School me on AT tires.

[Jayhawk5G]

Toyo AT II Xtreme ...

Love the look... my 4Runner is almost paid off and I plan on adding some Level 8's and either 5100's by themselves or possibly 5100's with a small lift. I think 285's would demand at 3" lift, and would likely be more than I honestly need.

 

[Woz1976-MT]

If you are wanting a stock tire size (265/70/17), and you need wet and snow performance, look at the Cooper Discoverer A/Tw. It is a year-round, all-terrain, snow-rated tire.

It's been a while since I've driving in the Chicago area (I'm originally from Wisconsin), but I remember the streets having some good pot-holes in the winter. You may want to look at the E-rated (10 ply) LT265/70/17. I have it and it's not overly harsh for an LT tire, and at 40 psi hasn't really affected my mileage that much (I'm at about 1100 miles now and can get 19.5-20 on the highway at 70mph -- not even broken in yet).

I paid $295/tire (no installation/balancing/disposal, etc., since I had my dealer put them on as soon as it arrived at the dealership). They've been fantastic in the wet, still waiting for winter to test in the snow (but have heard great reports here in Montana).

 

[Brandonium]

Good to know!! If she rode like an empty dually I'd be unhappy.

I lifted the 4runner some and wanted bigger tires.... that and I wanted an E rated tired for offroad.

I run e rated and they feel the same as the OEM tires and barely lost half a mpg if that

 

[nevada]

This has me leaning towards the Coopers since the biggest concerns for me a majority of the time are wet traction and snow traction. The off-road characteristics are important but secondary. How did these compare to stock for MPG's... I'm assuming if I stay stock size it should be pretty negligible (slightly worse based on improved traction characteristics and slightly more weight?)

Sounds like the higher load rating would be for more extensive off-roading or increased weight from bumpers, etc.

the BFG's will do excellent in the snow.

One of my main issues is I want to jump to 275/70-17 but I do not want an E rated tire. I love the look and performance of the KO2 with exception of the harsh ride they give.

The AT3 is nice but not quite as aggressive as the ATP. The ATP does not come in this size (comes in 265 and 285 in the 70-17) and the AT3 does 275 in both C and E load ratings.

I also like white lettering so that limits me (yes I also like what I like aesthetically for the money I spend)

have you actually ran a set? its been my experience, given the proper air pressure they(10 ply tires) don't really ride much different than C tires. they will be more puncture resistant however.

I lifted the 4runner some and wanted bigger tires.... that and I wanted an E rated tired for offroad.

I run e rated and they feel the same as the OEM tires and barely lost half a mpg if that

this.

 

[Brandonium]

I have not run the K02's but I do have a set of the original TA/KO's on my Scout II..but that is a bad example as that suspension will beat you to hell even if it rode on marshmallows.

the BFG's will do excellent in the snow.

have you actually ran a set? its been my experience, given the proper air pressure they(10 ply tires) don't really ride much different than C tires. they will be more puncture resistant however.

this.

 

[DannyLlama]

My current tires are 10 ply... I feel a minor, positive difference.

The truck feels like a truck, more planted. Gas millage is about .5 difference of an MPG

Considering the little millage impact, it's worth the extra insurance of a puncture

 

[jwkilgore]

From what you described as your driving habits, ignore everyone suggesting super-aggressive tires. They'll do more harm than good.

You mentioned snow, so I'd suggest checking out the Cooper A/TW along with the A/T3. It's basically the same tire except with more siping and a winter rating. I have store brand Coopers and the noise, while nothing near the moan of a full on MT-tire, is noticeably louder than the stock highway-tread tires. Especially with the windows down.

The Falken Wildpeak A/T3W also looks exceptional, and were I buying today it would be near the top of my research list.

For what it's worth, are you wanting an AT tire for looks, or functionality? Most "service roads" can easily be handled by decent all-season or M+S tires. With the 4runner's excellent A-Trac system, the OEM tires will usually handle what most people would consider "light wheeling". This would include the occasional wash-out, deep rut, and hard-bottom creek crossing found on some "service roads". But your definition may be different, and AT tires may be fully justified. Nothing you've said indicates you need MT tires.

As for your current tires, look for the tread wear indicators. Usually small triangles embossed on the sidewall near the tread aligned with small humps about 2/32" tall. When the tread gets down to about 2/32" the top of the tread will be level with the top of the humps forming a continuous line across the tire. This is the absolute bare minimum for reasonably safe wet-weather driving. With a pregnant wife, living in Chicago, and with winter approaching, I'd personally replace them much sooner. Sell them to a used tire shop for a few bucks if you think there is a little tread left.

 

[Jayhawk5G]

From what you described as your driving habits, ignore everyone suggesting super-aggressive tires. They'll do more harm than good.

You mentioned snow, so I'd suggest checking out the Cooper A/TW along with the A/T3. It's basically the same tire except with more siping and a winter rating. I have store brand Coopers and the noise, while nothing near the moan of a full on MT-tire, is noticeably louder than the stock highway-tread tires. Especially with the windows down.

The Falken Wildpeak A/T3W also looks exceptional, and were I buying today it would be near the top of my research list.

For what it's worth, are you wanting an AT tire for looks, or functionality? Most "service roads" can easily be handled by decent all-season or M+S tires. With the 4runner's excellent A-Trac system, the OEM tires will usually handle what most people would consider "light wheeling". This would include the occasional wash-out, deep rut, and hard-bottom creek crossing found on some "service roads". But your definition may be different, and AT tires may be fully justified. Nothing you've said indicates you need MT tires.

As for your current tires, look for the tread wear indicators. Usually small triangles embossed on the sidewall near the tread aligned with small humps about 2/32" tall. When the tread gets down to about 2/32" the top of the tread will be level with the top of the humps forming a continuous line across the tire. This is the absolute bare minimum for reasonably safe wet-weather driving. With a pregnant wife, living in Chicago, and with winter approaching, I'd personally replace them much sooner. Sell them to a used tire shop for a few bucks if you think there is a little tread left.

I try to keep my "poser" desires in check lol

Part of me would love to add a 3" lift and run some meaty 285's on bronze Level 8's. However I'm married and don't live in an area where I could justify the tradeoffs in terms of noise/mpg/degradation of other parts. I would feel like a mall crawler.

So the plan as of now is upgrade the tires in a stock size to a decent AT which will handle everything this area throws at it and throw on some 5100's (probably still get the Level 8's). I think the Cooper Discoverer A/T3 is still at the top of the list (Competent Tire Tech using road force seems to be the key to balance issues.) However the poser side thinks the Falken's look better, and I might do a little more research into them...

Still thinking about load rating... but if I haven't had a problem on the Dueler's then the SL rating is probably fine. I don't tow anymore and the Dueler's handled 500 miles of towing 3,000 lbs. of boat so again probably not an issue.

 

[Cymon]

Only one of the tires mentioned is offered in 275 70r 17 in the "C" load range, the AT3. If you go 265 there are a lot more options, just food for thought.

 

[SteadfastZach]

If you wanted an aggressive AT I could personally recommend a ST Maxx (current tire on 4runner in 33").

You mention the AT3, which is a fantastic tire (i have personal experience with) I haven't read any bad reviews about the AT3.

Give this a read.

Where the Rubber Meets the Road | Expedition Portal

I myself am currently looking for some new tires for the 4Runner. I can't stand the stock Dunlops, just a sloppy tire. For a while I had known I wanted to BFG AT KO2's. I had them previously on my 98 Ranger (pictured below). One thing that made me question getting them again is the traction in wet conditions. I would always slip and slide even in the lightest rain. Granted, it was a truck and light in the rear. But regardless, it didn't build confidence. So I don't have experience with other brands, but after reading that link, I can say I will be giving the Cooper Discoverer AT3's a try here pretty soon. Thanks for the read!

 

[Brandonium]

In reading the countless reviews of the KO2 on Tirerack you would think that there are 2 types of people. Those who drive in the rain and those who do not. The tire has a very good rating for having troubles in wet conditions (not from personal experience mind you, at least not with the V2 of that tire).

My A/T KO's on my Scout are terrible in the rain. Just a little too much brake and they slide, just a little too much gas and they slip. The tires have 150 miles on them so it's not a wear thing.

I've heard that the KO2 is better in this aspect but how much better is the question?

 

[The Waco Kid]

In reading the countless reviews of the KO2 on Tirerack you would think that there are 2 types of people. Those who drive in the rain and those who do not. The tire has a very good rating for having troubles in wet conditions (not from personal experience mind you, at least not with the V2 of that tire).

My A/T KO's on my Scout are terrible in the rain. Just a little too much brake and they slide, just a little too much gas and they slip. The tires have 150 miles on them so it's not a wear thing.

I've heard that the KO2 is better in this aspect but how much better is the question?

The KO and the KO2 always struck me as a desert terrain tire. Built for rocks, gravel, and hard pack dirt.

I'm sure that with the new compound, the new tire performs better than the outgoing KO. However, seeing as the tread pattern isn't all that different I don't see how it can be better than the Cooper or the new Falken. But I'm no expert. I'm just sitting here looking at the tread patterns of supposedly good wet/snow tires vs. those that historically bad wet/snow/ice (the KO, etc..).

If light off-roading was all I was looking to do, and I wanted a tire for Wet condition or Snow/Ice, I'd be looking at Michelin. Specifically the ones Philsey was looking at.

 

[The Waco Kid]

To add to my previous comment, I have some visuals:

Below we have range of F1 tires. From left to right:
Intermediates, Wet, Hard, Medium, Soft, and super soft.

The intermediates and the wets have channels and sipes to allow water to move through and evacuate the tire. Pay close attention to the Wet.

Here's a close up.

Now look at the AT3. Notice something. Channels and sipes

And here is the KO2... Notice the lack of channels?

Every KO and KO2 that I see, this thread included, that goes through mud or snow seems to hold onto the surface it just went through. It doesn't appear to clear or disperse very well. That said, it likely has deeper tread to mitigate this issue.


Hopefully this explains my logic flow.

 

[nevada]

The KO and the KO2 always struck me as a desert terrain tire. Built for rocks, gravel, and hard pack dirt.

I'm sure that with the new compound, the new tire performs better than the outgoing KO. However, seeing as the tread pattern isn't all that different I don't see how it can be better than the Cooper or the new Falken. But I'm no expert. I'm just sitting here looking at the tread patterns of supposedly good wet/snow tires vs. those that historically bad wet/snow/ice (the KO, etc..).

If light off-roading was all I was looking to do, and I wanted a tire for Wet condition or Snow/Ice, I'd be looking at Michelin. Specifically the ones Philsey was looking at.

huh? the originals were phenomenal in the snow. I can only expect(hope) the new KO's are as good or better.

ive read about them being bad in the rain also, but that has not been my experience.

 

[The Waco Kid]

huh? the originals were phenomenal in the snow. I can only expect(hope) the new KO's are as good or better.

ive read about them being bad in the rain also, but that has not been my experience.

I'm no expert. They're terrible in the rain, and the original sucked in mud. I only have word of mouth for snow/ice, so I can be totally wrong on that.

 

[Brandonium]

I hadn't put much thought into load ratings either until now.. I know you are limited to E with the BFG's unless you go back to stock size.

So if you want a C rated tires in the coopers you are confined to the AT3 and if you want the more aggressive A/T tire (ATP) then you are stuck with stock size or the big 285 in E rating.

BFG T/A KO2 - 265/70R17 (C or E)
BFG T/A KO2 - 275/70R17 (E)
BFG T/A KO2 - 285/70R17 (E)
Cooper AT3 - 265/70R17 (C or E)
Cooper AT3 - 275/70R17 (C or E)
Cooper AT3 - 285/70R17 (E)
Cooper ATP - 265/70R17 (E)
Cooper ATP - 285/70R17 (E)
Cooper ADV A/T - 265/70R17 (E)
Cooper ADV A/T - 285/70R17 (E)
Cooper D-RTX - 265/70R17 (E)
Cooper D-RTX - 285/70R17 (E)
Cooper D-ATW - 265/70R17 (E)
Cooper D-ATW - 285/70R17 (E)

 

[Jayhawk5G]

I hadn't put much thought into load ratings either until now.. I know you are limited to E with the BFG's unless you go back to stock size.

So if you want a C rated tires in the coopers you are confined to the AT3 and if you want the more aggressive A/T tire (ATP) then you are stuck with stock size or the big 285 in E rating.

BFG T/A KO2 - 265/70R17 (C or E)
BFG T/A KO2 - 275/70R17 (E)
BFG T/A KO2 - 285/70R17 (E)
Cooper AT3 - 265/70R17 (C or E)
Cooper AT3 - 275/70R17 (C or E)
Cooper AT3 - 285/70R17 (E)
Cooper ATP - 265/70R17 (E)
Cooper ATP - 285/70R17 (E)
Cooper ADV A/T - 265/70R17 (E)
Cooper ADV A/T - 285/70R17 (E)
Cooper D-RTX - 265/70R17 (E)
Cooper D-RTX - 285/70R17 (E)
Cooper D-ATW - 265/70R17 (E)
Cooper D-ATW - 285/70R17 (E)

I suppose it will come down to price. If I can get a good deal on the AT3 in C load rating I will go with that. If not then I will stick with the SL.

Basically down to the AT3/ATP or the Falken.

 

[Brandonium]

From what I am seeing the KO2, AT3 and ATP are close to each other in price. They are all somewhere between $750 to $800 for a set.

I suppose it will come down to price. If I can get a good deal on the AT3 in C load rating I will go with that. If not then I will stick with the SL.

Basically down to the AT3/ATP or the Falken.

 

[T4R2014]

If you're mostly on the road I would just get an H/T tire. Michelin LTX M/S(or maybe Defender LTX M/S? it's been through a bunch of names) is the best around.

 

[BobsTrail]

I think you could pick any of them and be OK. I choose Toyo AT2 and like those as much as others liked the the Cooper, KO2, Nitto etc.

Just added one more to the confusion mix for you.

I noticed you are from Chicago, maybe you should consider a winter tire like the Blizzak and an AT for the rest of the year.