- There are a lot, I mean, a lot of really great tires
out there that fit within the parameters of what we,
as off-roaders and overlanders are looking for
in a great performing tire.
No doubts about it.
But today's video isn't about
all of the different great tires out in the market.
Nope.
Today's video is just going to be about
my favorite tires in our top five best off-road tires video
that I personally would run on my vehicle,
which actually some of them I do.
Number one, because right now the Baja Boss
hybrid all-terrain is my absolute favorite tire
from Mickey Thompson and here's why.
First, I think a lot of tire manufacturers
are missing the mark on what a well-engineered
asymmetrical tread design has to offer
for both on an off-road performance,
but not Mickey Thompson.
They have this category on lock.
The only disadvantage to an asymmetrical tire
is that it needs to be mounted on the wheel,
so that the side that says facing out
is actually facing out.
You can rotate the tire to any corner of the vehicle
you want because it isn't directional
or doesn't have to rotate in any particular direction.
Just needs to be mounted to your wheels correctly.
Which we do when you order them from TrailBuilt
with a package set of wheels.
So then you don't even have to worry about it.
Besides that, the asymmetrical tread design
offers a unique set of skills
for being able to grip and grab on a variety of surfaces.
Because all of the varying lug shapes and edges
of those lugs when cornering in the dirt or on the road,
the outer half of the tread pattern is designed to offer
more contact surface area
allowing for better traction in the corners,
which is referred to as high curve stability.
While the inner tread pattern offers more space
in between the lugs to help aid in water displacement
and protection against hydroplaning,
evacuating snow, mud, dirt, or whatever loose stuff
you're in or on.
The outer tire tread also has rigid tread blocks
for higher lateral stiffness,
which not only provides better grip,
but quieter interior noise levels.
Without getting too in-depth on all of those specifics
because, well, we have them listed on our site
under the specs of each particular tire,
but these Mickey Thompsons have a great blend
of rubber and silica in its compound to enhance grip
and be cut and chip resistant over a 50,000-mile warranty,
which is on a hybrid is still really good.
And a really strong angled three-ply sidewall
for extra toughness and resistance against punctures.
And for sizes that are 315 or 1250 wide and narrower
are tested and passed
the severe winter weather driving condition test
and have the three-peak mountain snowflake
rating certification, which is another awesome reason
to have a set of these hybrid all-terrains.
Now, they may not be the most inexpensive tire
on the market, but they are definitely worth the value
of spending a little bit extra
to get a lot more in quality and performance.
And I don't have a set on any of my vehicles because, well,
we're in the process of testing some other different tires
on my vehicles and they're on this list as well,
which we'll get to later.
But my buddy and coworker Jacob has been running them
on his nicely built 4Runner TRD for about six months or so.
And I can personally attest along with Jacob's testimonial
that these Mickey Thompsons have been and are
one hell of a great tire
and have been holding their own without fail
in every performance category so far.
And guys, we'll have another video of the Baja Boss
all-terrain with real-world testing situations
coming out in the next month or so.
So make sure and keep an eye out for that
as we run it through its paces in the snow
once we actually get some.
But anyways, my next favorite tire is one
that I have personally ran on my Highlander and Zach,
our videographer, ran for a year on his Jeep
along with a multitude of friends that we go wheeling with.
And that is none other than the Kenda Klever R/T,
also known as the KR601.
An all-around do-it-all tire that is surprisingly affordable
for what it all has to offer.
Plus, isn't going to let you down while out in the trails.
But I will say this.
On the pavement on the road,
my Highlander did not like these R/Ts
and that by no means is a knock against the Kenda R/T.
But long story short, I was running an F load rating
on basically a soccer mom car that is not built to handle
the testosterone of the Kenda R/Ts on the road anyways.
Now, once we were off the road,
the Highlander paired with these R/Ts
awakened the sleeping giant of what was previously known
as a soccer mom car had now just turned into
a Jeep-eating carnivore.
And I'm not even joking about that.
I was crawling through and over more stuff
than half the other Jeeps in our group.
And you want to know why?
Because I was running the Kenda Klever R/Ts.
And believe it or not, some of the other Jeeps weren't.
But I definitely wouldn't recommend these to anyone
running a soft roader, like my Highlander.
But for anything else, like a 4Runner, Tacoma, Wrangler,
a Cherokee pickup truck or anything like that,
make sure and put the Kenda Klever R/Ts
high up on your list of tires
you're considering to purchase next.
Oh, and by the way,
I have since swapped out the Kenda Klever R/Ts
for the next tire I'm about to talk about.
But I saved the Kendas for a special project rig
that I just picked up that I think you guys
are going to enjoy what we have planned for that.
But I can't quite reveal what that is yet
because honestly, well,
I haven't even told my wife about it yet
because I can't figure out how to.
And the answer is no.
Just in case you're wondering,
she won't find out through this video
because she doesn't watch our videos anyways.
At least not that I'm aware of.
But long story long, make sure and hit that subscribe button
and the little bell next to it.
So that way, you guys get notified for when we do unveil
our next TrailBuilt project rig.
Now, our next tire and one that I have grown quite fond of
is one that is actually designed for the soft-roading SUV
all-wheel drive market, light duty pickup trucks
regardless if they're Tacomas, Colorados, Nissans,
half-ton Silverados or F-150 or any one of those types
of vehicles that really isn't going to be carrying
a lot of weight like a one-ton does
and is really a great-performing all-around tire.
And that is BF Goodrich's new Trail-Terrain tires.
All sizes are severe winter weather driving certified
and carry the three-peak mountain snowflake rating,
have a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty
and are available in a whole bunch of different OE,
also known as original equipment,
replacement size categories.
BFGs Trail-Terrain is an all new and improved tire
designed around on-road comfort and performance,
but offers a very capable off-roading performance as well.
And I wanted to include it on this list,
not because I'm trying to kiss BFGs ass
or anything like that but this tire really works great
with everything I've put it through.
I've hit some pretty nasty trails with the Highlander
with these Trail-Terrains, air down to 15 pounds of pressure
in the tires and went through some technical situations
that honestly I wasn't very confident
I was going to get through.
But they gripped and grabbed without ever even
breaking a sweat and definitely went beyond my expectations
and what I thought they were going to do.
And the trail was composed of some pretty aggressive
rock sections, some buried log ledges in the mud
and just some nasty crap.
But not only did the Trail-Terrains kick that trail's ass
but there wasn't any damage to the treads or sidewalls.
And once we got back to the trail head,
aired back up the tires, and drove almost 500 miles home
comfortably without any weird vibrations
or anything like that.
Plus just this past Saturday,
we got a minor dumping of snow that has already melted,
but I was able to take on some very precarious
driving conditions of which we'll also be posting
a future video review on the Trail-Terrains
in winter driving conditions.
But I was very impressed with the traction
of the Trail-Terrain.
And I say precarious driving conditions because
the night before the brief snowstorm,
it had rained and then froze overnight
and then snowed on top of the frozen roads.
So there was literally a skating rink
under the snow-packed road.
And some of it was melting in certain areas
where the high winds weren't able to pass through
because of trees to freeze over the road.
So there was just pure, sloppy, icy, slushy-like wet cement
sort of situations where I will admit
I was driving a little too fast
because I had gotten overconfident with the Trail-Terrains
and almost ended up in the ditch
because I'd lost the ability to steer
through the thick, slushy crap.
And by no means guys, do I put any blame
on the Trail-Terrains as it would have taken a mud tire
in that situation to be able to maintain traction.
But besides that, I am truly sold on these Trail-Terrains
for everything I put the Highlander through with them on.
I can absolutely say with 100% confidence
that you guys would love these things too
for your light duty, all-wheel drive
or four-wheel drive vehicles
and light to medium off-road use on your daily driver
that sees, I don't know, 70% or more of on-road use
over off-road use.
And since we are talking about BF Goodrich
and had just previously mentioned mud terrains,
our next tire is another pinnacle tire from BFG.
And that is the BFG KM3 Mud Terrain.
I think a lot of you might've thought
I was going to say the KO2.
Well, to be honest guys, I've never actually ran a KO2
on any vehicle I've ever owned.
I've driven vehicles with them on
and can say they absolutely kick ass at everything they do.
Not to mention,
they're all three-peak mountain snowflake rated.
But anyways, since the KO2 already has a reputation
that precedes itself, I wanted to instead
shift the focus over to the BFG's Mud Terrain.
Now this one I do run, although not currently
as my Scout is getting a heart transplant.
But I have put plenty of on an off-road miles on the KM3s
and in my personal opinion would purchase another set
after these ones eventually wear out.
After the Scout is up and running again first, obviously.
But I was seriously impressed with the traction
and performance of the KM3s
and think they really are a great tire for those of you
looking to use them more often for off-road use
than on-road use.
And I only say that not because they have any issues
on the road.
In fact, my 39-inch KM3s act more like a hybrid tire
on the road than they do on mud terrain.
But the tread compound is quite a bit softer
than your regular all-terrain or even a hybrid tire
and will wear out faster with more on-road use
and you'll end up replacing them more often.
Which I mean, we sell tires.
So if that's what you want to do, that's cool with me.
But if you want to buy a tire for your daily driver
and put a decent amount of miles on,
then save your money and grab
one of the previously mentioned tires.
But if you don't do a whole lot of on-road driving
and want a maximum performing off-road tire
that you can still expect to behave itself on the road,
then for those particular circumstances,
I would highly recommend the BFG KM3
as you won't be disappointed with it.
At least I know I haven't been.
Even with my last trip out with the Scout,
I drove 95 miles to the off-road park
where we were wheeling at,
beat the crap out of the tires all day in the rocks,
hills, mud with an open front differential
and still had zero complaints on the KM3's traction.
Can't say the same for the threaded air cleaner rod
breaking off and falling into the engine
and having to trailer the Scout all the way home.
But regardless, the KM3s are another
one of my favorite tires.
For my final favorite tire for today's video
is a tough one.
Because I don't even know what it is yet.
The first four were super easy to pick out.
I've had a lot of good quality experience
with the first four tire brands.
And there are so many out there
that all have really great feedback and testimonials on
from lots and lots of people like the BFG KO2
as a perfect example.
Or the Toyo A/T IIIs and the M/Ts.
The General Grabbers.
Yokohama Geolanders.
Nitto Ridge and Trail Grapplers.
Mickey Thompson Baja Boss M/Ts.
And I could really just keep going on and on here.
But you know what,
as I'm sitting here just thinking about this,
there is another tire that does seem to stand out
quite a bit.
Plus, they have been a wildly popular tire
in our off-road and overlanding communities.
But honestly, I personally haven't had
a lot of experience with them.
And I think this is one of those situations where you guys
that either have or have had the Falken Wildpeaks,
specifically the A/T3s or the A/T3Ws,
will be able to inform the rest of us
if they really are that great of a tire.
Because I don't know.
And as much as I'd love to sit here
and tell you that they are,
well, obviously I can't do that.
But you guys can.
So if you wouldn't mind taking a few minutes of your time
to really help us out here and let us know
how awesome the Falken Wildpeak A/T3s are
or how much they suck.
But it would be great to get the feedback either way.
And that really does go for any of the tires
that I went through with you guys today.
If you are running any of them currently
or have had ran any of these tires in the past,
definitely make sure and let us know
how you guys liked them or if you didn't like them.
Or even if you have a really great recommendation
to what you think is the best off-road tire
on the market and why you think they're the best,
definitely make sure and let us know in the comments below.
And remember guys, for more information on the tires
that we went through with you today like pricing, specs,
availability or any other similar information like that,
that it can all be found right on our website
at TrailBuilt Off-road and we'll have that link posted
in the description below.
Don't forget to hit that subscribe and thumbs up
to like today's video.
And guys, as always, we appreciate all of you
for watching and all of your support.
I'm Josh from TrailBuilt and we'll see you guys
out in the trails.
(upbeat music)