[Colin]

Sorry about yet another tire thread, but I can not find the following comparison information. Please see my QUESTION at the end.

I am *ONLY* considering these tires for my DD ’03 TJ Rubi, stock MOAB rims, REPLACING existing Interco Truxus MT (same size);
- Choice #1 = Toyo Open Country MT 255/85/16, weight ?? lbs, Load range ???.
- Choice #2 = Maxxis MT-762 Bighorn 255/85/16, weight 53 lbs, Load range D (?).
- Choice #3 = BFG MT KM2 255/85/16, weight 55 lbs, Load range E.

Because;
- they’re available locally (I’m worried about balancing and out-of-round issues after my experience with my Truxus).
- they are the specific size required (I’m not changing tire size).

Pros;
- Toyo and Maxxis are siped
- BFG is a known quality and widely distributed
Cons;
- Toyo and Maxxis; I have concerns about smaller-company quality. Possibly a red herring.
- BFG is E-Load rated; possibly too stiff for a light-weight TJ (even with the armour, winch, and all that self-recovery stuff in the back)

Tire Criteria;
- Daily Driver: must balance, and should not weigh too much outside of the 55 lb range.
- 80% highway therefore low road noise is important
- must be very good in off-road deep snow (greater than 12”, light powder)
- must be good in road-packed snow and ice (Location = Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and north into western Quebec)
- no rocks
- no mud
- tread-life not a major concern
- side-wall strength not a major concern
- my primary focus is quality, not price.

Comparison;
- these are replacing my Interco Truxus MT 255/85/16
- are great in snow and ice (sipes) and low on road noise

QUESTION
= = = = = =
- How do they perform (snow, ice, road-noise) compared to my existing Truxus MT ??
- Any real STRONG reason to NOT go with any one of the choices?


Thanks for any pointers or direct input.
//Colin

 

[Herk]

Have about 10K miles on a set of Toyo's in the 255/85 size. I love them. Tire weight was a concern when I bought them, and I almost went with the KM2 for that reason. I don't remember the exact weights (check tire rack web site) but in both cases the 255 was notably lighter than a 285. The Toyo is an E rated tire, as were the factory MTR's on our Jeeps.

Noise: The Toyo is quieter than it looks, but it is a high void traction tread, and not silent. They are certainly not objectionably loud.

Snow/Ice: Again, better than you might think with such large tread blocks. Great in snow and acceptable on ice. If ice performance was my main priority I would buy a dedicated ice tire like a Blizzak. I have chains for all 4 and I'm not afraid to use them.

Availability: This was what made the choice for me. I could have saved a little cash on the BFG's at Costco or Sears, but it would have been a week before they came in. Les Schwab had the Toyo's between two local stores and had me in and out the door first thing the next morning. I live and operate my Jeep in the northwestern states where Les Schwab is the dominant tire chain, literally a store in every small town . Great customer service as well.

No doubt somebody will chirp up the BFG as well, and honestly I think either one is a great tire.

 

[Colin]

Thanks Herk.

Turns out weights are (all 255/85/16);
- Toyo = 59.5 lbs
- Maxxis = 52.9 lbs
- BFG KM2 = 55.x lbs

I had forgotten the MTR's were E-rated...

//Colin

 

[rubiraver]

I have had the 255/85/16 Bighorns on my '06 swb Rubicon for about 28,000 miles. They, replaced similar sized Trxus MT's.

They have been excellent both on and off-road, balanced easily and made very little road noise up to about 10,000 miles. Even now, the noise is not bad.

My wheeling here is on damp ground, rock (often wet) and some mud. They perform very well. In the winter they work well in icy conditions and fine in moderate snow. I've not run them in very deep snow.

 

[rubiraver]

I have had the 255/85/16 Bighorns on my '06 swb Rubicon for about 28,000 miles. They, replaced similar sized Trxus MT's.

They have been excellent both on and off-road, balanced easily and made very little road noise up to about 10,000 miles. Even now, the noise is not bad.

My wheeling here is on damp ground, rock (often wet) and some mud. They perform very well. In the winter they work well in icy conditions and fine in moderate snow. I've not run them in very deep snow.

 

[tony.quinn]

You will find a lot fo support for Toyos on these forums. They have a strong following. Quality is not a concern, but they are pricey.

 

[Fargo]

Good thread. I'm looking for the same thing except I want strong sidewalls as well.

There is a good thread on expeditionportal comparing the toyo to the Bighorn, old BFG MT, Cooper ST and a Dean tire in that size.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14555

 

[rubitx]

I'm running 35" Toyo's and have been 90% pleased with my purchase. They are more expensive, but quality is very good qnd balanced great. As for performance in the noise, on/off road, dry/wet/ice conditions arena are good. I was concerned about the weight, but shrugged it off after much consideration. Today, I would say the weight is hard on the front end as steering components might be jeopradized to it. Mild to moderate wheeling seems to be a factor, but running around town isn't helping either. I'll look for a lighter option next go around.

RDL just bought KM2's and is pleased with performance on/off road.

 

[jeepsyco]

I'm planning on the BFG's just because I've had nothing but the best on all BFG's I've had (I'm replacing some mastercraft bullsh*t that the previous owner put on)

 

[Red Dog Leader]

I'm running 35" Toyo's and have been 90% pleased with my purchase. They are more expensive, but quality is very good qnd balanced great. As for performance in the noise, on/off road, dry/wet/ice conditions arena are good. I was concerned about the weight, but shrugged it off after much consideration. Today, I would say the weight is hard on the front end as steering components might be jeopradized to it. Mild to moderate wheeling seems to be a factor, but running around town isn't helping either. I'll look for a lighter option next go around.

RDL just bought KM2's and is pleased with performance on/off road.

Yep.

 

[Elwarpo]

I went from the Trxus MT to the maxxis bighorn and would do it again, the worst tire took 4 1/2 oz of weight (35x12.5 R15) on cheap steelies. Very similar on and off road to the trxus.

 

[Minjin]

I am running the maxxis bighorns in a 285 (33") and I feel that they are a good tire. Mostly mud around here, only have around 5,000 miles on mine haven't got to take them in the snow yet. Quiet on the road.

 

[Colin]

Thanks everyone!
Great input, a very good link to the Expedition site (they also have dedicated threads on the Maxxis Bighorn, the KM2, Toyo and others. "Redline" who does some excellent postings on tires).

Rubitx - thanks for the honest feedback on weight
Rubiraver and Elwarpo - I'll pm you with specific questions (if that's ok...).

My final decision (after 3 months of looking) is the Maxxis Bighorn MT-762, in a 255/85/16. If people want it, I'll post my findings especially with respect to snow and ice in about 6 weeks as winter is about to happen here...

//Colin

 

[KingRubiconMan]

My final decision (after 3 months of looking) is the Maxxis Bighorn MT-762, in a 255/85/16.

That's what I got when I did my build because the Toyos were unavailable. No regrets! They're quiet, ride great, and seem terrific off-road. I know they're only rated load range D instead of E, but they're lighter and more flexible than the Toyos which are E rated. Of course I may change my tune if/when I rip a sidewall though. :laugh:

Of course if you're mostly in mud and snow then that is not a concern to you. I think you're gonna like 'em.

 

[Fargo]

Please keep us informed on how you like those bighorns this winter. I've been looking at tires lately and hope to make the move to 33s next summer. I was looking at the Cooper STT in a 285/75/16, but lately I've been really reconsidering moving to a 255/85/16. Its pretty much narrowed down to the BFG, Toyo, or Maxxis and maybe possibley the Cooper ST. But I prefer a mud tire. I really like the Bighorns due to the price and the fact that that load range D should ride a little better than the E. So I look forward to hearing your reports on them later this winter.

Is the Bighorn 255/85/16 a 2 ply or 3ply sidewall?

 

[Colin]

Fargo - I don't know about sidewalls (2 or 3 ply), it wasn't a priority for me. I know I saw it somewhere, but can't remember where...

I would advise you check http://www.expeditionportal.com/ and look for the thread on the Maxxis Bighorn started by "Redline".

Also, I will post my winter experiences in about 6 to 8 weeks.

Colin

 

[KingRubiconMan]

PleaIs the Bighorn 255/85/16 a 2 ply or 3ply sidewall?

2 ply. Tread is 5 ply.

 

[Fargo]

PleaIs the Bighorn 255/85/16 a 2 ply or 3ply sidewall?

2 ply. Tread is 5 ply.

Thank you. I kind of thought it might be a 2 ply. I would like a 3 ply but I'll keep this in mind for now yet.

 

[spacemobile1]

Love my Bighorns. They've done everything I've asked of them both on and offroad, mud, rock, roots, etc. with no complaints at all. Would recommend them to anyone as a combo DD and tough wheeling tire.

 

[Elwarpo]

The issue with ply is each company has different thicknesses/strengths. So one comapnies 2 ply may be thicher/tougher than other companies 3 ply. in other cases the 2 ply may be much weaker than a 3 ply. Load rating is also dubious in tire wall durability, it is more for strength and does not take into account the rubber compound and how puncture resistant the materials used in the tire construction. i really wish there was a standard for tire walls for offroad.