Tires for my specific situation

I know my situation is not unique in this forum and there is probably a gazillion threads with this question, but I want to post this question based on my specific situation to get the best tailored advice. I use my 4runner 60% to Offroad here in Colorado and 40% Highway and road use. I am looking for all-terrain tires that are great off-road (rocky terrain) and also great and quiet on the pavement. Long tire life is a plus too. Yes I know, The Cooper tires, Yokohama, Hankook tires blah blah, will work but they are crazy expensive. I am looking for the best generic or unknown brands to fit my needs. Something that will not break the bank, the best bang for the buck. Something I can find online and get it installed here. I have always found great solutions to my questions or products in this website, I love it, and I love all of you that give your honest opinion and solutions. I am all ears….

 

That’s a fair question. My son used I think it was called, Tire Rack, an online tire company that drop shipped to a local participating store to mount/balance his new tires.

Don’t know the specifics but I believe it was cheaper than local retailers.

I agree, tires are terribly expensive, even the off brand ones. Good luck.

Might consider one with a good snow rating considering your location.

 

Cheap and best don’t go together. Either pony up the cash for good performance or waste money on subpar products. I wouldn’t cheap out on something that could leave me stranded in the woods. My .02.

Sounds like 10 ply tires might benefit you though.

 

As mentioned above, cheap and good hardly go together.

OTOH, I ran Kumho Road-venture AT51 on my Tacoma and they performed pretty well in a lot of situations.

I will add that cheap, quiet, good performing tires are like finding a golden goose. You'll have to focus on 2 of 3 at best. There are a ton of really great all terrain tires on the market right now. But, none of them will click all 3 of those boxes.

 

Get a few quotes from different shops for the tires they carry. Decide on which tire fits your budget or wants. Then take that quote to your local Discount Tire store and buy them.

This is what I did and DT beat the best price by $25 a tire.

 

What’s your definition/price range of a budget tire?

 

The other posts make important points.

Another consideration about buying tires online is that you probably won’t get a warranty so if there’s a manufacturing defect or premature wear, your stuck.

 

I had Kuhmos on a car 15 years ago and was impressed, so much so, I remember it from 15 years ago .

 

Cheap and good ? Kinda like oil and water; they just don’t go together. You gotta pick a side, any side, and then we’d all love to help…..

 

It always amazes me that people would spend tens of thousands of dollars on a highly capable vehicle, and then cheap out on the one thing that actually connects your vehicle to the road. Everything your 4Runner is able to do is limited by the traction or lack thereof of your tires - acceleration, braking distance, high speed maneuvering, cornering, rock climbing, etc etc.

I would rather have a cheap truck and the best possible tires than the other way around.

 

Several have mentioned failure on the trail. I would also mention failure at highway speeds. I’m the guy that replaces tires every three years no matter the wear. As a retired LEO I have seen first hand the result of losing a tire at highway speed. And people today seem to drive much faster on the highway than even a few years ago. Consider your safety and that of your passengers who will likely be very important people in your life most of the time. And I love Discount Tire. They will match pretty much any offer and buying certificates isn’t that expensive. Cut your budget somewhere that is inconvenient, not dangerous. Good luck.

Edit: I love my Nitto Terra Grapplers

 

I used to be a big fan of BFG KO2s... awesome off-road, nice aggressive look, etc. Had several sets on my F150. But I was always kinda disappointed in their performance on-road with a little bit of rain. They seemed to not like "slightly slick" pavement - the tire industry calls this "aqua planing".

My tire guy recommended that I try Firestone Destination ATX. FANTASTIC tire. I noticed no difference in the off road performance, and they are quieter and slightly better on MPG than the KO2s. Most importantly, I no longer feel the rear end get away from me on rainy pavement like the KO2s were prone to do. Not quite as aggressive looking (although the definitely are, just not visually), but I like them. Bonus that they're actually a little less expensive than KO2s also.

https://tires.tirerack.com/tires/Firestone Destination 265 70 17


https://tirehungry.com/firestone-destination-at2-tire-review/

 

My post might not help as I don't care about the price and buy best tires. Anyways here's what I think if it has any value....

From the tires I have on my 4R here in CO BFG KO2 is my favorite so far over Falken Wildpeak and Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac. I haven't used Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac on snow yet. I hope I won't be disappointed not getting KO2. I wanted to try something new, why I got Duratracs. I run 33ish psi regardless the tire size and load rating though. Maybe the reason I never had complaints on wet traction.

I absolutely love to run M/Ts for the trails here but running those on i70 in winter would be the recipe for disaster as no M/Ts have (for now) 3PMSF rating for winter conditions.

 

I am considering the Yokohama Geolandar 285 70/17 for my 2015 4R with a 2 inch lift. Has anyone had any experience with them? They seem to be a very tough tire with good on/off road manners.

 

Which ones?

Geolander ATG015, X-AT, or MT?

I had G015's on my previous 4Runner and they were some of the best all-around tires I've used. They were especially good in snow.

The MT's are fantastic off-road, and pretty good on-road as well. They were surprisingly quiet and comfortable for an MT. I wouldn't use them in winter, though.

I have no experience with the X-AT.

I am a big fan of Yokohama altogether, if that wasn't already obvious.

 

If you buy tires online through Tire Rack, Discount Tire, etc., they do come with a full manufacturer's warranty.

 

That’s good to know,

what’s the procedure if you have a warranty claim with tires purchased online?

 

May not be relevant but just sharing my experience.
I contacted the tire manufacture Michelin customer service to report premature tire ware warranty (on behalf on my friend). When they ask for my zip code there was a Discount tire where they honor for tire inspection. So we called Discount tire and schedule to meet in a short time. They gave the report as the tires have premature wear and offered a credit towards a new tire set. After the report Discount tire contacted Michelin (we didn't have to do anything). That credit approved can be used towards any brand tire set and does not have to buy Michelin. I think it was $35 (or $40) per tire x 4 what we got approved in 2016/17.

Again this experience might not be any value when we damage tires on trails how to claim warranty but shared anyways if anyone wants.

 

I hope you've been convinced by now the importance of having good tires. I recently unloaded my near new Michelin Defenders (a great road tire) for the KO2s - it was NOT in my budget but logical arguments swayed me as I am planning for a trip to Moab in the Spring where the Defenders just wouldn't cut it. One thing I haven't noticed brought up in this thread is the importance of maintaining proper air pressure in whatever tire you end up with - that is what LEOs often come across in tire related accidents - people just do not get the importance of maintaining tire psi. If you have them set a little on the high side you'll experience unusual tire wear and maybe a rougher ride. If your tires on set too low they will tend to run hot resulting in premature tire failure. Do not rely on your service schedule for psi checks - check them yourself OFTEN (so important).

 

Google found this...

https://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/roadHazard/trhp24MonthNSDRHPCert.pdf

 

Cost is a fair question, tires are a high $ investment in a consumable.

I had the Destination AT on an old Jeep Cherokee in the Pacific NW. Great in the snow and rain, seriously would just churn through any snow. Also note, that Jeep had a limited slip in the rear, so ymmv. Off road, the Destinations were prone to failure and aren't particularly durable. Any sharp rock is a death sentence for this tire. Might as well bring an entire spare set if you drive around the volcanic areas of central Oregon with those tires.

I've driven to Panama and back on a set of Duratracs, and taken KO2s through pretty much all conditions. Can't say KO2s hydroplane an excessive amount, then again, I also put snow tires on a corvette, so, what do I know.

 

I honestly don't know. I do know that there is a warranty though.

 

Just my .02....General Grabber ATx. great tire, usually cheaper than BFGs, I believe there's a mail in rebate right now as well

 

Does anyone have experience with the Kenda Klever r/t? They have amazing reviews online. I am between the Geolandars and the Kenda. Thoughts??

 

Kenda is owned by Goodyear. The Klever R/T looks like a generic version of the Duratrac. I'd get real Duratracs if I were going that route.

Which Geolander are you looking at? AT/G015, X-AT, or MT?

Either way, I would go Yokohama.

 

The geolander g05. They don’t look as aggressive but from the reviews they are very tough and amazing tires all around.

 

I had the G015 on my last 4runner and would buy them again in a heartbeat. They were probably the best tires I've used in snow aside from actual snow tires. For anything but hardcore off-road use, I think they'll be fantastic!

 

This truck does about 60% off-roading and 40% on road use though, so that is the dilemma. Have you used it off-road and found the Geos to be sub-par?

 

No, I just didn't do any off-roading when I had that truck. I would expect them to do fine, aside from deep mud. But, no AT will be good in deep mud. I just meant that there are better tires for a dedicated off-road rig.

 

falken wildpeak a/t3w great mileage, low noise and great for offroad or on plus way cheaper than most others