Mickey Thompson Baja boss AT

I just switched from KO2s to these tires in an SL...
In all honesty, I think the sidebiters of the BOSS SLs are comparable to the sidebiters on the KO2s. The sidebiters on the LTs are pretty extreme...

 

Just wanted to provide an update. Got a set of MT Baja Boss AT tires 285/70/17 load range E.
Wasn't cheap, but my shop and MT are sending back some rebates for price matching and a promo.

Haven't put too many miles on them yet, but they feel good on the road. Similar feel to Ko2, but more grip.
Looking forward to getting them on a trail this weekend.

I plan to mount one of my old Ko2 tires on a steel 17 inch rim to have as my full sized spare.
Looks like the fit will be tight, but should work.

I noticed a slight pull to the right on the highway, my last alignment wasn't too long ago, but I'll prob get another for good insurance/preventative wear.
Also, will do the calk test this weekend. I think they're at 30 psi right now.

 

Interested to hear how this goes - I’ve got skinny Cooper ST Maxx’s right now and they pull. Great tire otherwise, but I’m looking to change to get into proper 285s and a non-pull-biased tread pattern.

 

After looking at the Tire Rack comparisons I almost didn't buy these tires for fear that they lacked wet grip.
I just wanted to pop in here and say that there is no need to worry about the Tacoma being pushy in the rain with the Baja Boss tires like the Tire Rack test suggests. I tested mine in the rain yesterday and didn't have any trouble with understeer. With enough effort, I was also able to induce oversteer. The tires have tons of wet traction, more than I will ever need for spirited driving in the rain, and I do like to drive with spirit. No you still wont be railing corners like a sports car but you probably already knew that.

 

so far the tires have been solid. Taking them to some trails tomorrow, only have been on dry roads thus far, but no issues. Slight contact with inner wheel fender, but I will just use the heat gun on it again. Tight handling and minimal road noise for an aggressive AT tire (I will also update MPG when I get a chance).

I did the chalk test today and noticed the edges don't see much contact. Now for a lightweight truck like a tacoma with load range E tires, I know I need to air down - I've been at 27 psi. Perhaps the design of these tires are supposed to create a light concave aspect?

 

What size? LT tires require more psi than their like-sized counter parts.

 

285/70/17 E... from my understanding the LT tires can handle heavier trucks and higher psi, but since my tacoma is lighter, I need to air down the psi (over inflated the center of the tire will bow out, under inflated the edges will prematurely wear)...at least that is what I've learned.

 

The recommended psi for 3rd gen Tacomas is whatever gives a 2,149 lb capacity from P-metric and euro-metric tires; or 1,954 lb from LT tires.
Your tires have a 1,979 lb capacity at 32 psi.

 

That would be 2149 per tire or 8596lbs for the set of four. How heavy is your Tacoma?
I agree with the chalk test. And I agree with inflating the tire to the pressure that gives you the results you want from the tire.

 

just put a set of 265/75/r16 on stock wheels. the SL's or whatever iteration weights 42lbs. coming from Cooper Discoverer LT tires in the same size. those had developed the most amazing heel toe wear ive ever seen. you could feel it in your seat. I couldn't take it anymore. anyway, I was averaging 18mpg to work with those. now getting about 1.5mpg less... disappointing for that, but the ride is way better. very supple. not harsh at all and I was mostly worried about the noise and its not bad either. haven't left the pavement yet.

 

All 3rd Gen Tacomas...
The 30 psi on your door placard applied to the 112 load rated OEM tire translates to a 2,149 lb load capacity. 8,596 lb is about 150% of gvwr, to account for dynamic loading of the tire. This is one reason the chalk test can come up short...
P-metric and euro-metric tires are de-rated for use on trucks and suvs... Since you have LT tires, you need 2,149÷1.1=1,954 lbs of load capacity.

Ultimately, do what you want...
I'm just saying, your premise for less pressure just because it's a more rigid tire is false. A stock sized LT requires more psi to a attain a comparable load capacity as the stock tire at recommended psi; but, since you increased the tire's volume(285/70), it requires less than an stock sized LT.

 

gvwr, as in maximum weight your vehicle can handle safely. The key word here is maximum. If someone is hauling the maximum capacity they will need higher psi than if they are empty. You can break out your math and de-rate the stickers recommendations based on your percentage of gvwr and you will have the laboratory recommended psi for your load. Hint, it will be lower than the recommended psi for gvwr.
Or, you can do what performance drivers do, and adjust your psi for the conditions based on real world test results. It really comes down to whether you are looking for some specific performance metric (traction, tire wear, handling, ride quality), or are you trying to satisfy a safety regulation.
Splitbolt, you seem to have a formal education on this matter. What are your qualifications that make you an expert on this subject? Where did you go to school? Are you a commercial driver? A highway patrol officer? DOT engineer? Tire manufacturer?
I am none of the above. In fact, I have no qualifications for my opinion save for many years of shop talk, trial and error and performance driving with some very talented and successful drivers. In short, my opinion is just my opinion and will not hold up in court. Do not do what I say, or try to do what I do, it is dangerous.

 

I appreciate the input from everyone, it is an interesting subject and worth discussing for real world application. That being said, it seems everyone's needs and desires differ, especially when taking into consideration the various factors of one's vehicles and environments. However math doesn't lie lol...but I think if I inflate my tires too much on my lightweight truck, the middle section of the tire will wear faster/not evenly. Just trying to find that sweet spot.

I mainly keep my truck on the roads, so I want to avoid unnecessary tread wear while maintaining some comfort. But I don't mind a little bounce or stiffness on my ride if I know the tread hit the pavement evenly and my MPG won't get too banged up.

anyways, I aired all four tires to 32 psi today and the ride felt good.
Hit some mellow trails today and the tires did great. Couldn't even get them to slip or spinout when I tried

Also, the slight pull I was feeling on the highway is gone...

 

I just came back from a trip to the foothills. These things remind me of the first pair of Mickey Thompsons I had, 4 wheel drive became unnecessary. Hopefully they last longer than my original Mickey Thompsons.
Seriously though, I took a 1mpg hit with these tires, but the traction is like cheating. I didn't test them on a side slope, but up and down dry&wet, loose rock scrabble they never lost traction. Through large, deep puddles, never lost traction. Over small rock obstacles, never lost traction.
I was running 18psi and 2wheel drive for most of it.
I even had to stop on a loose steep hill because my dog freaked out and jumped into my lap. After returning her to the backseat and tying her in, I put it in 4lo, gently fed in the throttle and motored up the hill with not even a slip.
I am satisfied.

 

How true to size do these run? Seriously considering them for my next set

 

They claim online that the 265/75r16 LT are a true 32. They definitely look bigger then my previous Wildpeaks. I haven't measured anything though.

 

Just an FYI...
Diameter is measured: mounted, inflated and in the air.

 

I'd say that its pretty close because the 255/85/17s that I have on that MT's web site says 34.6 and mine measured 34 on the truck with my Bed Rack and RTT at 35psi.

 

Wow, if you hadn’t said the size I would have assumed those were 285’s.

 

i had SAME FEELING!