Tire questions again...

[Airwick]

Ok, I'm looking at replacing my tires with some 30"... I've read some tire threads around here but I still have a couple questions.
I mostly drive on roads but I want to be able to go on logging roads and not have to be too worried about damaging my tires if I go over a few sharper rocks.

One shop offered me the BFG, Toyo AT, and Michelin LTX for $840, $890, $922 respectively...
I know the BFG is popular but I am a bit worried about the road noise, wet road traction seems to not be the best (depending who you ask around here). They also did not recommend the LTX for sharp rocks...

Another shop is recommending the Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armour, they have in on sale (4 for 3) for "only" 945 this week. They are supposedly really nice for wet/snow (snow rated tire) and really quiet while not being as good in mud (I think mud isn't something I am going to be dealing with that much).
Anyways, I kind of like the idea of the snow rating so you aren't required to have chains all the time even for areas that mandate them (I know chains are still your best bet when it gets really nasty but I'm taking Vancouver Island here...). And they look like they might suit my driving better than the other ones. I was wondering if anyone is using these and if it sounds like decent value at this price.

Also, any input on the toyo AT as a middle ground between the BFG and LTX as far as road noise/wet traction/durability goes (the shop says they are quieter than the BFG for sure and still pretty strong)?

Prices are all up (installed, balance, taxes included)

Thanks

[Firesong]

You really should do a search on tires using the search engine.
(Im the last person who would tell you this) but in this case
it would be a good idea. All the guys who have the lifts and
larger tires for backwoods/road and off road stand by their
choices. Another thread won't change that.
FS

[RichD]

Regarding critical review/comparison of various tire models by actual users, see http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyres ... ?type=ORAT.

I just had this same conversation with Coaxial today, and was reviewing http://www.delica.ca/forum/so-what-s-th ... -4424.html then I scored a set of 5 x used (75%) 235/75/R15 mud and snow tires on chrome Toyota rims for $200 and stopped worrying about it.

I'll just swap in the cheap tires for offroad stuff and keep my nice quiet road tires for... road trips.

[jessef]

One shop offered me the BFG, Toyo AT, and Michelin LTX for $840, $890, $922 respectively...

Prices are all up (installed, balance, taxes included)

That's high.

I got my 31" Goodyear Duratrac's for $870 installed/taxes.

The 235/75/15 Duratrac's fit large compared to other 235 AT's. I would consider them more of a 30" AT tire because of the deep treads.

$132/ea at discounttiredirect including shipping.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direc ... =Truck/SUV

Goodyear has the $60 rebate (canadian) for the Duratrac's on now.

Buy 4 235/75/15 Duratrac's at fountain tire and take $60 off. That's what I would recommend.

If you're set on the BFG/Toyo/Silent Armor's, I'd get the Toyo AT's. They are tough tires.

[Airwick]

Thanks for the input...
After all this reading and pondering, I ended up going with the Toyos, they will be installed tomorrow.

It was a tough decision between the Silent Armor and the Toyos: I liked the fact that the silent armor have the snow rating, and they were on sale so it felt like I would be getting a good deal (even though it was more than the Toyos).

The Duratracs are just too aggressive for what I want and they were the same price as the silent armor anyways. In the end, this is Victoria so who cares about snow ratings (it's not like the Toyos can't handle some snow anyways)?

I can't wait to see how it drives with the bigger rubber. I hope I don't have any rubbing issues, I might need to crank up the torsion bars a bit, I should do an alignment anyways to make sure I keep the new tires happy...

[Airwick]

Took the first (short) drive today with the new tires and I must say it feels completely different!
The ride is wayyyyy smoother, I guess the wider and larger tires don't fall in the small cracks in the road anymore and the taller sidewalls absorb more. The gearing also seems a lot more appropriate (I am not tempted to skip 1st gear anymore).

I also like the feeling of being higher up, the difference is more noticeable than I thought it would be.

Very pleased so far...

[jessef]

I also like the feeling of being higher up, the difference is more noticeable than I thought it would be.

What were you running before ? 14" gokart tires ? Just kidding

[Airwick]

14" gokart tires

Not quite but pretty close ;)

When I bought my Delica, it came with a set of Nokian WRG2 in 215/70/R15... Nice tires, just not for a delica...