H/T vs A/T tires

[atepointer]

I live in FL and man do we get rain. Whew! Coming up on a new set of tires here and had pondered some A/T, but never having driven them on wet highways wanted to see if anyone here had experiences they'd want to share. I'm in a 2wd 4Runner and I spend quite a bit of time on a muddy cattle ranch. I get lucky most of the time b/c my eyes are a lot bigger than my judgement with mud and creeks I figure 'heck I got this let's go!'.

I guess two fold question now that I type this out:

1. Would the reduction in wet pavement performance going to an A/T be noticeable over H/T to the point of detriment?
2. Would the increase in performance of an A/T in the mud be noticeable over an H/T?

Specifically I'm looking at the BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO2. I like the 50k tread wear warranty as well.

 

[oneshot86]

yo dawg...
on our trucks, when i was pulling the goose neck on the ranch all the time, i started running AT...the little bit of traction gain was nice but the tires dont last as long as the HT, these days i stay w HT and im a firestone transforce, formerly steeltex.

 

[oneshot86]

for number 2 on your post...i cant recall how much better they were in the mud, but grass, sand, wet and slippery, yes you could instantly tell the difference. not a whole lot, but an important difference

 

[atepointer]

yo dawg...
on our trucks, when i was pulling the goose neck on the ranch all the time, i started running AT...the little bit of traction gain was nice but the tires dont last as long as the HT, these days i stay w HT and im a firestone transforce, formerly steeltex.

Ok well that is definitely something I'm ok with b/c my 4Runner is outstanding on these roads in summer with HTs. AT is minimal gain....I know the real answer is 4wd:/ Was looking at giving dad my 4Runner this winter, but he likes his Lexus so much and satellite radio, air conditioned seats.....he's be hating my beat down 4runner so he is driving down next week.

 

[atepointer]

for number 2 on your post...i cant recall how much better they were in the mud, but grass, sand, wet and slippery, yes you could instantly tell the difference. not a whole lot, but an important difference

thanks boss that's what i was lookin fer.

 

[oneshot86]

we had 4 wheel drive on a landrover we had and only because thats the way it came.
i really dont see the 4 wheel drive need here in fl

 

[MtnCreek]

Ditch the chickmobile.

 

[E. Bryant]

1. Would the reduction in wet pavement performance going to an A/T be noticeable over H/T to the point of detriment?
2. Would the increase in performance of an A/T in the mud be noticeable over an H/T?

1.) In my experience, it won't be noticeable. Not like the BFG A/T is exceptional in the wet or anything, but rather, most H/T tires kinda suck due to their rock-hard tread compound.

2) Yes, to a point. Much depends upon the type of mud. The closer it is to nasty, slimy, slity clay, then the less noticeable the difference (you'll get stuck just as quickly with an A/T as with a H/T tire).

Like any other tire, both types of tires under discussion are compromises.

 

[atepointer]

Ditch the chickmobile.

Ha I'm wishing it didn't run like such a beast 10 years old and just goes and goes! Next one definitely a pick up.....chickmobile for now!

 

[atepointer]

1.) In my experience, it won't be noticeable. Not like the BFG A/T is exceptional in the wet or anything, but rather, most H/T tires kinda suck due to their rock-hard tread compound.

2) Yes, to a point. Much depends upon the type of mud. The closer it is to nasty, slimy, slity clay, then the less noticeable the difference (you'll get stuck just as quickly with an A/T as with a H/T tire).

Like any other tire, both types of tires under discussion are compromises.

Yea I guess the HT is how I will go. The rainy roads really are something when it rains here it's Biblical downpours for days. I've only been stuck out there twice, but I did manage to get a buddy stuck 2x this year from my horrible judgement of the ground before us! Figured I would revisit my off road limitations one more time b/f putting on new shoes. Thanks

 

[stello1001]

As for number 1, I can't help much because I never ever run street tires. Therefore, I don't know if there's anything I'm missing about them.

As for number 2, I am always wearing mud terrain tires. I can tell you for a fact that once it gets rainy and muddy, you're going to wish you had muds.

The one time I borrowed my dad's truck with all terrains to go to the ranch, it was super nasty. Im talking really really muddy. I made it to the ranch but there were many times when the truck was literally going sideways. On that day, I wished my dad's truck had mud tires.

Point is, you're going to feel the difference from street tires to all terrain tires but the all terrains are still not going to be enough for when it's really really bad. If the areas you'll be off roading do not get super nasty, the all terrains will be fine.

 

[hlee]

For me, the switch from HT to AT tires was worth it. Our deer lease gets inundated with rain most of the year and road tires are a no go as soon as you edge off the hard pack. AT tires didn't turn my pick up into a 4 wheeler, but I can now turn my trailer around without instantly getting stuck in the pasture. I'm starting to pick up some road whine, so I know a new set is in the near future- looking at about 1/2-2/3 the life versus the factory tires.

 

[HousePlant]

My '02 Tahoe has the ever-popular BFGs and I go through the rain no problem... but it also helps the truck weighs as much as a small moon.

My gas mileage in that thing though... lord save me.

 

[Mister Ridge]

I can tell you that the somewhat worn out Goodyears A/Ts on my F250 crew cab diesel suck in the rain. Any rain.

 

[atepointer]

thanks for all the responses guys i'm gonna stick with HTs....the more I think about these monsoon summers the less I want to risk losing any highway performance during those drives.

 

[oneshot86]

dude, put some maypops on, lol

 

[FishinGuns]

I think my GY Duratrac‘s are great in the rain. I don’t have to switch into 4WD or anything. I drive a 1/2 Ton Silverado.

 

[FishinGuns]

I doubt they last 50,000 in FL, though.

 

[deersniper]

know the real answer is 4wd

Is yours 2wd? Locker ? If you don’t have a good posi or locker it would shock you how much traction you gain

 

[chevy_man]

They're worth it. The A/T will handle rain better than a H/T. Hell, the only thing they do better is last on the highway.


I'd take a 2wd on A/T before I took a 4wd on H/T. Add a decent locker and it's amazing where you can go.


Tires dry rot in 5-7 years. I've taken several sets off because they were rotted and cracked before they were worn off. On a 4 runner with good alignment and rotations you'll most likely get more in the 60-75k range.

I also run studded snow tires in the winter. I believe in the whole "nothing matters more than the connection to the road" theory.