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Calif Tire Selection

2K views 38 replies 18 participants last post by  Jerry Bransford 
#1 ·
Please don't move this to the wheel and tire thread. I am looking for information from California wheelers.

Starting to watch Tire sales. Will need a set (5) in February but if they go on sale between now and then I will purchase them. So what is everyone running in California. The Wheel and Tire thread usually accounts mud and snow which clearly we don't deal with. So I would imagine sidewall strength, noise and comfort would be a priority here.

So what are you running in 35's.

P.S. I plan on mounting them on my stock rims. I really like the look of the stock rims and my stealership said they would mount them for me with spacers. And yes they will be going on with a lift as well so clearance won't be an issue.
 
#5 ·
I've got tiny little 31's, but did a lot of research into tires a few months ago. I am also in California, so my priority was tough tires that will handle sharp rocks. I did not really want to give up all capability in snow and wet pavement, however. And I did not want tires that would clog with mud, in the rare instance I would find myself in wet clay. I am usually a big fan of the BFG AT KO, as I have purchased maybe 7 or 8 sets in my lifetime. They are tough, but really clog up with mud and snow. They become slicks. Good treadlife, and did I mention they are tough? This time, I ended up with Cooper ST Maxx tires in Load Range E. I don't mind the ride, which may be a bit harsher than lighter tires. Sidewalls are tough, and noise isn't bad at all. About the same overall as AT tires, but with more aggressive shoulder tread lugs so they should be a bit better in mud and snow. They were reasonable through Tire Crawler. Had them delivered to a local retail tire store on TC's installer list, and all is well so far.
 
#6 ·
I'm running Goodyear MTR/K. I've been very happy with them. Never seen anyone get a flat with one of them in 3 years of wheeling.

The BFG KM2 on the other hand seem to always be going flat due to sidewall punctures. I'd avoid those. Most of the flats I've seen are BFG KM2.

Mostly you need to decide if you want an AT or MT. AT will ride better on road, MT will ride better off road and have more traction, stronger side walls usually. You will get more miles out of AT.
 
#7 ·
I'm running Goodyear MTR/K. I've been very happy with them. Never seen anyone get a flat with one of them in 3 years.
Rick you need to ask Raffi about his experience with MTR/k's

Another issue I'm hearing about these tires is that they are hard to keep balanced. This is just what I hear and I have NO personal experience with this tire.
If I were to suggest a tire I would look into the General Grabbers "Red's". I have run these tires before and liked them a lot. They are designed for ! built for and used by desert off roader's. Another great tire is Interco's Iroks ND. The guy's out here in the desert are loving them and they are very happy with the tire's performance both on and off road. Keep in mind that these are people that aren't your average mall crawlers. They demand a lot from there rigs out on the rocks and turn around the next day and run 60 to 100 miles for work.

This is just my opinion and I wish you good look in finding the right tire for you.
 
#9 ·
This is all great info thanks guys. Especially about the BFG's. In coversations a few years back I was talking to a gentlemen who lives in big bear and does tire reviews. He spoke highly of Hankook.
 
#12 ·
I have a set of BFG KM2's in the 37 flavor. I have been wheelong and driving these yores on the street since 2011. Knock on wood, but I have not had a flat ot punture with these tires. I have done some trails I. California (calico, big bear and the hammer trails) but most of my time I was wheeling some hard trails in Colorado. I am a huge fan of the KM2. They go up what you point your Jeep at.
 
#14 ·
I like the KM2 also but besides the paper thin sidewalls you pay a premium for a 37 inch tire and walk away with a true 35 inch tire. I don't know about you but that's always burnt me a bit.
One thing is for sure with these types of threads. We'll find out what tire everyone has or wants to have...lol
 
#15 ·
I personally did not care for my MTR/Ks. They are great if you drive you're jeep on the street quite a bit but in my opinion your losing a lot of off road performance. My dad has been running Nitto Trail Grapplers and they seem to be a pretty good mixture of on road and off road performance. I personally will be running Irok bias plys the next time I buy tires. I'm running swamper SSR's at the moment.
 
#19 ·
Gunner I can't believe I haven't seen your jeep sine we are only about 1.5 miles from each other. If you ever see a bearded white guy waiving at you from an Anvil Rubicon its me.
 
#20 ·
I had problems with my MTR/K tires balancing. After 4 different tries by different places I ended up at America's Tire and they 'road force' balanced them by the stud holes. Worked great !!

The MTR/K was my second choice when shopping for tires but I am glad I ended up with them. Have worked great for me so far in everywhere my Jeep has taken me.

The MTR/K seems to be one of the more popular tires that I have seen. I know this doesn't make them a good tire but I do see alot of them.

Not sure what tire I will go with next or maybe the same tire..... watching this thread for thoughts and ideas.


_
 
#22 ·
I run M/T MTZ and haven't had a problem with them yet. Good road manners and haven't had an issue off road. The lugs tend to chunk a little more than I'd like but the sidewall is tough. Overall been a good tire, still running the same tires for 2 years with lots of trail time and lots of life left. I usually run them at 12 psi but have had them down to 8 psi before and the sidewall holds up fine. Would I buy them again? Yes; although my next tire will likely be an interco.
 
#23 ·
The right SOCAL tire choice depends on where you're wheeling and what you're wheeling on. Most run some form of mud terrain tire which is a little more aggressive but not necessarily loud if choose the right tire. But if you want to wheel on the rocks, it pays to get a tire with an especially strong sidewall to lessen the chances of a sidewall puncture which on some trails is fairly common.

So tell us more about your wheeling and then a good recommendation can be made. For example I might go along with a BFG Mud Terrain KM2 or similar recommendation for Big Bear and some desert areas but I'd recommend something like a Goodyear kevlar-reinforced MT/R for wheeling in areas with sharp rocks like are common on some desert trails.
 
#25 ·
The right SOCAL tire choice depends on where you're wheeling and what you're wheeling on. Most run some form of mud terrain tire which is a little more aggressive but not necessarily loud if choose the right tire. But if you want to wheel on the rocks, it pays to get a tire with an especially strong sidewall to lessen the chances of a sidewall puncture which on some trails is fairly common. So tell us more about your wheeling and then a good recommendation can be made. For example I might go along with a BFG Mud Terrain KM2 or similar recommendation for Big Bear and some desert areas but I'd recommend something like a Goodyear kevlar-reinforced MT/R for wheeling in areas with sharp rocks like are common on some desert trails.
The most common location will be Big Bear. Less often, but always on the menu is Anza Burrego and Death Valley. Love those two areas.
 
#24 · (Edited)
I've been using BFG ATs and MTs for 20 + years and well over 400,000 miles. NEVER, again NEVER I have EVER had a flat due to sidewall damage or anything puncturing the sidewall. NEVER. Got that????? NEVER. I have however had a few flats. Somehow I've managed to pick up a half of a plier, bolts, nails, cactus needles and screws.

You're more than welcomed to check out the wheels, rock rails and underside of my JK to see all the scrapes to verify that all of those HAVE received some level of damage, IOW, not a mallcrawler.

Land vehicle Vehicle Off-roading Automotive tire Car


My above comments is based on real life usage, not repeating something I've read on the 'net from bubba or billy bob.

Regards,
 
#28 ·
This was on SledgeHammer a few years ago. Take a look at this picture. The funny thing was we all said "I sure am glad that's not a BFG". This tire didn't come off the rim, loose air or even get a scuff. For over 45 years they have been making some of the toughest tires around. They make AT's too.. So hop on they're website and check them out. I dare you to think out side the box.
 
#31 ·
My first aftermarket tire was the BFG AT KO in size 285 / 75 / 16 (roughly a 33") on my JKU. I found it was terrible on rocks, didn't grip well. That particular size is narrow as well.

The MT tires usually come in wide sizes, 12.5" wide (or more) will give a lot more grip. That's part of the problem with many AT tires is they're not available in a decent width. For the most part, if it's a metric size, it won't be wide enough.
 
#35 ·
My first aftermarket tire was the BFG AT KO in size 285 / 75 / 16 (roughly a 33") on my JKU. I found it was terrible on rocks, didn't grip well. That particular size is narrow as well. The MT tires usually come in wide sizes, 12.5" wide (or more) will give a lot more grip. That's part of the problem with many AT tires is they're not available in a decent width. For the most part, if it's a metric size, it won't be wide enough.
Absolutely. Not everyone enjoys the rocks though, and for these people a good AT will go a long way. Also better on gas mileage for the DD. A skinny tire has its benefits over a wider tire as well.

The right tire choice really depends on what the OP wants to do in his rig. This links have fair tire reviews for MT and AT tires:

http://www.offroaders.com/reviewbox/index.php

If I have had 12 flats in as many years of wheeling, 8 of them were in the Stoddard Wells area.
I've seen Stoddard Wells take out a many Kevlar lined tires as well. Every chunk missing from my tires was to pay the toll for playing out there. That place has definitely made me rethink tires. But that is where I choose to play.
 
#38 ·
Take a look at the Mickey Thompson ATZ P3. It is one of the new hybrid tires designs both an MT and AT mix. These are going to be my next set of tires. I currently run BFG KM2s which have been great since we bought them six months and 14k miles ago. They have been over trails from BB to Moab to Death Valley to the Rubicon. I am changing them out because they are scary on ice and we like snow sports but not the kind while driving. Kinda bums me out because the BFG KM2s have performed so well off road.
 
#39 ·
Of the tires I've installed onto my TJs which includes BFG All Terrain KOs, BFG Mud Terrain KMs, the first generation (non-kevlar reinforced) GY MT/Rs, and my current kevlar reinforced GY MT/Rs, the ONLY tires I've never had punctured/cut/torn sidewalls on or any flats are my present GY MT/Rs I've been running about 5 years now. And their average trail difficulty they've been on is far tougher and with more sharp rocks than the other three tires had to withstand.
 
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