a tire that is commercial grade and is meant for off-road work. I just can't think of it at the moment.
Another problem could be air pressure.
 
the bfg ko2s i just got are pretty awesome, if you can get them in the load range e, that rating has more plys of rubber and is still good to drive around on, much better than the old kos. they also have a good 50k mile warranty. id also reccommend getting them from a local shop with an extended warranty incase shit happens.

I would also reccomed getting all 5 tires and doing a 5 tire rotation.

also some tire plug kits and a compressor would be good.
 
PuraVida said:
After blowing out my 2nd tire (Dunlop AT20 P245/75R16) on rough roads -- this one blew a sidewall in the middle of nowhere -- I need a more serious tire recommendation for my 2000 Limited, stock 16" rims, totally stock.

My usage is:

  • 2% multi-lane highway/interstate
  • 40% good paved roads
  • 25% bad paved roads -- many, many potholes.
  • 30% gravel of varying quality
  • 3% fairly gnarly stuff -- river crossings, steep rocky/muddy slopes (not rock-crawling, per se, but happy to have a locking center diff)

So lots of gravel and rough roads in my life -- a bit more rugged than I feel the AT20 was meant for. I need a tough tire with a reasonably comfortable ride over gravel and potholes (lots of sidewall), decent off-road capability but reasonable on asphalt. Obviously, snow/ice performance are of no concern. :)

Suggestions?
Click to expand...

I've lived in Costa Rica for 3 years and had a '97 (best generation of the runners, just my humble opinion) I used to live near San Antonio de Belen. Traveled going to Arenal, puerto viejo, limon' and just the regular trips to multi-plaza.That being said, the new BFG AT KO2's will be good enough for Costa Rica. You don't want M/T since you'll be driving on pavement too. They can be loud and slippery when the roads are wet. And it rains pretty much every day around 2 in the afternoon. Lol. Good luck on your search! Oh yeah, Pura Vida!
 
D Farms said:
the bfg ko2s i just got are pretty awesome, if you can get them in the load range e, that rating has more plys of rubber and is still good to drive around on, much better than the old kos. they also have a good 50k mile warranty. id also reccommend getting them from a local shop with an extended warranty incase shit happens.
Click to expand...

A warranty didn't even occur to me. I'll see what's available.

I would also reccomed getting all 5 tires and doing a 5 tire rotation.
Click to expand...

Probably not in the cards, as I only have the stock wheels and the steely spare. But a 4 wheel rotation is a no brainer. Worth checking Craigslist for some wheels I guess.

also some tire plug kits and a compressor would be good.
Click to expand...

Great advice. I actually got a free wake-up call with this cut tire. I didn't check my spare or even see if I had a jack with me before heading out. And luckily it was still light out, as I didn't bring a flashlight. Just a few unlucky breaks could made for a real sketchy scenario. Looking into a snorkel, too, as crossings of unknown depth are just part of getting around here.

All good fun, just some new things for a sports car guy to learn. Still learning what this rig can do; really impressed so far. I shipped it down from North Carolina -- I bet it never set a tire off asphalt before coming here.
 
Jai02 said:
I've lived in Costa Rica for 3 years and had a '97 (best generation of the runners, just my humble opinion) I used to live near San Antonio de Belen. Traveled going to Arenal, puerto viejo, limon' and just the regular trips to multi-plaza.That being said, the new BFG AT KO2's will be good enough for Costa Rica. You don't want M/T since you'll be driving on pavement too. They can be loud and slippery when the roads are wet. And it rains pretty much every day around 2 in the afternoon. Lol. Good luck on your search! Oh yeah, Pura Vida!
Click to expand...

Nice! I spend most of my time in Guanacaste but do make the occasional trip to San Jose. Need to explore the east coast; just gotta get my rig bulletproof. Good call on the M/Ts -- I'm sure they'd be awesome in the dirt, but I do spend a fair amount of time on asphalt. Pura vida!
 
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