Latest Tire recommendations

[adventuredad]

I know there are a thousand threads discussing tires but it's so hard to determine what info is up to date. I'm looking for recommendations on a good all around tire for my 06 H3 Adventure. When I bought it, the previous owner had 20" wheels with 33x12.5 Toyo MT's on it. They ride pretty decent and the traction hasn't been anything to complain about but they are heavy and ugly. I really don't like the large wheel on the H3, and off road I need more sidewall. I'm thinking about going to 16" or 17" wheel, just something basic that doesn't break the bank. I see a lot of you like the Duratracs and they seem to get pretty good reviews, how do they hold up? I've also cranked the T-Bars a little bit and would like to pack as much tire under there as feasible. With all the different makes and models running so different in actual size I'd like to know what sizes you guys are running without trouble. The current set rubs the T-Bars at full lock and hoping to avoid that as much as possible with a new set.

 

[JPaul]

I'm still on the first set of 285/75/R16 Duratrac's I put on over 3 years ago, and still lots of tread left. I'm not sure how many miles I've put on them since they've been on two H3's now, but it's probably about 45k miles or so? My red H3 started at 75k or so and when I sold it there was 107k I think on it (that or 117k miles, can't recall now), so about 25k to 30k miles there, and the Alpha has had them on for about another 15k miles I think (started with ~155k I think and I'm at 170k right now). They've been a surprisingly long wearing tire for me. It's mostly been on pavement though, offroad would cut down the life of them I would imagine.

They're quiet even now and well mannered and do really well traction wise. Rain and snow haven't been a problem for them unless it gets icy of course.

 

[08H3]

I think the Mastercraft Courser MXT is the best value MT out there. I've had these on my truck since last August (7500 miles). Nowhere as good as a dedicated winter tire, but they are so much better than any other MT I've ever driven on ice that I think they can be used an all season. They are a very aggressive tire though. I'm of the belief that if you are actually going to use your truck offroad, you shouldn't even consider an all season or even something like a Duratrac, but that's just my opinion.

 

[adventuredad]

I can't complain too much about my Toyo MT's, they've gotten me in and out of the snow just fine while others are having trouble. The thing I don't like about them is that they are to heavy and rigid, dropping to 20psi or lower and you can't even tell. I was up in the snow last week with a few other rigs helping recover several people and even at 20 psi I didn't have trouble. However when it comes to soft snow they just sink and that has gotten me stuck a little bit. I get jealous of the large tire guys that just float around and go wherever they want. Hoping to find some sort of happy medium. I think a softer MT would probably do good but I just keep hearing good things about the duratracks, just hoping to get as much info as possible before I pull the trigger since an entire wheel and tire package is going to break the bank.

 

[Traxx]

The Toyo M/T is usually the heaviest tire in its class. Combine that with heavy 20" wheels and acceleration and braking take a pretty good hit. Personally I like the stock Hummer wheels the best. For SW WA weather the Duractrac or ST Maxx would be a great all around tire or STT pro if you a bit more offroading.

 

[adventuredad]

We do spend most of our time off road but it's probably %75 forest service roads. I like the look and traction of the MT's but do you think I benefit from them? The STT Pro's are a nice aggressive tire, bet they would fit the bill well but do you think I'd be better off with ST Maxx or Duratrac with where we go? Just came across a set of 5 OEM wheels with STT Pros with supposedly %90 tread on Ebay, looks like it would be a pretty decent deal with free shipping. Too bad I can't get the boss to loosen the purse strings yet.

Can anyone confirm the stock wheel size? I find a lot of differing information. Obviously there 16's but how wide, 7-8? What's the factory offset? I see some showing 38mm and others 25mm.

 

[amrg]

The stock wheels are 16x7.5 with +38 offset

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[DFW Spartan]

I've been waiting for the tires that were on truck when i bought it (BFG KO 325x60x20) to wear out before I replaced them with 35×12r17 Nitto Ridge Graplears. Not a full M/T, but a good all around on road / off road tire.

Well, i finally hit 73K miles, and it's time for some new shoes. Only problem is, BFG recently released the KM3. I haven't seen many user reviews on them, but gotten some pretty good press, and they look to be a pretty capable MT tire. There also lighter, and supposedly not as loud as either the Nitto M/T or Toyo M/Ts. Given BFG's track record with the KO2s, I decided to give the KM3 35x12.5r17's a try.

I get them installed on Monday. I can give you my initial impressions if you're interested. Anyone else running the KM3s, I'd appreciate your feedback on these tires.

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[amrg]

My friend just installed em and said they were very quiet, quieter than the AT he had previously.
Now those are 37" KM3 with C load rating.
He drives a jeep wrangler tho...
Let us know your impressions!

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[Traxx]

I prefer the STT pro. They are cheaper and not a dedicated mud tire though they perform quite well in the soup and surprisingly well in the snow. You see so many Toyo around here because Schwab has the monopoly on them in WA. I only do the forest and logging roads out here and the STT have worked well for me.

We do spend most of our time off road but it's probably %75 forest service roads. I like the look and traction of the MT's but do you think I benefit from them? The STT Pro's are a nice aggressive tire, bet they would fit the bill well but do you think I'd be better off with ST Maxx or Duratrac with where we go? Just came across a set of 5 OEM wheels with STT Pros with supposedly %90 tread on Ebay, looks like it would be a pretty decent deal with free shipping. Too bad I can't get the boss to loosen the purse strings yet.

Can anyone confirm the stock wheel size? I find a lot of differing information. Obviously there 16's but how wide, 7-8? What's the factory offset? I see some showing 38mm and others 25mm.

 

[adventuredad]

I prefer the STT pro. They are cheaper and not a dedicated mud tire though they perform quite well in the soup and surprisingly well in the snow. You see so many Toyo around here because Schwab has the monopoly on them in WA. I only do the forest and logging roads out here and the STT have worked well for me.

I had the pleasure of following a 4Runner through the mountains for several hours today and we found some “awesome” slushy snow. He’s running Stt pros and we both had the same trouble spots but he definitely had the advantage with the bulge at lower pressure. Even at 10psi mine barely looked low. He did say that if he could’ve he would’ve gotten the maxx’s instead; he doesn’t care for the noise on his daily driver which I’m in the same boat. I don’t think we need the M/T’s for the forest roads and may be more inclined to go with the maxx’s for overall drive ability.
Unfortunately I can be fairly indecisive so that may change several times until I get the funds to pull the trigger.


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[ludevick]

Unfortunately I can be fairly indecisive so that may change several times until I get the funds to pull the trigger.

I’m in the same boat. I’ve been going back and forth between like 4 different choices for a few months now. Waiting for my current tako2s to wear out.


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[08H3]

I admit, just like before, that it's only my opinion, but have you considered 2 sets? A dedicated MT for when you go offroading, and A KO3 or Duratrac for everyday driving? I did that for a long time. Tires are the most important factor and easiest upgrade to any truck seeing off-road duty. When I'm sitting there buried to the frame, I want to know I either did something incredibly stupid...or fun. Not second guessing my tire choice.

 

[adventuredad]

I admit, just like before, that it's only my opinion, but have you considered 2 sets? A dedicated MT for when you go offroading, and A KO3 or Duratrac for everyday driving? I did that for a long time. Tires are the most important factor and easiest upgrade to any truck seeing off-road duty. When I'm sitting there buried to the frame, I want to know I either did something incredibly stupid...or fun. Not second guessing my tire choice.

Since tire choice is rooted in opinion, I will certainly take it. I have thought about that, specially since I will need to get another set of rims anyway and this is my daily driver. However I work from home and it really only gets driven around town and then into the mountains. It's probably about 60/40 town/mountains and since we're up there most weekends that would be a lot of changing. I would definitely think more about it if/when the off road driving turns to more than forest roads and then make sure to get the best tire for that application.

 

[Traxx]

The ST Maxx are a great winter tire, commercial rated. I have a set of them for winter tires. I put Duratracs on a previous vehicle, they were cheap and in stock when I needed them which turned out to be a fantastically dumb way to buy tires. Worst tires I have ever used.

 

[adventuredad]

I've been waiting for the tires that were on truck when i bought it (BFG KO 325x60x20) to wear out before I replaced them with 35×12r17 Nitto Ridge Graplears. Not a full M/T, but a good all around on road / off road tire.

Well, i finally hit 73K miles, and it's time for some new shoes. Only problem is, BFG recently released the KM3. I haven't seen many user reviews on them, but gotten some pretty good press, and they look to be a pretty capable MT tire. There also lighter, and supposedly not as loud as either the Nitto M/T or Toyo M/Ts. Given BFG's track record with the KO2s, I decided to give the KM3 35x12.5r17's a try.

I get them installed on Monday. I can give you my initial impressions if you're interested. Anyone else running the KM3s, I'd appreciate your feedback on these tires.

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So how’d it go with the new tires? What’s the initial impression?



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[FactoryOrdered2010AlphaT]

35×12r17 Nitto Ridge Graplears ... not as loud as either the Nitto M/T

On road, 35x12.5x18 Nitto Ridge Grappler's are silent compared to the two sets of Bridgestone Dueler 33's I ran down (67k miles big puncture/82k miles needed new wheels). For what they are...shockingly quiet on tar and concrete highways. Have had a ton-o-fun playing with a good amount of snow and ice on country roads past four months - way more 'input' required to get the traction light to fire. Looking forward to the thaw!

 

[MilamJR]

On road, 35x12.5x18 Nitto Ridge Grappler's are silent compared to the two sets of Bridgestone Dueler 33's I ran down (67k miles big puncture/82k miles needed new wheels). For what they are...shockingly quiet on tar and concrete highways. Have had a ton-o-fun playing with a good amount of snow and ice on country roads past four months - way more 'input' required to get the traction light to fire. Looking forward to the thaw!

I have the exact same tires and agree with you. Much better than the BFG KO2’s.


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[ludevick]

Good to know about the ridge grapplers! Also

 

[FactoryOrdered2010AlphaT]

If you've got workable stock 16" wheels the LT305/70R16 E 124/121Q are going to be amazing. My wheels were cooked - de-laminating from one too many winters and leaking from one too many jumps err bumps. Couldn't find 16's I liked so I went a little wild, added some stance.

 

[ludevick]

I’m still running the stock wheels, I wish they had plans for a 295 75 16. I’ve been eying the Cooper at3 XLT and tako2 in that size. I’ve seen some pics floating around if people running that size on an H3 and I’m a fan. I do love the ridge grappler tread pattern though and hearing the good reviews definitely makes it worth consideration.


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[MilamJR]

I know a lot of people like the KO2 but I had whole chunks of tread rip loose on mine while off-roading. Took the Nitto’s to Poison Spider at Moab which was all rock and they still looked like new afterwards.


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[ludevick]

I’m running the Ko2s I bought the vehicle with and I’m having a hard time replacing them when they still have plenty of life left. The previous owner put them on not long before selling the vehicle and chose 265 75 16s like stock... I will say they’ve done great in snow and heavy rain. I got a little sideways in a nice pine needle/ mud soup on hard packed dirt though. They’re just small.


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[I[OIIIIIIIO]I]

I love my Toyo MT's! Quiet and seem to last forever.

I did see a new Yokahama mud tire that looked very aggressive. I would like to find out more about them.

I did notice also that the Toyos need to be run at really low pressures to make a difference, 10-12 psi min.

 

[ludevick]

Yeah I think the Yokohama mt g003 would be my choice in a mud tire. And the 285 75 16 is a 33.2. If I didn’t have to deal with snow and very wet roads I would go with an MT.


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