Most highway friendly M/T tire?

I do about 90% highway driving as my DD but still would like to have a tire that can go in the muck if need be. Currently running KO2s but thinking about getting a M/T next if I can find one that is commonly liked. I see a lot of good reviews about the Geolander G003's, but I',m curious what everyone else's opinions are. I'm also considering moving from 265/70/17 to 255/75/17.

I just want to point out that I understand the obvious answer would be to not get a M/T tire, but if you did, what would you choose?

 

Id say look at the tire’s weight when making your decision

 

Super Swampers are always the answer.

 

Nope. Pitbull Rocker bias is the answer.

 

OP, on a serious note look into the newish hybrid tires. Nitto Ridge Grapplers ride pretty well on the highway and do very well in mud. Every other manufacturer has a similar concept now.

 

I had the Cooper ST Maxx on the truck before I went with the Coopers that are there now. They did well on the highway and I got about 70,000 miles out of them. There was still plenty of tread so I sold them and the wheels together when I had the new wheels and tires put on.

 

I have the Yokohama G003's, and I'm pretty happy with them. I read that they were better than average for road manners, and it seems like that's probably accurate. They're still shit for braking compared to a highway tire, but everything is a compromise.

Treadwear has been very good. I have around 40K miles on them, and plenty of tread left. I plan on getting another season out of them, at least.

Noise is definitely a factor, but they're not obnoxious. I can still turn up the radio and forget about them.

I'm about 50/50 on buying them again, but this is mostly because I'm considering a hybrid next time around.

Edit: added some tire porn.

 

I really like these but they don't come in 255/75/17, only 255/80/17 E-load. I could get them in 265/70/17 in SL I suppose.

 

Thanks! Nice looking rig btw.

 

why not R/T

 

Do you have any recommendations for this? I'll definitely take a look.

 

am running Kenda RT 35's. Seemed like one of only two that offered any narrowness in the tire.
Other similar option was Baja Boss AT but costs almost twice more per tire.

 

I like the Baja Boss but they're heavy at 65 lbs for a 255/85 which is also taller than I want to go. I really wish tire manufacturers made a 265/80/17.

 

BFG KM3's look really nice and come in 255/75/17 C-load at 45 lbs. I saw on here where someone said they ride smoother than KO2s.

 

Toyo RTs

 

Did you pull the trigger on anything yet? I can't seem to be happy myself finding the right tires I want. I bought a 16 new and now have a 23. Here's what I've been through so far on both rigs.

Faulken AT3
Michelin LTX/MS Defenders
Baja Boss AT
Duratrac
Goodyear Ultraterrain
Cooper S/T Max
Toyo AT III
Faulken R/T 01

Now I'm back to another set of Michelins. For Christmas, I got a new set of 17" wheels and currently run 16" so I'm going to have to get another set of something, but have no clue. I've read so many tire reviews over the years it's nuts and I drvie myself crazy. I should just become a tire dealer so I can get a discount lol.

 

Not yet but I really like the Geolander G003s. I'm also considering an RT like the Toyo RT Trails or Ridge Grapplers.

 

Weight of the tire and Load Capacity (Range and Index).

A shockingly LARGE number of Tire Stores will sell E-Rated / 121 tires to Tacoma / Ranger / Colorado / Frontier Drivers.
Your 4x4 Double Cab 5' Bed Taco has a capacity of 1155lbs.
If your truck weighs 4,445lbs and can carry an additional 1155lbs that means your total weight - with driver and passengers - is 5,600 LBS.
50/50 = 2,800lbs per axle = 1,400lbs per wheel / tire.
60/40 = 3,360lbs on the heaviest axle = 1,680lbs per wheel / tire.

Your BFG ATKO's come in a C and an E1.
C has a load range with a load rating of 2,469lbs per tire.
E1 has a load range with a load rating of 3,197lbs per tire.

To achieve higher load range / rating they add more ply's and stiffer materials then they use more air pressure.
Same size, manufacturer, model and tread pattern (ATKO v ATKO) the higher load rating will have a stiffer ride. They will also have a heavier carcass because of the extra plys and materials.

Since using an E/121 rated tire weighs more and is stiffer, then it has a trade off in poorer highway handling and ride quality. And since you will never carry enough to exceed a C/112 rated (smoother rolling tire), there is no need to spend the money and suffer the fuel economy and ride quality losses of an E/121 tire. That E Tire would let you carry 8,300lbs in your Tacoma in addition to the weight of the vehicle - basically two Tacomas stacked on top of your Tacoma.

Do not let the over zealous tire salesman sell you a stiffer tire than you need. Overkill can be a bad thing when the trade offs are the things (highway ride quality) you are looking to preserve.

Having said that - the two tires I recommend to most people are:
Michelin Defenders for passenger vehicles.
Michelin LTX for highway trucks
BFGoodrich ATKO2s for Off Road Trucks that also daily drive.

If you get much more aggressive than the ATKO for off road / mud traction, you are going to start trading off the fuel economy, noise, ride quality, highway handling, braking, etc. So I would ask this one question - are you doing it for the aggressive appearance or are you trying to solve a problem that you have experienced and don't want to do again - ie getting stuck in the boonies for a day and a half?

 

My experience with my KO2s hasn't been great in wet weather but it hasn't necessarily been bad either. I'm looking for something more aggressive, not as common (KO2s are literally everywhere around here), and something a little more capable for mud/clay conditions. I don't do rock crawling, just trailriding over gravel, dirt, roots, etc. I'm also looking for a C-rated prefereably in 255/75/17. I have no interest in getting an E-rated tire. I almost never tow anything and my truck is light with only skids and a few other little add-ons.