Had a Flat Today

Well my factory Michelins have 23k on them and have been really showing wear but I've put off getting new tires until these get shot. Today while cruising a gravel road about 20mph I caught a flat in the carcass from the rocks. So now it's time. I've been considering Toyo MT, Nitto Trail Grap, and Ridge Grap all in LT275/70/R18, factories are P275/65/R18. I don't have a lift at the moment and will one day get ~2in in the front but I think I'll be fine for now with 275/70. Back to tires, my wife and I enjoy cruising these Ozark back roads which are basically mountain rock with gravel spread on top so the rock still is exposed in a lot of places and is SHARP. We don't do much heavy off roading or mudding but we want a tough tire that we don't have to worry about this. The truck is a DD but we don't go far so road manners aren't that big of a deal, mostly wet performance for driving in the rain. We do get some snow and ice but typically are prepared to where we don't have to leave the house and my company car gets me to work, if I wreck in the snow/ice on the way to work it's their problem. I'm leaning toward Toyo MT, I like the Ridge Graps but not enough long term reviews about longevity plus I've read the tread chunks easily. Any advice here would be appreciated as I'll be ordering probably Monday. Thanks.

 

275/70/18 will be perfect for what you are trying to do, I think. It will look good on stock and look good with a 2 inch lift.

I don't have experience with other tires you mentioned, but you can't go wrong with Trail Grappler. I've had them on my truck for the last 3 & 1/2 years. Flawless so far.

But I don't think you could go wrong with any of the three tires you mentioned.

 

I love my Ridge Grapplers. Not too loud, tough enough given the little bit of off-road stuff I’ve done, good traction.

 

Just slapped new 35's few weeks ago, I need a matching spare!

 

I'm thinking the RG would suit me best and I've wanted them since I bought the truck I'm just considering about the lack of long term while there's years of review in the TG and OC MT. I may just go RG but still racking my btlrain as I'm probably ordering Monday

 

What did you go with?

 

They're all good choices. Life's short, get what you want.

 

Cooper Discoverer S/T MAXX

 

The only reason I would suggest the Wrangler MTR w/Kevlar is because of how you noted sharp rocks....

 

I was surprised by how much abuse my Cooper tires withstood. Cooper also makes the tires for Pro Comp. I've had Nitto's in the past and been amazed by how well they lasted. The Kevlar's that Blueknights75 mentioned above sound great. Hope I've helped.......

 

That's the thing, deep down I want OC M/T but I think the RG would be best suited. I might just say FTW and get the OC M/T but there's also the ever so popular Nitto Trail. Damn I worry too much although it's an important decision that involves a bit of $$$ and I want to get it right.

 

Alright guys I hate to be a nuisance but I need to order tires tomorrow at the earliest but at least before the week is over. I went by the boat ramp today and there were 3 vehicles with TG, F350 worn out, F250 looked new, and a Wrangler with a brand new set. Also there was a new Chevy 1500 with new OC MT, a 4-door Jeep with them, and a 1500 Dodge also. I talked to the Dodge owner, his were almost shot with 45k but he said he'd only rotated them once, he's had both TG and OC M/T and said he'd go back to Toyo. The Jeep had 30k on 37" and the woman said she has put them through hell and no problems (I believe her by the looks of the Jeep). I'm almost in panic mode here. I love the look of the Nitto TG, have read about the durability of the Toyo M/T, and then all the positives about the Ridge Graps. The TG looks awesome, the Toyo has a reputation for longevity, and the Ridges are praised for their versatility. Damn I cant make up my mind and at $1,200-$1,500 I definitely want to get it right the first time.

 

Cooper STT Pro M/T's and ST Maxx's have Armor-Tek side walls and won't break the bank.

 

I've read on a few different 3/4 ton forums about the Toyo M/T having a "radial pull" to the right as well as getting weather cracked, anybody experience this? Also I called a local 4x4 shop today and he was telling me that they have stopped carrying the Toyo M/T because the have been seeing a lot of pre mature wear out of them. He said they were great tires and he doesn't know what has happened but they are wearing faster than they ever have.

 

Ordered 275/70/18 Ridge Graps today, they'll be here tomorrow and hopefully I can get by there after work and have them mounted.