Best 315/75R16 All-Terrain tire?

[Steel City 06]

I am looking into all terrain tires in 315/75R16. Most tires in this size are load range E, but there are a few load range D tires.
I would prefer load range D, but will accept load range E if it has better performance.
I’ve been looking at the Nitto Terra Grapplers, which are load range D, but haven’t seen too many reviews on them.
Goodyear Duratracs and BFG KO2s are load range E, but I’ll consider those too.

Thoughts?

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

I am looking into all terrain tires in 315/75R16. Most tires in this size are load range E, but there are a few load range D tires.
I would prefer load range D, but will accept load range E if it has better performance.
I’ve been looking at the Nitto Terra Grapplers, which are load range D, but haven’t seen too many reviews on them.
Goodyear Duratracs and BFG KO2s are load range E, but I’ll consider those too.

Thoughts?

I went through the same process a few months back and decided to go down to 15” tires so I could run load range C, my 31575r16 KM2s are load range D but not all terrain - I weighed the pros and cons of bigger brakes vs BMB 15s (you have a super 16 right?) and decided to just go down. I think you’ll have to live with load range E and work on shocks if the ride is too rough.

 

[Steel City 06]

Yeah, I have a Super 16 kit. Haven’t installed it yet, but I’m relatively set on keeping the stock rims. The color and style matches the silver TJs well in my opinion. I also want the better braking performance, especially since I live in a hilly area and plan on loading the Jeep up and towing.

Did the load range D give you too harsh of a ride?

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

Yeah, I have a Super 16 kit. Haven’t installed it yet, but I’m relatively set on keeping the stock rims. The color and style matches the silver TJs well in my opinion. I also want the better braking performance, especially since I live in a hilly area and plan on loading the Jeep up and towing.

Did the load range D give you too harsh of a ride?

The load range D tire aren't bad at all, another reason why I want C is the footprint for airing down. Since I’ll be going AT I need more footprint than my mud terrains to make sure I have effective traction. I love my stock rims, and If they made a 15” Moab’s that look the same I’d grab them in a heartbeat. Quadratec has similar style but not quite the same.

*edit I found 15” Moab’s on quadratec but am going to 17”s after learning new things on this thread.

 

[Chris]

I'm going to suggest ditching the 16s and going with 17s in this case. You can get some BFG KO2 A/Ts in 315/70R17 with a C load range. They make tons of tires for 17s in the C load range.

16" is such a horrible wheel size.

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

I'm going to suggest ditching the 16s and going with 17s in this case. You can get some BFG KO2 A/Ts in 315/70R17 with a C load range. They make tons of tires for 17s in the C load range.

16" is such a horrible wheel size.

Wow!!! I didn’t even realize they made a load range c for a 17” wheel!! Well that changes the whole plan lol

 

[Chris]

Wow!!! I didn’t even realize they made a load range c for a 17” wheel!! Well that changes the whole plan lolView attachment 86381

They make tons of load range C tires for 17" wheels.

What you'll find however is that the load range C tires are all 315s, whereas the true 35s are load E range (with the exception of the Goodyear Wrangler Kevlar MT/R.

A 315 comes out to be 34.4" (depending on the manufacturer as well), whereas a true 35 in most cases comes out to be 34.8".

315 of course is considered the metric equivalent, and it's always what I recommend running, as the load range E is way too stiff of a ride.

The 315 BF Goodrich KO2 is 34.4". Of course it also depends on how much you inflate it, and how much tread there is on it.

 

[Steel City 06]

According to discount tire direct and tiresize.com, the KO2 is the only load range C all terrain in 315/70R17.
Is the difference between C and D that big?

 

[Steel City 06]

In load range D in 315/75R16 there are 4 options for all terrains:
Nitto Terra Grappler
Hankook Dynapro ATM
Kumho Road Venture AT51
General Grabber AT2

Are any of those even worth considering versus a load range C KO2 on a 17” rim?

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

In load range D in 315/75R16 there are 4 options for all terrains:
Nitto Terra Grappler
Hankook Dynapro ATM
Kumho Road Venture AT51
General Grabber AT2

Are any of those even worth considering versus a load range C KO2 on a 17” rim?

I have big love for KO2s, I’ve used them on my Chevy for years now, so since they are offered in C it seems like a great choice. You might be paying more but in my opinion they are worth it!

 

[Chris]

A load range D isn't that bad. I had them on my TJ (KM2s) and they rode much better than the load range E tires. However, consider that the load range C tires will also weigh less, which is something else to take into consideration.

I'd recommend a load range D any day over a E, but if you have an option, C is the best choice.

Of course if you're dead set on sticking with 16" wheels, then ultimately it's slim pickings.

 

[Steel City 06]

I’ve got a few months to decide, so I’ll definitely weigh the pros and cons of going to the 17” before making a decision. But it sounds like it is a good alternative

 

[Steel City 06]

Would it be stupid to run MT/Rs or KM2s on a 90% street/highway driven vehicle?

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

Would it be stupid to run MT/Rs or KM2s on a 90% street/highway driven vehicle?

It’s not ideal but I have done it, they handle like complete crap in the rain and don’t wear well on the road - what I’ve found as well as for snow, ice, and sand - mud terrains sucks. They are average in pretty much every category except for mud, which they are good at but not as good as a mud specific tire. They are great on rocks though, and grip nice over boulders and mud combined. All terrains work better in sand and snow since they tend to float and not dig on the throttle. I’ll up my recovery gear when I switch though just to be safe.

 

[Mr. Bills]

On the subject of 315/75R16 AT tires, which was @Steel City 06's original query:

I am currently using LT315/75R16 Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ P3 tires, which were purchased and installed by the previous owner. Comparing them with the AT tires I have run in the past which have included BFG, GY, Yokohama Geolanders, Cooper ST/Maxx, Toyo, Firestone, Kelly Springfield, Mastercraft, and many others including the ancient Armstrong Norseman and Armstrong Tru-Trac, these tires work as well or better than any of them even in difficult terrain. They are quiet on the highway with a comfortable ride when inflated to an appropriate pressure such as 24-28 psi. Although these tires are E load rated and share the same 3-ply sidewall carcass as the Cooper ST/Maxx and STT/Pro, they air down well and provide a decent footprint at 10-12 psi.

Would I pick a C or D load rated tire over an E if given the choice - yes. Would I turn these tires down if no appropriate C or D load rated tires were available - no. Would I take these tires off just to get C or D load rated tires instead - definitely not.

What I am likely to try next - Milestar Patagonia, which are D load rated in the sizes that interest me.

 

[Steel City 06]

On the subject of 315/75R16 AT tires, which was @Steel City 06's original query:

I am currently using LT315/75R16 Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ P3 tires, which were purchased and installed by the previous owner. Comparing them with the AT tires I have run in the past which have included BFG, GY, Yokohama Geolanders, Cooper ST/Maxx, Toyo, Firestone, Kelly Springfield, Mastercraft, and many others including the ancient Armstrong Norseman and Armstrong Tru-Trac, these tires work as well or better than any of them even in difficult terrain. They are quiet on the highway with a comfortable ride when inflated to an appropriate pressure such as 24-28 psi. Although these tires are E load rated and share the same 3-ply sidewall carcass as the Cooper ST/Maxx and STT/Pro, they air down well and provide a decent footprint at 10-12 psi.

Would I pick a C or D load rated tire over an E if given the choice - yes. Would I turn these tires down if no appropriate C or D load rated tires were available - no. Would I take these tires off just to get C or D load rated tires instead - definitely not.

What I am likely to try next - Milestar Patagonia, which are D load rated in the sizes that interest me.

That’s good information.

I’m guessing those tires handle well on road too? How is the tread life?

 

[Mr. Bills]

. . . I’m guessing those [Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ] tires handle well on road too? How is the tread life?

They handle very well on the road, even at relatively low street pressures of 24-28 psi.

I can't give you a precise read on longevity since I didn't install them and don't know the exact mileage when they were installed, but my tread measurements since I've had them suggest 35,000-40,000 miles if not purposely abused which I consider excellent for any tire used off road. That would be similar to the Cooper ST/Maxx tires on my Xterra which share the same tire carcass which I will be replacing in a week or two at approximately 39,000 miles with 3/32" tread left.

 

[Steel City 06]

They handle very well on the road, even at relatively low street pressures of 24-28 psi.

I can't give you a precise read on longevity since I didn't install them and don't know the exact mileage when they were installed, but my tread measurements since I've had them suggest 35,000-40,000 miles if not purposely abused which I consider excellent for any tire used off road. That would be similar to the Cooper ST/Maxx tires on my Xterra which share the same tire carcass which I will be replacing in a week or two at approximately 39,000 miles with 3/32" tread left.

Still happy with those tires? I’m considering those against E rated Duratracs and D rated Nittos and even the D rated MT/Rs. Gotta decide soon

 

[Starrs]

If your going to a 315 in a 17” rim just know going in that your not getting anywhere near a 35” tire. Not even close. Mounted your going to get 33” maybe 33.25” depending on how much air you pump in there lol. KO2s are great in the 315 in C rating, but your basically buying a 33 and not a 35. BFG needs to get their shit together with the sizing.

 

[Steel City 06]

If your going to a 315 in a 17” rim just know going in that your not getting anywhere near a 35” tire. Not even close. Mounted your going to get 33” maybe 33.25” depending on how much air you pump in there lol. KO2s are great in the 315 in C rating, but your basically buying a 33 and not a 35. BFG needs to get their shit together with the sizing.

No I’m pretty set on 315/75R16. Not considering 315/70R17 at this point.

The Duratrac and MT/R 315/75R16 are measured to be 34.8, and to me it looks like they use the same tread mold as they do for the 35x12.5R(X) tires, which are also listed as 34.8 and 12.5 wide. The 315/75R16 are listed as 12.3 section width, but the measured rim is also significantly narrower, so I think the rim caused the .2” difference, and the tread width is likely the same. In addition, the listed revolutions per mile are the same for the 315/75R16 as the 35x12.5R15 and 35X12.5R17 at 598 revolutions per mile, at least for the MT/Rs.

Other tires, like the Mickey Thompson list their diameter as 34.5, which is slightly smaller than the theoretical 34.6, but I doubt 0.3” is going to be very noticeable.

Any brands that are notoriously undersized I should ignore?