I have a 2005 Tacoma 4x4 4dr short bed. I replaced the factory tires 3 years ago with the Michelin triple thread tiers, they were OK. Now I am ready to replace them but I am getting mixed revues on many tires. I live in MD so I need good all season. Any recommendations or stay away from advice would be greatly appreciated.

The tier size I have is 265/65/R17

Thanks.

Long post, but I believe in giving you enough info to make your own choice. After all, you may want a tire that looks more rugged, a cheaper priced tire, etc.

I've now run 4 different tires on my Taco: Dunlops, BFG Rugged Trails, BFG AT KO, and Michelin LTX AT2, in that order. Obviously, stay away from the first two. The latter two get a thumbs up from me. Excellent winter traction (rain/snow/ice...as good of traction as any AT tire can get on ice anyway) and excellent value (miles/dollar spent). I didn't get the BFG AT KO again this last go round because of price (they'd gone up $40 per tire since I purchased them before). I do like the BFG AT KO in deep snow better, and I'd also have liked to try out the Duratracs. While many consider total price to be their factor, I look at the purchase price divided by the number of miles they should last to see if it's a good deal. So I went with the Michelins this time around (paid $171 per tire for 265/70R16 last spring and from everyone that's had these before they're said to last over 60K miles...just like the BFG AT KO).

I took the LTX AT2 out last may in 3 different snow storms with 5" on the ground/road and they did well. But I wanted to make sure my memory wasn't faulty. So with almost 14K miles on them now, I took the truck out today again since we had over a foot on the roads...before they plowed all of them (one road was plowed and was made up of ice with a very fine layer of snow on top and all the other roads were unplowed, so average snow for a road...I consider deep snow when there is more like 2 feet on the unplowed road...which we do get around here).

My wife's new highlander has the crappy dunlops (has A-TRAC, VSC, and such while mine doesn't, so I was comparing). Hers actually did just as well as mine on accelerating and handling (thanks to her AWD and A-TRAC), but her ABS kicked in at every stop with the dunlops. When I tested out the Michelin's again afterward on my truck, I could not get the ABS to kick in at any of the stops (not in the deep snow nor on the light snow-covered ice). They provide as good of traction as the BFG AT KO in snow. Plus the Michelin's are sooo much quieter on the highway than the BFG AT KO (the LTX AT2 do live up to their claim).

There are a few other tires higher up in the TireRack survey results for AT tires, but even the top one is known to be worn out at less than 40K miles. If I'm going to spend that amount of money, I'll only purchase tires that are expected to last to at least 60K miles!

Good luck on your research and purchase, whatever it may be.

Thank you Moose, your input is awesome. I was looking to get the LTX too. I have been looking at the reviews since yesterday and seems to be the best option.

If price is no problem then the LTX is very good tire. I like the traction of the AT KO's on my Tundra, can't stand the noise.

I had some el-cheapo's on my F150 (Capitol I do believe) that lasted forever. 60K on that set of tires in 3 years, tire shop made me repalce them becasue they were syarting to dryrot and he didn't want to see me on the side of the road waiting for him. Best set of tires I have ever owned, quite, wore very well, damn good traction in all seasons. Not so great in the mud if you lose wheel spin.

Thanks ogtoyfan's

I just put some Hankook Dynapro ATM's on my Tacoma. I live in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and am impressed with them so far in the snow. I also noted a small improvement in mileage over the BFG AT KO's they replaced.

They are a good tire at a pretty good price.

Well, I've been away from this forum for a while but you're the lucky dog today. I live in MD too and last winter (you know) I drove around without any problems on Michelin Cross Terrains. This is one smooth riding tire and it handles well too. I've had them for 2 years now and so far they have been great.

I use the goodyear wrangler silent armors... and they've served me well, and since I"m in wisconsin I do know they work wonders in snow.

I just replaced my stock Bridgestone Dueller H/T's at Costco yesterday. I got 70,000 miles on the stock tires - figured they were pretty good and so I replaced 'em for about $145 each, minus the $70 coupon, then another $15 for Costco's lifetime balance, etc, install fee, disposal fee, etc.) All told it came to about $620 after taxes, fees, install, etc.

Hope this helps.