Tires for mostly highway, some dirt roads

I am about to buy new tires for my ‘15 2wd double cab, and I am trying to decide which tires to go with. I currently have Bridgestone Dueler (E rated). They seem to work pretty well, but I’m curious if there is another brand I should look at.

I drive a few miles down dirt roads everyday and go off the beaten path once or twice a week (no real off roading but lots of mesquite trees and cactus). The majority of my driving is on highways (approx. 250miles a week.)

I am looking at the BFGoodrich KO2 E rated. Anyone have experience?

what recommendations do you have?

 

I love my Cooper XLT AT3’s!!!

Great for street/freeway, and I’ve gotten through nasty snow and ice, sand, a little Offroad/farm stuff, and have been very pleased.
Mine are wearing well, and have always been quiet.

Worth a look.

 

The BFG tires are not what they used to be. They are stone magnets and ofter have balance issues. Coopers as mentioned, Falken, and Nitto Ridge Grapplers are popular choices.

 

Thanks for the response I will definitely look at those. I forgot to mention where I live is a lot of sand as well.

 

I just found Nittos while browsing the internet. I really like the look of them.

 

I'm on my 2nd set of them. No issues with them at all.

 

Yep my 17’ Tundra came with KO2s and they flung rocks like crazy! Loved the traction tho.

 

Well the Nittos are on back order

 

Seems like everything is these days. See if you have DiscountTire close to you. They should be able to have an idea on when they could get them.

 

Yoko GO15's e rated here. Great tire on ice/snow slow, or on highway at 120 for hours. Also quiet as well. Very satisfied, and they are affordable too. 285/75 18's

 

Definitely do not buy KO2s for light offroading. They aren’t good highway tires.

 

For mainly street and some dirt Michelin Defenders are hard to beat. Tame looking but perform excellent on road, wet, snow, dirt and fire roads...not for mud.

 

I've had ko2 for 25k miles and have been happy. Design is definitely more for off road then on road though. Getting pretty noisy as they've worn.

Do you need an E rated tire? The difference between ride quality of E or less is huge... Think a lot of people run E tires who really don't need to.

 

I've read the Michelins are the highway kings. Not aggressive looking but nice tires

 

Yes I do. The times that I’m off road the terrain has huge thorns and I’ve had bad luck in the past with non 10ply tires. That was with my Ford Escape though not a truck.

Also the dirt roads I drove down have sharp rocks and occasional building materials (screws, nails, and such) that people let fall off the back of their vehicles.

 

Nothing beats the Michelin Defenders unless you are doing some serious off-roading.

 

I had Duelers before changing over to the Cooper AT3’s and they ride smooth and quiet! Zero regrets!

 

Yeah 10 ply def help prevent flats. I just know how rough they are and like to throw it out there for consideration.

 

I bought the Dueler A/Ts recently and they’re very nice on the Highway so far. Much lighter and quieter than the Ridge Grapplers I had before, but I’ll see how they wear over time.

 

Honestly, the stock Michelins are really great tires on and off road. Slightly more aggressive looking than your Duelers, and they’re a lot more capable than many give them credit for. Watch this video.

I’m not a fan of KO2s. I think they’re good for drier climates. They look cool, but they’re awful at clearing mud, and their wet traction starts to really suck after 20k miles or so.

I use Duratracs for off roading, but they’re probably overkill for your needs honestly.

 

I recommend Michelin LTX AT2s : Ultimate comfort on road yet decent side snipes for very good off-road behavior on loose or packed soil, rock, cactus, gravel, mud, sand and water holes. They've never let me down unlike other much more aggressive looking tires that developed flats in the exact same conditions.

Not a cheap tire but nothing good ever is. Very long lasting. I've got 37000 on a set with lots of tread left.

 

I agree on the Cooper’s. I have about 65K on my set will probably make it to 75k. Very good tires.

 

I'd second this! Based on your needs mentioned. We have these tires on our supervisor response vehicles and they do very well. Tread life is exceptional and they are a great highway tire. We put almost 40k miles a year on our QRVs and I'd never put anything else on them.

 

250 miles a week of highway is a lot. Id get the friendliest 10ply highway tread. Michelins are amazingly smooth compared to bfgs. Night and day

 

I went with the Nitto Ridge Grapplers… I went up to 70 instead of 65

 

Agree with others have said. Defender LTX M/S are a great option!

 

I 2nd this. I have about 500 miles on mine and they handle really well on the highway. Even at 90 mph speeds. No road noise. I can also zip around dirt roads with no problem at all, plus they look aggressive enough.

 

This ^^^ we run em on the Sequoia. Ride beautifully.

 

this is the best riding option. I’m running 33’ Ltx’s with 36psi. Firms them up nicely.

 

Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure With Kevlar. I have these currently and previously on my tacoma. Very satisfied with the purchases.