Help with tire selection
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 467
Likes: 232
From: Arizona
Egg-zacktleeee.
Trade-offs/compromises.
I'd prefer a better performing wet weather tire (who wouldn't), but in California it doesn't rain 6 months of the year, and rainy season averages 20" (10" one year in 3 storms/10 days, or 30" drizzling every few days for 4 months.
I don't want to trade dry/noise/ride 340 days a year for slightly better wet performance 25 days a year.
Just looked up Scorpions. Nice. Cosctco doesn't have them, but if they reject installing the upsize tire in a week, I'll consider Americas/Discount and Scorpions.
Trade-offs/compromises.
I'd prefer a better performing wet weather tire (who wouldn't), but in California it doesn't rain 6 months of the year, and rainy season averages 20" (10" one year in 3 storms/10 days, or 30" drizzling every few days for 4 months.
I don't want to trade dry/noise/ride 340 days a year for slightly better wet performance 25 days a year.
Just looked up Scorpions. Nice. Cosctco doesn't have them, but if they reject installing the upsize tire in a week, I'll consider Americas/Discount and Scorpions.
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,204
Likes: 1,594
From: Sonoma wine country/Left coast is the best coast
Food for thought over the weekend, I'll dabble a little more on this, have about a week to decide.
Nice thing is I don't need to buy from Costco even though they ordered the Michelins.
5 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 287
From: Everett, WA
Been reviewing tires for days and yes it can be frustrating and a bit confusing to say the least. Sounds like your looking for something similar to what I would like to settle on. Can't offer much real world info on the tires you have listed but will throw this out there for what its worth.
BGs KO2 great looking tire, you cant wear them out but?! Heavy, get noisy after 30k and not the best ride as a daily driver. This is based on three sets over the last few years. As you may know most of the larger AT tires are "E" rated which makes them stiff, and heavy. Like you, I ride pavement 98% of the time and my off-roading is limited to maybe the beach, occasional snow, and sissy mud conditions. If its bad my days of diving in up to the headlights are long gone. I'm searching for SL or LT or even XL rated tires up to 33"s, quiet, and smooth ride. Trying my best to stay away from the "E" tires. However, I have 20" wheels which limit choices if you want some side wall. Not a rubber band kinda guy. Good luck and let me know what you settle on. Take a look at the below. May find something that works for ya? BFG Trail- Terrain T/A, Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail,
BGs KO2 great looking tire, you cant wear them out but?! Heavy, get noisy after 30k and not the best ride as a daily driver. This is based on three sets over the last few years. As you may know most of the larger AT tires are "E" rated which makes them stiff, and heavy. Like you, I ride pavement 98% of the time and my off-roading is limited to maybe the beach, occasional snow, and sissy mud conditions. If its bad my days of diving in up to the headlights are long gone. I'm searching for SL or LT or even XL rated tires up to 33"s, quiet, and smooth ride. Trying my best to stay away from the "E" tires. However, I have 20" wheels which limit choices if you want some side wall. Not a rubber band kinda guy. Good luck and let me know what you settle on. Take a look at the below. May find something that works for ya? BFG Trail- Terrain T/A, Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail,
I've always been a fan of the KO2, even had them on my Mazda CX5 lol. I've always done E rated tires simply because that's just what's in stock around me. This go around though there aren't many KO2's left as they are coming out with KO3's, all they had was C rated ones and man what a difference! The noise level is the same compared to all the others I've owned, but it does ride a lot smoother.
I know a few people that swear by the Michelin LTX's, almost like Cult followers (not as bad as us KO2 guys, but close runner ups!). The only real world experience I have with those tires was on an old Superduty. The tires themselves seemed fine, the tires were the least of that trucks concerns though haha. I never drove it in the show, but they seemed to handle good in the rain. Gravel they weren't the best in, but again they were on a Superduty, cclb at 80 PSI so that truck really had no traction to start with unless it was loaded.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 1,540
From: Indianapolis, IN
I've always been a fan of the KO2, even had them on my Mazda CX5 lol. I've always done E rated tires simply because that's just what's in stock around me. This go around though there aren't many KO2's left as they are coming out with KO3's, all they had was C rated ones and man what a difference! The noise level is the same compared to all the others I've owned, but it does ride a lot smoother.
I know a few people that swear by the Michelin LTX's, almost like Cult followers (not as bad as us KO2 guys, but close runner ups!). The only real world experience I have with those tires was on an old Superduty. The tires themselves seemed fine, the tires were the least of that trucks concerns though haha. I never drove it in the show, but they seemed to handle good in the rain. Gravel they weren't the best in, but again they were on a Superduty, cclb at 80 PSI so that truck really had no traction to start with unless it was loaded.
I know a few people that swear by the Michelin LTX's, almost like Cult followers (not as bad as us KO2 guys, but close runner ups!). The only real world experience I have with those tires was on an old Superduty. The tires themselves seemed fine, the tires were the least of that trucks concerns though haha. I never drove it in the show, but they seemed to handle good in the rain. Gravel they weren't the best in, but again they were on a Superduty, cclb at 80 PSI so that truck really had no traction to start with unless it was loaded.
The LTX is a highway tire, it’s not going to excel in gravel. People like them because they are smooth, quiet, comfortable and last a long time on road.
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 31,748
Likes: 12,570
From: Nowhereville, Barton City Michigan
GGAAAHHHH, my heads spinning just reading this thread!!!!!
That said, Toyo or Falken out of consideration?
And, never had trouble with GY, people, quit just saying "Wrangler", which Wrangler are you talking about? It's like saying I drive a Ford!!!
That said, Toyo or Falken out of consideration?
And, never had trouble with GY, people, quit just saying "Wrangler", which Wrangler are you talking about? It's like saying I drive a Ford!!!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 281
Likes: 19
From: Mobilehoma! (OKC)
This is how I'm deciding on which tires:
I looked at how important different qualities were to me, relative to each other.
My guidelines are 20" rims, not towing, 32" or 33".
Dry - 1st
Noise - 1st
Ride- 1st
Handling - 1st/2nd
Wet - 1st/2nd
MPG - 2nd
Looks - 3rd
Offroad - 3rd
Snow- 3rd
I'm liking the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, my complaints are the XL sidewall and B Traction ratings.
I looked at how important different qualities were to me, relative to each other.
My guidelines are 20" rims, not towing, 32" or 33".
Dry - 1st
Noise - 1st
Ride- 1st
Handling - 1st/2nd
Wet - 1st/2nd
MPG - 2nd
Looks - 3rd
Offroad - 3rd
Snow- 3rd
I'm liking the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, my complaints are the XL sidewall and B Traction ratings.
5 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,565
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From: Everett, WA
We have the Falken Wildpeak AT3W's on my wifes Rav4 and they are pretty good tires. Honestly that's what I was going to go with for the F-150 too but they weigh a lot compared to other A/T tires so I decided against them.
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 31,748
Likes: 12,570
From: Nowhereville, Barton City Michigan
I have some pretty decent sizes there, you guys don't necessarily need that model of Falken, I know there are ones that might be what you light weights may like.
As far as performance in what I have, they haven't disappointed at all, and I'm positive in the smaller sizes would be just as good. Check out the offerings in something other than the AT4W's as well.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 281
Likes: 19
From: Mobilehoma! (OKC)
I think I've narrowed it down to the Cont, Revo, and Ascend at the options