Good A/T tyres

I've had about 7 sets of BFG A/Ts over two Patrols since 1999. I get over 100,000ks from a set as long as you rotate them and I have never had a puncture that I can remember. I'm on my second set of KO 2 and they are very quiet in my opinion. For around $1000 for a set of 4, I think they are good value and I never really think about changing brands or trying something different. It seems to work for me. Michael

Hi Col,

When looking for good AT's, it can be difficult to "cut through the chaff" to the important details.
I have had Dunlop AT22s (oem Ford), Maxxis AT700, Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs, Federal Couragia AT, and Khumo AT51 . . .

Most did what I wanted, mostly beach driving, general tracks in SA's mid north, lots of desert trips . . . the only place most ATs will let you down is deserts where there are stakes . . . left from fires where the roots are burnt down to and close to the ground ready to stake tyre, strangely most often in the sidewalls !!??

When looking at AT's what I've found is just about rule out anything that is not LT construction, which should have stronger sidewalls.
Look at a good ply rating, say 8 or 10 ply.
Go for the best sidewall protection you can, most ply ratings only apply to under the tread, so ask about side walls.

If you have 16" rims, I believe the most common aftermarket tyre is 265/75/16.
There really are a huge range of OEM tyre sizes now, most places would have to cater for these, outback towns you should be ok, stations etc very remote might be a problem with some sizes.

For my next set of 4 (for a 13k inner loop mid year), I am probably going for BFG all terrain T/A KO2, or if the sidewalls are good, Toyo Open Country AT II.

Outsiders may be the Hankook Dynapro ATM RF10, or the Bridgesone Dueler AT697, again a side wall check will decide.

Mr Hop, to answer your question, in my experience, BFG's are carried by most "outback" tyre fitters, including outback stations that offer servicing & tyre repairs.

You will get a multitude of opinion on tyre choice in a forum, everyone has an opinion based on their preference. I have used BFG's, Coopers & Mickey Thompson. The BFG's & my first set of Coopers were AT's. They both served me well with good mileage and were reasonable quiet.

Be aware that AT's are a compromise, they are basically a highway tyre with an "aggressive" tread pattern, and not a true "off road" tyre. However, they will comfortably handle gravel roads and sand. If you are looking to do a lot of "off road" driving, no matter which brand you buy, you would be better with the next more aggressive tread pattern, without going to a full Mud Terrain.

Macca.

BFG KO2 are LT tyres.
My only gripe with my KO (1S?) is that they are very harsh with small bumps as the AFAIR 117 load rating would indicate.
Just be aware that KO2 are LT and therefore have a high load rating and stiff sidewalls but that makes them harsh.
I have had BFG ATs since 1977 when they were fabric.
I have never had a puncture off road.
My next tyres will probably be KO2s
Regards Philip A

Hi Mr Hop

Over the years we have had quite of few brands of L/T tyre, including Bridgestone, Cooper, Dunlop and we are now using the new Toyo Open Country A/T 2 in LT construction.

We go into some remote locations and after 2 years of faultless travels, I am rating these as my best ever tyre.

Higher load rating over the Bridgestone LT 697's, and 10 ply rating compared to 8 on the old Bridgstones and they are made in Japan.

For value for money, you can not go past the new Toyo's.



Cheers




Stephen

My last vehicle had a set of Yokohama Geolander AT2's on them and they did spot on 110K. They could have done much more than that too had I run slightly less pressure in them as the centres scrubbed out much faster then the sides. They were all rotated every 10K with 2 other spares too.

This was mainly highway use, say 75% and 25% running around the bush.

They were never a problem, think they were $260ea for 265/75/16. They were brilliant on dirt but they did struggle a little in the mud.

Only gripe was stone drilling. They were very prone to collecting more stones and then letting the stones go at high speed. Use to scare the bajeesus out of me.

Currently have Falken Wildpeak AT3's on my 105 Series. They came brand new with the car and so far very impressed but early days yet. They are also a light truck tyre like the Yokos. At $230ea I priced them at I would certainly go them again.

Think there are many AT that can get you 100K now and be a good tyre for you.

I too have been through a few tyres.
On my Terrano II I had some Yokohama AT's when I bought it, they were good on road, but melted on a the Hume on a hot day. Rubber was so soft that they went tacky and had gravel was sticking in them, despite being over recommended pressures. They suffered badly from cupping on the edges and didn't last that long.

I had some Bridgestone's, they were OK but only got around 60000km out of them. They were relatively cheap, so I went another set.
Big mistake as they died to sidewall cuts from driving a gravel road less than a week after getting them fitted. Expensive weekend away.

From there I saved up and bought BF Goodrich T/A's, they were great, easily 80000km before I stuck some Silverstone's with a similar pattern on it to sell it.
Overall a really good tyre good off road, even in muddy conditions. When they were 3/4 worn they did get a bit slippy on wet tar though.

From there I inherited an old ute that had some cheap Chinese things on it that refused to wear out. I replaced them with Cooper A/T3's, they were OK, but I didn't ask too much of them either.

I bought a new ute with stock Bridgestone's that were lucky to make 40000km.

Now is again BF Goodrich. Right now I have T/A's with around 70000km (I was swapping between them and the stock tyres) on them and based on previous experience I wouldn't hesitate to get them again. They have a nice flat tread face, so more rubber on the road and the sidewall doesn't appear to be as vulnerable There is also a rubber bead that sticks out and protects the rim from gutter rash to some extent.
I rate them highly.

Shopping around you can get them for around $300 a corner, which works out reasonably priced considering their life. Try Tyresales, but I got about the same price from Bob Jane.

G,Day Col : you got a lot of good replies from people well traveled that would know .
but IMO the big $$$ tyres are a very hard ride . we have had cooper micky's etc
in the last 10 year lots of different brands & travels ( Kimberly's cape york , Simpson etc , the only time i'v had a flat is around town with screw etc in them ,
I'm now running bridgestone 8 ply , much to my surprise .... lol .... but a nicer ride .
A lot will come down to how you drive , the harder you drive the tuffer the tyre you will need . And as Les has said pick a common size .... not a brand .

I've bought Toyo AT II, in 265.74R16 size, to replace the original Dunlops on my 79 series ute. $300 each, fitted & balanced.

Bob

It's a bit like Ford and Holden, I think most tyres are pretty good now.

I've always used the Goodrich All Terrains and they've been really good.

I like them because they are quiet on the road and good off road, bearing in mind as we are in Australia there is always a long stretch of bitumen to travel to get to your amazing off-road adventure!!

Any opinions on Hankook Dynapros? Was looking at some last week and liked the look of the tread. I think they might be a softer tyre with better grip on wet tar but less mileage from them. Not much over $200 per...