All-Terrain Tire Recommendations

"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
10/06/2014 at 15:35 • Filed to: oppoinions

Hey guys, I just added an '03 Pathfinder 4x4 to the stable - excuse the dealer photo - as my winter/dogs/camping/fun rig, and need to get some new tires on before winter. Size is 265/65R17, and I'd like a tire that's capable off-road (for easy to medium trails) but with decent road manners on the highway and good grip in snow and ice.

What tires have you all had good experiences with?

DISCUSSION (34)

Party-vi > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/06/2014 at 15:41

BF Goodrich A/T

Firestone Destination A/T

Nitto Terra Grappler A/T

Toyo Open Country A/T

Dunlop are shit. Cooper are shit.

youshiftem > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/06/2014 at 15:41

Michelin MS/2 tires are the best investment I ever made on tires. Driving includes dirt trails (some mud), snow and ice, and lots of highway. Very quiet and actually an improvement in fuel economy. Don't let the "highway tire" look fool you, they have provided excellent traction in all conditions. Also they seem to last forever, 70 000 miles with very little wear showing.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/06/2014 at 15:43

Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs are by far the best all terrain I've used. They are AWESOME on snow and ice(they are 4 season rated) and are not at all noisy.

Kinja'd!!!

the next best for a mix of everything would probably be the BF Goodrich A/T

Kinja'd!!!

youshiftem > youshiftem
10/06/2014 at 15:44

Previous tires that I tried were Baja Claws (decent in dirt, useless everywhere else, very loud) BFG A/T (very good traction, loud, wore out very quickly) and Firestone Destination (quiet, not great traction in snow or dirt, good wear)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Party-vi
10/06/2014 at 15:46

Thanks - the Firestones get really good ratings on TireRack.

dinobot666 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/06/2014 at 15:49

I've had 3 pairs of General Grabber AT2 tires on three different trucks and really liked them.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
10/06/2014 at 15:49

Thanks for the tip on the Duratracs - look like a good option.

BFG A/T are the old favorite, of course, and you pay extra for that.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > youshiftem
10/06/2014 at 15:53

Thanks for the tip!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
10/06/2014 at 15:57

What's the "commercial traction" designation about on the Duratracs? I hadn't checked that box on TireRack before, so it wasn't coming up in my search.

Good review here:

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/06/2014 at 15:58

I use Nexen Roadian M/T's on the Defender, and Goodyear GW90's on the Series. Nexens are excellent on everything but wet highways. Seem to get lock-up fairly easily if I hammer the anchors, but then I don't have ABS. The Goodyears have performed well in almost every aspect driving but never do more than 55 mph! I'm regularly on muddy (proper English mud) tracks and inclines with both vehicles and they don't stop. The BFG's get recommended highly too.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
10/06/2014 at 16:01

Thanks!

CAR_IS_MI > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/06/2014 at 16:07

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/tires/b…

Pretty much my go to. Bit spendy though if your looking for a lower priced I would go with these:

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTir…

While I haven't used them myself, I have heard good things.

There is also always the Nitto option. I am a big proprietor of Nittos for my cars, and I have nothing bad to say about their truck tires either. I used a set of these on my F350 for about a year (then I sold the truck)

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTir…

And lastly, a good mid range HD tire

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTir…

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/06/2014 at 16:11

I have never heard of commercial traction? when I bought mine in 2010 on tire rack it did not ask me for it but I had E rated tires in a LT265/70R17. the tire is the same so I wouldn't worry about the designation for commercial traction.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > CAR_IS_MI
10/06/2014 at 16:19

Thanks for all this! The BFGs are a bit pricey (but for a good reason, right?).

Know anyone who runs Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs? Seem to get really good reviews from everything I've read so far.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/06/2014 at 16:22

I have always used Wranglers but know people who use AT2's and General Grabbers and love them too.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
10/06/2014 at 16:23

In this case, "commercial" probably just means "good". Seems like they're exactly what I'm looking for. Very capable, with good manners on ice and and highway, and with an aggressive look as well. Some quick searches for reviews shows that most people really like them and would recommend. Thanks again.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/06/2014 at 16:33

Everything I've heard about the Duratracs is great, I want a set for our Jeep Commander.

It currently has BFG's on it and they've done great. I love the aggressiveness of the Duratracs. I've had a range of lower level Goodyear Wrangler's and loved all of them too.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/06/2014 at 16:39

Pretty sure I'm going with them unless I'm somehow convinced otherwise.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/06/2014 at 16:42

No worries I don't have a truck any more but I would buy them again in a heartbeat if I ever got a truck again. I'm glad I could be of assistance.

CAR_IS_MI > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/06/2014 at 17:05

Yea the Duratracs have good reviews and I have heard plenty of praise for them as well. I personally had a chain of bad run ins with good year tires many years ago which still leaves a bad taste in my mouth for the brand. Not to ward you off, they are obviously doing just fine without my endorsement, I just tend to shy away from them.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > CAR_IS_MI
10/06/2014 at 17:12

Gotcha. Appreciate the comment. Amazing what one (or two) bad experiences with a brand can do... I'm similarly wary about Firestone from the old Explorer debacle. It's terribly hard to get a good reputation back after you lose it.

CAR_IS_MI > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/06/2014 at 17:13

Or 6 in a 2 month period...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > CAR_IS_MI
10/06/2014 at 17:14

Eesh.

CAR_IS_MI > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/06/2014 at 17:20

Yea exactly. I mean I am sure it was a bad batch and just the dealers fault for being cheap / stubborn / a dealer... but it still left a bad taste for goodyear.

efme > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/06/2014 at 18:52

i'm new to AT tires and was originally considering highway tires. whats the difference? I just picked up '98 ford ranger which is my winter and commuter. I want good gas mileage maybe equal or better than these good year wranger silent armor at tires that are currently on it. my only gripe at the moment is it shakes like hell at 80mph!

was considering general hts or at2...

grahamrh808 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/06/2014 at 19:13

I used BF Goodrich A/Ts on my Bronco for years and loved them. Perhaps there are more aggressive options for truck that get more off road use, but for me they had plenty of grip for mild to moderate off road and snow driving.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > efme
10/06/2014 at 20:07

If you never have plans to go off-road, I'd just stick with a normal tire that's targeted for highway use. I'm looking for a more dual use tire - good on road and off, and also capable in snow and ice.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > grahamrh808
10/06/2014 at 20:08

Thanks - seems like they're the standard option for good reason!

efme > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/06/2014 at 23:18

99% of my driving the truck will be on-road. I'm basically in the suburbs of DC. Since I want it snow capable if it ever snows, i get the impression "highway all season" is just the suv term for all-season tires. All seasons have never been stellar in anything but light snow.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > efme
10/07/2014 at 08:01

Yeah, all-seasons are really just a compromise. If you can swing it, a set of dedicated winter tires on steelies may be the way to go for the snowy season up there.

In Tulsa, I run Michelin PSS for three seasons and Conti DWS in the winter (on my car).

efme > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/07/2014 at 13:25

hardly worth it. Its never guaranteed to get a ton of snow.

I run pss on my caddy too. no steelies or winter weather for her. (why i got the truck)

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/08/2014 at 09:42

I had a set of BFG All Terrain T/A KO and they were horrible in snow. Where I live we get a lot of snow and nobody bothers buying those anymore because they were so bad. They also wear fast and cup unless you rotate religiously every 3,000 miles or so. If you try to go 5,000 before you rotate they will be shot. I hate those tires with a passion. Possibly the Gen 2 tires are better, but the originals were so bad I personally wouldn't risk it.

I currently have a set of Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure tires on the way that have really good reviews on Tire Rack. It will be interesting to see how they work out. They can't be any worse than the highway all seasons that came on the truck.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
10/08/2014 at 11:21

Thanks for the tip - I've heard similar sentiments about the BFG ATs in the snow.

Pretty sure I'm going to give Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs a try.

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/17/2014 at 20:12

I'm running 235/75R15 Grabber AT2's on my Jeep, and they're excellent on snow and ice. They're proper studdable winter tires, but even without studs they're much better than the BFG Total Terrain KO's that were on the Comanche when I bought it. The difference is night and day on snow and ice. But despite the fact that they're winter-rated, they're also proper all-terrain tires, with positive reviews coming out of all climates around the US, even the warmer southern states. No issues with tread wear or anything. The only complaint I've heard about them, which is one I kinda agree with, is that they really like to pick up and throw rocks when driving on gravel. But that just shows how grippy they are in loose stuff. I've never had a traction issue with them offroad on dirt, mud, snow, etc. The only time I've gotten stuck with them was if the Jeep had the floorpan sitting on snow with the wheels fully drooped and simply not touching anything other than powder. I've had the Jeep up to the diffs in mud and not had an issue.

When the time comes for new tires on the Lada (soon!), that's what I'll be getting, too.