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Best street tires available?

wetidlerjr

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...Noticed if there is a slight road imperfection like a slight crack or bump the off road tires will lose slight traction at turns going 60+...
Warm regards,
Brandon
I have had that happen a few times after I switched to B F Goodrich KO2s (BF GOODRICH ALL TERRAIN T/A KO2LT265 /60 R18 119S E1 BSW) but it has, also, done it in a straight line. I attributed it to the obvious tread difference vs the stock Hankooks but that is an uneducated opinion.. YMMV
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GSD4EVR

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Thank you so much for explaining all the nitty gritty details. Especially all those different tests as well. I shall eventually upgrade my front suspension but keep the stock stance, maybe bump it by .5 in but that's it. You think the center of gravity helps in that way vs a fully lifted high up center of gravity? I upgraded my rear shocks, and recently I had about 200 pounds in my rear. That could very well explain some smooshing.
*chuckle* Well, it's all very UN-scientific in my world but I'm glad it helped clarify some things. Don't get me wrong, the right tire for your driving surface/habits does change things but in this case you described issues mostly when hitting rough spot or undulating road surfaces at higher than normal speeds. That's mostly a suspension and weight balance issue. (Then followed up with tire type).

If you can run a curve smoothly but you hear/feel the tires squawk and slide a bit, then, yeah, tires. But if you get scary play when over rough spots: Suspension.

I've always run AT tires on my trucks. Some have better grip cornering on roads than others. For more entertaining driving I use to have this:

DSC_2629_SFW_1_A.jpg
 
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dondonbabyraptor

dondonbabyraptor

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I have had that happen a few times after I switched to B F Goodrich KO2s (BF GOODRICH ALL TERRAIN T/A KO2LT265 /60 R18 119S E1 BSW) but it has, also, done it in a straight line. I attributed it to the obvious tread difference vs the stock Hankooks but that is an uneducated opinion.. YMMV
:cool:
Sounds about right Bill. Will report back if it’s just in my head but I’m 99% sure it’s better on road if you don’t have aggressive treading
 
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dondonbabyraptor

dondonbabyraptor

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*chuckle* Well, it's all very UN-scientific in my world but I'm glad it helped clarify some things. Don't get me wrong, the right tire for your driving surface/habits does change things but in this case you described issues mostly when hitting rough spot or undulating road surfaces at higher than normal speeds. That's mostly a suspension and weight balance issue. (Then followed up with tire type).

If you can run a curve smoothly but you hear/feel the tires squawk and slide a bit, then, yeah, tires. But if you get scary play when over rough spots: Suspension.

I've always run AT tires on my trucks. Some have better grip cornering on roads than others. For more entertaining driving I use to have this:

DSC_2629_SFW_1_A.jpg
Appreciate the further explanation GSD :) also very very beautiful fun fast toy ride you have :eek:

When I switch back to the hankooks and I still have a problem, I will upgrade my front suspension but keep stock stance. Really appreciate you taking your time explaining things to a noob like me. ?
 
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dondonbabyraptor

dondonbabyraptor

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Continental Terrain Contact H/T is the best highway tire for the money hands down. We sell tons of them and people love them!
Interesting. Someone else mentioned this I believe. I definitely have a lot to look for in the future… thank you Ben!
 
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dondonbabyraptor

dondonbabyraptor

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Discount loaded up the tires at 36psi cold. A little too much for me. Dropped them down to 30 cold. Might go 29 cold. They perform amazing.. they have no skids going fast over bumps. Hook real well. 0-60 time is back down to 5.4ish average. Got 5.35, 5.6, 5.45. It really helped dropping near 17 pounds off each tire and taking out 250ish additional pounds out of my bed. Was hitting 7 second avg before.. washed and clay barred the truck and shined the tires but no swirl fixing like I planned due to the sun coming out quicker than I wanted..
8A079B33-C156-4E62-960B-D4FD9344CA25.jpeg



Less unsprung weight, the better and damn it is a difference. Next tires will have to be at 32ish pounds or it's a no go.
 
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Doc

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Discount loaded up the tires at 36psi cold. A little too much for me. Dropped them down to 30 cold. Might go 29 cold. They perform amazing.. they have no skids going fast over bumps. Hook real well. 0-60 time is back down to 5.4ish average. Got 5.35, 5.6, 5.45. It really helped dropping near 17 pounds off each tire and taking out 250ish additional pounds out of my bed. Was hitting 7 second avg before.. washed and clay barred the truck and shined the tires but no swirl fixing like I planned due to the sun coming out quicker than I wanted..
8A079B33-C156-4E62-960B-D4FD9344CA25.jpeg



Less unsprung weight, the better and damn it is a difference. Next tires will have to be at 32ish pounds or it's a no go.
5.35 Impressive !
 
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dondonbabyraptor

dondonbabyraptor

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5.35 Impressive !
Thank you! :bow: I really want to test it out on 1/4 mile like you do Doc. Just making sure it's touched up enough for me to spend that money out on the strip. ?
 

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I've had the Cooper Discoverer H/T Plus in the stock 18" size on for about 1.5 years now. Definitely a stiffer sidewall (better handling) than the stock. I ran the same model on my 2010 and 2013 Ram's before I got the Ranger. Good wearing tire and much better wet handling than the stock tires and reasonably priced too. And since I started running them, I've bought them at Discount Tire....just wish they had rebates like other models have.... @Discount Tire :wink:
 

GTGallop

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Hey Greg,

Long time no see! Thanks for chiming in with your experience and insight. I liked the look of these, I will have to look into them a little deeper in the further future when I purchase new set of on road tires. Would you say the defenders excel with handling on dry like turns etc. It’s mostly what I’m looking for, no need for wet performance much at all.

Warm regards,
Brandon
All that and a bag of chips.
I wouldn't send my daughter out into the vast expanses of AZ without being sure that they are a great tire. I find they have the least compromises of any tire out there. There is the cost - they are certainly higher than most and on a hybrid you might shave off a mile or two with MPG but in a regular car you don't notice the difference.

Ride quality and performance has always made me happy.
 
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dondonbabyraptor

dondonbabyraptor

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All that and a bag of chips.
I wouldn't send my daughter out into the vast expanses of AZ without being sure that they are a great tire. I find they have the least compromises of any tire out there. There is the cost - they are certainly higher than most and on a hybrid you might shave off a mile or two with MPG but in a regular car you don't notice the difference.

Ride quality and performance has always made me happy.
Appreciate the help Greg. Will have to tack that on the list of tires to consider in the future.
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