Tire noise level: A/T vs R/T vs M/T

[freedom_in_4low]

On a scale of 1-10, if the noise level of an AT tire like the KO2 was a 1 and an MT like the STT Pro was a 10, where would an RT be?

After 4 years and 21k miles with the Coopers I've decided I'm just not an MT guy for something that does any significant pavement miles. They weren't loud when new but holy hell they (actually, seems like 1 in particular) fairly recently took a sharp increase and it's just deafening. I'm sure the other 3 aren't far behind, this one just happens to be a couple thousand miles ahead of them because it didn't get a full turn as spare in the 5 tire rotation. It's distinct by 15mph, obnoxious by 30mph and exceeds OSHA threshold for requiring hearing protection by 40mph. It's impacting my ability to enjoy driving it at this point so it's time for them to go.

My plan was to hold out for the KO3 to come out in 35x11.5R15 but that won't be until February of '26. Most other ATs just look like passenger truck tires to me so I'm also considering something like the Falken Wildpeak RT or maybe GY Duratrac. But I'd like some idea if where they fall through the life of the tire, not just brand new.... if they're still a 7 out of 10 as described above I'll probably go with AT.

 

[Tob]

Great question, following. It seems like noise level also varies significantly based on usage factors, too. I have read many others’ experiences of Duratracs being obnoxiously loud, but I couldn’t help but notice how quiet mine were. Perhaps some tires are more sensitive to inflation level, weight load, alignment, and other application-specific factors.

 

[Wheeling diver]

I just replaced my Durotrac's with the Toyo Open Country a/t. The Goodyears still have 3/4 tread, but I couldn't take the increasing noise level and I never could get them to balance up. The Toyo's took very little weight and are much quieter.

 

[AdventurePig]

These (AT’s) are SO much quieter than the tires i just removed (MT’s)

Edit: sorry, i didn't complete my thought. My thinking is that for the most part, my rigs live on the street either getting to the trail or just being daily driven, and with an A/T, here in the southwest, i feel like we give up very little for the low noise/good road manners throughout most of the lifespan. So far KO2’s, General Grabber’s have been that way and hopefully now these coopers will be the same.

 

[SRCustom]

These (AT’s) are SO much quieter than the tires i just removed (MT’s)

Can confirm. I have these same tires on my JL. Not very good in the slop, but I knew that going in, and I try to avoid the slop anyway. But bullet proof in rocky terrain, which is the predominate condition around here. Still quiet after 22K miles. I'll probably get them again.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Tire noise levels, like shock ride quality and muffler sound, is subjective. My wife prefers her tires to "roar" and wanted MT tires on her WJ. Her Nokian Rockproof tyres brand new, were louder than my Mickey Thompson MTZ tires with over 30,000 miles on them.

 

[John Cooper]

You want loud??? Run Boggers, after that everything is quiet.....

 

[deadbeat son]

On a scale of 1-10, if the noise level of an AT tire like the KO2 was a 1 and an MT like the STT Pro was a 10, where would an RT be?

After 4 years and 21k miles with the Coopers I've decided I'm just not an MT guy for something that does any significant pavement miles. They weren't loud when new but holy hell they (actually, seems like 1 in particular) fairly recently took a sharp increase and it's just deafening. I'm sure the other 3 aren't far behind, this one just happens to be a couple thousand miles ahead of them because it didn't get a full turn as spare in the 5 tire rotation. It's distinct by 15mph, obnoxious by 30mph and exceeds OSHA threshold for requiring hearing protection by 40mph. It's impacting my ability to enjoy driving it at this point so it's time for them to go.

My plan was to hold out for the KO3 to come out in 35x11.5R15 but that won't be until February of '26. Most other ATs just look like passenger truck tires to me so I'm also considering something like the Falken Wildpeak RT or maybe GY Duratrac. But I'd like some idea if where they fall through the life of the tire, not just brand new.... if they're still a 7 out of 10 as described above I'll probably go with AT.

If you want quiet, don't do DuraTracs. I had a set on my DD 4Runner, and pulled them off at 20k miles. I just couldn't deal with the noise. Before those, I had the BFG KO2 and they were fine. Supposedly GY redesigned the DT, but after my last set (purchased Fall of 2022) I won't give them another chance.

 

[machoheadgames]

The original Duratracs are an RT and I would pretty much rate them a 9. Maybe not all are that bad. I bet most of them are closer in noise to MT than AT.

 

[Rickyd]

You want loud??? Run Boggers, after that everything is quiet.....

Every trip to the store is a radial engine bomber coming in for a strafing run!

 

[BlueC]

I've never had an R/T tire, so keep that in mind, but in general tires with large, blocky thread and voids, and symmetrical designs make more noise. From experience with other tires, it really depends on the specific tire. Personally, I love the BFG KO series because they are quiet and handle well on road, which is where most vehicles spend 95% or more of their time. If you want quiet, get a good A/T.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

I had 31x10.5 BFG All terrains (just before the KOx designator) 1 1/2 years ago we lifted and went with 33x12.5 Falken Wilpdeak AT3w's, the AT3w's are significantly quieter than the BFGs were. Now comparing those to the MT Baja Boss 35x12.5x17's on my Gladiator... it's like the Gladiator is turned up to 11.

The AT3w's do well in all situations... on the street, they are very quiet. Dirt/gravel, they are wonderful. Mud they do surprisingly well... we went to Stoney Lonesome last year with a few of the members here, was raining and sloppy the entire time out there, and I never had issues with traction.

I know that's not what you were asking, but some parts are relevant...

 

[ColoJeep]

I've never had an R/T tire, so keep that in mind, but in general tires with large, blocky thread and voids, and symmetrical designs make more noise. From experience with other tires, it really depends on the specific tire. Personally, I love the BFG KO series because they are quiet and handle well on road, which is where most vehicles spend 95% or more of their time. If you want quiet, get a good A/T.

I use Duratrac r/t in the winter and Multi Mile XTX AT4s all terrains in a LT 245-75R/ 16 for the summer . The Multi miles surprised the heck out of me ! They are very quiet , balance well , and actually give great traction . I ended up getting caught in a snow storm before winter tire changeover and the XTX AT4s did great . I was looking for a summer tire to save the DuraTracs. These Multi miles are made in Cambodia and I didn't expect a lot from them . I was wrong. The XTX AT4s are a much better tire than the Firestone Destination A/T I used for summer tires before and way better snow traction than the BFG KO 2 that I was disappointed with.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

all good data points, thank you guys for the feedback. Obviously I've never had an RT but since they share a lot of features with MT's when it comes to large chunky tread blocks I was appropriately cautious with what to expect. Generally they look like MT's with smaller voids.

Sounds like I need to stick with the plan of some ATs. I've had several sets of KO2s now on multiple vehicles and they've never let me down.

 

[deadbeat son]

I should clarify that my DTs were nice and quiet when new. But by the first rotation at 5k miles, they were starting to hum a little and things progressed from there.

 

[JustDandee]

My observation is the shallow depth of the tire siping on for example the Duratrac is why some tires get noticeably louder as they wear down.

 

[srimes]

I should clarify that my DTs were nice and quiet when new. But by the first rotation at 5k miles, they were starting to hum a little and things progressed from there.

Same. Quiet when new, louder with age. Never got to be what I consider loud, though.

 

[John Cooper]

I should clarify that my DTs were nice and quiet when new.

Mine were alcohol induced.....

 

[TheBoogieman]

Run Boggers, after that everything is quiet.....

Are they?

 

[John Cooper]

I bet those are just as loud as boggers.