2020 Tire recommendation thread

[lcdck]

Now that my 90 is up on it's paws I'm looking to replace the very old Cooper Discoverer STT 265/76/16s that came when I bought it. I'm planning to go with a narrower tire like a 7.50/16 or 235/85 and need 5. I may also switch from alloys to a steel rims at the same time. I'm 95% or more on streets but I do go through dirt, flooded fields, mud, sand, snow on occasion and don't want to sacrifice traction when needed. Road noise is a concern as well. I've found the Discoverers to be fairly quiet on the road and quite capable off road for what I need. so I'm thinking of buying them again in the narrower size. I would appreciate reviews from your experiences with them or other brands/models in narrower sizes. There's a good deal on BFG 7.5/16 right now. 5 for $795 shipped from 4wheelparts.

I've read through the tire threads on here and the other forums but most are pretty old and new tire models aren't compared. Thought it might be useful to get an update.

 

[FlyersFan76]

I have always liked the Goodyear MTR's.

Now my experience with them started because I went from 16.5" Alloy Rims with Goodyear MT's to 17" Alloy Rims with MTR's on my Convertible Hummer. I believe one of my old alloys could have been bent. But at 70mph in a Hummer the MTR's were nice and relatively quiet compared to the old tires.

I forget what I used to have on my Defender but I have Wolfs with MTR's and really like them.

 

[O2batsea]

the tendency is to buy super aggressive tread tires to get the "look". If you are OK with owning the fact that you spend only a minuscule portion of your time off road then you have a much wider selection available. I have a set of General Grabbers on the Classic that are not that hunky chunky but still have enough tread to get thru the snow, mud etc when needed.

 

[blueboy]

I have a set of General Grabbers on the Classic that are not that hunky chunky but still have enough tread to get thru the snow, mud etc when needed.

Have exactly the same on my RRC and couldn’t be happier with them. 235/85-16. Like them much better than the BFG A/Ts on my D1.

 

[chris snell]

XZLs. Best in 2005 and they'll be the best in 2025, too. I wouldn't take anything else on a trip.

 

[SARTech]

I have been running Falken Wildpeak A/T3W on my Defender 90 and LR3, so far really liking them. Great in the snow and offload.

 

[Napalm00]

The 7.50 km3 is going to be hard to beat for skinny stockish size and aggressive Ina name brand

 

[jymmiejamz]

the tendency is to buy super aggressive tread tires to get the "look". If you are OK with owning the fact that you spend only a minuscule portion of your time off road then you have a much wider selection available. I have a set of General Grabbers on the Classic that are not that hunky chunky but still have enough tread to get thru the snow, mud etc when needed.

Why have the worst of both worlds? Get a good street tire if that’s what you want, or else get a legit off road tire. All terrains are the most pointless tires in my opinion. FWIW, i had a set of General grabbers and they were super sketchy in a very light amount of snow compared to my old worn out XZLs.

 

[mgreenspan]

My recommendation to you is buy a second set of wheels to have your off-road tires and then get a set of road tread tires. You’re stated 5% off-road is 5 miles for every hundred, or 50 for every 1000 miles. Most off-road trips that warranted a mud terrain tire or more aggressive tread I’ve done were never close to that cumulative distance. If you’re truly driving that much off-road in America the reality is a highway terrain tread and management of momentum and line choice will get you through the terrain you are driving on in most situations. If you’re doing extended off-road treks(like the DWeb trips that Chris and company have done in the past) in the US a second set of wheels and tires makes more sense than wearing down your tread on the street.

I have used general grabber HTS on multiple vehicles and they have done great in heavy rain and snow and dirt roads and fields of varying dampness. I think the HTS is the model Jimmy hates from his experience in snow, but in 265/65r17 on the GX 470 they did great. In 235/85r16 they worked amazingly on a Disco I owned l, but I never drove a Rover with them in snow. They are the quietest truck/suv tire I’ve ever driven. I also liked the Yokohama Geolandar G015. It was very quiet but more aggressive than a highway tread. Not as aggressive as a full fledged AT tire, though amazing in snow and rain as well.

 

[lcdck]

I'm honestly not doing 5% of my miles off road. I was thinking of it as 5% of the time I drive the truck I use it off paved streets but it's likely even less than that. I like the idea of having a less aggressive tire for everyday driving makes a lot of sense and buying a set of off-road tires if/when we ever go on a real trek. Only issue is storage and needing another set of rims.

 

[hillstrubl]

The 7.50 km3 is going to be hard to beat for skinny stockish size and aggressive Ina name brand

I have them on my 110, big fan

 

[rover4x4]

Would you mind posting a photo of the 7.50-16s

 

[erover82]

XZLs. Best in 2005 and they'll be the best in 2025, too. I wouldn't take anything else on a trip.

Please elaborate. My understanding is that they are extremely durable and aesthetically correct on classics, but offer no other redeeming qualities.

 

[mgreenspan]

Please elaborate. My understanding is that they are extremely durable and aesthetically correct on classics, but offer no other redeeming qualities.

Can’t speak to the XZL; however, the 14 sidewall ply XZYs that I have barely looked used after use on 2 trucks and maybe 40k miles on them. Just now showing some slight cracking near the bigger grooves after owning them for 9-10 years. Great on road manners and low noise, but the heaviest tires I’ve ever owned. They live on my 88” non running project currently.

 

[luckyjoe]

I have XZL's on a 2-door 109 - super-HD, very well made with very high quality rubber. They seem to wear well and I want the ability to drive it anywhere, but the 109 sees very low miles.

Conversely, my RRC LWB sees predominantly road miles with occasional muddy camping track thrown in the mix. The RRC is very different from an over-sprung expedition truck and has Cooper Discoverer AT3's, which have done exceptionally well, even in slippery conditions - mud, snow, what have you.

 

[jymmiejamz]

Please elaborate. My understanding is that they are extremely durable and aesthetically correct on classics, but offer no other redeeming qualities.

I switched from pretty new (no cupping or uneven wear) BFG KM2s to a set of well used XZLs (date code 2003) on my D90 to try them out before I bought a set. The XZLs were way quieter and smoother on the road. I’ve driven a lot of miles on the XZLs on both coasts on just about every type of terrain and weather. I don’t think a BFG is better in any way other than price.

FWIW, the original used set i had has been passed onto their new owner living happily in Topanga Canyon. They last forever.

 

[rocky]

I had those Cooper STT on my D1 in 750-16 and apart from some trail damage they were great. Honestly, as much as I like my KM3, they aren’t the tire for you. Yours is a street machine 95% plus of the time. That to me says a simple AT type tire.
Look at Tirerack, see if that helps you decide and go see whether your local guy can deliver that tire.

 

[mgreenspan]

Also been running Bridgestone Dueler HTs on the Land Cruiser J90 in the UK. Low noise and great grip in heavy rain, on dirt and mud covered roads, and in muddy fields and pull offs on single tracks. That might be another good option.

 

[schleven]

Been really happy with the Toyo M-55 in 225/85r16. The simple sidewall profile looks great on the truck too.

 

[rocky]

I would go with a road oriented tire and accept the fact that you’ll need more help on trails than others.
I like your size choice of 235/85, the 750 does restrict choice.
Cooper has a couple of suitable choices. So do Firestone/Bridgestone. Ditto Toyo.

BFG AT ko3 might be the most off road oriented tire I’d go with.
Don’t forget to look at load rating as a measure of how soft or stiff that tire will ride on the road.