Tire weight as it pertains to off-roading

[Something_Awesome]

I am getting a 2022 4Runner ORP with KDSS and the TRD Wheels. I went to BFGoodrich's website to do a deep-dive on the KO's specs as that was the tire I was intending to get. Interestingly, if you shop by vehicle, BFGoodrich does not formally recommend the KO2 for the 4runner (regardless of trim) even though they have tires that fit. Odd.

I checked out other tire brands and came across the Toyo Open Country AT3's. Toyo at least provides the tire as one they'd recommend for a 4runner.

After comparing the weights of some of the most popular all-terrain tires, the Toyo kills the competition. For reference, the KO2's are 45 lbs. It's definitely one of the heaviest A/T tires you can buy, but still not too far off from the competition like Nitto. The Toyo Open Country AT3 is 39 lbs! That's a big difference in weight when not factoring wheels. And the tires have the same diameter after inflation of 31.7.

I am thinking these Toyo's will be the tires I go with 100%. They also have a higher speed and load rating.

What's everyone's thoughts? Skeptical? If all the dimensions are the same and there is a big difference in weight, do we think then that there is some compromise in quality/durability? Or perhaps this big weight difference is much ado about nothing?

 

[02SE]

The KO2's only come in LT tire ratings. The 39 lb Toyo AT3 is a P-rated tire.

LT-rated tires in the same 'size' as P-rated tires, are built stronger, with more material which makes the tire stronger, and more durable, and heavier.

P-rated tires also have their load rating reduced by a factor of 1.1, when mounted on a truck or SUV.

 

[Something_Awesome]

The KO2's only come in LT tire ratings. The 39 lb Toyo AT3 is a P-rated tire.

LT-rated tires in the same 'size' as P-rated tires, are built stronger, with more material which makes the tire stronger, and more durable, and heavier.

P-rated tires also have their load rating reduced by a factor of 1.1, when mounted on a truck or SUV.

This makes sense. Did not catch the difference in Load rating :tape2:

 

[fkheath]

The KO2's only come in LT tire ratings. The 39 lb Toyo AT3 is a P-rated tire.

LT-rated tires in the same 'size' as P-rated tires, are built stronger, with more material which makes the tire stronger, and more durable, and heavier.

P-rated tires also have their load rating reduced by a factor of 1.1, when mounted on a truck or SUV.

Besides the p verses LT ratings, the KO2 also come in two load ranges: C and E. The E load range, which is what I got, have more plys, thus are more suitable for rocky off roading. The added plies, while making them more durable, also make them heavier.

Not sure why you are interested in the tire weight? For serious off roading, you want durability and resistant to sharp rocks. The higher load rating gives you that.

 

[USStrongman]

The concern on weight is simple. The heavier, the greater load on the engine and all related rotating components. Of course when you are talking about a 6lb difference (roughly 12% increase) it can increase wear, though not by a lot. When you are comparing a 65lb 315/70/17 M/T to a 39lb A/T P, then regearing should be done to reduce the affects of heavier tires and larger single rotation in low speed scenarios.

But in all reality, you didnt include what you are doing with the tires. Daily driver/zero offroad? Some trails and occasional DD? Rock crawler and weekend climber?

 

[Pedro367]

39lbs to 45 lbs won't really make any noticeable difference. 39 lbs to a 60lb E load would. I went with that size KO2 and there was a minimal mpg drop (maybe .5mpg, maybe) and no noticeable loss in power. The KO2 is a C-load tire with 6 tread plies vs. 4 on the Toyo. Both have 2 ply sidewalls. For the negligible weight difference I'd go with the stronger tire if I were going to be off roading. I'm also just partial to KO2s.