72 replies to this topic

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

New tires for my truck are on the horizon and I’m trying to break free of my usual analysis paralysis. Background: ‘02 Chevy Silvy 2500 HD, XC LB 4X4 gasser currently with a topper. 90% on-road driving (including snow during the winter), off-road tends to be FS, gravel, DVNP style roads. Currently running Toyo Open Country AT2 in LT265/75R16 LR-E. They’ve been great tires but boy, do they howl with almost 40k miles on them. I’ve narrowed my choices to two tires:

 
Toyo Open Country AT3, 3-peak snowflake rated. 
Michelin Defender LTX M+S.

 

I’ll run the same LT265/75 (one size larger than the pitifully small OEMs) and LR-E. The 3PS rating on the Toyos are a bonus, but the smoother, quieter ride of the Michelins are attractive. I’m wondering if that will translate into slightly better MPG which would be welcome these days. Both tires garner good reviews for off-road performance with the Michelins praised for their “sleeper” performance considering a milder looking tread. The Toyo tread has worked well for me, and they look the part! 
 

Anybody here have experience with either tire? Feel free to add your 2cents to this never-ending circular discussion. 

Edited by Mighty Dodge Ram, 30 September 2021 - 04:17 PM.

[Jon R]

Also check out the Michelin LTX AT2. Good traction and quiet. A little more aggressive tread than the Defender M+S.

[Lighthawk]

Brand new set of Falken Wildpeak AT3 's on our 3500 and no noticeable tire noise with Hwy 80 with speeds at 70mph+ 

We did 400 miles of pavement on our trip.  I like 'em.

[Stray Dog]

X2 on the Michelin LTX.

 

Replaced Cooper Discoverers on my F 250 with camper.  Mileage on these tires is twice what I got on the Coopers.  Little road noise, good traction.

 

Have put them on my current F 150 with camper and like them very much...

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

Thanks for the replies, all appreciated. Yes, I’ve considered the Falkens also, Coopers, too. At one point I was going to go tall and skinny, 255/85, but I’m concerned about already lower around town MPGs with a taller tire. MPG is not the only factor in my choice, but considering the price of gas these days it’s certainly one of them. 
 

Other comments are welcome. 

[Beach]

My Cooper ATPs are holding up very well, they are good in wet weather, have very little sidewall flex, and are pretty quiet for a all terrain tire. They are not great in mud but much better in mud than the Mich. LTX tires on my Tundra. If you occasionally drive in mud(not deep stuff either) the LTX tread clogs immediately and turns into a racing slick. Other than that LTXs are the great in wet weather , great longevity and quiet on the road. 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

👍

[fish more]

Replacing my tires on the Super Duty, taking off Toyo AT II and replacing with Goodyear Dura Tracs 295 70 18. I had some Dura Tracs on my last F150 and they did very well in the snow, the Toyo AT II not so well

[SkyP]

One thing to consider with any brand is how readily available they are in a pinch.

 

On my recent Utah trip, 2000 mi from home, we had something get caught under my 4WD F150 and cut a deep groove in the left rear tire ruining it- still held air but not trustable at highway speeds.

Luckily Discount Tire in St George had the needed KO2 in stock- and also luckily I had bought the  warranty so the $250ish tire was replaced free.

 

How likely would one be to find a Cooper or a Toyo in an urgent situation?   Don't know but I suspect they are less likely to be on hand.   In fact locally they sell, but don't seem to keep on hand, either Cooper or Toyo.

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

Thanks for the added replies. Just returned from Chico round-trip pulling a trailer. Toyos rode smooth as butter, 5/32 tread remaining. Darn, paralysis continues. 😂