Tire Looks vs Performance

[rtbrick]

I'm currently going through the pains of choosing new tires for my 2000 Ext cab Z71. Like most of you, I like the rugged look of the BFG All Terrains, but they do not rate as high from consumers as some other tires such as the Revos or Geolander AT IIs. I could almost justify it, but the BFGs run about $30 more a tire. Tirerack actually has the Geos for $105 right now. $60 less than the BFGs.

 

Here's my question: From a totally asethetic point of view, how do the Revos and Geos compare to the BFGs. I am sure there are many of you who have already studied this. I have been unlucky enough to find a truck with the Revos or Geos in 285/75. I want good performance out of my tires, but I am just as fickle about the good looks. Go figure.

[woyster_00z71]

I have a friend who had a set of Geolanders with good feelings about them in 285/75R16.  However when I bought tires for my truck, two different tire shops told me that the Geolanders have a tendancy to be out of round and also have a tendancy to cup.

 

I ended up with a set of Nitto Terra Grappler A/T's in a 285/75R16.  I love them.  Very aggressive looking, lots of grip, and very smooth and quiet on the highway.  I like them so much I am trying to find some for my Tahoe but Nitto doesn't make them in a 17".  SO, I have sent them several e-mails trying to see when they will come out with some different sizes for a 17" rim.

 

Check out the Nitto's if you haven't already.

B.J.

[wandell]

Hey Woyster, you might want to take a look at the Toyo Open Country. It looks very similar to the Nitto and it's available in 17's. (265/70 and 285/70-17 I beleive)

[Z71GUY]

I have the Geolander AT 2's.  Nothing but good things from me...I expect I might get around 40,000 out of them.  No cupping or being out of round...still perfect from the day they were mounted.  Two thumbs up here.   :thumb:  :thumb:

[woyster_00z71]

Thanks, I'll check into them.

 

B.J.

[Wingnut]

I have the Nitto 285's as well. Very nice tire. The only drawback for me is the fact that they don't have raised white letters on either side of the tire. :werd:

[Tucson_02Silverado]

As compromise between looks and performance are the Pirelli Scorpions.

[cowboy02]

Most everybody on this board run's BFG's... I'm starting to think that most of them run them for looks.  They do look sharp however it's hard to choke down the price.  All in All I think the tires are worth the money however I do think there are some equal tires out there that cost less.

 

If you are a rock climber the 3 ply side walls are woth the money in my opinion.  Other then that

 

[RyanbabZ71]

looks were the reason i bought my bfgs but i must say performance wise (traction and wear) they are way beyond my expectations.  My next set however will probably be the goodyear MTRs why?  Looks  

[GF7PE]

I have nittos now and they are wearing much faster than the bfgs did.  Also the bfgs performed much better on the beach.

[99silveradoz71]

I've got the Revos in 265's on mine.  The tread is a unique look, and the performance is much better than stock in all conditions.  Definitely worth a look.

[HillHound]

Most everybody on this board run's BFG's... I'm starting to think that most of them run them for looks.  They do look sharp however it's hard to choke down the price.  

They (BFG ATs) do look sharp and I'll give you the basic lowdown on their performance.  I've had them on my last three pickups and I bought them for more than looks.

 

They suck on ice, wet grass and thin mud and thin onroad snow.  All circumstances where they can't bite into anything for traction.

 

They are excellent in deep mud, deeper snow on and offroad, rocks, and dirt or sand.  All circumstances where the agressive tread can bite.  I have been hung up on the same spot on the same hill in one of my meadows on plain wet grass and pulled right up the same hill with 12" of fresh snow on it without any problems at all.  

 

They wear better than most tires have for me.  They are expensive but I think you get what you pay for in tires, especially if you need them for deep snow of have to drive offroad or on dirt or gravel roads alot.  Some guys who complain about the price of good tires will turn around and blow a grand for a new exhuast/chip/intake etc and then buy the cheapest-#ss tires they can find.  That doesn't make sense to me...

[Dihappy]

I like the Grapplers myself, that is if i wanted a mid aggressive tire

['02 Sierra Denali]

I put a set of Michelin A/T's on my '99, they had 45k miles on them when my truck got stolen. Even with all that milage, they still looked brand new. Were quiet (not quite as quite as the stockers) and handled very well. They were certainly not cheap but in the long run I feel they saved me money with their extremely long life. I believe they were around $159ea.

My friend has a set of the BFG's on his 5.9 durango, hates them for the noise. They've got about 35k on them and it's time to buy new. We went on a 500 mile treck last summer on them, all I kept asking myself is why are they so #### noisy...

[Professor]

Rtbrick, I have never been totally satisfied with any BFG I have owned. The AT is noisy. The “French Connection” stops me from even considering them now. I just installed a set of Revo’s 285/75.  I’m VERY happy with them. Much quieter than the Goodyear ATS I pulled off. I wanted the Nittos, but was worried about road noise. I then got in a bind to get a set and could not get the Nitto this week. The Revos had a 30 day trial, so I figured I’d try them.

 

Woyster, Nitto makes a 265/70-17..   In stock @ discounttire.com for $117

 

Wandell, the reason the Toyo open country looks like a Nitto is Toyo builds the Terra Grappler for Nitto.