2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission E-Rated, on/off road tire durability

[TurboSandman]

I am currently running Interco TRXUS 285/75/16E tires which are nearing end of useful life at 18 months 17k miles, although I think I could get another 3k miles. Wear is even as I have rotated them and have no alignment problems, but I currently slip on wet pavement and snow is around the corner, so I think it is time.



I have been happy with the traction and load carrying performance of these tires but durability is obviously not their strong suit. I want to stay with an E rated tire and the 285 fits without lifting, so that narrows the field a bit. I don't do extreme off roading, but want to continue driving in woods and fields in all conditions; the TRXUS excelled here. On road noise and ride harshness is not much of a concern with a 12-valver. :-laf



BFG All Terrain T/A KO give the E rating (3750 lbs @ 80 psi), but the tread pattern doesn't look as agressive as the TRXUS; anyone out there tried both of these tires? How does the T/A KO perform off road?



The BFG Mud Terrain T/A KM looks to have an agressive tread leading me to believe it would be similar to the TRXUS off road, but it is a load range D (3305lbs @ 65 psi) tire.



The Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor seems to be a good compromise (3750 @ 80) although the tread looks a little wimpy. TDR search turned up two posts giving good reports for on-road snow traction, but nothing on off-road performance. Anyone take these off road?



That's what I have so far; anyone have any suggestions?

 

[KevinSmith]

Toyo M55 Hyperradial



This premium traction radial is made for heavy duty use on pickups and vans. Its heavy casing and steel belts make it a favorite of our commercial use customers.



FEATURES:

• Heavy Duty Belt Construction

• Mud and Snow Rated

• Cut Resistant Compound

• Pinned for Studs



Avaliable in E ratings



BENEFITS:

• Specifically Designed to Handle Harsh Applications

• Year Around Traction

• Designed to Perform on Rock and Gravel



We used these for our wildland fire rigs for good on/ off road traction and since then I use them on my CTD. With proper rotation and balancing I should get 55K+ miles from them.

 

[DodgeWarlock]

That's good to know. I expect to buy tires right after Christmas for the wife's 01 and was wondering how those held up. I had narrowed it down to Hankook's new ATm RF10's, Toyo M-55's, Nitto DuraGrappler's or BFG AT KO's. These seem to be the best options for an E-rated 285. I've run commercial grade tires(Bridgestone M773's) on our suburban for several years and really liked the wear. The M-55's look very similar and I had wondered if they might wear that well.

 

[rjrkihap]

Hi all.



I second the Toyo M55's. By far the longest lasting tire I've run.



Ron

 

[JMachemer]

I run the BFG AT KOs and really like them. I got over 50k on my first set (E rated), found a set of used D rated for $150 and put 40k on them, and just last month bought a new set of E rated - 285/75 each time.



I was thinking about putting the Nitto Terra Grabbers on, but i had nothing but good luck with the BFG tire. I like the looks of the BFG better too. I don't think that they can be beat for the mileage and performance. They are a bit pricey - i paid $202/tire.

 

[JKinney]

Im Runnin the goodyears right now, have about 2000 miles on them. They run quiet. They replaced a set of m55s. I spent my first week with them off road in northern maine hunting birds, and so far I like em. They sure do turn some heads as people admire them.

 

[CNeubauer]

I ordered a set of 265/75-16 Hankook RTO3 tires for my truck today after having a set on my Geo Tracker for a couple of months. From what I have found they are the best compromise between a nice handling AT tire while still being aggressive enough to not need 4wd on wet grass. I haven't had them long enough to know how they will last but the Hankooks I had in the past were pretty good.



#ad

 

[KevinSmith]

Les Schwab Tire Centers - Your Performance Headquarters For Tires and Wheels#ad

 

[AABEN]

Check with your tire dealer. Ask for A high tread ware tire. Most mud tires do not have A high tread ware.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Would the Michelin LTX M/S tires be to tame for you? I got good wear out my first set (99% road wear). They make the 265 don't know about the 285.

 

[TurboSandman]

Thanks for the quick replies, all; is this a great site or whaqt?



Kevin; thanks for steering me towards Toyo. The M55s look good, but the Open Country M/T seems more off than on-road. They both have E rated 285s so I guess the compromise is tread wear vs. traction in slick conditions. Does anyone have real life experience with these tires? By slick, I mean pulling the ATV trailer on muddy roads/trails and across wet grass fields.



JMachemer; I like the tread wear you describe, but how do the BFG AT KO's perform in the slick? Does the tread clog up with mud?



Missouri Mule; From what I have heard, the Michelin LTXs might outlast the truck but the tread doesn't look like it will shed mud very well. Looks are not as important as actual experience; does anyone have experience with LTX MTs?



Thanks again for all the responses.

 

[dclassens]

The shop I work for has been putting the BF Goodrich Commercial T/A on all of our work trucks(Dodge 2500, Chevy 3500). I dont think they offer the size you need, but you may just want to take a quick look. We do service calls for farm equip and these calls take us through some serious mud, hills. These tires work great pulling our heavy loads on road. I have always purchased the 315, but if I ever need a tire that was on a WORK truck, these would be it.



BFGoodrich Tires | Commercial T/A® Traction | Tire Sizes & Specs



They are great in snow also.



Just my $. 02



Dave

 

[JMachemer]

well i have never been in a true muddy situation with my Dodge.



My old 96 - 4. 0L, 2 DR, 5 spd, green, powertrax posi-loc rear - Jeep Cherokee is a different story and it had BFGs AT on it - not the same load rating. I had no problems at all with the tire on the jeep. I did a lot of trail riding and never got hung up, i had it floor boards deep in a pond a few times and it crawled right out, and did some steeeep hill climbing at a local ski resort during the summer - its funny what some beer, a few friends, and girls with real nice boobs can get you to do. Nope, the tire never didn't do what it was supposed to do.



now 7 years later - i'm married, don't drink as irresposilbe, and i don't have the jeep anymore - that thing would take a beating YOU JUST CAN'T BEAT AN INLINE ENGINE!!!!. I've had my truck on the beach down at the Outer Banks in NC and never had any problems - actually had to pull a Ford Exploder and a Jeep Wrangler out of the sand. I've had it in some 1' deep snow and the tire did great - even when i pulled my enclosed snowmobile trailer the truck and tire were rock solid. With the extra weight the truck has over the jeep, i can't see how it would not do even better in the same situations. Oh yea, i had 70K on of the BFGs when i traded the jeep on my truck - and they still looked safe.



I've never been dissappointed with this tire. I've never met anyone that was disappointed with this tire either. Thats why i got it again.

 

[JMachemer]

i now just saw your definition of "slick". The BFGs will not have any problem in those situations and i do not think that they will clump up with mud anymore than any other All Terrain tire you could buy.



I have had my truck on muddy fire roads in the State Game Lands of PA, in my grandfather's farm fields and apple orchards, and across a creek or 2 - never any problems.



I sure would not want to get it stuck. 6500#s + is a lot of weight to move.

 

[TurboSandman]

JMachemer;you are da' MAN! Floorboards deep in a pond in a Cherokee and getting out is certainly "adequate" performance as far as I am concerned. I completely agree with you on the inline 6/5 speed Jeep drivetrain; I had an '88 Cherokee that I shudda kept but didn't. I am looking for that "just right" beater CJ with an inline 6 that costs less than an ATV, but hauls more gear and sons. You should have seen us last week with two ground blinds, packs and a 6' son on each rear fender of a Honda 400 ATV crossing a bean field; I NEED a CJ.



I know what you mean about getting a 2500 stuck; I had my previous '97 in a muddy field that turned into standing water on mud before I could get turned around. I got back to within 25 feet of where I got into it, but slid sideways into my ruts and hung up on the *#%@# runningboards. I suffered the indignity of having a Chebby GASSER! pull me out of the ruts, but was on my own propulsion in about 5 feet. My current '97 don' got no steenkin' runningboards.



I'll end up doing what blackbear suggests and consult my local Dobbs dealer; I have bought tires from one particular salesman for all the vehicles my family has owned over the past 20 or so years. He is the manager now and will get me pretty much anything I want, although they mainly sell Goodyears. I bought my TRXUS sets from him and he expressed concerns about tread life; live and learn.



Thanks for all your replies, I have been AWOL from the board for a while and sort of forgot how helpful everyone is.

 

[xpetecx]

Ive been running cooper ST on my truck in a 285 75 r 16. There kinda a mix between a Mud terrain and an all terrain. For off road and snow they are the best tire I personaly have ever had. almost could not believe the difference from the mud terrain to the ST.



Never had any bfg on a street legal truck, so cant help you there. I think the only thing About the coopers that you wouldnt like is the weight rating. i think they are D's not sure though. I dont pull any thing or realy ever load my truck so I dont really need E's.

 

[KevinSmith]

Thanks for the quick replies, all; is this a great site or whaqt?



Kevin; thanks for steering me towards Toyo. The M55s look good, but the Open Country M/T seems more off than on-road. They both have E rated 285s so I guess the compromise is tread wear vs. traction in slick conditions. Does anyone have real life experience with these tires? By slick, I mean pulling the ATV trailer on muddy roads/trails and across wet grass fields.



JMachemer; I like the tread wear you describe, but how do the BFG AT KO's perform in the slick? Does the tread clog up with mud?



Missouri Mule; From what I have heard, the Michelin LTXs might outlast the truck but the tread doesn't look like it will shed mud very well. Looks are not as important as actual experience; does anyone have experience with LTX MTs?



Thanks again for all the responses.

My experiance with the M55 has been in mud, rain, snow, wet and dry ash in fire situations. They spin free quite easily and that is why I difinatly use mud flaps. The rubber is fairly hard giving longer life and durability but the tread design works great for everything I've encountered.

 

[MR V]

Are you guys putting the 285's on the stock wheels? Or do you have after market wheels? I am in need some new tires. I have almost 75K on my stock Michelins.



Thanks!

 

[KevinSmith]

Are you guys putting the 285's on the stock wheels? Or do you have after market wheels? I am in need some new tires. I have almost 75K on my stock Michelins.



Thanks!

Stock wheels yes. Stock height no. They can fit with out any real rub if you have a front end leveling kit. 305s usually require a lift to fit and not rub. This is based on my friends and my personal experiance using M55s. I am not sure about other brands. We have seven CTDs between us.

 

[JKinney]

I went with the good year 285/75/16 E silent armor this time because the tire rack had them on sale for 170 each verses the much higher price for the

m55s.



I do not miss the singing that the m55s performed.