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Yet another tire thread: your viewpoints welcomed!

4K views 18 replies 8 participants last post by  DirtyDuc83 
#1 ·
Time has come to replace the Goodyear Silent Armor tires with something else. I procured them used with 9550 miles on them, and drove for an additional 42000. Tires have about 4/32 left, and while still good, I will not run them beyond this fall. Honestly, if I could get another set of them I would - they exceeded my expectations beyond belief. I've narrowed my choices down to 3 different manufactures + 1 extra as a variable, and I would like to hear your thoughts(maybe I missed a manufacturer). This forum is a wealth of information and I value input.

The reason(s) I chose these tires/brands were simple: size I wanted, all are triple mountain peak/snowflake rated(an absolute must, no exceptions), have a excellent reputation, and are all in the same price point +/-. The variable is a LT tire, the other 3 are non-LT rated. Listed in order of preference, size 275/65R18. Please keep the input civil and on-topic. Thanks to all for all of your valuable time!

Nokian Rotiiva
https://www.nokiantires.com/summer-tires/nokian-rotiiva-at/

General Grabber AT2
Grabber™ AT² | General Tire

Goodyear DuraTrac
https://www.goodyear.com/en-US/tires/wrangler-duratrac

BFGoodrich AT KO2(LT tire)
All-Terrain T/A KO2 | BFGoodrich Tires
 
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#3 · (Edited)
Greetings,

It is actually 40K right now and still going strong. :thumbsup:

Hello OP Jason911:

Right now this AT tire is the longest that I ever had on a vehicle. Usually, around the 25k mark an AT starts to begin increasing in noise. I am finally starting here a very small increase. This winter, will be the big test to see if the traction maintains itself. If you search this forum, you find bunch of people riding on the Rotiva with similar results. Somebody else here, should be close to 50K.

General tire has always had a very hard tire compound and even through they are triple flake rated depending on the size, the siping design, IMHO, I am not to keen on. The other 2 selections, you find many opinions on them in various threads. It should be noted that on some of the various manufactures that offer the triple flake, it requires you get the stud version only. So keep that in mind when looking at the fine print.

As a first time Nokian owner, I am extremely happy with my selection.

Hope this helps.

Best for now.:)
 
#4 ·
@ 1st Jeep - Thank for the input! The Nokians are on the short list for the reason of the rave reviews here on Jeep Garage. I've swapped a few emails back & forth with other members and everyone has said the same positive thing. Makes me think that my kinfolk back in Finland may actually be on to something.

As for the Generals - I was unaware of the hardness of the tread compound, which is something that would be of a concern in the cooler months(7 of the 12 here in this state), so thanks for that fact. This is the reason I value the input on here from members.

The DuraTracs are too "aggressive" looking for my tastes - I like subtle. I realize that they are coming as standard equipment on new GM and Dodge trucks for 2016, but still.

The BFG's have a stellar following the world over, but are only available in a LT designation - and I think they may negate the complaint ride my WK2 offers.
 
#5 ·
Greetings,

Anytime.

Finding AT times to work in the snow/ice belts is a tricky thing. It is all about compromise in the selection. It seems the trend today is going 2 ways. The more aggressive tires are increase performance in the siping, shoulder block and dropping just a little of the compound to achieve the traction. Their are more tires now with options to add the metal studs. That is important if you driving over fresh snow on pack surfaces off road or up the mountain road.

Whereas, the normal on/off road tire have greatly improved in all areas with he siping and shoulder block, the main thing is that they soften the tire compound to get that additional traction. Keep mind it is not as soft as dedicated winter or all weather highway tire that has the triple flake.

Safe trails with new sneakers what ever you do get. :thumbsup:

Best for now.:)
 
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#6 ·
I have General Grabber at2's on my 09 WK w/QD2 and they are amazing in the snow and rain I have 17K on them and they barely look worn. I wish the came in stock size for my wife's 2015 altitude I would put them on hers.


Sent from my iPhone using JeepGarage
 
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#7 ·
Thanks to all for the input. The info garnered from here as well as Expedition Portal has left me none the better or worse. Tough decision indeed. Price could ultimately play a factor if I wanted it to, but the current out the door purchase price, EXCLUDING mounting, is as follows:

Nokian Rotiiva: $625.99/set of four

Grabbers AT2: $650.98/set of four

DuraTrac's: $877.36/set of four

BFG AT KO2: $753.00/set of four

Dismount/mount/balance comes in at $66, but I don't factor that into the price.
 
#8 ·
Trigger pulled. All said and done it was going to a set of Nokian Rotiiva's ....... but a offer from a exceptionally large BFGoodrich wharehouse fouand me in a quandary, and ultimately in a new set of KO2 All-Terrains. I was decidedly against a set of LT "E" rated tires - I was stuck on the misconception of a degraded ride quality while traveling via interstate, increase of noise coupled with a loss in fuel economy. I had previous experience on a few vehicles with the first generation of ATs, and knew of the well earned reputation. The new tires had promises of increased tread life and increased wet/snow traction - two things I was interested in. What I disliked was the loss of the rim protector - both the previous generation of ATs and the Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor that I was running had them - but both tires were discontinued from the manufacturer. A set of of tires from Finalnd really seemed to be the solution. Monetary units of measure in hand, a install date was to be placed - but during the conversation, it was let known that the warehouse had 50 tires in stock - on hand, no delay. Numbers were given and it was one of those oppurtutnities not worth missing + a marching spare of equal size would fit inside, also with an abundance on hand.

The result: LT275/65R18 BFG AT KO2(32")
PSI: 38 (still playing with this)

The spare: LT255/70R18 BFG AT KO2 (technically also a 32" tire)
PSI: 48

No rub, not a tremdously measurable decrease in fuel economy - currently a 0.9 mpg loss - and a definite increase in ride quality. Gone was the preponderance of the vehicle having a tendency to wobble while driving over the pot-holed and frost heave riddled roads of the upper Midwest. Tracking while in a cross wind was also greatly enhanced - no wondering. A trek north this weekend into next week will also offer a better chance to expand on my viewpoint, and as such a follow-up report will be in order.
 
#15 ·
Trigger pulled. All said and done it was going to a set of Nokian Rotiiva's ....... but a offer from a exceptionally large BFGoodrich wharehouse fouand me in a quandary, and ultimately in a new set of KO2 All-Terrains.

<snp>

The result: LT275/65R18 BFG AT KO2(32")
PSI: 38 (still playing with this)

The spare: LT255/70R18 BFG AT KO2 (technically also a 32" tire)
PSI: 48

<snip>

A trek north this weekend into next week will also offer a better chance to expand on my viewpoint, and as such a follow-up report will be in order.
Jason, have you had some snow and how do you like the KO2s so far?


Greetings,

It is actually 40K right now and still going strong. :thumbsup:

Hello OP Jason911:

Right now this AT tire is the longest that I ever had on a vehicle. Usually, around the 25k mark an AT starts to begin increasing in noise. I am finally starting here a very small increase. This winter, will be the big test to see if the traction maintains itself. If you search this forum, you find bunch of people riding on the Rotiva with similar results. Somebody else here, should be close to 50K.

<snip>

As a first time Nokian owner, I am extremely happy with my selection.

Hope this helps.

Best for now.:)
1stJeepGC, thanks for your mileage report, that is good to know. I just installed Duratracs 275/55-20s on mine and I hope I get decent tread wear. I would be happy with 50K, they are expensive tires. Unfortunately Nokian only has one tire size for 20" rims for the Rotiivas and I don't think they'd fit mine with QT and otherwise stock suspension. Don't get me wrong, I am not unhappy with my tires, but it's good to see people reporting long wear in real use. Are you still happy with the Rotiivas?
 
#10 ·
Greetings,

Gland you are enjoying your new sneakers.

Happy Trails. :thumbsup:


Best for now.:)
 
#14 ·
The tire shop is in a small south central Wisconsin farming town - honestly, I think they are oversized for the the town, but they had 9 bays and every one of them was doing tires, and there was a wait list of 3 days. They don't do web orders or ship - only sell local. My final price was $187/tire + $11 mount/balance per tire, and I ordered a separate 255/70R18 tire for the spare @ $202.
 
#16 ·
3 of 4 of those tires were on my short list. I was dissatisfied with the Falken Rocky Mountains I had installed on impulse. Discount Tire was willing to reimburse me a portion of the cost of those tires towards a different set of tires. I probably would have gone with the Nokians, if they had them available. I ulitimately had to make a decision between the K02s and Duratracs. Went with the Duratracs due to the longer track record of performance. Sounds like you did your research and made a good decision based on your needs! Let us know how they perform.
 
#18 ·
Would you mind if I asked what dissatisfied you with the Rocky Mountains?

I am eagerly anticipating the installation of Rocky Mountains on my JGC. I have absolutely LOVED them on many prior vehicles, but I understand that each mounting is different. So I was curious as to your experience.

THX
V.
 
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