Anyone running Large A/T tires that are "quiet"

[Astro14]

@Astro14 , how are you feeling about the Nokian's, would you buy again?

So far, yes. Love them.

But I still haven’t done a road trip, so my impression is still incomplete.

 

[BornSlippy]

So far, yes. Love them.

But I still haven’t done a road trip, so my impression is still incomplete.

How are they in the wet? How noisy are they?

Had my summer tires/wheels put on the Ram last week. The stock Goodyear SR-A's are not my most favorite tire ever.

 

[Hohn]

Not sure why you need tires like this? I know bunch of people who do serious off roading using Michelin Defender in LT version. Find size that has tires like Defender, Continental TerraiContact etc. With hardcore off road tires you are not only giving up quietness, but mostly wet performance.
I plan to do with Sequoia Ophir Pass, Imogen Pass etc here in CO, and will get Michelin Defender in LT category.
They don’t look badass but guess what, they do more work on and off road.

For the OPs sake, I don't know what counts as "large" and which flavor of "A/T" tire he's considering, but I will suggest that the Defender MS2 are *fantastic* tires.

I'm running them in 32.5" size (265/70r18) on my GX460. Hwy mpg is basically unaffected vs the stock 30.5" 265/60r18. IN town, slightly lower due to driving adapting to taller gearing effect (i.e. using more pedal). I can still get 20mpg highway with full time AWD.

The Defenders are just exceptionally good and balanced in performance attributes. They are so quiet and so smooth-riding while offering great traction in snow and wet and all the off-road situations I'm willing to tackle (i.e no deep mud or sand dunes).

I will go so far as to say the Defender MS2s are the best all around tire I've ever owned. No, they aren't for hardcore 'wheeling, but they have sufficient capability if the driver isn't careless. Air down as needed.

Now, I will point out that I have the NON-LT RATED version. This is important. The stiffer, heavier carcass of the LT-metric size extracts a considerable penalty in ride smoothness and city MPG. This is why I advocate for the lightest load rating needed for the vehicle. If you are running E-rated LT metric tires on a grocery-grabbing SUV, you are paying a cost in MPG and ride with every mile.

 

[panthermike]

So far, yes. Love them.

But I still haven’t done a road trip, so my impression is still incomplete.

Thank you sir. I've been sitting on my current tires but know I will replace them in the near future.

 

[panthermike]

For the OPs sake, I don't know what counts as "large" and which flavor of "A/T" tire he's considering, but I will suggest that the Defender MS2 are *fantastic* tires.

I'm running them in 32.5" size (265/70r18) on my GX460. Hwy mpg is basically unaffected vs the stock 30.5" 265/60r18. IN town, slightly lower due to driving adapting to taller gearing effect (i.e. using more pedal). I can still get 20mpg highway with full time AWD.

The Defenders are just exceptionally good and balanced in performance attributes. They are so quiet and so smooth-riding while offering great traction in snow and wet and all the off-road situations I'm willing to tackle (i.e no deep mud or sand dunes).

I will go so far as to say the Defender MS2s are the best all around tire I've ever owned. No, they aren't for hardcore 'wheeling, but they have sufficient capability if the driver isn't careless. Air down as needed.

Now, I will point out that I have the NON-LT RATED version. This is important. The stiffer, heavier carcass of the LT-metric size extracts a considerable penalty in ride smoothness and city MPG. This is why I advocate for the lightest load rating needed for the vehicle. If you are running E-rated LT metric tires on a grocery-grabbing SUV, you are paying a cost in MPG and ride with every mile.

They are no doubt amazing tires! My only issue is that with the 3" lift, I would like a tire that "fits" the well nicely. The tallest they offer is 32.4 and around 11" wide. Current tires are 33 tall and around 12" wide.

 

[Hohn]

They are no doubt amazing tires! My only issue is that with the 3" lift, I would like a tire that "fits" the well nicely. The tallest they offer is 32.4 and around 11" wide. Current tires are 33 tall and around 12" wide.

If it was me, I'd de-bro the truck by going back to OEM style wheels or 17-18 aftermarkets and take off the lift. But since you're already where you are, I can see wanting to make use of the 20s you already have and fill it out.

 

[edyvw]

For the OPs sake, I don't know what counts as "large" and which flavor of "A/T" tire he's considering, but I will suggest that the Defender MS2 are *fantastic* tires.

I'm running them in 32.5" size (265/70r18) on my GX460. Hwy mpg is basically unaffected vs the stock 30.5" 265/60r18. IN town, slightly lower due to driving adapting to taller gearing effect (i.e. using more pedal). I can still get 20mpg highway with full time AWD.

The Defenders are just exceptionally good and balanced in performance attributes. They are so quiet and so smooth-riding while offering great traction in snow and wet and all the off-road situations I'm willing to tackle (i.e no deep mud or sand dunes).

I will go so far as to say the Defender MS2s are the best all around tire I've ever owned. No, they aren't for hardcore 'wheeling, but they have sufficient capability if the driver isn't careless. Air down as needed.

Now, I will point out that I have the NON-LT RATED version. This is important. The stiffer, heavier carcass of the LT-metric size extracts a considerable penalty in ride smoothness and city MPG. This is why I advocate for the lightest load rating needed for the vehicle. If you are running E-rated LT metric tires on a grocery-grabbing SUV, you are paying a cost in MPG and ride with every mile.

Lol, I just got set yesterday 275/65 R18 116T XL. Had to drop used set I got with used wheels (downsized from 20 to 18) As I found what could be collapsed belt on one tire.
I will post in new purchase thread soon.

 

[panthermike]

If it was me, I'd de-bro the truck by going back to OEM style wheels or 17-18 aftermarkets and take off the lift. But since you're already where you are, I can see wanting to make use of the 20s you already have and fill it out.

Yes I've thought about that but that would require me to buy the wheels as well as the parts to return to stock. I did see though that the stock size tire is closer to 32" so maybe a 32.4" that's slightly wider would be fine.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Have the Nokian Outposts on the LR3. Great mild AT, probably have 15-20k on them Quiet and ride nice, great in the snow. Look nice too. I would say not as aggressive as the Recon Grapplers I put on the JL, but more like the Toyo Open County AT3.

 

[panthermike]

Have the Nokian Outposts on the LR3. Great mild AT, probably have 15-20k on them Quiet and ride nice, great in the snow. Look nice too. I would say not as aggressive as the Recon Grapplers I put on the JL, but more like the Toyo Open County AT3.

Thanks for the feedback! Between yours and astro's initial observations; I am heavily leaning towards these tires.

 

[panthermike]

Also considering the Michelin LTX Platinum tires in 285/60r20, which is 33.5" tall and 11.2" wide. Reviews seem very good on them.

 

[edyvw]

Also considering the Michelin LTX Platinum tires in 285/60r20, which is 33.5" tall and 11.2" wide. Reviews seem very good on them.

Go Defender LTX M/S2.
Reviews might be good, but if going Michelin go the best.

 

[panthermike]

Go Defender LTX M/S2.
Reviews might be good, but if going Michelin go the best.

Thank you, I did see that there's a 275/60R20 option; which is essentially just 1.3" or so more narrow than what I have now. Had these tires on my old Titan and they were amazing.

 

[edyvw]

Thank you, I did see that there's a 275/60R20 option; which is essentially just 1.3" or so more narrow than what I have now. Had these tires on my old Titan and they were amazing.

I just got set two days ago. Excellent performance.