4x4 Tires for all seasons

zugg · 04-09-2009, 06:18 PM

Hi,

I have been researching tires and I would like to hear results from pepole who have used the following tires on a 4x4 van:

Nitto Terra Grappler

Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S

Cepek Radial F-C II Radial

BF Goodrich AT/TKO

Thanks,

Zugg

oclv · 04-09-2009, 08:18 PM

These were not on your list, but I can tell you that I have been extremely happy with the Toyo Open Country AT's. Ours are LT 285/75R 17. They have an OD of 33.8 (couldn't decide whether to go 33" or 35" so I ended up going 34"). The load rating is E with 10 ply. We have used them on highway, dirt roads, rough rocky roads, mud, sand, snow. They are very quiet on the highway and handle great. Traction in snow was better than expected. I had them in a mud bog that once I started through I thought I wouldn't make it but I did. I haven't cut a side wall yet on sharp rocks (knock on wood) For a one tire for all uses I have been very happy. oclv

Buji · 04-09-2009, 10:18 PM

Toyo's here as well, 26k miles and I'll probably be replacing them at 35k or so, they are wearing a little better than I anticipated. I could go to 40, but will rather be safe than sorry.

They've never let me down in slick snow/ice or sand/rubble. Highway noise is moot as I have a diesel, and the van is wrapped all the way around in sound deadener etc.

j.whitbread · 04-10-2009, 10:22 AM

I'm very happy with the Nitto Terra Grapplers. They have been wearing very well. I can hear them but it's not loud. If I did less city and highway driving, I would probably go to an off road tire rather than an all-season.

I think Nitto and Toyo are the same manufacturer with slightly different tread design. Cepek has the worst wear rating. I see a lot of Geolanders on SUVs.

scatter · 04-10-2009, 12:21 PM

Well, like lots of others, I've got the BFG ATs in the 315/75-16 size. I run BFGs on all my rigs. On the SMB I have 30K on them and can easily go another 10K. No road noise and they've worked fine in sand, snow, mud and rocks. Some folks say they fail on them, but I've never seen that and I run them from 22 to 50 psi and I run them hard. (When in doubt, drive faster) But then I'm the guy what broke a spring....

cellularSTEVE · 04-11-2009, 12:00 AM

Buji,
Are your Toyo's the all terrain or Muds?

steve

kcrain · 04-11-2009, 08:11 PM

I had both Nitto/Toyo on my Hummer, both were great. If you ask SMB West for the biggest, most agressive tire they will consider delivering on a new SMB (as of 4-weeks ago), it's these. Had never seen them before, but they say they work great. These are 35's on 17's. I've been warned that these will rub on the sway bars. Picking it up next week, so can't tell you anything else.

**daveb** · 04-11-2009, 08:35 PM

Nice looking rims and tires. I wish there were more of a variety when I purchased my vehicle.

jage · 04-12-2009, 01:26 PM

Long trip with my Nitto Terra Grapplers to Indiana, albiet in the F250 they were great. I drove in everything from 4" of standing water during a downpour which lasted through most of Kansas to slick muddy back roads post rain and the tires were great. On the way out I faced severe winds in Kansas and while there I had some emergency stops that sent everything in the cap flying... through it all the Nittos were great.

I really like the Toyos on the van but haven't done any trips outside of the city with them, and after this trip on the Nittos I'm considering if I made the right decision for the van. I think I would have been really happy with the Nittos on the van too.

Greg In Austin · 04-12-2009, 02:52 PM

KC,

Are those STTs on 17's or 18's ?

I didn't think they made E-rated 35in STTs for 17s.

We have the Cooper STTs also on a 2008. We may have been the ones to open the SMB doors to the Coopers. A really hard left turn will get you some rub on the sway bar, but we have not found it to be a problem.

We have been very happy with them, and we have more than 15k miles on them now.