Tire Advice for hwy/road, rock, trail, snow [Archive] - International Full Size Jeep Association

shimniok

09-17-2007, 09:26 PM

I hate to do Yet Another "What tires should I get?" Thread ... but I have had the great fortune of winning a set of tires thanks to all the folks that voted for me here and on other lists. So, I need to pick a great set of tires to make the most of this.

I have some specific requirements in mind for tires and want to get some expert advice on what tire to get. So hopefully this is different enough from other threads that nobody is going to smack me. :D

How I'll use the tires:
I do a lot of wheeling in Colorado and Moab on rocks and dirt.
I always drive to the trailhead, hwy speeds (1-6 hours away)
I also drive the truck around in the deeper snowfalls in winter
I often drive it in to work and around town as a daily driverRequirements:
The truck is built to be pretty good at lots of things by balancing performance off-road, on-road, in snow, etc., without massively sacrificing any one area to improve another, so the tires need to be similarly balanced in a variety of uses.

The tires must be available in 33x12.50-15
The tires should last ~ 20k miles before wearing to 50% tread
Should be at the top of their class in rock traction
Should be among the most quiet in the class (about as loud as a BFG AT give or take)
I don't care how they do in mud or sand
Rain and ice handling should be at least average
Should be in the top 5 as far as toughness
Should be relatively good in deep snow
Should offer handling that is at least average (No bias ply!!)
I don't want flat spots when I first get started (No bias ply!!)Current tires: Goodyear MT/Rs. They have lasted very well; I'm about 50% tread after 5 years, guessing about 20k miles, maybe more, I'd have to look it up. They are fairly quiet on-road, do very well in snow (even minimal snow, which surprised me), are very tough, handle reasonably well on the street. The only downside is rock traction isn't what I'd hoped but it is livable. If there is a tire out there with a little better rock traction without giving up much elsewhere, I might go that route.

Top Candidates: Based on some quick research here's what's at the top of my list, but open to other suggestions.

BF Goodrich MT T/A KM (seem good all around)
Goodyear MT/R (I'd be fairly happy with another set)
Interco Super Swamper Radial TSL
Interco TrXus Mud Terrain Radial
Parnelli Jones Dirt Grip

jepj2000

09-17-2007, 10:04 PM

I run 315/75-16 (35x12.50-16) BFGs M/Ts on my DD/Tow rig ('01 Chevy 2500HD). I love them, they do good in the icy/snowy roads (Colorado), Do very well on the highway/around town, very quiet for a M/T and well in the mud and rocks. This is my 3rd set of them 2nd on this truck, I have gotten about 40K out of them and one set lasted for about 7 years. If you need an all around M/T this is the tire I feel best suits the needs.

I have also run Goodyear MT/Rs on my Chevy and hated them; loud, wear fast, scarry on wet pavement and had too many flat tires (never had a flat with the BFGs).

I have never run the Pro Comps but have had plenty of friend that have and with what I've seen is why I've never owned them, enough said.

Mickey's are going to be really loud and wear kind quickly.

The way I would rank your top rated:
1. BFG M/T
2. Truxs M/T
3. Radial TSL
4. P-Jones
5. GY MT/Rs

Rankin

401-J10

09-17-2007, 10:14 PM

I really like the BFG MTs. They are a really good all around tire, except mine have worn down kind of quickly but thats probably cause i am real rough on them on road.

incommando

09-17-2007, 11:25 PM

The Trxus works well on ice/snow. The are seriously siped.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/incommando/trxusmt.jpg

If you haven't seen them in person, I don't think this pic does the siping justice.

shepherdskeep

09-17-2007, 11:27 PM

TrXus MT :thumbsup:

Stuka

09-18-2007, 12:15 AM

Take a look at the Cooper STT. It has a harder tread compound that last a really long time. This means its traction is not quite as good as some other tires, but you will gte the tread life you want. Do not even consider anything from Interco, as everything they make wears out fast (comparitively). The STT does have tapered tread blocks and ridges to help them stay clean in the mud and snow. Good side wall protection, and lots of varried biting edges. Just dont expect them to grab to rocks like an IROK or something, because they wont. They are also priced similarly to other similar tires.

http://www.cooperrehvid.ee/images/banner-5018-QYpldn8AAAEAABRKK9E.jpg

Otherwise I say go with the MT/R. It does great on the trail and well in the snow. Avoid tires with large un-siped tread blocks (like the BFG MT) for use in the snow, as they slide around a lot on hard packed snow. Although the MT/R is not quite as good in deep snow.

shepherdskeep

09-18-2007, 01:42 AM

The Cooper STT is a good tire, made in the same factory as ProComp's are, reasonably priced, a friend of mine runs 35x12.50 STT on his K5 - and he loves them.

If you want treadlife, stay away from MT/R's - just ask any Rubicon owner. I've also seen some strange sidewall failures on Goodyear truck tires, which tells me I ain't buying Goodyear. :rolleyes:

Has anyone ever seen or even heard of a TrXus sidewall failure?

fulsizjeep

09-18-2007, 05:26 AM

If I had a free $1000 dedicated for a set of tires, I would go crazy! :o

I ran a set of 32" MTRs and was pretty happy with them until about halfway through the tread wear. Then they just got louder and louder. They went on Krista's Wag for a year or so too. They did very well in snow and ice, pretty well on the rocks and not so well in mud. We ran them from 99 until 05 and put about 50K on them. Now they just hold up one of the FSJs here. Overall, I think it was money well spent.

I have seen the BFGs on many rigs while off road. Very popular. They work great on the rocks. But MTRs were popular when they came out. Everybody with some budget had them. The KOs are not siped right? If not, I am not so sure about using them on ice and snow.

The Baja Wide Tracks I have are similar tread pattern to KO with no sipes. So, so on ice and snow it is touch and go sometimes. I did spin off the road once last winter up in the park. Everything else I have run them through so far does well.

That Cooper looks nice, similar to MTR pattern. Siping will help on the slicker surfaces. No personal experience with them.

I have looked at the Trxus MTs on some rigs when out on the trails. They are impressive at work on slick rock and mountains. They have a good rep. I could be tempted.

All this said, I have not made a recommendation... :D :rolleyes: Good luck on the dicision! :cool:

Casey

09-18-2007, 10:36 AM

I've had great performance out of the BFG m/t. They seem to last as long as the MTR on road. Off road I think they're better than the MTR. I would give the edge to the MTR for on road manners.

Swampers do not wear well on the street, not the TSLs anyway. I can't comment on the Truxus...never had a set.

Ronson

09-18-2007, 04:47 PM

The new BFG muds are coming out any day now, but I heard they were only releasing bling bling sizes at first, and then the useful sizes.;) They look a lot like a Krawler and are supposed to have a way tougher sidewall than the last mud terrain(lets hope so...):thumbsup:

Stuka

09-18-2007, 04:52 PM

The BFG MT would do beter than an MT/R i mud, but for snow and trails (like I have hre, or he has in colorado) I would much prefer the MT/R.

Mahamotorworks

09-18-2007, 05:42 PM

Green Giant

09-18-2007, 06:38 PM

The BFG KOs are great for the road, even towing 5-6K trailers, do pretty good in dirt and rock, only fair in mud, but excellent in snow, at least the little snow we get here.
But when we had 19" couple'a years ago, I was one of a very few vehicles moving in it including other 4x4s. Even pulled two Z71 Chebbies up a steep hill, LOL. (course that's not saying much)

Stuka

09-18-2007, 06:40 PM

Just to let you know BFGoodrich is comming out with M/T KM2. I work at a tire shop and have the advertisement there. I am not sure if you can find them online yet. They have just started the production so there are limited sizes availble. That look really good my boss who is building a CJ has a set on order. We just have to wait till BFG makes them to get them in. I would stay away from the MTR's we got a set of them installed that they would not balance. They dont last long either.

MAHA

You can see them on the Ultimate JK in Petersens. They look like a Krawler with half the tread. Sizes will be limited to 'bling' sizes for some time. ie: 17-20" wheels in larger sizes. The JK in petersens had 42's.

You can have a tire from just about any make that won't balance. My experience on the trail has shown the MT/R is a better trail tire, but a worse mud tire (the MT/R is NOT a mud tire) than the BFG MT. However, with everything that has been said, if you are one of those proud americans thats like to keep money into this country, dont buy tires from the French (ie: BFG whom is owned by Michelin which is French owned, so your money leaves this country and goes to the French)

mattmopar440

09-18-2007, 06:57 PM

http://flashoffroad.com/features/Tires/images/BFG_MudTerrain_TA_KO.jpg:drivin: :drivin: :fsj:

jepj2000

09-18-2007, 07:35 PM

My MT/Rs wouldn't stay balanced either and the tire shop (large nation wide) said that it is very common with the MT/Rs. I think for a slick rock type terrain the MT/Rs are better because of the softer tread compound but thats about it in my opinion. I have had very good results from the BFGs in Colorado snow and ice, I found that the MT/Rs were much worse on wet pavement than the BFGs were on severe ice. And if I find that a foreign country is making a better tire for cheaper like the french then I'll buy it if it saves me money so I can spend more money on more expensive american made things.

Rankin

Stuka

09-18-2007, 08:05 PM

jepj2000

09-18-2007, 08:34 PM

I have found that the BFG M/Ts had much better wet pavement traction than the MT/Rs. When I had the MT/Rs, it was almost scarry how bad they were. Between the 2 in snow and ice they were about the same I guess. This past winter we had a major ice storm while I was in Colorado and when I got back into TX there was about 4-6" of ice covering the roads and my BFGs didn't slip once, so I think thats pretty good for an unsiped M/T in my opinion.

Rankin

Green Giant

09-18-2007, 09:57 PM

However, with everything that has been said, if you are one of those proud americans thats like to keep money into this country, dont buy tires from the French (ie: BFG whom is owned by Michelin which is French owned, so your money leaves this country and goes to the French) BUT the plants are in the good ole USA and a little of the money goes into my son's bank account.
Plus since he co-opped at Michelin, they also helped put him through Clemson.
Besides the old made in the USA adage doesn't hold water anymore. Any new Honda has as much or more US content than a Ford or Chevy for that matter, and the Honda is actually assembled in the US, not Canada or Mexico.
I'll bet most of the parts you've put on your Jeep in the last ten years were made outside the US.
So its BFG for me, especially since there are 5 brand new 33x12.50 AT KOs in my garage that cost me all of $56 a piece SHIPPED to my door.:eek:
Did I say I love French-owned BFG tires?:thumbsup:

Stuka

09-18-2007, 11:15 PM

56 each? Thats a pretty good employee discount you get there, since they are $140 each new ;)

I am not saying they are bad tires or anything, just there there is a *LOT* of choice on the market these days. AT one time BFG was one of the only offroad radials on the market. That is no longer true though, and it never hurts to look around.

shimniok

09-19-2007, 07:02 AM

Thanks all for the intel so far!! Very helpful to get a sense of the many different experiences!!!

shimniok

09-19-2007, 04:51 PM

Thanks again all. It is still down to the same top 3, BFG MT, Interco TrXus, and MT/R but with new insight.

I was really surprised at how many recommendations there are so far for the BFG MTs. Apparently they are a lot more tire than I realized. Hm...

For the TrXus, my reservations are tire wear and noise. Trying to find some tire reviews online that might tell me how bad it would be versus how much better the traction might be. The siping looks good... hm...

Sounds like I can't go wrong picking the BFG's (aside from company ownership nationality -- but with a global economy it's hard to tell where the money goes, other than to the super rich, wherever they might live)

Michael

1977cherokeechief

09-19-2007, 05:30 PM

i dont know much about tires but from what i have read these tires sound and look pretty decent...

here is the link:
http://www.kumhousa.com/tires/light-truck/mud-terrain/KL71.do

the next MT i but might be these next year right before winter because all we get is ice with an 1/8" of snow on the top, every MT i have run in the past you cant stop, i had better traction with a bridgestone dueler HT on a 2wd Expodition, heck even used it to pull my bronco out of the snow.

http://www.kumhousa.com/images/tires/KL71.jpg Road VENTURE MT

SUV/Light Truck/RV Radial UTQG:
http://www.kumhousa.com/images/arrow_red.gif view specs on all sizes (http://www.kumhousa.com/tires/light-truck/mud-terrain/KL71/specs.do)
http://www.kumhousa.com/images/arrow_red.gif view printable spec sheet (javascript:MM_openBrWindow('/print_specs.jsp?pid=KL71','','toolbar=no,location= no,menubar=no,scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,width=7 30'))
The latest in KUMHO technology has created a true mud terrain tire with great street manners and very low noise levels. The Road Venture MT KL71 is the perfect choice for the street bound 4X4 that wants the ultra aggressive look of an off road tire with large rim diameters. At home in mild or wild off road conditions, from tame gravel roads to deep mud, the Road Venture MT KL71 provides excellent off road traction.Special Features
<LI class=botPadding15>Durable cut & chip tread prevents cut & chip even under the roughest driving condition. <LI class=botPadding15>Undertread for ride comfort - A newly developed compound has been used between the tread and steel belt. This blocks out impact and noise from the road surface and enhances ride comfort. <LI class=botPadding15>High tensile steel belt & jointless cap ply enhance durability and reduce noise levels.
Dual body plies protect the KL71 from the stress of on and off road use.Typical Vehicle Matches
<LI class=botMargin10>Chevrolet Silverado <LI class=botMargin10>Dodge Dakota, Ram series <LI class=botMargin10>Ford Ranger, F-series <LI class=botMargin10>Isuzu Rodeo <LI class=botMargin10>Jeep Wrangler
Toyota TacomaComparable Competitor Products
<LI class=botMargin10>Goodyear Wrangler MT <LI class=botMargin10>BFGoodrich Radial Mud-Terrain T/A <LI class=botMargin10>Bridgestone Dueler M/T
Hankook Dynamic MT
http://www.kumhousa.com/images/maps/sm_maps/KL71map.gif (javascript:MM_openBrWindow('/map_popup.jsp?pid=KL71','','toolbar=no,location=no ,menubar=no,resizable=yes,width=506,height=520'))

AlsChopShop

09-19-2007, 05:59 PM

i liked my BFG M/T's, got them with about 70% tread and they still did quite well.

if you are worried about snow traction, just have the center tread blocks siped at the tire shop. just don't sipe the tread on the horizontal bars or you'll lose alot of tread from chunking on the rocks when offroad.

Al

shepherdskeep

09-19-2007, 10:37 PM

For the TrXus, my reservations are tire wear and noise. Trying to find some tire reviews online that might tell me how bad it would be versus how much better the traction might be. The siping looks good... hm...

Michael

Hard to find many objective reviews on TrXus, mainly because how they're mounted & used makes all the difference. For example, if a 33x12.50 is mounted on an 8" wide rim, the tread won't last as long as it does mounted on a 10" wide rim. Then there is air pressure. If you go by the common old "32psi, nothing else" mentality - the center of the tread won't last long either, because that is too much pressure for a thick sidewalled tire. Best way to determine the correct pressure for your TrXus is to use the chalk/tread method to find the optimum wear pattern. Since each vehicle has a different weight, different vehicles will have different air pressure optimums for TrXus treadwear. I've gotten a lot of life out of mine by monitoring pressure, running on a 10" wide rim, and rotating them every 3-6k miles.

As for road noise, they are not quiet - period. However, I have only seen 3 MT-style tires that actually rode quieter than my TrXus. Now, if the air pressure is either too low or too high, they will make more noise than at optimum pressure. The Baja Claws on my Cherk are twice as loud as the TrXus on my TJ. But then again, if the TrXus were fully tucked under the fenders they probably wouldn't be as loud - as the TJ sits, over 4 inches of the tread sticks out from the stock flares (thank God I live in a state that isn't Nazi about that), which undoubtably makes them seem louder. If I take the doors off the TJ, without repositioning my head I can move my eyes from the driving position & see TrXus tread spinning. :thumbsup:

Mr. Goatman

09-21-2007, 08:59 PM

There are so many tires! I have the BFG ATs on my F-350 and love them for towing and slight off-road. They are great in the snow and rain. But, on the Wagon, I give the Cooper STT another vote. They are great! The tread wear (so far) is looking good at about 18,000 miles. They perform well off road. I have not been into hard rock climbing or deep mud or sand. On the road they don't "wander" or give the grinding hum. Thanks Stuka for recommending these to me. I also have the opinion that Interco tires wear fast. They are good offroad and on rocks due to the soft, tacky material but the same soft material causes quick wear on the road.

wickedwagon767

06-06-2008, 12:35 AM

Its a runaway.....BFG M/T KM

I love these tires. I wouldn't hit a deep,gooey bog with them,but I would take them everywhere else. I don't believe you would have any regrets on that decision.

and I agree with Stuka, the Cooper STT's seem like they would perform well. I'm considered a set (35x12.50) for my daily driver Suburban.

jeeper4life

06-06-2008, 06:04 AM

[quote=incommando]The Trxus works well on ice/snow. The are seriously siped.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/incommando/trxusmt.jpg

These tires are a great tire all around and are long wearing for the street. While they might not last as long as a bfg mud terrain, the difference in offroad traction far exceeds the bfg. The are also great in the ice because of the factory siping that the bfg does not have. I have gone to moab several times and the bfg's did not have the traction that the swampers have and the sidewall is a lot stronger than the bfg's. I did have a set of bfg's last about 65,000 miles on a cj once that had 35's and saw a lot of offroad abuse.

jtr

06-06-2008, 08:16 AM

Don't forget about the Toyo MT, tough sidewalls, great in the snow, and can handle everything thrown at them. Only bad thing that I have seen is that they are a little heavy.

http://www.offroaders.com/tech/AT-MT-Tires/images/toyo-open-country-ds.jpg

AlsChopShop

06-06-2008, 01:40 PM

toyo M/T's? :thumbsdown: you can get two sets of IROK's for the price of those.....

hey, who dug up this old thread anyway?

Al

waynestiles

06-06-2008, 03:37 PM

What about the mastercraft tires. I've been told they are the generic version of the Coopers and have the same tire as the SST for a whole lot less $$$$

waynestiles

06-06-2008, 04:37 PM

'nother one to think about. while sitting at the tranny shop waiting for a serviceman to get over his lunch I was thumbing through some old 4-wheeler magazines and in the oct 2007 issue there was a page (56) on the Hankook Dynapro MT RT03 tire they though it was pretty good both off road and on the highway. has anyone here heard anything about them? or is it just an off-road ricer tire.
Of course some magazines are reluctant to say anyhting negative about a gimmie product but I didn't see any of the weasel words I'd expect to see as an x-rag editor in a marginal product review---"man they sure are round" kind of stuff

Stuka

06-06-2008, 11:35 PM

holy blast from the past....

waynestiles

06-07-2008, 05:02 AM

yeah it is, but with new guys coming on board the original question is pretty relevent and since the tire market is always changing its a good thread to keep up and running with updates---darn near "sticky" quality thread I'd think.

BIK

06-07-2008, 11:11 AM

I ran the BF MTs when I had my CJ. They were fine in rock and sand, but scary on snow and ice. I slid off my parents paved driveway in Bailey CO a couple times going 5mph on ice.
I run the Trxus MTs on my waggy. So far I have been very impressed. I only have a couple thousand miles on them, but have had them on Colorado Alpine style trails several times, and driven them in snow and Ice several times. I believe that the performance of the Trxus Mts in these conditions has far exceeded that of the BFD MT.
It has taken a lot of weight to get the Truxus MTs balanced, but the drive fine at 70+ mph.
I cannot speak for the Goodyear MTR as I have never ran them
:drivin:

shimniok

07-01-2008, 09:21 AM

holy blast from the past....

What's funny is that I still haven't made a choice. My letter says "can be redeemed at anytime"...

So my initial requirements are a little different. With a new stereo and sound deadening going in, and the likelihood that this may be the last set of tires I get for several years...

I'm now more interested in lower noise and longer wear without giving up too much in the traction department. So, everything points to BFG MTs at this point.

Most the reviews on TireRack for MT/R mention lots of noise and fast tire wear (mixed bag). Most of the BFG MT reviews mention lower noise than expected and good treadwear fairly universally.

I was always happy with the BFG ATs I had. I get the feeling I will give up a little in rock and snow traction but I think that is livable in trade for less noise and longer life (without the need to rotate every 3k!)

Michael

janie

07-01-2008, 01:52 PM

Michael,

I've run the Goodyear MTR's and they wear quickly and are noisy. Currently have the BFG MT's and absolutely love em.

funwheeling

07-01-2008, 03:54 PM

No one mentioned the Maxxis Bighorn. I have heard a lot of great things about them. I think there are going to be my next set.

misfittom138

07-06-2008, 09:13 AM

I always had great experiences with Goodyear MT/Rs in Colorado. Especially if you have them siped. Did awesome up at Lefthand Canyon/Carnage Canyon outside of Boulder in winter. If you have been there, you know how thick the ice gets on that trail.

ncchaos

07-06-2008, 12:22 PM

As a Service Manger for Goodyear, I can tell you from experiance the MTR's are great, the noise and wear issues come from lack of care.I deal with Rubicon's all the time since MTR's are a factory tire. Most folks with care are seeing 50k out of them with little drama.I have also seen them feathering and chopped badley, mainly do to air pressure, lack of rotation and misalignment. I have a set 33x12.50r15 on my Wag. I ran BFG's on my CJ and my old lifted 4runner.The differance I experianced with them was that the BFG's where more forgiving.They where much louder then my MTR's, and I had nearly 40k on them with 6-7/32 of tread.I don't really recall being that thourough with air pressure, rotations and alignment, and they seemed to just keep right on going. Offroad i think they both worked well.I don't think I was ever in a situation where I wished for the other tire.

shimniok

07-14-2008, 12:10 PM

TIRES SELECTED & MOUNTED!

Thanks all for the great input. Lot of good choices. I was surprised that the old school BFG MT's won the poll... I did more research on line and kept hearing the same things -- "quiet" was usually mentioned with BFG whereas "loud" was the word for MT/Rs. BFGs: good life, no maintenance issues. MT/Rs -- some issues keeping balanced. Some of the other tires looked great but had to drop them from the contenders for variety of reasons (noise, tire wear, lack of information about them)

So what'd I end up with...

Well if you hadn't guessed...

BF Goodrich Mud Terrain T/A in 33x12.50 R 15

Impressions:

Holy CRAP they are quiet! The ol' MT/Rs started out as having not too bad of a hum, pretty quiet -- for a mud tire -- but as they got older it got louder inside the rig. The difference is night and day with the BFGs. They are really quiet -- for ANY truck tire. I am afraid to find out if they will get louder over time because I want them to stay this quiet. I might be able to carry on a conversation at hwy speeds now. :D

Also, the MT/Rs always seemed to allow a bit of give in corners which was a little unsettling especially with a load up top. I haven't loaded the rack yet to try but the BFGs don't seem to have that give and so there's no initial body lean in corners. They feel agile.

As far as I know the BFGs are also a little lighter than the MT/Rs by a few pounds each and -- this could be my imagination -- braking seems very slightly improved.

That's on-road. Off-road -- well, I guess I have to run Poughkeepsie Gulch in Ouray, now, huh? :D

So far I am exceptionally pleased with these tires, though I have only about 20 road miles on them :D Will report back after Ouray if anyone is curious.

Thanks again VERY MUCH for helping me win the contest to get these! Yipeeeeeee!!!!!!
:dancingbanana:

Michael

Stuka

07-17-2008, 07:29 AM

They are great street tires. They also do well in sand and hard packed snow. Just stay out of any mud, because they are worthless in it ;)

shimniok

07-17-2008, 08:43 AM

What is this "mud" you speak of? :D

(We don't get a lot of mud on the trails in CO... ok, actually we get NO mud...)

Michael

johnwaynejeep2

08-07-2008, 02:46 AM

BF goodrich MT are good all around tires. I've heard of people saying they do really crummy on ice or slush (more crummy then expected). My neighbor down the road has a Toy with a full exo roll cage. He says he had heavy sipping done to his MT's and he says the difference is night and day, he loves em.

I prefer Coopers though. I have a set of Cooper Discoverer ST's and they work great in every condition. I also have a set of Cooper discoverer STT's on my Wrangler and aside from heavier unsprung weight and reduced cornering speed, (all expected of course) they work fantastic.

suzq044

01-20-2009, 07:47 AM

I have to say - thanks for helping in my decision as well, because I probably won't do THAT much off-roading, at least on a weekender thing, Levi will probably be a DD with the occasional towing/recreational duties. (Which includes snow, if we ever have the $ to go snowboarding/skiing), and dirt/sand for the off-road parks. Good to know info guys, thanks again!

dusty

01-21-2009, 09:15 AM

http://www.truckaddons.com/tires/toyo_tires/opencountry_mt_sm.jpg (http://javascript<b></b>:;)

Toyo Mud terrains 285/75 R16 Work fantastic offroad they are soft enough, towing they have better side walls than the 15" rubber i used to run. We even have a few of our company diesel F350's equipt with them and they are wearing really well 35k-40k miles on a diesel is pretty good.......they have the height but not the bulge and they are availble in D and E ratings. they have side wall reinforcement also. price wise the 16" toyos were right around the same price as the 15" BFG's when i was tire shopping. can't speak for todays prices they can't be too far out of wack but these toyo MT's have turned into a good performing tire comparible if not better than my old BFG MT's especially on snow and ice since they come with sipping. The stronger sidewall has really beena major plus. I had pro comps and ive had BFG's and both have fairly soft sidewalls these Toyos really suprised me at how firm the sidewall are when fully inflated. Sipping is key to highway performance and that is where they seem to beat my old MT's even my old Reming mud brutes which were a great mud tire too. I loved my BFG AT's but lately i have been switching over to Nittos on my diesel trucks due to price and longevity

The new BFG MT's are nice but in about 20k miles they are smoked on my buddy's j20. I was really supprised compared to the old bfg MT's how quickly they wore out and i have also seen this with the TJ's waring out the new BFG Muds quite quickly.

So food for thought