Tires for smoother on-road ride

[Renegade_Medic]

Several people mentioned load range. Am I correct that my BFG TA KOs are load range E, and load range C would be softer, and P even softer?
What do I lose by going to the C- or P-rated tires? It sounds like that might be my solution.

That's correct. Load range E, formerly referred to as 10-ply tires, are heavier duty than a 4Runner needs. Period. They typically offer more sidewall protection for serious off-roading, but honestly, if you screw up a sidewall, it's screwed regardless of load rating.

Load range C, formerly 6-ply, is still a LT tire, and will be heavy, but not as bad as a E range. Good for a 4Runner that sees a lot of trail time.

P-metric is is good choice because it should have a lower load rating than LT tires. A lower load rating offers a softer tire. I have P285/70R17 tires on my 4Runner. It doesn't tow, it doesn't haul (ass or otherwise) and doesn't get abused offroad where a sidewall puncture would worry me. P tires are also a lot lighter, which will make a huge difference in your fuel economy in these trucks. Just losing 10 pounds per wheel netted me around 2 MPG highway. If you don't tow anything heavy (shouldn't be doing that with these trucks anyway) and don't abuse your truck offroad, then a P-metric tire would be what you would be happiest with.

 

[fblainen11]

I have heard great things about the Falken Wildpeak AT3 as a mild-mannered tire that does well in lots of terrain. However, Id be looking for a good P-rated winter tire.

[MENTION=3602]skywalker1020[/MENTION]
The Falken Wildpeak AT3W is a winter rated tire. It has the snowflake symbol on it and everything.

You can order them on Amazon for $138 per tire and free shipping in P265/75/16.

 

[Bumbo]

I already posted this in another thread but I ill post it again...

I rarely if ever get excited about a road tire...

After owning a set of Michelin LTX M/S 2 road tires for 80,000 miles and then towards the end of its life abuse the hell out of them by taking them off-road in the desert sand + wheeling trips.

Not only was it a fantastic road tire it held up to all that abuse off-road as well. Even in application it wasn't designed for it performed well.

I liked them so much I actually went out of my way to buy a 2nd set of rims for some mud terrains over of a single set of KO2/AT just so I could keep a set of those Michelin tires.

I did two significant road trips... one to Yellowstone that included some light trail / off-road on those Michelin LTX M/S 2 and they really are one of the best road tires I have ever used on an SUV. Tire inspires a lot of confidence regardless of the condition. I would not hesitate buying another Michelin.

 

[skywalker1020]

[MENTION=147235]Renegade_Medic[/MENTION]
Great info! I'm definitely going to look into some p-rated tires. Sounds like I could get a better ride and better mpg.
[MENTION=88875]fblainen11[/MENTION]
I'll check out the Falken Wildpeak AT3W. Nice price!
[MENTION=144483]Bumbo[/MENTION]
Is the Michelin LTX M/S 2 a p-rated tire?

Thanks!

 

[Renegade_Medic]

[MENTION=147235]Renegade_Medic[/MENTION]
Great info! I'm definitely going to look into some p-rated tires. Sounds like I could get a better ride and better mpg.

[MENTION=88875]fblainen11[/MENTION]
I'll check out the Falken Wildpeak AT3W. Nice price!

[MENTION=144483]Bumbo[/MENTION]
Is the Michelin LTX M/S 2 a p-rated tire?

Thanks!

I got my wildpeaks from tires-easy.com great prices and fast shipping. They were at my door before 24 hours had even passed since my order.

 

[Lindenwood]

[MENTION=3602]skywalker1020[/MENTION]
The Falken Wildpeak AT3W is a winter rated tire. It has the snowflake symbol on it and everything.

You can order them on Amazon for $138 per tire and free shipping in P265/75/16.

I know that. However, they are E-rated, which is not going to help the OP achieve his desired soft ride.

 

[Moonbandit]

Pirrelli Scorpion ATR tires!

Amazing in all weather conditions and very smooth quiet for highway.

Also they last quite a while.

 

[reelamin]

Duuuude......HOLY BAT Sh^&......if you dont buy some tires pretty soon....your going to be walking because the rims will finally hit the hubs. I am a freaking "analyzing freak" according to many....but damn you make me look like a grade schooler. I with you my man...but GET SOME non HD off road all season tires and your golden. LOL...really up to you when...just poking fun!!

 

[BrianSD_42]

If your tires are nine years old they are probably extremely unsafe. Replace immediately.

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

I replaced my old BFG A/Ts with a new set of the same and the ride instantly got WAY better.

I have no idea how old the previous ones were (I bought them used) but the fresh ones the rubber was a lot more supple, and they rode smoother and quieter.

Re parts wearing, Bushes get harder (and fall apart), ball joints wear, shocks wear, it sounds like its just time to review your suspension!

 

[Airmapper]

I haven't seen any mention of Firestone Destination AT's, which come in P or LT I think.

Seem to be a good looking tire. I had a set on an old Ford Escape I had, but it got totaled before I ever found out how well they did long term. I do recall I was happy with them for what time I had them, didn't do much off road with that vehicle though.

I'm thinking about getting a set of those at P rating for the 4Runner, I mostly drive it to work and back, so highway biased, but I would like enough of an aggressive tread to use on forest service roads.

 

[SurfnSun]

I'm very happy with my Toyo Open Country HTs

 

[thegipper]

So the Falken wildpeak at3W in 265/75/16 comes in a LT version. Other than them having a deeper tread and weighing more, what is the pro/cons of going with a LT versus the standard 265/75/16.

I am in need of tires in the near future and these Falkens have my attention (also considering the Kuhmo AT51's). I live in Wisconsin and winter/snow is a factor which makes me think the Falkens would be better since they do have the winter rating.

 

[Tyler21]

The big question is you want something more aggressive all terrain which will give you better traction in the snow or do you want something smoother?
If all you care about is ride put a tire like the cooper srx or the good year assurance fuel max. They are more along the lines of a passanger tire meaning tighter lug pattern not as many open groves. They will also get you better millage.
How ever if you still want something aggressive at type tire just dropping down to a P metric tire will decrease how stiff the ride is in the tire

As others have mentioned if it was not a stiff harsh ride when you first put the tires on it probably has more to do with the suspension then the actual tires them self

 

[Tyler21]

So the Falken wildpeak at3W in 265/75/16 comes in a LT version. Other than them having a deeper tread and weighing more, what is the pro/cons of going with a LT versus the standard 265/75/16.

I am in need of tires in the near future and these Falkens have my attention (also considering the Kuhmo AT51's). I live in Wisconsin and winter/snow is a factor which makes me think the Falkens would be better since they do have the winter rating.

Load capacity meaning you can carry 3450 pounds per tire at max air vs 2750 at max air also going 10pl will help with things like rock punctured

 

[Rayford]

After owning a set of Michelin LTX M/S 2 road tires for 80,000 miles and then towards the end of its life abuse the hell out of them by taking them off-road in the desert sand + wheeling trips.

I did two significant road trips... one to Yellowstone that included some light trail / off-road on those Michelin LTX M/S 2 and they really are one of the best road tires I have ever used on an SUV. Tire inspires a lot of confidence regardless of the condition. I would not hesitate buying another Michelin.

I have had 2 sets of these Michellins (larger versions) on my Yukon 4x4. They are great. Excellent winter traction, quiet on the highway, and even work OK in the mild off-road conditions I run into here in Wisconsin. They are good for about 80k miles.

 

[T4R2014]

So the Falken wildpeak at3W in 265/75/16 comes in a LT version. Other than them having a deeper tread and weighing more, what is the pro/cons of going with a LT versus the standard 265/75/16.

I am in need of tires in the near future and these Falkens have my attention (also considering the Kuhmo AT51's). I live in Wisconsin and winter/snow is a factor which makes me think the Falkens would be better since they do have the winter rating.

The downside is that these are fairly new, and the prior two all terrains they made were less than stellar in regards to long term wear and performance.

Maybe they hit the bullseye with this, but I'm pretty sure this is their third redesign in less than five years...

 

[fblainen11]

I know that. However, they are E-rated, which is not going to help the OP achieve his desired soft ride.

No they aren't.

P265/75/16s

Those don't get D and E ratings

 

[Lindenwood]

Hrmm. Three sites listed them as 10-ply, but I suppose I stand corrected!

 

[fblainen11]

Hrmm. Three sites listed them as 10-ply, but I suppose I stand corrected!

Not sure how many ply. But the ply system isn't the standard anymore.
They have standardized it to the load ratings Passenger, light truck and then break it down even more detailed inside the light truck by C D E etc.