BajaNomad - A Recommended Tire for My Use... See what I decided on... (11-08 update)

A Recommended Tire for My Use... See what I decided on... (11-08 update)

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David K - 12-5-2008 at 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Got about 60,000 miles on the Tacoma with BFG M/T tires. They went everywhere but were unbelievably noisey. Had them replaced with Michelin AT/2 tires from costco and now I can actually hear the engine. Did some 4WD driving so far but nothing serious. I'm expecting more than 60,000 miles on the Michelins. I don't think I could afford to replace tires every 25,000 miles.

Thanks for the report... BFGs and Michelins are expensive (and French) and I am sure you get more miles for the more money... The Toyos were very resonable as are the ATR Coopers I have now.

Please let us know as you use them how they work in Baja...
Thanks!

Ken Cooke - 12-5-2008 at 07:25 PM

I am seriously considering the BFG MT/KM2. This is a new, redesigned tire, not the BFG MT/KM. I ran the MT/KM for a short while, but I could not stand the road noise, the rough ride, nor the weak sidewalls.

I have run Interco TrXus MT tires for 90,000 miles, and I am happy with them, except they are difficult to balance. For the money I am spending, at least my tire can balance. Toyo's and Nitto's for example are among the very best in balanceability.

BFGoodrich tires are made in France? That's dumb. Who cares? I've been to France, and I actually enjoyed myself in that country. To each his own, IMO. :!:

David K - 12-6-2008 at 10:42 AM

No Ken, Michilin is a French company and they own BFG... No longer a big deal... but a few years ago, the French government was very anti-American. That has since changed with the ousting of the socialist and the new conservative leadership.

DeMinimis - 12-16-2008 at 03:40 PM

Wow, this is one old thread. However I'll chime in. The tires I've had the most experience with and are worth mentioning in my opinion are the BFG AT KO, BFG M/T, Toyo Open Country A/T and Toyo Open Country M/T. I've used all these tires on 4x4s and off-road buggies, both north and south of the border. For me, its the Toyo Open Country M/T hands down. The Toyo AT works well (very quiet), but nearly stuck in the sand last year with a Landcruiser (with diffs locked even) trying to get to our palapa. Not as puncture resistent either (east Cape road near Cabo Pulmo). The BFG M/T works very well on the rear of a buggy, but not such a great tire if you're going to be doing any daily on-road driving. I don't care for the hard shoulder either. The BFG KO is good for daily on-road and somewhat ok off-road, but the tread doesn't lend itself to lots of sand work (although a guy with them on his buggy last year with us didn't have many problems in the arroyos). There are plenty others out there and my opinion is just that, my opinion. However, I've read many a good review on the Toyos. Downside is noise/roughness on pavement at low speed. I've had horrible luck with Bridgestone, Firestone and Good Year. I've had marginal luck with Michelin (but more bad than good). I like Yokohama a lot, but not on a 4x4 (unless you're going old-school Jeep then their 7.00x15 is outstanding). Yokes are great buggy tires, but their Super Diggers don't last long enough me me out back (I love their 7.00x15 for my fronts). For a 4x4, I say Toyo M/T baby!

mtgoat666 - 12-16-2008 at 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
No Ken, Michilin is a French company and they own BFG... No longer a big deal... but a few years ago, the French government was very anti-American. That has since changed with the ousting of the socialist and the new conservative leadership.

Hindsight is 20/20. I guess the US now agrees with French opposition to invading Iraq, as the US military now buys all of their tires from my favorite socialists:

January 2007
WASHINGTON (AFP) — French tire maker Michelin won an exclusive contract worth 1.7 billion dollars to supply every branch of the US military.

Michelin said it had won the 10-year contract to supply every tire needed by the US army, navy, air force and Marines around the world.
--------------------------
p.s. I love France. Great place, wish it were closer so I could visit more often.

------------------------------
Yes we can!

Bajaboy - 12-16-2008 at 05:40 PM

I don't think the French have changed their minds about George W and Comandante Cheney. Glad to see that Fox news has changed its opinion on the French and thus the loyal followers are doing so as well. DK-when did Fox put the edict out that it was okay to like the French again?

Ken Cooke - 12-16-2008 at 06:01 PM

I was always suspect of Norte Americano's turning against others because of opposition to the war. We have done that against Japanese-Americans during WWII, and their treatment was terrible. My paternal Grandmother is mostly Cherokee, and we know the US Gov't's position of ethnic cleansing of Native Americans. I just had to get that off of my chest.

As for tires, I have been reading that the BFGoodrich MT/KM2 requires very little weight to balance. My Interco TrXus MT is quite a different story. I'm going with the improved BFGoodrich MT/KM2. Plus, it is priced cheaper than the 35" TrXus MT.

mtgoat666 - 12-16-2008 at 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajaboy
I don't think the French have changed their minds about George W and Comandante Cheney. Glad to see that Fox news has changed its opinion on the French and thus the loyal followers are doing so as well. DK-when did Fox put the edict out that it was okay to like the French again?

the french first lady is hot! need you any better reason?

norte - 12-16-2008 at 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Now see. If we would just quit believing in Global warming, whales going south, and that Obama really won the election we would have awarded that contract to Cooper Tires.

David K - 12-16-2008 at 06:30 PM

Fox News as well as any American (who loves personal freedom over government power) likes the new French president. What CNN/ CBS/ MSNBC didn't tell you guys is the French got rid of their socialist leader and replaced him with a good conservative who will be better for the people of France (the ones who want to work that is)...

Now, back to tires... I just replaced the TOYO Open Country A/T with Coopers because of the very LOW mileage of the Toyos... They were otherwise good, fine in sand, quiet, no flats... But, only 25,000 miles.

The people at Express Tires tell me the Cooper (50,000 mile tire) will give me more... It was the Cooper Discoverer STT that lasted the longest (35,000) of any of my previous tires... It look like the Toyo M/T... but way too noisey and terrible in the sand.

norte - 12-16-2008 at 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Fox News as well as any American (who loves personal freedom over government power) l

What a crock of sheite. Take it somewhere else. This is supposed to be a Baja board as you so aptly remind people when you disagree with them.

David K - 12-16-2008 at 06:38 PM

This is my tire thread, and I answered Ken why I didn't buy BFG as it is the most popular Baja tire... that is my answer... All the lefties can't stand a little opinion from the other side and JUMP at the opportunety to take a bite.

We should all have the right to personal freedom of opinion/ speech...

norte - 12-16-2008 at 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
This is my tire thread, and I answered Ken why I didn't buy BFG as it is the most popular Baja tire... that is my answer... All the lefties can't stand a little opinion from the other side and JUMP at the opportunety to take a bite.

We should all have the right to personal freedom of opinion/ speech...

And I should be able to post my political sheite right along with my tire opinions!!!!!!!!!!

norte - 12-16-2008 at 06:42 PM

DK what makes you think it is only Lefties that bite?

David K - 12-16-2008 at 06:47 PM

Because we conservatives love people! :bounce:

norte - 12-16-2008 at 06:49 PM

Makes about as much sense as your take on global warming. Hope you have better luck on your tires

Bajaboy - 12-16-2008 at 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Because we conservatives love people! :bounce:

I could give a number of examples to the contrary!

DeMinimis - 12-16-2008 at 07:33 PM

My tires are apolitical and they get the government they deserve.

mtgoat666 - 12-16-2008 at 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
This is my tire thread, and I answered Ken why I didn't buy BFG as it is the most popular Baja tire...

so you bought the japanese made tire to support the enslaved chinese worker, rather than buying the french tire made in Illinois because a few pennies may have found their way back to a socialist french lady??? and is the petroleum base in your tire from indonesia, venezuela, or texas? you really should have bought the tire made from mexican or californian oil!!!
and the steel belt, was it USA steel or south korean?

Ken Cooke - 12-16-2008 at 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
This is my tire thread, and I answered Ken why I didn't buy BFG as it is the most popular Baja tire...

you really should have bought the tire made from mexican or californian oil!!!
and the steel belt, was it USA steel or south korean?

My TrXus MT was made originally in Mexico. But due to quality control issues, is now made in the USA.

DAVID -- I can't believe you only got 25,000 miles out of your Toyo tires. THAT IS UNBELIEVEABLE! With a harder tread compound, you might encounter chunking from your driving on rough surfaces. Do keep that in mind if your tires start to spit out chunks of rubber. As for politics, I try to stay apolitical because it drives a wedge between people. Its like religion.

bajadogs - 12-17-2008 at 12:38 AM

French troops have been in Afghanistan, fighting along side American troops since before the Iraq occupation.

France was smart enough to see our Iraq folly... and opt out.

David K orders Freedom Fries and loud tires.

Me -

Michelin MTX - Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 - many, many hard miles, never a problem.

David K - 12-17-2008 at 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Cooke

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
This is my tire thread, and I answered Ken why I didn't buy BFG as it is the most popular Baja tire...

you really should have bought the tire made from mexican or californian oil!!!
and the steel belt, was it USA steel or south korean?

The Toyos (and all my tires) are driven 95+% on pavement, as most I think here on Nomad... I wish I was on dirt and sand more!

I have never had 'chunking' or tread seperation... just never had great mileage... The big tread Cooper STT gave the most, as it had more rubber, I suspect. Also, I don't like to wear tires down to the bone to get the most miles... so all three previous sets were replaced when the tread was mostly gone, but not bald.

When I had tires (BFGs) on, when the tread was close to minimal, I would get flats... I had 3 flats on one 15 day trip (Dec. 2001)!

Anyway, I just tried to answer honestly your question as to why I try to find a non-BFG tire... and like I said, the French part is not really an issue anymore with me. It is honesty that should be heard, and not pounced on by these political Nomad piranah... Gee wiz! :lol:

Viva La France! :light:

DeMinimis - 12-17-2008 at 09:25 AM

Forgot to mention the Cooper. I have not owned a set of these, but several friends have them and they all rave about them, for what that's worth.

Viva La Revolución and 10-ply tires!!

Ken Cooke - 12-17-2008 at 05:58 PM

David -- I still think you would be happier with the BFG MT/KM2 tire. It rides like an All-Terrain, sticks to rocks and works well in Baja, and isn't too terribly expensive.

BTW -- Which "Cooper" tire are you talking about? :?:

David K - 12-17-2008 at 06:01 PM

Ken... just scroll up in this thread...

Here it is again:

So, here is a quick history of tires on my '05 Tacoma:

BFG Rugged Trails 0-25,000 miles (ie. 25,000 miles)

Cooper Discoverer STTs 25,000-60,000 (57K & 63K) miles (ie. ~35,000 miles)

Toyo Open Country A/Ts 60,000 (57K & 63K)-85,000 miles (ie. ~25,000 miles)

Cooper Discoverer ATRs: 85,000 - ?

[Edited on 12-18-2008 by David K]

Ken Cooke - 12-17-2008 at 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Cooper Discoverer ATRs: 85,000 - ?

You're looking at running the ATR again... :barf:

I guess if you need value with a street-biased tire, this looks to be a good bet. Value is smart in these times, but the tire doesn't look very 'exciting'. What about Mickey Thompson's 'Baja MTX' tire? Or, what about the Mickey Thompson ATZ tire? I'd try those WAY before the Cooper ATR (yawn). Plus, Mickey Thompson and Toyo hire sexier model's than does Cooper. Heck, even PITBULL TIRES has sexy models!! :bounce:

No sexy models -- no grippy tread.. WORTHLESS!

TOYO !!

MICKEY THOMPSON !!

COOPER...NADA!

"...uh, the blowout happened right here, sir!" :lol:

David K - 12-17-2008 at 06:46 PM

No, not again... for the first time Ken... read my milage / tire summary!

Barry A. - 12-17-2008 at 08:57 PM

David-----------I seem to remember that you used Coopers on one of your previous trucks-------es verdad??

BArry

David K - 12-18-2008 at 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
David-----------I seem to remember that you used Coopers on one of your previous trucks-------es verdad??

BArry

On this truck, I had the Cooper agressive mud tires Discoverer STT, they looked great (like what Ken likes) but were bad in sand (where I do most my four wheeling) and very noisey on the highway (where I do most my driving). They gave me the most mileage of any tire, 38,000. So, I look forward to seeing what kind of milage these new Cooper truck tires give me... they are quiet.

So, here is a quick history of tires on my '05 Tacoma:

BFG Rugged Trails 0-25,000 miles (ie. 25,000 miles)

Cooper Discoverer STTs 25,000-60,000 (57K & 63K) miles (ie. ~35,000 miles)

Toyo Open Country A/Ts 60,000 (57K & 63K)-85,000 miles (ie. ~25,000 miles)

Cooper Discoverer ATRs: 85,000 - ?

=======================================

On my '01 Tacoma I used BFG Rugged Trails (stock, then replaced with same for the second set, and then switched to Futura Dakotas (made by Cooper and sold at Pep Boys). I got no more than 30,000 miles on any of them.

Ken Cooke - 12-18-2008 at 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David KOn this truck, I had the Cooper agressive mud tires Discoverer STT, they looked great (like what Ken likes) but were bad in sand (where I do most my four wheeling) and very noisey on the highway (where I do most my driving).

David -- Most tires need to be aired down between 8 and 12 p.s.i. to perform in the sand. How low did you air your tires down? How much of a load was in your truck bed? These are variables to take into consideration when running on the sand.

David K - 12-18-2008 at 07:02 PM

The more one needs to air down to 'float', the less of a sand tire it is.

Most tires I have used work at 15 psi... The STTs needed to be at 10 psi for the same performance.

Ken Cooke - 12-18-2008 at 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
The more one needs to air down to 'float', the less of a sand tire it is.

Most tires I have used work at 15 psi... The STTs needed to be at 10 psi for the same performance.

I agree on this 100%. Sometimes, a Mud Tire is needed. For example, I'm headed to Lytle Creek on Sunday. There, a street-biased All-Terrain just wouldn't cut it. During my foray into "The Swamp" out of Mission Santa Maria, an All-Terrain also wouldn't cut it. But, on my way to work and back each day, an All-Terrain is sufficient. In May, there was a hail storm that necessitated my using 4HI to drive home on pavement! Not your typical day in May!! :!:

For my purposes, a mild Mud-Terrain tire is warranted. But, I'm sure for your purposes, David, the Cooper will be the best pick.

David K - 12-18-2008 at 11:13 PM

Yes, as much as I like the looks of the STT or any other aggressive off road tire, the cost and road noise is just not worth the glances and thumbs up... I have my HID lights and light bar for the off road look, now!

[Edited on 12-19-2008 by David K]

Bajaboy - 12-18-2008 at 11:39 PM

Yep, I used to be a bit more concerned with performance as I used to rock crawl in my 93 Toyota in the High Sierras. I ran BFG m/ts and loved them...no problems. But now I'm mainly driving washboard and occasionally on sand. I just put on some Firestone all terrains..not really concerned with how they look. Bottom line is more often than not it's the driver and not the tire that determine whether one gets stuck or not. DK, sounds like you're just tough on tires regardless of the brand...French, Russian, Iraqi, or whatever. Suppose I'm getting older but I'd rather save a few dollars on tires, drive a bit slower on the dirt roads, and enjoy the beach I'm parked on....just my thoughts...

Zac

Skipjack Joe - 12-19-2008 at 12:04 AM

You're right, Ken,

The Toyo's definitely look fuller and firmer than the Thompsons. I'm sure they ride better and maybe even longer as well.

David K - 12-19-2008 at 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajaboy
Yep, I used to be a bit more concerned with performance as I used to rock crawl in my 93 Toyota in the High Sierras. I ran BFG m/ts and loved them...no problems. But now I'm mainly driving washboard and occasionally on sand. I just put on some Firestone all terrains..not really concerned with how they look. Bottom line is more often than not it's the driver and not the tire that determine whether one gets stuck or not. DK, sounds like you're just tough on tires regardless of the brand...French, Russian, Iraqi, or whatever. Suppose I'm getting older but I'd rather save a few dollars on tires, drive a bit slower on the dirt roads, and enjoy the beach I'm parked on....just my thoughts...

Zac

Well, this thread was all about tires for my needs... and it has been running through 3 sets of tires since I started it.

Price was one of the concerns... I like low prices as much as I like good performance. This discussion was to explore possibilities and share results.

BFG Rugged Trails (the stock tire on both my Tacomas) was okay other than they didn't last long... and when the replacement price went over $130 (from $85), I tried the Dakotas promoted to me by Bedman... They were pretty good and pretty cheap, just not high mileage.

Enter the '05 Tacoma... as soon as the BFGs were worn, I got the MACHO looking mud crawler Cooper Discoverer STT... Made Ken Cooke happy! They were great on everything except the two main uses I have for tires: highway and sand. They did have the best mileage (up to 38,000 miles) too... Just way too noisey!

The next thing I tried was the TOYO Open Country A/T... inexpensive, quiet, good in the sand... seemed perfect until near 25,000 miles when too much tread had worn away for my comfort... perhaps good for 5,000 more miles?

Now, I would have gotten another set of them if I didn't hear of something similar with better mileage potential. The dealer (2 actually) claimed the Cooper ATR would give more... potentially 50,000 miles. Cooper had a buy 3 get one free deal, so the price was right for all four. The last Coopers I had gave the best mileage of all the tires I have used on the Tacomas... so why not?

Not sure if it is "I" who is hard on tire or it is Baja that is... but I don't mind sharing with all of you the results of my purchases. I do keep a regular check on air pressure... and never had pressure get low, except for sand driving... and that is brief when we go on to Shell Island.

Bajaboy - 12-19-2008 at 07:16 AM

DK-

Thanks for sharing by the way. This thread has been interesting.

Zac

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Ken Cooke - 12-19-2008 at 04:54 PM

David -- you go through tires faster than anyone I know...

I had to air up one of my TrXus MT tires today. The culprit? BAJA GRANDE!

It appears that the tire must have taken a hit, and is now having trouble holding air.

I'll keep an eye on these tires. I can't believe Baja Grande caused so much damage to my Jeep this year.

David K - 12-19-2008 at 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Cooke
David -- you go through tires faster than anyone I know...

I had to air up one of my TrXus MT tires today. The culprit? BAJA GRANDE!

It appears that the tire must have taken a hit, and is now having trouble holding air.

I'll keep an eye on these tires. I can't believe Baja Grande caused so much damage to my Jeep this year.

Maybe I am just more truthful about how long they last... or maybe I replace them before they get so smooth that flats happen? I have never had a flat on this Tacoma.

Ken Cooke - 12-19-2008 at 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Cooke
David -- you go through tires faster than anyone I know...

I had to air up one of my TrXus MT tires today. The culprit? BAJA GRANDE!

It appears that the tire must have taken a hit, and is now having trouble holding air.

I'll keep an eye on these tires. I can't believe Baja Grande caused so much damage to my Jeep this year.

Maybe I am just more truthful about how long they last... or maybe I replace them before they get so smooth that flats happen? I have never had a flat on this Tacoma.

More truthful than moi? :saint:

I reported when my other rear tire needed work due to a 2" stick it picked up on the beach in Gonzaga.
No fault of the manufacturer. This didn't appear to be a defect in any way. I replaced my 1st set of TrXus MT tires
at 35,000 mi. with plenty of tread left on the tires. I understand why you don't run your All-Terrain
tires down, because an All-Terrain doesn't have much tread depth to start with. Trying to strech your tire's life
is asking for trouble. Especially in Baja. Rock on!

Barry A. - 12-19-2008 at 05:26 PM

Another problem that some of us have (particularly me) is that our tires get too old before we have worn them out------thus we have dried out, cracked tires with lots of tread left.

It is really painful to have to throw away an old tire with lots of tread left, but I have learned to do just that after about 10 years max. I learned this once when a perfectly good looking tire simply blew up in my driveway-----it was 12 years old and originally a fine tire (michelin)

Barry

Skipjack Joe - 12-19-2008 at 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
You're right, Ken,

The Toyo's definitely look fuller and firmer than the Thompsons. I'm sure they ride better and maybe even longer as well.

Ken, I was referring to the lovely ladies in your pictures. Oh well.

Ken Cooke - 12-20-2008 at 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
You're right, Ken,

The Toyo's definitely look fuller and firmer than the Thompsons. I'm sure they ride better and maybe even longer as well.

Ken, I was referring to the lovely ladies in your pictures. Oh well.

Joe,

Ever heard of the 'Pitbull Girls'??? :?:

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