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Baja Bucko
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Posts: 288
Registered: 9-23-2003
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Tires question
Don't know where else to pose this question-80% of my "off-roading" time in Baja has been on a mule for over 35 years so I'll try here.
I have a 2003 Ford Ranger 4wd stick-bought it w very low miles abt 5 years ago. It came with more tire than it needed-my question is it time to buy
new tires and what should I get considering that:
the driving it consists of every year is about 3000 highway (to & from Baja), winter ice & snow at home for maybe 30 days, less than 300
miles off of pavement (driving to remote ranchos etc in (Baja). Light load except for Baja trips when the back is usually packed w stuff for camping
& pack trips plus big spare).
The tires my Pulgita came with are General Grabber AT2
LT 265/73R16
123/1200 M.S
rim is 17", total tire h is 31
made is USA
There seems to be plenty of tread but I am seeing some cracks in the circumference abt 1" in from the outer adge of the tires.
These tires pretty much weigh as much as I do on a skinny day and I really don't need tire issues driving alone in the middle of somewhere or on
Highway 1 south of the border. The spare does not fit under the truck since I was told these tires were not stock and something I can't remember abt
the rims too.
So for you tire experts can I please have some suggestions? The size of these tires are ok clearancewise for the times I've traveled truly off-road
(ie w Ralph at Sta Inez for example) but I spend MOST of drive time traveling paved roads to the border and also south to my trip starting points
(usually within 20 miles of the paved highway.
Looking forward to hearing what I should get...is US made an issue these days-I don't really want anything to do w China stuff. Who can recommend a
very RELIABLE suitable set of tires?
This little truck has gotten me in and out of some pretty rough places in spite of its owner's driving skills and hasn't let me down yet.
Muchas Gracias! BB
So is it time for new tires? Do I get this same type of tire
My other 4WD is a Baja Mule!
La Mula Mil Survivor 2013-2014!
1000 miles by mule from the tip to Tecate!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64722
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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So many love the BFG All Terrain T/As here, it is almost silly to suggest another brand.
I have had Cooper, Toyo, and Pep Boys (made by Cooper) tires on my 3 Tacomas once the stock BFG Rugged Trails were replaced. All were good except the
Cooper Discoverer STT... which was good for mud/ snow/ rocks, but terrible in sand and was very noisy on the highway.
I posted several photos and tire subjects here on Nomad... Just use the search or scroll back in the Off Road forum to see them and all others.
[Edited on 2-6-2010 by David K]
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
So many love the BFG All Terrain T/As here, it is almost silly to suggest another brand.
[Edited on 2-6-2010 by David K] |
I have had many bad experiences with BFG All Terrain T/As falling apart within 1-2 years and would not recommend them to anyone. Some BFG tires are
fine and others have broken apart for unexplained reasons.
I would stick with a real tire and shy away from serious off road tread which is a poor performer and has little overall benefit.
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Baja Bucko
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Posts: 288
Registered: 9-23-2003
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Thank you for the input...
BUT what is a "real" tire ie example of what I should be looking for?
My other 4WD is a Baja Mule!
La Mula Mil Survivor 2013-2014!
1000 miles by mule from the tip to Tecate!
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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China, India???
Would be nice to know which tires are made in the USA!!!!
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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A regular road tire works well in every situation, such as michelin XZX or something known for being a long lasting road tire.
Large tread such as BFG off road tires do not give good handling or mileage, they are expensive and heavy. I can't tell you how many I have seen blow
up for no reason other than someone driving a little too fast such as 20kph over a rise or dip at normal street presure, its absurd. Look it up there
are endless reports of the BFG tire tearing apart under normal use and when it does it puts you in severe danger. I have photos too.
I have some michelins on one of my cars that I drive off road and they have lasted for 10 years unlike the off road tires which are good for 3 years.
Actually I would consider off road tires unsafe for the freeway road at the speeds many travel in California.
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Baja Bucko
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Registered: 9-23-2003
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Should ply re sidewalls etc be considered in this case?
My other 4WD is a Baja Mule!
La Mula Mil Survivor 2013-2014!
1000 miles by mule from the tip to Tecate!
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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I use BFG TA KOs but I also carry a Remington Wide Brute as a second spare. The Wide Brute tread will not last as long as the TA/KO but for the price
it's probably the same cost per mile. An LT265/75R16 TA/KO sells for about $140 and the Wide Brute for less than $90. LT=Light Truck, for less money
you could go for a P265, P=Passenger card tire. Which is what a lot of new 1/2 ton trucks come with. That what my GMC Z71 4x4 came with.
Tires do have a shelf life of usually 6 years and cracks on the sidewall is from age.
You say your tires are LT265/73R16 but the rim is a 17 inch. You've mis-read one or the other. The tire should be a LT265/70 or 75R16. That tire will
only fit a 16 inch rim. If your rim is 17 inches the tire must be an R17.
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TMW
Select Nomad
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I wouldn't read too much into the sidewall ply ratings. BFG and some others have 3 plies most LT truck tires are 2 plies. The sidewall comes into play
usually when you air down causing the tire to flatten out where the sidewall can come into contact with rocks on the road. LT tires usually have a
more square tread with reenforcement where the tread meets the sidewall. Passenger car tires have a more rounded edge between tread and sidewall and
that's why a passenger tire is not recommended for off hwy driving especially if you air down. But who hasn't seen a Mexican family driving down some
rough road in a 51 chevy with bald passenger tires?
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
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Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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I have 2 - 4x4 SUV's and one 3/4 ton 4x4 pickup, all used extensively off road in Baja, and on the highway---------all have BFG All terrain TA KO's on
them and I have NEVER, I repeat NEVER, had any problems with them at all-------great mileage, great traction on hyway and off road, quiet, and tough
as nails. All told I have gone thru 6 sets of them over the past 20 years, or so--------I would never have anything else, since they have been so
good to me (why would I change??). They are expensive, tho, but I obviously think they are worth it.
I have had bad problems with the BFG Ruggeg Trails (flats and broken tires), however, and don't recommend them for serious off-roading, tho they are
fine on the hyway.
Just my personal experience, of course.
Barry
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arbee
Junior Nomad
Posts: 49
Registered: 2-17-2007
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Go to tirerack.com and you can compare different tires and reviews. The Firestone Destination AT has very good reviews and is reasonably priced. I
have these on a 4x4 Tacoma and they are the best all terrain tires that I've used including the BFG ATs.
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Barry A.
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By the way, Bucko, the industry suggests changing tires when they get to be 7 years old, (as somebody already said) regardless of the tread left on
them. That certainly is a safe bet. On the other hand, if you don't drive fast, and are aware constantly that a tire could blow at any time and take
the necessary precautions, then you could risk it and let them get older. I have had many old tires blow out, but more have just kept rolling along
like the energizer bunny for years and years. It is all a matter of your personal "risk adversion" and what you are prepared for. Since I expect an
old tire to blow, when it does blow I simply pull over and put the spare on. But if you drive fast, and are not paying attention, a blowout could be
a disaster and you could crash, into someone else, or go off the road.
Certainly changing them out after 7 years is the best and safest advice, and if you can afford it why not get new ones?
--------and most tires these days that are advertised as Off Road ready, are pretty safe and reliable, despite all our personal preferences,
expriences, and biases. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for.
Barry
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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this is ALWAYS interesting...
only a minute long...
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
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Good video---------but, he did not tell us what those "numbers" mean when it comes to temperature, tire wear, etc. so what good does it do to look at
them??
------also, I went out and looked at the tires on all my vehicles, and could not find that "date code" that indicates when they were produced/made on
any of them. Very strange.
Barry
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
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Mood: Anxious to get south
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Barry A.
Good video---------but, he did not tell us what those "numbers" mean when it comes to temperature, tire wear, etc. so what good does it do to look at
them??
------also, I went out and looked at the tires on all my vehicles, and could not find that "date code" that indicates when they were produced/made on
any of them. Very strange.
Barry |
If your whites are out, they're on the back side. 1/4" numbering in an oval very close to the rim. Example: 1408 would be the 14th week in 2008
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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Norm
Junior Nomad
Posts: 82
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: AUBURN CA
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Mood: GOOD!!!!!
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TOYO IS THE ONLY TIRE YOU WILL EVER NEED !!!!!!
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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this is always interesting too...
who makes what tire...
http://www.tiredefects.com/private-label-private-brand-tires...
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9009
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Location: Sonora
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I'm a fan of the Michelin LTX-MS line. They are, or were, available at Costco.
I am another who has seen multiple failures of BFG AT-KO tires for no apparent reason. Actually, the apparent reason was manufacturing defect which
BFG disallowed on a friends tires. They were about a year old, had about 80% of their tread. Separation between the treads in one case; a bubble
blowout in another.
The LTX-MS tires have given me 47k miles on a 1 ton, diesel truck that had a 2500# Lance camper on the back from probably 60-70% of the driving. And
that was where a few of the wear bars were showing. These were load range E tires tires that were kept at 50-80psi, depending on the load being
carried.
At least for the load range E tires, there are three steel belts under the tread. It is a two-ply sidewall. They are much quieter than the BFGs on the
road.............not that it matters on a diesel truck. 
I really wonder what these tires would do on a much lighter vehicle like a Tacoma or a Ranger? I have visions of someone getting close to 90k, with
proper care.
These tires draw rave reviews on tirerack.com. Not inexpensive, though.
EDIT: I see Michelin has updated these tires to a new LTX-MS2. Still many of the same great reviews. Many are involving snow, though. But some of the
former owners of the original LTXs are saying the new versions are quieter and grip better. I'll probably be buying my 3rd set this summer when I
return to the US.
[Edited on 2-7-2010 by Hook]
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mulegejim
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Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: San Clemente, CA/Mulege, BCS
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You might want to check out the Yokoyama Geolandar line of tires also. I have them on my 2005 Tacoma - very good on and off road. Not too noisy on
pavement either.
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Baja Bucko
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Posts: 288
Registered: 9-23-2003
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Wow-who woulda thought tires could be so interesting-I am learning LOTS!
Went to Tire Rack and read a kazillion reviews on Michilin ATs etc-just have to see if they the brand is available here in very rural Oregon and if I
can afford them-all we have are Les Schwabs....
Still hoping to hear more from this crowd. Haven't heard a thing on the tires that are on my little truck now.
The rims are 16" so I stand corrected.
One last comment this truck is pretty much used only for Baja trips and when I need 4WD on ice and snow. It will be awhile before it gets 60,000 more
miles at this rate. I do want a reliable SAFE tire which the Mich sounds like BUT if I need to change tires every 6 yrs or so ....ummmm. Lots to
think about.
My other 4WD is a Baja Mule!
La Mula Mil Survivor 2013-2014!
1000 miles by mule from the tip to Tecate!
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