BajaNomad - What are the best Baja Tires?

While not an expensive tire, I have really enjoyed the over-all performance of Hankook DynaPro ATM tires in sand, mud, snow, and quiet on the highway. I have also run Toyo Open Country AT and Cooper Discoverer ATR in the past and they were good.

Least expensive tire out there. Which is why they come OEM on many new cars...and if you read the reviews along with a lot of complaints. Maybe its only the car tires.

bkbend - 11-15-2019 at 06:34 PM

I had been a Toyo Open Country guy and decided I wasn't happy with the mileage I was getting so I switched to BFG KO2. I got comparable mileage so that wasn't a factor but I'd gotten a flat on two consecutive sets of Toyo's and I made it through the BFG without a flat so I just got a new set. Plus, they're slightly cheaper in my size and location.

motoged - 11-15-2019 at 06:40 PM

Tire porn ....

4x4abc - 11-15-2019 at 07:18 PM

There is a Baja Tire?

mtgoat666 - 11-15-2019 at 07:26 PM

Quote: Originally posted by TLBaja79

Nobody seems impressed with the KO2's

I am. Call me nobody.

P.s. no need for an apostrophe when writing the plural of KO.

[Edited on 11-16-2019 by mtgoat666]

chuckie - 11-16-2019 at 06:06 AM

Well, Little Grasshoppers!
A tire that is "the best"on Tuesday may not be "the best" on Friday...

Wisdom! No charge....

pacificobob - 11-16-2019 at 06:59 AM

Inflated

chuckie - 11-16-2019 at 11:51 AM

I ran through 3 sets of Hankook very satisfactory.....Didn't try to keep track of mileage ...Didn't really care...

mtgoat666 - 11-16-2019 at 03:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by chuckie

I ran through 3 sets of Hankook very satisfactory.....Didn't try to keep track of mileage ...Didn't really care...

Toto, I don’t think the question was about tires in Kansas anymore than Missouri :lol:

Don Pisto - 11-16-2019 at 03:38 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc

There is a Baja Tire?

yup and they're pretty! you can't legally rumble down the highway but sure look spiffy on your class 10! :yes:

chuckie - 11-16-2019 at 05:01 PM

ALL of the tires , the Hankooks I mentioned spent at LEAST 4-5 months per year in BAJA ,goatley...And one set 11months without coming north....

AKgringo - 11-16-2019 at 08:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc

There is a Baja Tire?

Mickey Thompson still puts out three different tires with "Baja" on the sidewalls, for what ever that is worth!

Ken Cooke - 11-16-2019 at 10:33 PM

In February, some of us had the opportunity to test our 4WD equipment. I run the Falken AT3W in two sizes for two different Jeeps. The 35" 12.5r15 on my 2003 TJ Rubicon and the 33" 11.5r17 on my 2020 Gladiator Rubicon. I have aired down both sets of tires and came back with different results due to their different sizes.

Mission Santa Maria

On the "Mission Impossible" trail, the 35" AT3Ws stuck to the rocks like glue. Our friends The Bowman's did equally well with their 33" BFG KO2's.

I kept these tires aired down to approximately 20psi in the above photo for gas economy reasons, primarily. By the next day, these tires were aired down to 12 psi for better traction along the 1942 Pole Line Road.

The 1942 Pole Line Road
The BFG KM3 did well for David in his built 4 Runner

Saturnino didn't fare so well as he climbed the notorious"Basketball Hill". A rock gouged the sidewall of his off-brand tire, but thankfully it was repaired with some tire plugs. Rich T. showed us how to properly repair a tire in the field. Thanks Rich!

The Bottom Ridge Grappler is a premium Rugged Terrain-type tire that works well in both muddy and rocky environments while not creating much audible noise on the highway. Billy ran his Ridge Grapplers successfully along Matomi Wash/Matomi Canyon without any incidents.

Currently, my Gladiator also runs a set of Falken AT3Ws - size 33". The tire size is not an optimal one for the 137" wheelbase, so I plan to move up in size to a 38" Milestar Patagonia tire.

Here, I ran Berdoo Canyon road with about 17 psi in the tire underneath a 5000 pound Rubicon truck.

After the new long-travel suspension goes on the truck I will update everyone with the Patagonias performance!

[Edited on 11-17-2019 by Ken Cooke]

[Edited on 11-17-2019 by Ken Cooke]

Skipjack Joe - 11-17-2019 at 09:25 PM

Quote: Originally posted by motoged

Tire porn ....

chuckie - 11-17-2019 at 10:40 PM

NOW! That was FUNNY!

Glidergeek - 11-19-2019 at 09:12 AM

Corn or flour :?:

Oh that's the other thread tires not tacos.

[Edited on 11-19-2019 by Glidergeek]

BajaNaranja - 11-19-2019 at 03:28 PM

The only thing I'd add to the discussion is that for Baja driving, on-road and off, regardless of brand, it is probably a good idea to get tires that are beefier than you need.

On my 1/2 ton truck, I run load range E tires, which are rating to carry much more weight than I carry, but this means the tires have extra ply / are going to be able to withstand bigger pothole hits and off road abuse.

This makes the truck ride harsher, if aired all the way up to the spec the tire can handle, but that can be countered by reducing air pressure to find the sweet spot,. And air pressure isn't set it and forget it - when I tow a travel trailer, I air them up to 55. For normal around town, I'm running 32-40, depending. Offroad in Baja, maybe 20 for general purpose, lower if in sand.

Anecdotal evidence: Got three flats on one sizable Baja trip once, was running the flimsy light truck tires that came from the factory. Since then, overbuilt tires have gotten me home with no dramas, many dozen times.

(Have run numerous sets of BFK KOs, on my first set of KO2s, no complaints so far, can't say if they are better or worse than other brands as I've been happy enough to stick with them).

BajaMama - 11-21-2019 at 10:28 AM

Best tires for Baja - the two spares you have in the back of the truck.

Glidergeek - 11-27-2019 at 11:28 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaMama

Best tires for Baja - the two spares you have in the back of the truck.

And the ones on your car/truck that aren't flat. :cool:

chuckie - 11-28-2019 at 04:47 AM

And for the the So-Call crowd, they have to be "pretty"

bajatrailrider - 11-29-2019 at 09:25 AM

Clean too never get dirty at the mall

BajaRat - 11-29-2019 at 09:50 AM

Love my KM2 255 80 16s
Looking forward to trying the KM3s
That tire size gets me on 33s with factory steel 16s
1989 Suburban V2500 350cid standard 4 speed
Lionel :cool:

honda tom - 11-30-2019 at 02:43 AM

KO has always served me well.... Pro Comps also except for availability when I need to replace. often run both down to 18 psi with no issues. The prerunner is now on a set of Tri-Ace, first trip was 800 miles including Matomi at race speeds with no issues..... more to come

BajaRat - 11-30-2019 at 09:15 AM

^ The above post reminds me of another advantage of BF Goodrich
Tire dealerships along the peninsula, free tire rotation ( please tip )
Lionel :cool:

Ken Cooke - 12-1-2019 at 10:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaRat

^ The above post reminds me of another advantage of BF Goodrich
Tire dealerships along the peninsula, free tire rotation ( please tip )
Lionel :cool:

I never knew this. Learn something new everyday.

DBaja - 12-2-2019 at 12:32 AM

I love my BFG KO2s. Wrangler ATs are a classic as well

PaulW - 12-3-2019 at 10:16 AM

Falkin no longer sells any 35x12.5x15

Quote: Originally posted by Ken Cooke

In February, some of us had the opportunity to test our 4WD equipment. I run the Falken AT3W in two sizes for two different Jeeps. The 35" 12.5r15 on my 2003 TJ Rubicon and the 33" 11.5r17 on my 2020 Gladiator Rubicon. I have aired down both sets of tires and came back with different results due to their different sizes.

Mr. Bills - 12-3-2019 at 12:18 PM

Opinions on Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT tires?

PaulW - 12-3-2019 at 01:35 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Mr. Bills

Opinions on Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT tires?

====
Pretty tight tread pattern, Good for the highway.

eguillermo - 10-21-2022 at 08:35 AM

This is probably just correlation not causation, but after buying a set of KO2's two years ago, I have had flat after flat (including yesterday, driving on-road).

One flat was un-repairable, so I bought a fifth one. Out of the remaining four, one is flat at the moment and one other is definitely slow-leaking.

Is it normal for blockier treads to pick up more nails and stuff, and therefore get more flats?

I'm looking for an alternative now, maybe Toyo open country RTs. Those puppies sure are costly though.

[Edited on 10-21-2022 by eguillermo]

David K - 10-21-2022 at 09:02 AM

While I am no fan of BFG, that sounds ridiculously bad.
Are you running the correct pressure for the street? Are you driving in a construction zone?

I have run several brands, BFG, Toyo, Cooper, Hankook, Destiny Dakota's...
My most-favorite brand for on and off road is the Hankook Dynapro ATm.

HeyMulegeScott - 10-21-2022 at 09:24 AM

I'm looking at AT tires for our RAM 2500 with a truck camper. All tires are costly now.

eguillermo - 10-21-2022 at 09:29 AM

Yup, unfortunately, there is a lot of (noisy) construction near my place lately. That's probably the prime suspect in yesterday's flat -- some tack or staging nail.

I'm in full shopping mode and turning up lots of unknown brands. The nomad earlier was right -- there's a "Baja Boss" tire

.

I was under the impression my Tacoma couldn't take wider tires, but Walmart online seems to say this will fit:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Venom-Power-Terra-Hunter-X-T-All-...

That one looks really wide, to a degree I might have assumed wouldn't fit a Tacoma, but which might help on the Mag bay marine mud I sank into a couple years ago . . .

TMW - 10-21-2022 at 09:32 AM

This is probably just correlation not causation, but after buying a set of KO2's two years ago, I have had flat after flat (including yesterday, driving on-road).

One flat was un-repairable, so I bought a fifth one. Out of the remaining four, one is flat at the moment and one other is definitely slow-leaking.

Is it normal for blockier treads to pick up more nails and stuff, and therefore get more flats?

I'm looking for an alternative now, maybe Toyo open country RTs. Those puppies sure are costly though.

[Edited on 10-21-2022 by eguillermo]

Maybe you should drive a different route. Nails will make any tire loose air.

JDCanuck - 10-21-2022 at 11:43 AM

I'm surprised you are getting so many nails etc. embedded in a steel belted tire as opposed to others that have no steel belting. My preference to BFGs was heavily influenced by the steel belts and the extra thick sidewalls to reduce rock slashes, especially when underinflated.

David K - 10-21-2022 at 12:50 PM

Yup, unfortunately, there is a lot of (noisy) construction near my place lately. That's probably the prime suspect in yesterday's flat -- some tack or staging nail.

I'm in full shopping mode and turning up lots of unknown brands. The nomad earlier was right -- there's a "Baja Boss" tire

That is the factory stock size for a TRD Off Road Tacoma (265/70-16, or ~31").

Once the factory tires were replaced, I have always gone up to the 265/75-16, or ~32" tires, any brand. This gives you 1/2" more ground clearance and will not rub, even when turning, as a larger size will (without a lift). Another plus, is that the speedometer will read correctly! The factory tweeks the speeometer to read about 3-4% faster. I heard to keep you from getting speeding tickets? The negative is that the odometer will read about 3-4% less on the highway, but when deflated for off road, reads spot on!

AKgringo - 10-21-2022 at 01:47 PM

David, I also run 265/75/16 tires on my Trooper. They are a load range E tire which is designed to carry much more weight than I will ever carry, so I run them at 28psi highway, and 20 on long dirt adventures.

Even at that low pressure, they seem to have a stiffer ride on pavement than the 265/70 load range C tires that I used to run. The stock size was 245/70/16, which did ok, but larger is better for where I go.

I think that the C load range tires were better crawlers, and have been told that the stiffer sidewalls will actually suffer more from over flexing at low psi than the lighter weight tires. Does anybody else have any direct experience with that theory?

Edit, No flats or leaks on my last adventure from spines, or nails, even though just about every time I walked my dog around the area of recently constructed homes where I was staying, I was picking up screws and nails!

[Edited on 10-21-2022 by AKgringo]

David K - 10-21-2022 at 03:04 PM

Mine are not the heavy load ones... Chalk-tested, idea street pressure is 34 psi and they float on Shell Island's bottomless sand at 18 psi.

mtgoat666 - 10-21-2022 at 03:37 PM

I run bfg ko2 load range e, because i tow trailers. Great tires.

Truck tires are a bit rougher ride. I would run p tires if i wasn't towing, as p are softer ride.

JZ - 10-21-2022 at 03:47 PM

Nitto Ridge Grappler 35x12.5R20 Load F. Have a BDS suspension with 2 inch lift to soften the ride.

eguillermo - 10-21-2022 at 05:01 PM

It's fully possible that I've been doing it all wrong RE tire pressure . . . for driving a Tacoma TRD off-road around, usually with light to medium loads in the back (usually pretty heavy on Baja trips), is 40 psi reasonable? Too high, too low?

I feel sheepish asking among obvious truck/mod experts, but I'm so focused on kayaking and fishing that the truck is mainly a means to and end -- but of course it has to have clearance and non-flat tires to perform that important role!

In my previous truck, I was happy with Yokohama Geolandar AT tires, so I'm thinking maybe to go back to that with some added off road tread with the X-AT.

TMW - 10-21-2022 at 05:10 PM

David I too went to the 265/75R16 (32 inch) for my 2004 Tacoma and the speed odometer is dead on however on my 2006 4Runner I went to the 32 inch and the speedometer is now off by about 2 to 3 mph. At 60mph I'm doing 63mph. Stock was 265/60R18 (31 inch tire) speedometer OK. 265/65R18 (32 inch tire) speedometer off.

HeyMulegeScott - 10-21-2022 at 05:41 PM

Nitto Ridge Grappler 35x12.5R20 Load F. Have a BDS suspension with 2 inch lift to soften the ride.

So you are saying the Nitto is the best tire for a pavement princess?

I kid amigo. That's a sweet looking truck. Why load F? Did you look at the AWT on the Nitto?

JZ - 10-21-2022 at 05:55 PM

It's fully possible that I've been doing it all wrong RE tire pressure . . . for driving a Tacoma TRD off-road around, usually with light to medium loads in the back (usually pretty heavy on Baja trips), is 40 psi reasonable? Too high, too low?

I feel sheepish asking among obvious truck/mod experts, but I'm so focused on kayaking and fishing that the truck is mainly a means to and end -- but of course it has to have clearance and non-flat tires to perform that important role!

In my previous truck, I was happy with Yokohama Geolandar AT tires, so I'm thinking maybe to go back to that with some added off road tread with the X-AT.

Normal psi on my truck when not towing is about 70. Max 80.

I run it a little below 35 in the dirt.

JZ - 10-21-2022 at 05:57 PM

Quote: Originally posted by HeyMulegeScott

So you are saying the Nitto is the best tire for a pavement princess?

I kid amigo. That's a sweet looking truck. Why load F? Did you look at the AWT on the Nitto?

I had 3 sets of the Nitto Trail Grappler before these. Those were ATs. The Ridge is more of a hybrid.

Have done thousands of miles offloading in Baja with it.

[Edited on 10-22-2022 by JZ]

JDCanuck - 10-22-2022 at 09:57 PM

Sorry if this is a bit off-topic, but we talked about a decent pressure to run KO2s on a Canyon crewcab for dual purpose use on another thread. I found 35 psi on hiway was fine as per the specs on the door, and 25 psi for off road and hiway combination helped a lot to reduce the washboard vibrations and body shake damage on the off road sections. Thanks to all those who contributed advice on another now buried thread.

PaulW - 10-23-2022 at 09:13 AM

TLBaja79
Subject: What are the best Baja Tires?
Your flats have nothing to do with your choice of tires, but it is your choice of where you drive.
I am sure you can find better tires with regard to less flats, but I believe you will get the same results regarding frequency of flats for any other brand.
Bottom line the BFG KO2 tire is just fine in Baja.

Tire pressure matters. Correct tire pressure is based on the weight on the tire. The manufacturer has charts to tell you what the correct pressure is after you go to the scales to determine the weight.

mtgoat666 - 10-23-2022 at 09:42 AM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW

Tire pressure matters. Correct tire pressure is based on the weight on the tire. The manufacturer has charts to tell you what the correct pressure is after you go to the scales to determine the weight.

Use the vehicle placard air pressure if running stock size/type of tires. If using non-stock type/size, then use the load & inflation tables to select tire pressure (based on load) for paved roads. The “chalk test” is nonsense.

David K - 10-23-2022 at 09:51 AM

Do the chalk test... perfect pressure for your vehicle's tires on your vehicle.
This is the photo post on Tacoma World of when I did the chalk test, 10 years ago, when I first ran the Hankook Dynapro tires: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/chalk-test-dynapro-atm-a...

If you don't want to click the link and see the photos, here are the steps as I posted them:

Step 1, check that your tires are all at the pressure you assunme to be correct.

For my Dynapros, they all are at 37 psi. I have (by feel) determined 36-40 psi to be a good range for these 44 psi max. tires on my lightly loaded to unloaded 4 door Tacoma.

Step 2, with big sidewalk chalk, make a one inch bar across the tread.

Step 3, drive for approx. 100 feet and then see how the chalk wears off.

If it wears mostly in the center, too much air. If more wears on the outsides, then too little air. If wears is even across the tire, you are gold!

OH, and after doing the test, I have lowered the psi to 35 on all 4... soon I will re-test and see if we have improved wear even-ness...

* a final adjustment to 34 psi was made, since I retired and no longer drive with a load of irrigation parts and tools.

bajatrailrider - 10-23-2022 at 10:10 AM

My old post still stands the old BFGs great on my Turbo diesel Ram 50,000 plus. KO2s total crap history less then 20,000 miles Im needing new tires now. Since the Ko2 anytime I see someone with them half ton 3/4 ton. Or suv. I ask how long they last all report shot at 20,000 miles or less. So lets hear it on big truck 3/4 ton how long they last ? Not knocking handling BFG only short life no go for me

mtgoat666 - 10-23-2022 at 10:38 AM

Do the chalk test... perfect pressure for your vehicle's tires on your vehicle.
This is the photo post on Tacoma World of when I did the chalk test, 10 years ago, when I first ran the Hankook Dynapro tires: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/chalk-test-dynapro-atm-a...

If you don't want to click the link and see the photos, here are the steps as I posted them:

Step 1, check that your tires are all at the pressure you assunme to be correct.

For my Dynapros, they all are at 37 psi. I have (by feel) determined 36-40 psi to be a good range for these 44 psi max. tires on my lightly loaded to unloaded 4 door Tacoma.

Step 2, with big sidewalk chalk, make a one inch bar across the tread.

Step 3, drive for approx. 100 feet and then see how the chalk wears off.

If it wears mostly in the center, too much air. If more wears on the outsides, then too little air. If wears is even across the tire, you are gold!

OH, and after doing the test, I have lowered the psi to 35 on all 4... soon I will re-test and see if we have improved wear even-ness...

* a final adjustment to 34 psi was made, since I retired and no longer drive with a load of irrigation parts and tools.

Chalk test is pure garbage. Tire mfgs publish load inflation tables for a reason. Figure out your axle weight, look up the appropriate tire pressure.
If tire tread is differentially worn, chalk test does not account for differential wear.
If tire is stiff, like most LT tires, then low air pressure may result in false positive.
Why run a chalk test when the mfgs publish tables telling you correct air pressure for your load?
It is much less effort to look up tire pressure in a table than it is to do “test”

[Edited on 10-23-2022 by mtgoat666]

PaulW - 10-23-2022 at 10:49 AM

Agree with Goat. Never ever did a chalk test Never had uneven wear because I use the tire company pressure vs weight chart.
Yes I have adjusted pressure for varying weight for the truck and I adjust the pressure for my off road use as well

mtgoat666 - 10-23-2022 at 10:59 AM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW

Agree with Goat. Never ever did a chalk test Never had uneven wear because I use the tire company pressure vs weight chart.
Yes I have adjusted pressure for varying weight for the truck and I adjust the pressure for my off road use as well

I have 2 tire pressures: one for empty vehicle, and one for max towing/loaded. Worrying about gradations between empty and max load is not worth the time and effort.

David K - 10-23-2022 at 12:30 PM

Physics is doing the chalk test... Guessing is the other method.

The recommended tire pressure in the door jam is great UNTIL you install different brand or type of tires.

Did you even look at the photos... I was close with 37 psi, but thinner chalk in the center proved I was slightly over-inflated.

The tires have a 44 psi max pressure. When I first installed them and set them to the door jam pressure (which was 29 ft/32 rr, for BFG Rugged Trail TA tires) they felt 'squishy'.

In any case , I have run them at 34-35 psi for the past 10 years and they have felt and lasted great.

JZ - 10-23-2022 at 12:30 PM

My rough numbers

75-80 when towing

65-70 normal driving

33-35 dirt

20 sand

15 deep sand

mtgoat666 - 10-23-2022 at 01:53 PM

Physics is doing the chalk test... Guessing is the other method.

The chalk test performed by you attempts to measure contact area in cold tires at very low speed. Does the chalk test have any relation to contact area at speed when tire is hot and is rotating at 800 rpm? Is low-speed contact area the only important variable for tire performance?

Tire and auto mfgs develop tire pressure recommendations based on performance, longevity, safety, load carrying capacity, fuel economy, performance under turning forces, and a number of other factors.

The load inflation tables are the best way to convert your stock tire pressure recommendations to alternate tire pressure when running non-stock tires.

How does your chalk test tire pressure compare to what load inflation tables say is correct pressure?

Who you gonna trust for tire performance recommendations to survive a high speed panic stop at high speed on the highway or an unexpected sharp turn at high speed?

Did you see that one of the factors in Firestone/Ford explorer legal case was ford recommending 26 psi, and Firestone recommending 30 psi. Did following the at 4 psi lower tire pressure recommendation explain all the excess deaths driving explorers?

Wouldn’t a chalk-head person compare the chalk test result to the load inflation table results? Ask yourself, Do you feel safe driving 80 mph with your tires at substantially lower or higher pressure than the load inflation tables recommend?

[Edited on 10-23-2022 by mtgoat666]

David K - 10-23-2022 at 02:20 PM

It is not "my" chalk test. It is a the scientific way easily to determin idea tire pressure. You have got to be smart enough to perform it under the average conditions you are driving (load and temperature). Most Nomads already know that tire pressure changes when they are warmed up. I guess I neglected to consider your special needs in this post?

mtgoat666 - 10-23-2022 at 03:22 PM

It is not "my" chalk test. It is a the scientific way easily to determin idea tire pressure. You have got to be smart enough to perform it under the average conditions you are driving (load and temperature). Most Nomads already know that tire pressure changes when they are warmed up. I guess I neglected to consider your special needs in this post?

Scientific!
You are funny, DK! :lol:

John Harper - 10-23-2022 at 04:31 PM

I have a couple questions.

How many overall miles do you usually get out of off road tires? I don't see them mileage rated on some tire sites.

How many miles do you drive annually? How many miles of dirt roads do you drive annually?

I put about 10K on my truck a year, maybe 500 dirt miles per year in Wyoming and Baja the last 4 or 5 years. Street tires, no off road flats, run 20psi on dirt, 34 street. Only flat so far is from a street nail. 70K mileage rated as well.

I'm probably just the average dirt road explorer like most of us. More than some, less than others.

John

JZ - 10-23-2022 at 04:36 PM

Get about 20-25K miles out of my tires.

Only had two flats in years of offroading in Baja. Both on the same trail. One cut the side wall. The other was just a slow leak.

Now dirt bikes are a much different story. Flats are pretty common.

[Edited on 10-24-2022 by JZ]

David K - 10-23-2022 at 04:46 PM

I don't typically drive as long as the tires are 'safe' (for highways)... I replace them when the 'meat' gets thin! A 40,000 mile rated tire is good to me for about 30,000 miles. I think 35k is the most I have put on any tires.. and that was the very meaty (and noisy) Cooper Discoverer STT tires... They did good in mud! Here they are after crossing the (less-than-dry) Laguna Salada, getting to Guadalupe Canyon in Sept. 2006:

John Harper - 10-23-2022 at 04:50 PM

Get about 20-25K miles out of my tires.

Only add two off flats in years of offroading in Baja. Both on the same trail. One cut the side wall. The other was just a slow leak.

Now dirt bikes are a much different story. Flats are pretty common.

How many off road miles out of that? 20-25K is what if kind of figured, not that great IMO. I think that's about what those little 50 series street tires get as well.

My buddy regularly brings his dirt bikes over for me to pull the wheels due to flats. He got a piece of metal about 1/4" x 3" long in a rear tire a few weeks ago, weird.

[Edited on 10-24-2022 by John Harper]

mjs - 10-23-2022 at 06:39 PM

The manufactures placard is the correct pressure for stock tires. However if you change to oversized tires you can easily figure the correct pressure. No chalk required.

The best method is to weigh your vehicle for front and rear axle weight with a normal load. Once you have the axle weights you can look up the correct tire pressure in the The Tire and Rim Association Load Inflation Table. Download link at https://www.toyotires.com/media/pxcjubjs/application_of_load...

Or you can use the calculator at to quickly calculate the correct pressure. https://tiresize.com/pressure-calculator/

You should also determine correct pressure when fully load especially for a pick up or SUV.

BWOE, my Dodge has OEM 265/70R17 with max load rear pressure of 70 psi. I have oversized 37x13.50R17 tires. The correct pressure for max load with my current tires is 43 psi. This provides longest tire life and smoothest ride. The tire load capacity still exceeds the weight rating of the axle.

The biggest problem I have is whenever the truck is serviced by a dealer or quick lube place they automatically inflate the tires to the OEM 70 psi. Even though I give them the correct pressure on the work order and they don't even seem to be aware that they just exceeded the tire mfg's 65 psi maximum.

Re the OP's original question, I've run BFGs, Nitto and various others. Last set I bit the bullet and bought Toyo RTs. Best by far. Quiet, smooth and wearing great so far.

John Harper - 10-23-2022 at 06:53 PM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho

I am astounded at how tough modern tires are. Amazingly, I've never gotten an off-road tread flat.

Same here. I've never understood spending so much money on low mileage rated off road tires, try to go with most mileage per dollar. I do keep my suspension and braking in top condition and check inflation regularly.

OTOH, I have no problem buying high performance street tires for my Harley. Along with upgraded brakes and suspension. It's all you got on a bike.

I got 4 Kumho 235/75/15 with 70K mileage rating for $470 OTD a couple years ago. After 20K now, they still look like new, plenty of tread left and only one street nail. Probably 1K on FS and Baja roads. Mostly dry roads, no mud or deep sand as yet.

How many of us drive over 300 off road miles a year?

John

[Edited on 10-24-2022 by John Harper]

mtgoat666 - 10-23-2022 at 08:23 PM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper

Quote: Originally posted by lencho

I am astounded at how tough modern tires are. Amazingly, I've never gotten an off-road tread flat.

For rock cuts/punctures, I tend to get the most flats when the tread life is almost gone; for nails/screws, tread wear doesn’t seem to matter.

My lt tires seem to be tougher than p tires and more capable for towing, but I prefer p metric for ride quality.

PaulW - 10-24-2022 at 07:24 AM

The validity of the chalk validity has been greatly reduced with the belted radial tire.
Having worn-out many sets of various tires I have proven using the pressure/load will provide excellent results for wear and handling for highway use.
Bottom line is the chalk method has become an exercise for fun, but does not provide and meaningful technical validity.

For off highway driving I use Harald's method or 1/2 or 1/3 of normal as my best guide. Lately for easy gravel roads I have been using 2/3 to shorten up the air up time. Helps the ride quality vs highway pressure.

David K - 10-24-2022 at 08:20 AM

For sure, deflating for off-road has lot's of variables... The chalk test was to find optimal highway (paved road) pressure and has NOTHING to do with off-road driving.

Since we are now comparing deflating pressures, mine go something like this: Deflate as much as needed! LOL

OK, too vague, I guess?

For my current tire brand (Hankook Dynapro "all terrain/mud" ATm) on my 4-door Tacoma 4x4:
Street: 34 psi
Dirt roads: 20-24 psi
Deep beach sand: 15-18 psi (these tires are the best sand tires I have run on my Tacomas, perhaps why I like them so much?)

With stiffer (3-ply) sidewalls, like BFG All Terrains or my Cooper STTs, it was necessary to deflate to at least 10 psi to achieve floatation, on deep beach sand. I believe harald automatically drops to 10 psi on all dirt roads for his G-Wagon on BFGs. Harald (4x4abc.com) is the true expert!
:light:

PaulW - 10-24-2022 at 08:28 AM

The Cooper you mention has stiffer sidewalls than the BFG KM2 tire and work better with fewer psi off-road.
To corelate to the Harald recommendations:
your 34psi hwy pressure results
20psi=59%
24psi=71%
15psi=44%
18psi=53%
For what it is worth. Comment - Your off road pressures seem a bit high.

elgatoloco - 10-24-2022 at 08:46 AM

I have a 1999 F-250 with 382,000 miles and many of those in Baja and other places with a camper. The first 40k I had the factory tires and since then have run BFG AT and 50k is target. Still waiting to have a tire failure of any kind off road. Have picked up some metal a few times NOB and Discount tire has either repaired or in one instance replaced at prorated cost. When in Baja or on any dirt I run the front at 30 PSI and the rear at 35 PSI. Makes for a smooth ride on any surface and I have never had a concern about tires.

YMMV

David K - 10-24-2022 at 08:56 AM

Maybe, but as I said, deflate as much as needed.
I still have a fear of sidewall puncture, if deflated too much on rocky roads... ??

I resisted deflating on dirt roads until just a few years ago. I only deflated for sand, as that was needed.

On dirt roads, I could drive fine without deflating... However, I learned from reading Nomads that deflating on graded roads reduces tire puntures from the little sharp rocks. I got lots of such flats going to Gonzaga and Chapala, or south of L.A. Bay on the easy-to-drive graded roads of the time (2001-2011)... I was a slow learner, LOL! Shari (in 2007) even said I should lower the street pressure to smoothe out the washboard when we all went to San Roque.

JZ - 10-24-2022 at 09:08 AM

I have a 1999 F-250 with 382,000 miles and many of those in Baja and other places with a camper. The first 40k I had the factory tires and since then have run BFG AT and 50k is target. Still waiting to have a tire failure of any kind off road. Have picked up some metal a few times NOB and Discount tire has either repaired or in one instance replaced at prorated cost. When in Baja or on any dirt I run the front at 30 PSI and the rear at 35 PSI. Makes for a smooth ride on any surface and I have never had a concern about tires.

YMMV

What psi on the pavement?

eguillermo - 11-14-2022 at 02:11 PM

If there's still any patience out there for my level of tire naiveté, I have another question . . .

My main reasons to get a new set of tires are basically a) it seems like the KOs haven't been very durable, and, more importantly, b) I'm worried that tires that have been patched -- at least 2 of them on the edges where only the local mom & pop shop was even willing to patch them -- are likely to be even LESS durable.

Fragile tires aren't what anyone wants in Baja, especially off-road. But is that correct thinking, to assume that patched tires are less durable? Otherwise, they still have a trip's worth of wear in the tread for sure.

Seems like conventional wisdom, but one hates to assume!

Maderita - 11-14-2022 at 03:14 PM

When you say "patched", that is rather vague. Patched on the inside, plugged from the outside, or plugged and patched? Are the holes from nails/screws, or was it a gaping hole from a forklift running into it?

I'm comfortable with nails/screws in the tread area being patched either way. Haven't had failures of plugs. But I also carry a plug kit and 12v air compressor if a plug were to fail.

With bigger holes, I buy new tires. The old tires are given to rancher friends who use them mostly on dirt roads. The same giveaway for tires with less than 35% tread life remaining.

My 4x4 vehicles find BFG KO and KO2 tires to be very durable offroad. For wear mileage, I never drive enough highway miles to find out.

mtgoat666 - 11-14-2022 at 04:17 PM

The industry standard is to only repair punctures <0.25" in center portion of tread area. Most shops in USA follow industry standard. Repairs to sidewall are iffy,... ask yourself if you would be comfortable experiencing rapid tire failure at 80 mph?

String plugs are temporary patches. You really should open tire and inspect/patch inside at some time after temp plug..

BajaNomad - 11-14-2022 at 05:37 PM

If there's still any patience out there for my level of tire naiveté, I have another question . . .

fwiw, I'll never buy BFG A/T LT tires again for off-road use. Too many failures (for me personally) that shouldn't have been, off-road in Baja. All in Toyota small and mid-sized 4WD pickups with no heavy load on-board (this matters as well, so I'm noting it).

Patches on the sidewalls are dangerous. Good patches on the tread (as noted previously, perhaps 1/4" or more off the sidewall) I personally view as good-to-go with a tire that otherwise has good tread left. If I've needed a patch in Baja, I've always observed them do the work to make sure I'm comfortable with the quality of the materials, process, etc. They aren't always all that I hope for - and I've had to take what was available to me at times. I usually carry two spares, and will take a tire with a questionable patch-job that lasted for a while (like on the return home from Baja) and made it one of the two spares for potential use in the future (hopefully no-use though).

A plug is another thing altogether - and those should be viewed as temporary. I know people that use Slime as a temporary fix and keep some on-board with them for the backroads.

[Edited on 11-15-2022 by BajaNomad]

elgatoloco - 11-14-2022 at 05:41 PM

What psi on the pavement?

55 PSI with camper on 50 without. If I am running between dirt for short time ,say less then 50 miles, I don't necessarily add air unless its hot and I need to have a beer then I have built in excuse.

Industry standard

AKgringo - 11-14-2022 at 05:44 PM

Means nothing in a remote part of Baja! I have had a tire that wouldn't have been repaired in the US booted, and a tube installed to get me on the road. Finding a matching tire for a 4x4 can be tough south of the border, and I would rather run a booted tire than one that doesn't match.

I was lucky enough to find a tube when I needed it, but now I carry one just in case I need it!

[Edited on 11-15-2022 by AKgringo]

eguillermo - 11-14-2022 at 06:18 PM

Thanks for the replies folks! All this information makes me feel better about investing in a new set and taking better care of them -- meaning, really watching the pressure and adjusting for load, and also paying attention if and when they are patched. I honestly don't know the answers RE plugs/patches, though I can say my local mom & pop shop ("Gondez" tire, Mexican of course) did remove the tire from the wheel, which seems to say patch on the inside more than external plug.

I've always ridden a motorcycle with a plug kit, and have used it. Never thought of that for a truck with a spare, but now I'm thinking about it.

bajatrailrider - 11-14-2022 at 06:58 PM

Only my exp for years now the glue for patches not good . Going back to the old patches. You light with a match it burns the patch on last forever on tubes and tires. We patch the thick 4mil tubes or thin ones. does not last 30 min patch falls off or leaks even with our own good shop glue. Our sxs patched by tire shop will not even make it out of tire shop. Yes we have not had a fail with plug yet . Even with split tire SXS plug worked. Yes not good plug sidewall off road we do it as no choice. Tubeless moto tires good also to plug. Over seas they have a hot press. That burns patch on they never come off .We are trying to make that hot press.

John Harper - 11-15-2022 at 07:12 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider

Only my exp for years now the glue for patches not good . Going back to the old patches. You light with a match it burns the patch on last forever on tubes and tires. We patch the thick 4mil tubes or thin ones. does not last 30 min patch falls off or leaks even with our own good shop glue. Our sxs patched by tire shop will not even make it out of tire shop. Yes we have not had a fail with plug yet . Even with split tire SXS plug worked. Yes not good plug sidewall off road we do it as no choice. Tubeless moto tires good also to plug. Over seas they have a hot press. That burns patch on they never come off .We are trying to make that hot press.

Interesting information, thanks, Larry. I'm sure you've had your share of tire repairs.

John

PaulW - 11-15-2022 at 07:44 AM

Thanks for the replies folks! All this information makes me feel better about investing in a new set and taking better care of them -- meaning, really watching the pressure and adjusting for load, and also paying attention if and when they are patched. I honestly don't know the answers RE plugs/patches, though I can say my local mom & pop shop ("Gondez" tire, Mexican of course) did remove the tire from the wheel, which seems to say patch on the inside more than external plug.

I've always ridden a motorcycle with a plug kit, and have used it. Never thought of that for a truck with a spare, but now I'm thinking about it.

==
Tires for Baja should be well known brands which are easy to find locally. Here in San Felipe both Cooper and BFG are available with 1 or 2 day delivery.
Yes, I carry a plug kit and have used it many times, It is much easier than using the spare tire. Further if you are prone to getting flats a plug kit is required when you only have one spare tire. Many of us use over sized tires and get that dreaded sidewall puncher and the replacement cost for these big tires is so high we often get a hot patch and the local tire place. This is an internal patch that is hot vulcanized inside the tire. They keep the plugs you put in to get you back to town. Do they work? Answer yes I have driven more that 20000 miles with one of these patches.

bajatrailrider - 11-15-2022 at 10:30 AM

Tell more about hot patch Paul and where to get it?

PaulW - 11-15-2022 at 04:02 PM

Only certain tire places. I have used 3 in San Felipe
Here are two
1) On the left going to the airport, before you pass the nursery.
My favorite:
2) On the way to town - Turn right at the first street past the gas station on the right at the Glorieta. It is on the right
Best to leave the tire over night so as no to rush the job.

The way it works is they have special patch about ~3" diameter that fits the 110v hot plate. The assembly of patch and hot plate are clamped so as to squeeze them together during the vulcanizing process. Always use a hot patch when the hole is sidewall are close to the belt. The process also works well for a tread patch, but not required unless the hole is big. Yesterday the price was 200 pesos.

eguillermo - 11-18-2022 at 10:13 AM

FWIW, my bad luck with tires is continuing in form: ordered 4 from Tire Buyer 8 days ago, 3 were delivered, one apparently lost, emails were sent and then ignored, and I have given up and returned the order.

Back to the drawing board . . .

mtgoat666 - 11-18-2022 at 12:38 PM

FWIW, my bad luck with tires is continuing in form: ordered 4 from Tire Buyer 8 days ago, 3 were delivered, one apparently lost, emails were sent and then ignored, and I have given up and returned the order.

Back to the drawing board . . .

Online purchases are sometimes more work for big/bulky items. Sometimes easier to just go to Costco or discount tire and buy tires at brick/mortar place - if you wait for a sale, prices at brick/mortar place are often same as online purchasing.

TMW - 11-18-2022 at 06:55 PM

The best tires for Baja are the ones that don't go flat. Pick one.

Mulege Canuck - 11-18-2022 at 08:00 PM