Beating a dead horse..tires...

[couchsachraga]

I've read posts here and all over the 'net...and was wondering if anyone is actually USING BF Goodrich ATs on their LR3, and how bad they rub...if at all.

I'm planning on a little trip this coming summer out to the western US to enjoy a few weeks of off-roading, checking out old mining towns, etc....

I'm from the east coast, and am used to thinking mud and granite, vs sandstone and clay.... If they were available I'd lean towards BF Goodrich Mud Terrains, or even Wrangler MT/R's, as I've run both on my '68 SIIa and like them (MUCH better than ATs, but that's to be expected I guess).

Yes, I know everyone loves the Nitto's, but I questions how easy they are to come by in a random town out west should I need them.

General's seem like the best option, but I don't know much about them other than what folks have posted, and the write-up on Tirerack.

I'd also like to run a slightly larger tire, but don't want to have to worry about rubbing or trimming things.


So, to summarize: If anyone is actually running BFGoodrich AT's, what size did you go with, and how is the rubbing at full articulation?

I'm all ears for suggestions of the "best" tire for mixed use in the western US (WY, CO, UT, ID, MT, and up in to CA). I'll likely purchase the tires out there...with luck the ridiculous Wrangler HPs will be toast by then (I'm too cheap to get new tires now).

Not that it should really make a difference, but it's an '07 (off the loaner program ) LR3 SE with the HD package...took a while to find that, actually.

Thank you for your thoughts / opinions in advance.

[Crysyn]

For summer time here in the west I would just stick with the BFG A/T's-most common tire and toughest/most reliable trail tire(seems like everyplace carries them out here). Second choice would be the General A/T 2, great tire and good price point.

Sounds like a fun trip.

[couchsachraga]

It's good to hear folks still like the BFG AT, but looking at the size (it's about 1" larger in diameter - last I checked they don't make our stock size) I'm worried about rubbing (and I seem to recall hearing something about that, too, with the BFG AT's). Are you running them right now, and if so, how is it working out?

Thank you, and Happy New Year

[rbutler]

I have BFG ATs in 265/65 on 18s, never had any rubbing even at access height.

[couchsachraga]

Nice looking rig!

Good to hear that even in access mode you've been rub-free.

Have you had a chance to get them in to any off-camber situations yet (where the suspension is maxed out on one side or the other?)

I must say those tires look MUCH more fitting than the stock ones....

[stolenheron]

those bfg a/ts look great man!

[jimbiram]

Once again, I can't say enough good words about the Cooper Zeon LTZ's in 285x60x18. Mine have over 9k miles and still look new. Used on severe offroad trips and they perform extremely well, yet are pretty quiet on road, as this is my daily vehicle as well. Check out this link from Offroving with info on the Cooper's as well as the Colorado trip we tested them out on:

http://offroving.com/DownloadLinks/O...JANUARY_08.pdf

This is a big download, but it has some good stuff.

[jimbiram]

Here is what the Cooper's look like....

[couchsachraga]

Those Coopers do look like a really nice tire! Must be a new design - there actually isn't much (as in anything) on Cooper's website about them.

Did you have to get them via discounttiredirect?

That'd be my only concern with them - whatever tyre I go with I'd like to be readily available.

Right now, even though I'd like a slightly larger tyre and really like BFGoodrich, my "list" in order of consideration is as follows:
1) General Grabber AT2 (great reviews, good price)
2) BFGoodrich AT KO ("the standard", and a bit bigger diameter)
3) Cooper Zeon LTZ (good reviews so far, but can only get online?)
4) Nitto Terra Grabber (liked by a lot of folks, but limited availability in rural areas)

Keep the ideas coming, and a BIG Thank You to those of you that have responded with thoughts / ideas / comments. I greatly appreciate it.


In the FWIW department, for all the bad experiences I've had with Goodyear Wranglers (in the past, and with the stock HP's on the LR3), if they had the MTR out for our vehicles I'd really seriously consider it. I actually like the MTR better than the BFGoodrich Mud Terrain for our Northeast US rock / mud combination (if I had more mud, like folks down south do, I suspect I'd stay with BFGoodrich). But I am not willing to shell out $$ to have them shipped from overseas.

[rbutler]

Thanks for the compliments.

No significant off cambers but its been off road a few times, blue rated trails (and one short, rocky black), without issue. One of these days I'll have to really test it out. There is a lot of room in the wheel well though, the first pic I posted was taken with the truck at ride height.

Here's an off-road height shot.


I'll throw in the other two.

[Crysyn]

I am a fan of the more recent tires Cooper has put out. This is first time I have heard of the Zeon, but its obviously a pretty new tire and also sounds like a fantastic tire.

The reason I recommended the BFG is because you wanted something you could easily find in case you ran into a problem. EVERY tire store sells the BFG A/T here in Utah. It also sounds like you would be covering a lot of territory and a lot of off roading, so the reliable history and the three ply sidewall is a good thing about the BFG.

I ran a Bridgestone REVO last time(almost was going to with the BFG) and found it superior to the BFG A/T in most respects, more quiet, comfortable, better snow and wet traction-however, the first time I took them out wheeling, I punctured the sidewall on them(2 ply sidewall). Everything is always a compromise.

Now the BFG is a dated design and as tire manufacturers create new tires, usually they are better than the older tires. That said, every shop carries them for a reason, they have been a very good all around tire for years.

If I was shopping to put a tire on my wife's rover, I think I would go out tomorrow and put a set of those Zeon's to try them out(in fact when hers do wear out, I think I will). But if I was going on a very long excursion far from home, I would put the BFG's on to be on the safe side.

Both tires do have the rim protector which I think is a must on the larger wheel sizes.

The General is great tire for the money(buy an extra spare tire). I don't know the Coopers price as of yet.

Well, that was my two cents. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

[couchsachraga]

I have to admit I'm starting to lean towards the Coopers...even though they might be more difficult to come by, for the following reasons:
1) Seems to be a GREAT tyre. Still haven't figured out how many ply the sidewall is though...
2) Ok price
3) Should be in Cooper dealerships by the time I'm out west
4) If it isn't, it may actually be easier to have DiscountTireDirect ship them somewhere...I've been realizing that BF Goodrich dealers may not exactly carry many 18" tyres in stock either (it doesn't seem there is that much call for them, yet).

At the rate things are going I'll be driving out on the original stock tyres (which are holding up OK...yes, I rotated them, and am only at 8k miles...), then replacing them in SD or WY. If anyone knows of any folks out that way deserving of some business swapping tyres, let me know! (Sheridan or even Gillete WY, or even better Rapid City SD...or somewhere there abouts...).

Thank you all again!

P.S. Just got the LR3 back last week..now finally looks "right" (ARB bull bar, painted to match, with winch)...though now it REALLY needs tyres

[Crysyn]

I checked into those Zeons, they sound like the way to go without question. I have seen a few riding around town here and they are a great looking tire. Get em!