Did you go with the P-Metric?

Richard - Glad to hear someone got something out of the info. FYI I have about 25k on a set now and I would strongly advise rotating under 5k. They will tend to get some mild noise if you don’t. Keep them rotated and you will love them. 🤙

Right on

I would suggest rotating often to keep the noise level down. I have 25k on mine and that is the trick! 🤙

That is great! You are spot on when it comes to what I tested . Snow performance was better than many competitor brands and has the 3PMSF rating. Agree on the noise. I have them on my 4Runner and just a touch loud at times

How good were they on snow,slush and ice???

I have only run the At3’s briefly during the winter as i have a dedicated set of Blizzaks for Cleveland winters. My limited experience with them in snow was that they are great in snow, only average on ice. But not “scary” on ice like some tires

@@tmiller3164 Much appreciated,I bet those Blizzacks perform extremely well on snow and ice huh???

TrailBuilt Off-Road thank you👍

Cool Doug, glad to be of help. Yeah I was disappointed as well to see the Falken drop down the ranks due to a running change. I just happed to question my previous year data at the test track and compared an older (same spec date) to a newer one and massive difference in performance. Unfortunately it’s not uncommon for companies to save a buck! Same goes with your bag a chips. They just keep getting more air in them. lol Have a good weekend! 🤙

David Hollingsworth always good to hear that you like them so far. You have a pretty low profile with less sidewall on those 20’s. I am glad the ride comfort and noise are close to the HT’s. I didn’t get a chance to test that size and appreciate the feedback.

And they feel stronger than the 245 65 17 HT's..that was OEM.

Really appreciate it! I figured I have the info. why not share it! I am a huge BFG fan and raced for them for over 10 years. They make great products and if you asked me if the K02 was better off road in rocks etc I would say YES it is better then the Toyo AT3. However, if you look at both tires overall in several settings then the AT3 out performs over the BFG IMO. You may find some small pros like stopping distance for example etc. but overall the tire that scored close to the top in almost every category I tested was the AT3

@@sanddrifterjb Thank you Sir !

Michael Anthony Mendoza glad to hear that. Thank you for sharing. We put a lot of work trying to get the best out of them.

JOE BACAL Thanks Joe.. I knew there was something about these tires I had to see for myself.. 👍🏼

I’m gonna get them for my ram ... I have the duratracs and I like them for off-road but man they are to noisy on road

@@idontcaresapo8233 waste of gas too

Well, first I have to say the 80 is a sweet 4WD! So as for snow performance, like I said in my comments, the AT3 Toyo and Wildpeak both scored well and at the top of the list. However, after recently finding out that Falken seemed to have made a running production compound change, the overall performance went way down. I would pass on the Falken. The Toyo did great in snow testing, but the temps we tested were in the teens and not below. If you experience -20 etc. I don't know how much better or worse the AT3 Toyo will perform. I really do like how linear this tire is in the snow for smooth slow, confident transitions during lane changes. I have also heard that people who have purchased the Toyo are seeing slightly better MPG. This tire has some of the best "run-out" balance numbers compared to other competitors. The Toyo products use very little weight for balancing which is very noticeable when it comes to vibration. I think you will like the Toyo Open Country AT3 LT on your 80 much more over the Goodyear that is for sure......

You are the man… that’s what I was hoping for. Very interesting with the Falken change. My previous experience with a tire in this category is the KO2 and old Toyo AT2. Truthfully, both of them served my needs just fine and I enjoyed them with no issues, but I’m aware of commonly reported shortcomings. I can only imagine the AT3 will improve upon all of it. Thanks so much! And yessir... I certainly love my 80. It’s a joy to drive every time.

@@spenserrr Glad to help. Reach out anytime!

Glad you are enjoying your AT3's and your FJ. Back in the day, I was the lucky one who drove the first pre-production (prototype) through the Rubicon in 2006, before the launch in 2007. Best rig ever IMO. Anyway, I would recommend that you rotate often and when it comes to dry rot, I have also encountered this condition. Not ideal but keeping them conditioned and out of the elements is best if you can. I would also give the RT Trail a try next time. I liked them a bit better after testing the two. Cheers Joe

I have had a set now for almost 6 months on my 4Runner and I still like that they don’t have that increased rubber hardness feel or uneven wear.

Darth Nickula nice🤙

Chad- I think you will really like them. The LT has a great aggressive look and just super well rounded for most areas. I tested in the F350 and we focused on front to rear balance. Straight line stability for those long drives also improved from a control-ability side. Reach out if you have any questions. Take care

What size are you running? I've got a 2009 Duramax with 35s. I'm considering going up to 37 Toyos this winter

Edy Coyote I have 35s on mine.

@@elcoyote9410 During our testing we ran a LT265/70R17 on a FORD F-250 and a P265/70R17 on the F-150. The 265 is close to a 32" and I thought it looked small for the big F-250. It depends how you plan to use your truck. If you are towing a lot and more highway then I personally would go with the 35". If you are more overland, then the 37" may be your better choice. I find that bigger tire (more weight) tends to be more difficult to stop especially in snow, the 37" will also be more delayed in yaw with more deflection so things to consider.

Brian - Thanks buddy! Great package ....rotate often to eliminate noise as you start putting miles on them. Reach out if you ever have any questions! Cheers...

You wont regret it best tires ive ever owned

Thanks for the kind words. The ATII did not have the 3PMSF cert like the new AT3 Toyo does. It is much better tire all around but snow and wet it's considerably better IMO . I was not impressed at all from the Hankook on dry and dirt but snow was actually very good. Same goes with the Goodyear. did decent in snow but other areas not so much. as for the Cooper, I am a fan of this tire and it preformed really well in most areas (except snow). It all comes down to what your high priorities are....I guess in the end, the Toyo AT3 just did most things well and that is why I like it for an all around solid performer.. Hope that helps

@jartlamb I was wondering if you made a decision what persuaded it the most. I'm deciding between these and the Discoverer a/t xlt as well. I like the looks of these and I'm quite sure they're better off road. I'm 95% on road and want something that will last. Hard to find much info on these since they're still pretty new. I have OC at2's and they seem to wear pretty fast. They were on my truck when i bought it, so not sure how many miles on them.

Blackwater Lotus good to hear! That is my home town and where I tested the tires!

@@sanddrifterjb awesome, I went through Table Mesa a week or two after I bought em. They did well.

Blackwater Lotus I am in Anthem. Lol. The rocks there are really sharp. Tire placement is critical.

@@sanddrifterjb indeed, made it through no problem

How is the on road performance.. like noise? I’m sure that off-road they are amazing

Nice! I think you will really like them. My neighbor has had a set on his Ram 3500 and absolutely loves them. Just rotate frequently. Hope you are doing well.. Cheers

Nice to hear that you so far like the performance and ride etc. I grew up in Valencia so not to far from you. I rode at LACR back in the day! I think you will find the 3PMSF certification is noticeable way over the non AT2. 👌

I can tell you I work with many tire brands out there and some are not great due to poor or "cheap" rubber compounds, or design etc. I don't work for Toyo as an employee but am hired as a consultant to find real world driving issues and how to improve these findings like we did from the AT2 to the AT3. I also really like many of their products on commercial vehicles and for towing. Thank you for the kind words...

I appreciate the feedback and I also agree that, even though many are "talking" about tires on other channels, I would say you can't really say BEST TIRE unless you have tested them properly. I also realize many may have access to tires but may not have testing evaluation training or test track availability. As for the 7 competitors I was referring to, I plan to do some individual stand alone videos on many of them. It will be a similar format so you will see the PRO's and CON's from my actual testing. I will also share my honest professional opinion.

JOE BACAL Thanks for your response. I know there are a lot of good choices out there and it’s probably splitting hairs in some categories. I’m really interested in them for my 2500HD diesel; what’s important to me is snowy road performance (I’ve also been to W.Yellowstone), wet road performance in heavy rain, towing stability, along with reasonable noise and tread life.

JOE BACAL So I’ve sort of narrowed my choice down to the AT3, General Grabber ATX, Falken AT3W, and KO2. I’ve got 265/60R20’s now, and will be going up to 275/65R20. I’ve read comments and your responses suggesting that the AT3 is comparable to the KO2 & AT3W; not sure if you’ve tested the ATX. For a guy in Ohio with a 2500 Diesel that tows snowmobile trailers on and off road thru Michigan & out west, tows boats locally, and general all around use, how would you rate my choices for a relatively quiet all terrain that wears decent and kicks butt in snow?

@@Icutmetal Great options for sure! OK, as for the ATX General, I actually started testing that tire for General after I finished development on the X3 MT. During my testing of the ATX, they pulled me off the project since my main General contact had transferred to Germany, so I never finished and haven't tested the final product. I do remember that they were pretty good up until that point. As for the K02 , Toyo AT3 and Falken AT3W go, from what you plan to do with it I would not go BFG. They were not ideal in the snow and the ride comfort was really firm! Controlability was also an issue .... The Falken AT3W is a fantastic tire and one of my all time favorites, but snow performance was below the new Toyo AT3. I might go with the Falken 1st but it sounds like you want low road noise and good snow performance so it looks like the Toyo did better after checking my data that I am looking at for you in those specific areas....both great choices!

Any noise on the 4runner so far?

how are they 2 yrs later?

Glen - I am not in sales nor do I gain anything from Toyo. I just test tires and I think you will see the improvements over the K02's. Rotate often to keep the road noise at a minimum and if you happen to get in the snow, the AT3 is night and day better! Cheers..

You will be happy with them!

Hey how have they been working for you? I just ordered the same tire, have always ran LT but went SL this time. Keep reading that SL tires will blow up as soon as you hit a trail..

@@christophercashin3125 very happy with them so far, they are still quiet and they performed well over winter. Have not had them on any trails so far but i don't know why someone would say they will blow as soon as you hit the trails

ElevationEveryWeekend thanks just still trying to figure all this stuff out! I think the look is great on the Toyo. However I am a big fan of the Falken look too! Both tires perform really well and either choice is better than many other brands. The Falken and Open Country went back and forth on many categories. Hope that helps and reach out when ever you want more info.

The Falken at3w thread is so similar to the AT3s that I am almost certain Toyo used it as a benchmark when engineering these. The Falkens came out 3-4 years ago, and they were dirt cheap and the best performing. Now, the Falkens have caught up in price where they are more than equivalent Nittos and toyos.

@@bcatz454 I guess you could say they look similar if you’re half blind.

@@Icutmetal not sure what you're seeing but its the same block placement and thread pattern. You're not seeing the S blocks on both of em huh?

@@bcatz454 Nope; look completely different.

Sounds like you like trucks! Anyway, you have a lot here so I will do my best to answer...... First off, why are you going with the Pintop vs the Back country? The Pintop seems to be more aggressive off-road and from what I am reading maybe not necessary. The AT3 Toyo should improve on /off-road performance, but as soon as you change the suspension set up, tire etc. you really are just guessing when it comes to pro's and con's. I can tell you that King and Fox both make great products and I am sure the Carli components are also pretty decent. I think the Carli parts are a bit overpriced for what you get but that's my opinion. I can also tell you that Carli isn't testing every tire combination with there suspensions so, although you may see improvements in some areas, you may see losses in other areas. You are saying you want good straightline stability? Well when you change the tire, wheel specs and suspension the sensitivity and or controlability will also change...... just can't answer how much and what direction. If you speak to Carli and they say (without testing properly that truck with the suspension upgrade and the Toy AT3?) your exact specs will improve?.... I call BS. In some areas sure but no way can they be certain without a test like I do. Always give and take when it comes to aftermarket components. Ford spends a lot of $$$$ and manpower on their suspension development so keep that in mind. Anyway, moving onto the suspension and tires being "tuned" to you vehicle? Again, hopefully Carli did their homework in this area but I would be very surprised if you get more directness out of your steering at center. We call this yaw delay and if the front and rear suspension isn't matched or (lots of tire deflection) comes into play you will have a delayed or a wide "V" not matching your steering input. So when going around a corner you again may experience not ideal handling since you are installing a lift and depending on how the low speed damping is tuned and sway bars etc. you really don't know what you are getting in the end. I am not trying to be negative in anyway, since upgrades like King etc. work amazing, but they only work amazing when the package is all dialed in. I live here in AZ and tested the AT3 here at the test track. The AT3 worked well in these conditions. I also like how well it did compared to others in snow etc. You asked about tire size. Well that is pretty subjective, but your ride comfort will most likely improve with an 18" over a 20". However your handling will get tighter and sharper with a 20" simply due to tire deflection and especially since these trucks are so heavy. I had a F350 crew cab long bed 6.7 and installed a set of Methods and BFG K02's on 20" wheels a few years back. I was actually pretty happy with it and added a leveling kit similar to the Carli. It worked well for me for what I was using it for down in Baja. 37's are pretty big for towing and how you plan to use your truck. I would personally stick with a 35". E rating will be fine, again from what you are describing to me. You can do the math on the max load ratings per side for each tire in needed. So speaking about the Falken tire, this is a sensitive issue for me now since the Falken I tested was , yes really good and ranked #1 in most categories I tested. However, I recently learned that Falken has changed their production run and changed some compound features making it "cheaper" for them to build. This change (I tested) was very noticeable from a previous version and so for that reason I would not purchase a Falken AT3W. Again my opinion. Let's talk "runout" or roundness...... The Toyo and Nitto brand tires are probably one of the best when it comes to adding balancing weight to a tire. BFG is probably the worst from my experience. This comes down to the method and build process. Toyo does a great job IMO. I hope this is helpful and the only "big air" I get is in a Trophy Truck!! with 4.5" triple bypass shocks! Something to think about is you don't really need external reservoir shocks unless you plan to do a lot of washboard surfaces, or lots of bumps over a long period of time. The monotube design work well for shorter bursts but do get hot and fade once you reach there peak... Good luck in the new truck!

JOE BACAL thanks for your reply. All very helpful. Will stick with 35” AT3 on 20s. Also like Method wheels. They have some HD versions that will do the job. For me, deciding on suspension upgrades is always a complex process. Too many choices and new technology. I’ve been down this road before (96 F-350 CC, Excursion, Toyota with Icon Suspension). I’m just starting the research process on upgrade options for the current gen SD. Right now King and Carli’s custom valved King Shocks are at the top of the list. I had great luck with Icon on the Toyota. I just can’t find any recent reviews of Icon on current gen SD. Thanks again for your very detailed response to my laundry list of questions. Cheers

Trout Hunter no problem. Feel free to run by other questions not related to tires if need be. I personally am not an ICON fan. I have tested a lot of suspension kits over the years. Lots of good stuff out there. Good luck.

Thank you and very cool on your Bronco purchase. They look so cool and are taking the lead in the Off-Road market with such innovative and well though through technology integrated into this rig! The OEM Goodyear tires I am sure will be very good coming from the OEM matching up well with this product. Enjoy!

Hey Tom- I wanted to let you know that I recently tested the new Bronco Wildtrak for a day in the rocks. I have to say you will be very pleased with this rig, although it sounds like they have been delayed a bit longer? Anyway, after seeing and testing in person, I think I would mount up some 37's BFG KM3's. The Goodyear is a good looking and great OEM tire out of the box, so use it up first then upgrade!

@@sanddrifterjb Joe, can’t thank you enough for the review and feedback! I’ve definitely been watching some tire reviews and that’s the way I found your channel. Yours is great because of your expertise as a driver and tester in the real world. My first big trip in ‘’22 after getting my Badlands some time this fall (hopefully.....my order is in and Ford is supposed to send me an estimated build and ship date in late May) will be to Moab and I hope those Goodyear’s are up to the task. If not they’ll be gone and I’ll definitely take your recommendation on the BFG’s when I replace them. Great to have your suggestion and many thanks again, Joe.

@@tomcaldwell5914 Anytime Tom, reach out anytime always love to help🤙

I also have a 19' Crosstrek that I did some mods too. Just make sure you get the P-Metric

Appreciate the kind words, to answer your question going with an LT vs a P-Metric both essentially are very similar in compounds etc. The LT or light truck is designed for more load and are stronger when it comes to sidewalk etc. What you give up is ride comfort since you have to run much higher PSI in LT tires per the manufacture. We did see some minor differences when it came to subjective and objective testing but averaged it self out between the two for the most part. Many people go LT on Tacoma’s and still really like them. I am just suggesting P-Metric since they are designed for a lighter vehicle and carry less weight. Hope that helps on your purchase

VannGulick90 love the Defender’s I had a 90 for awhile and did all of my technical rock crawl training in them. I think getting rid of the Ventures is a good idea and to answer your questions and what you want out of a tire, I probably would go with 1st pick Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT. They look good for a AT tire but tested in the top 5 or less in all categories. I think they are going to be the quietest with the Falken not to fat off. The Toyo is a great tire and is quiet, just not as quiet as these two. When it comes to dry performance all 3 of these tires tested well but the Toyo was the leader. Mostly for confidence and predictability during limit conditions. As for Wet again all 3 did very well. Off road the Falken is pretty hard to beat but the Toyo was better for overshoot on a dirt road. The Cooper was not great but acceptable. The Cooper and Falken will have the best ride comfort. Anyway, I hope that helps with making a good decision. I wish I still had my 90. Enjoy your Defender. 🤘

@@sanddrifterjb Thanks so much for the response!

JP- I thank you for the kind words.....so here is a little background when I tested the AT2 during the early development of the AT3. The AT2 did well but did have areas we could improve and wet performance was one of them. Toyo changed the compounds and tread design on the AT3 to improve wet and even snow performance over the AT2's which we were able to do. As for the Falken's go, I was a huge fan of this AT3W tire up until last month where I heard that they have changed their compounds on a running change which has noticeably "cheapened" the tire. I tested the previous (before change) and the new change and it is like night and day! they tested last in almost every category! before the production change they where my number #1 pick Anyway, My top pick for wet was the Cooper, 2nd was AT3 Toyo and 3rd was the BFG K02. This was mainly for lateral grip in wet conditions on the test track. As for wet stopping objective data, these tires dropped down the list and was just average for the shortest stopping distance. I have been hearing good MPG numbers for the Toyo and I can 100% honestly tell you that the Open Country AT3 will out perform the Falken and k02 in wet handling! I hope this is helpful! I don't get kick backs or anything so I am really just sharing what I learned on the track!

@@sanddrifterjb Thank for the reply! Looks like the AT3 are the presumptive nominee. Lateral grip in the rain + snow performance are high on my wants That's awful about the falkens, I got the impression that their rubber mix was basically the secret sauce that made it a concensus good pick. Undoing that is downright sad

J P cool! Glad to be able to throw in my 2 cents.

@@sanddrifterjb will do!

@@sanddrifterjb so I did get a set of the AT3s! The road performance vs the duratracs, it feels like a racecar by comparison. The lateral grip on dry pavement is very, very nice. I had a feeling the roadmanners would be good but wow! Didnt get to drive it yet in the rain, cant comment on wet performance Thusfar at least while new they make no noise under 40mph, they are suuuper quiet. It does pick up at 50-70mph, nothing out of the ordinary for an A/T, I'll be interested to see about the sound after breaking in Overall thusfar, week 1? Very pleased, glad I got them! They have a classic look too, it's an all business look

I can tell you I own a 19’ cross trek with BFG K02’s with 17” tires. They are pretty low pro so I have first hand experience at least on the BFG’s. They are not ideal for harshness and deflection. Way to stiff IMO. I also have some Toyo AT3’s P metric on my 4Runner and they are so much better in many ways. I would say you will like the AT3’s in p metric with a lower profile tire. I still get a little noise on the highway but much better overall on ride.

Austin - The General Tire ATX is a solid choice. I did some initial work with General on the AT and worked on the X3 MT when it came out.

@@sanddrifterjb Good to hear, thanks for the advice!

Darren- The Michelin tires are very good for sure, but they are not as aggressive as the Toyo from a cosmetic side. I would run the P-Metric if you don't plan to tow or haul heavy loads, otherwise go with an LT. As for wet and snow performance, the Michelin is going to give you more overall grip IMO. However the Toyo will out shine on dirt roads. The Michelin is also more of a street tire and will give you better MPG most likely as well as a bit lower overall road noise. The Toyo however is very good in snow and was on the higher end of the 8 tires tested. Really either would meet your expectation. You will pay more for a Michelin and you will get a more aggressive A/T with a Toyo

Thanks for the feedback!

Nick C check out m.tirerack.com/tires/ratings-review.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=TerrainContact+A%2FT&fromTireDetail=true I didn’t test that tire in my recent line-up but the Tire Rack does a great similar test that may give you the information you are looking for. I did test the Michelin and it was very good in almost all categories due to its less aggressive design. Lacks a bit off road though. Hope that is helpful. IMO Continental makes great tires and is a top tier brand for sure.

Awesome! I am sure you will like them a lot. Cheers!

Great choice! - If you have a set, I would suggest you make sure they are in a climate controlled area if you don't plan to mount until Nov.... If they get hot in the summer months, especially exposed to the elements, rubber doesn't do well and isn't really ideal for many reasons..

@@sanddrifterjb Ok thank you. I have them in my basement

@@sanddrifterjb Thanks Joe that's good to know. I'm in the NW and was considering putting them on a MaxxHaul Tire Dolly with a weatherproof cover. They'd be outside but our temperatures are mild, rarely in the 80s in summer and not too many freezing nights. Would you just not do it or do you think that will mitigate some of the effects. I'm planning on having one set of tire for October/Nov to April May (good in wet & snow) & a set of MTs for summer here in the PNW (probably KM3s). I'm putting the Toyo AT3 on our 4Runner which drives across the West between KC & Seattle with lots of time in CO & UT. I love the 3Peak Rating. We've run ATII on 3 different trucks (Pathfinder & Jeeps) and have been very happy with them - man do they wear well. I think they do pretty decent in snow too so I'm really excited about the ATIII upgrade.

Hey Matt- Sounds like you are from Down under! So the Nitto Ridge Grappler is a tire I have tested, just not recently doing a back to back comparison with the Toyo AT3. I won't make up info. and tell you what you want to hear, so I can only give you my best guess on where the two stack up. As you know Toyo and Nitto are basically the same company so many of the same manufacturing and test standards will be similar. As for just a cosmetic comparison, the Nitto's are a bit more aggressive and are not 3PMSF certified. The Nitto also has a much different water evacuation design which IMO is not as ideal to the AT3. Plus since the AT3 has a 3PMSF certification the compounds are most likely going to also improve your wet performance. When it comes to noise the Nitto is pretty noisy from my vague testing and I would bet that it won't be better than the AT3 in that area. Dry on-road handling the AT3 scored very well and the Nitto again IMO would really have to have something special to bump it down. I wish I could give you more concrete information but this is the best I can do with not doing a direct test. Also, I think the Nitto won't wear as uniformed as the Toyo and they become a bit hard over time going through the 4 seasons. My good friend has them and this is what he has experienced. Good luck!

@@sanddrifterjb wow, thank you much for such a prompt and detailed reply Joe, I truly appreciate it! This is extremely helpful info as I was deadset on one or the other. It definitely sounds like the AT3 is the most ideal of the two for my location and driving needs. Have a great arvo mate!

@@MattJonesISOHEALTHBJJ Anytime! all good buddy take care

Justin- Thanks for reaching out and great question. As you know Nitto is owned by Toyo and have very similar manufacturing processes. Both tires are great choices and personally I like the Toyo brand a bit better but that is 100% just a personal preference. When it comes to directly comparing the AT3 and G2 , they both are 3PMSF certified which helps in CO. They also have similar rubber compounds and design features. One thing I like and feel is a bit better from a tread design stand point is, the outer tread blocks are more aggressive on the LT AT3 and look much better IMO. This design will improve holding effort in off road situations. In the end both are great choices and very similar over all. Hope that helps

I had the originals tires which are the pirelli scorpion verse all season plus

"Verde"

Glad you like them!

We tested against 7 other A/T's but used the current Toyo AT2 as are baseline to beat. We were able to be a bit quieter over the AT2 but their were a few competitors that was a bit better on the noise side. The Toyo AT3 was a great all around tire which was higher than most out of all categories tested. The LTX's are quiet but more of an on road tire as you mentioned and not great off road or aggressive looking... Sorry for the late response, I must have missed it!!

@J Thank you! Much appreciated 😎

Hey Mark- Thanks a bunch and glad you took my advice back on those Cooper's. They still make a great tire, but the competition has leveled up and so they have been bumped a bit down on the list! To answer your question, I have zero experience with the Bridgestone Revo3's. I however love the Bridgestone tires and I worked closely with them for many years on the Toyota side and the OEM tires. So what I am telling you is I can't say the Toyo will be an all around better tire then the Revo3's but I can tell you that you will most definitely like the AT3's. I have them on my personal 4 Runner and really like them. I also have a set of the BFG K02's on another vehicle and it is like night and day! I am a big BFG fan but not ideal in many categories.... I would say go with the AT3. That would be my all around best pick!

Steve- Very cool! I had a 90 for awhile and trained with the Camel Trophy guys to learn off-road technical driving... I am also familiar with many trails in So Cal. I grew up in Valencia. As for picking the best tire for your vehicle, the A/T's are the way to go. You also probably want a pretty quiet ride since that vehicle is so nice inside! Both the Toyo and Nitto are great picks. Toyo owns Nitto so basically you are getting similar tires in many ways. The good thing about both of these tires is that they use the same manufacturing process which is one of the best in the industry. Tire Run-Out or "roundness" is superior and requires little weight to balance. This is great for wear over time and less rotations and vertical vibration. To answer your question however, I like the Toyo better since it's their latest and greatest! Plus not only does the Toyo AT3 work better in the snow due to the 3PMSF certification (Nitto does not) for your Big Bear or Mammoth trips, they look much better IMO. The noise factor will also be lower with the Toyo. I would not get the LT unless you plan to tow with it. Stick with the P-Metric. I hope this helps and reach out anytime!

Glad to hear you like them..... stay warm!

Ride comfort is above average after testing 7 other competitors. It had a a nice round well damped clean feel. Road noise is also good in comparison. I have a set of the BFG K02’s on one of my vehicles and a set of the AT3’s on another. Night and day in comparison. I love BFG’s but they are firm and loud. Hope that helps

jeff dobie nice! The LT AT3 Toyo has a more aggressive side wall closer to the Falken. The P metric is not as raised or aggressive just so you know the difference.

@@sanddrifterjb well apparently the Toyo at3's I ordered are on national backorder with no ETA.bummer. I wish the Falken AT3w in 35's were C rated....

@@jeffdobie9070 That's a bummer. I am seeing many things hard to get due to the Covid delay...

@@sanddrifterjb I ended finding them at tirebuyer.com Mine are on the way but they said the Toyo in 35x11.5-17 are in low supply right now altho they said they still had them thru out their 120 warehouses.

beez33 Thank you for the kind words and appreciate you subscribing to my channel. I also have BFG’s and they are a good tire but really suffer a bit on noise and ride comfort compared to the Toyo AT3. When it comes to the RT’s I personally haven’t tested them but are a bit more aggressive from a tread design to the AT3. I also am sure the compounds are much different. I currently have a P-Metric set of the AT3’s on my 4 Runner and I really like them. I can’t say for certain how they hold up on high speed gravel roads etc. Toyo does a lot of durability testing so I think they are easily as good as BFG. I have another car with K02’s on it and drive both often. Huge difference in road for sure when it comes to noise. I used to race for BFG and love their products, however I like the Toyo’s much better.

@@sanddrifterjb again thanks for the information Joe!

beez33 Anytime! Take care🤙

E is a 10 ply and if you air down, depending on how loaded down your camper is? you should be fine. I would assume your speed is low aired down.

@@sanddrifterjb Correct it's 10 ply. But is the sidewall 2 ply or 3 ply? Most AT tires have 2 ply sidewalls. Sidewall thickness is very important for off road durability especially aired down.

@@TruckCamper I’m surprised the question was misunderstood. I’ve been wondering the same thing.

Lee- Great question and my next door neighbor has a 2020 RAM 3500 and tows a lot. He asked this exact question and decided to give the LT Toyo AT3 a try. He absolutely loves the look and ride comfort overall. He mentioned that he gets less lateral movement with his large RV trailer and straightline stability is also improved over the OEM tire. I can tell you that wet and snow is very good when I tested them on an F-250 in these conditions. I am a big BFG fan and raced for them for years. However, they are very noisy and get hard (harsh) over time and don't do well from seasonal cold to hot transitions from a rubber compound side. I think you will be pretty happy with this tire in the conditions you are describing .

I have not tested the Toyo AT3 to the Nitto, but IMO the Nitto is a bit more aggressive. This may help with better performance in the mud, but in sand both tires with good wheel spin will work well. In my testing over the years, I found that A/T's out perform M/T's in areas like sand and even hard packed dirt roads, ice and low snow levels. Probably more info. then your asking but thought I would share.

Walt- If you change to a p265/75R17, P260 is not on the TRDPro Tacoma, you will fill the wheel well more with less clearance overall. You may rub the tire against the wheel well when turning? Having more aspect ratio (70 to 75) increases the tire diameter, height and allows for more tire deflection etc. If you are looking to get a bigger wheel onto a stock production height truck, then you can go with the same size (p265) but change the aspect ratio to a (65) instead of (75) with the larger 17" wheel dia. then the overall diameter is almost the same from a fitment side. Not sure I really answered your question however?

The LT outer blocks are more aggressive than the P-Metric and will perform a bit better off road IMO. You can go with the LT’s but you will need to run higher tire pressure and your ride quality will not be as good. You don’t have the curb weight to deflect the tire like you would on a P. They work, just some trade Off’s to consider

I have not had the opportunity to test the CT comparing it to the AT3, but the main differences are the CT is more of a commercial grade tire that may perform better on the durability side as well as in colder climates. It is set up for studs and may be a bit quieter than the AT3 overall. I feel the AT3 will out perform the CT in off-road conditions on a design side. This is the best I can do with out to a back to back. Hope that is helpful

Lol right there with ya. Putting these on my '04 tomorrow

@@BlakeC94 absolutely no regrets love them already put about 3000 miles on em

Brian Faris I have spent a lot of time in Moab and Colorado over the years testing, so I can shed some light on this subject. First off, the K02 is a great tire in these locations as well as the Nitto’s. The LT AT3 is not as aggressive as the Nitto but when it comes to grip I think you will find that the AT3 will do very well. If you run into some wet conditions on the slick rock, even better. A lot of technical rock crawling is driver dependent. I have taken OEM tires through areas most would not believe so to answer your question if you decided to go with the AT3, I think you will be happy but most of all you will get a very well rounded tire , quieter and even improve MPG as a bonus.

JOE BACAL awesome thanks so much for the quick response. I’m that’s great to hear. I’m between their 35/11.5 and the Kenda Klever R/T 35/10.5 just having trouble deciding between the two.

Absolutely, When it came to being quiet the Toyo A/T III was mid pack. Had some competitors above and below. The Ride was just a bit better on the scale and well damped and round with low frequency vibration. If I were you , and from what you are saying on how you plan to utilize your vehicle, then the OEM tire is what I would keep. The OE tires are developed for your vehicle and I always say, unless you are looking for an upgraded "look" or plan to use off-road, snow etc. then maybe it's time to consider a tire that fits your needs.. I normally also use up my OEM tires, then when I need new tires I upgrade....hope that helps!

JOE BACAL thanks. Also just saw your video on how to get tire info. Super helpful!

@@leenestle Appreciate it!

@@sanddrifterjb Ha ha, so funny to hear that even you use up your OEM. I thought I was just being a cheapskate! That said, when you upgrade - Wow is that 2nd set better.

I don't have any experience with the MT brand but 9lbs is noticeable, especially if their is any runout.

The AT3 is a great choice, Cooper also is a pick of mine. I haven't tested the workhorse? I personally wouldn't get hung up on the weight. I would focus on overall performance, ride etc. The tire rack does a pretty good job on their evals and consumer data to find what fits for you. cheers!

If you look at my data in the video I do a direct comparison with the AT2 compared to the AT3. I listed many gains and improvements over the AT2's. They are a bit more aggressive, especially on the side wall blocks over the 2's. The AT3's are not as aggressive as the MT's but are a 3PMSF certified tire so they do well in snow conditions. The AT2 was not a certified snow tire. The AT3 is the next gen AT2. I had AT2's and now have AT3's on my 4 Runner. I actually like the 3 better for wear and road noise as I also mention this in my video during my testing.

@@sanddrifterjb Appreciate the response back. =) Yeah sorry got sidetracked, just watched the video, very well put together & we'll now I know I'll be buying the ATIII's hahah. I really love my ATII's just by the shoulders and sidewalls they are starting to crack like dryrot, the tread is still fine just the age of them is about 6 years old.

John- I personally haven't had a chance to evaluate the X/T as of yet, but I have tested many of the Bridgestone / Firestone products over the years and really do like them. The Firestone X/T is absolutely comparable to the Toyo AT3 and they both have the 3PMSF which is a must in your neck of the woods! Keep in mind that just because it has this certification, this cert does not include a lateral grip test. I find this odd and not really a 100% true test to claim that any tire with a 3PMSF is "ideal" in the snow. I tested many tires with this certification and some without the 3PMSF in snow conditions performing lateral grip maneuvers and some were way off the mark! Just wanted to add this small tid bit of information. Some may disagree but data is data ......Anyway, I think you will probably be pretty happy with the X/T regardless. Bridgesone / Firestone do their homework on the development side! The side by side pic looks very similar as well when it comes to siping and design functionality. Hope that helps

@@sanddrifterjb The one thing that makes me wonder about the XT is how much lighter it is compared with other tires.

Matt - Thank you for the kind words. I don't have any test time with the XT. It was not one of the other competitors that we included during development. I would suggest checking out the Tire Rack site. They may have some good data on them. Also, Consumer Reports do a pretty good job when it comes to ratings. Hope that helps.. Joe

Thanks for getting back to me@@sanddrifterjb ! Have you had any experience with the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT?

@@mdtwyne I have tested the Cooper AT3 but not XLT version. Cooper makes a fantastic AT I would recommend all day long

Thanks for the kind words! I would go to www.toyotires.com. They have all of the specs and sizes there. 🤙

Good question, I think you have to consider the "look" you are going for and like you mentioned the load requirements. You probably could get away with the 305/50R20 on load ratings with the XL just towing a jet ski trailer, but if you intend to throw more weight on it , then I would lean toward the LT. Your best bet is to confirm specs with a local Toyo Tire dealer in your area.

@@sanddrifterjb Thanks for the quick response. Right now that is the extent of the towing. Don't plan on any more than that. Love the look of the tire. What do you think about the big difference in weight between the 2 sizes. Also is there a noticeable difference in the comfort of the ride between the LT and XL ? I've never bought different wheels and tires before. It is really good now even with the 22's. Thanks again

@@richiecapuccino9853 Here is my 2 cents .... I don't think you will see a difference in the weight between sizes. When it comes to ride comfort, we did see some small differences in ride comfort feel overall from the P-Metric to the LT, but not enough to change my evaluation rating. I can tell you that you will absolutely see a difference in ride comfort from the OE tire that comes on your vehicle changing to any A/T. If you have never changed your tire and wheels from OE to aftermarket and are concerned about ride, then you maybe surprised that their are some negatives in that area in comparison. However, you get more positives including a more aggressive look then your current set-up.

@@sanddrifterjb Thanks for thee input. Much appreciated.

I can tell you either tire choice is a good pick. I helped develop the General X3 MT when they launched and spent some time with there AT's at Conti's proving ground. Great all around tire IMO and easily as good as the Toyo AT3. Hope that helps.. Cheers

@@sanddrifterjb appreciate the info, thanks!

Glad you found what you were looking for. As for the LX570 goes, I have a lot of miles in that 200 series. Amazing vehicle. Anyways, I would absolutely go with the AT3 Toyo over the BFG. I tested both in comparison and, although I raced for BFG for years and love the brand, they are not ideal when it comes to the K02. Not sure on the new Trail Terrain? The K02 are great the first 6 months then they start to really change. They get hard and noisy. The AT3 is IMO a better all around tire, especially from a pattern noise side. As for the AT3, as long as you rotate often they will wear well and stay quiet! hope that helps. I would also probably go with the LT since the LX isn't the lightest SUV on the market. The LT looks a way better from the larger side wall lugs then the P-Metric too. Cheers

@@sanddrifterjb Thanks for the detailed reply Joe! We 200-owners are very fortunate to have a professional driver who also reviews/develops tires and races our platform! You're an incredible resource for us. You and I are 100% on the same page about the superior looks of the LT-metric over the P-metric, but I was concerned about a harsh ride with the LT since they are going to be mounted on the OEM 20" rims. Sizing will be 275/60 (33.0" dia.), please let me know if that changes anything with your recommended load rating. Thanks!

@@0kkin Thank you for the kind words. I feel after testing both the P-Metric and LT, I don’t think you will notice much if any between the two unless you did a back to back comparison. Even then it’s minimal at best. If your asking what I would do and running the OEM wheel? I would still run the LT, but that is my personal preference. I like the look of the LT much more and would be ok for any minor trade off’s. The RT is also a good choice if you are looking for a bit more aggressive tire below the M/T. All valid points, I think if the 200 was any lighter I might agree more towards the P-Metric. Again totally what I personally would do. Reach out anytime if you have any 200 questions 😎

@@sanddrifterjb Perfect! Thanks for all your help Joe. I'll definitely reach out if I have other questions. Cheers!

I don't work directly for Toyo, so you will have to look at their web site for specific sizes. They do have a plant in Georgia that builds US products. I am just not sure what exact models they produce there

I think the Toyo is comparable with the Falken and K02 overall with some improvement, for instance they are much quieter then the K02 and less harsh. When it comes longevity, Toyo uses a different company to test so I personally don’t have that data. You can look at Toyotire.com to get more info on that. I think with testing all 3 that you will like the AT3 overall. 👌

They like to play that game everytime i go thr they need to stop this crap its wasting peoples.time.when ur tires r thr but they tell u its not and then give u another shit u have no clue what it does.

Why wouldn’t you be able to?

Bill - I would check with your local dealer on wear mileage for the AT3. My focus was on tire performance rather than wear longevity. I can tell you that the AT3 is better than the AT2 in several categories. From what you are doing from a driving side, you will be very pleased moving into the AT3.

Yeah no problem, I used the P-Metric 265/70R17. The F-150 was 100% stock no changes at all except we ran the Method Wheel and Toyo Tire

@@sanddrifterjb I was planning on a P-Metric 275/70R17 Toyo ATIII for our 2018 4Runner that runs between KC & Seattle but hits CO & UT trails for a month or more a year. Tangential question, for my modified '02 Pathfinder, which is a PNW weekend camping/off-road day trip truck, I was planning BFG KM3 for the summer season but I was thinking 10" (like 255/75R17) instead of the ubiquitous 12". Several experienced "overlanders" feel skinnies give them more contact patch and I've often been glad I'm skinny, never wished my wheels were thicker for getting through obstacles. I'd me interested in your opinion of 10" v 12" in both AT & MT

I wish I had a good comparison to show you between these two tires. I did not test the two back to back during our development of the AT3.

So your 285/45R22 OEM tire compared to the 305/45R22 is Is 32.1” to a 32.8” difference in dia. Width is 11.2” to 12” the 33x12.50 is measured at 33” where the 305 is at 32.8”. The 33” is also .5” wider. These are not big changes but you just need to make sure if you go bigger you won’t have any rubbing. My background is more on the actual testing side then fitment area. I just would do the math and make sure a 305 and or the 33” will work. It also depends on the look you want. Offsets are also important to know how your wheel is mounted to the hub. I would suggest talking with Discount Tire or a local tire store just to be safe.

@@sanddrifterjb Thanks for the quick reply. I've been researching in the Ram Forums and I'm pretty sure that they will not rub. My main concern is that the 305/45R22 has an approved rim with of 9.5 to 11.5 and mine are only 9.0. I think that the 305/45R22 will be a lighter and smoother riding tire than the 33x12.50, but the approved rim width has me worried. Would there be an issue mounting the 305/45R22 on a 9.0 wheel? Thanks again.

cdub11121 looks like a 9” maybe pushing it with the 305? You can check Toyo’s web site to see if it falls in the window. Also many shops like Discount won’t mount a tire if the wheel specs are not correct. Just an FYI

I agree the AT2 did suck in wet and snow. The AT3 is much better 👌

Nice! I think they will look a bit more aggressive then the OEM M+S tire with an aftermarket wheel. Keep them rotated as often as you can to prevent increasing road noise over time.

@@sanddrifterjb Will do! Thanks for your reply.

Grey Wolf67 basically same brand, like BFG and Michelin. I used to test with Nitto on occasion and I was impressed with some of their tires. Here is an interesting fact, they both use a manufacturing process to get really good run-out numbers. This method helps with less balance weights compared to other competitors. Back to answering your question, I wouldn’t run the LT’s unless you plan to tow or put more weight in the bed. They are more designed for the F-250/competitors overall. I wish that I can say I have direct test data comparing these two but I can only speak for the Toyo AT3. The P-Metric meets your needs and may even come in a bit lower on cost? Hope that helps. 👍

JOE BACAL That helps a lot. Man, I appreciate your response and feedback. Thank you very much. I will go with the P-Metric sizes. I only occasionally use it to haul anything and don’t tow anything heavy. Thanks again. Take care

@@aqua.scape69 You bet! Anytime ...

Waffeey thank you👍

My 02 8.1 was too thursty don’t miss it at all . It did last 309k miles an was running perfect when I sold it only 4 fuel pumps ,my gas saving paid for my 05 d max

I didn't have a chance to do a direct comparison since Nitto is owned by Toyo Tire. The Grappler may be a bit more aggressive but I don't believe it has 3PMSF certification? I can tell you that they use many if not the same manufacturing processes and they also tend to be more round or have better run out compared to other tires in this class. This helps reduce counter balance weights. Both are good choices. Hope that helps a bit. You can also take a look at the tire rack web site and see how their testing data looks.

@@sanddrifterjb thanks for the help!

Thank you! Still new at this KZfaq channel stuff but working at it! As for my 2 cents on what tire would I choose? I do like both but on looks alone, I have to go with the Duratrac. It is more aggressive looking and will perform better in MUD due to the tread blocks which sounds like an important factor for you. Here is a quick list of areas the Goodyear did well comparing against 7 competitors- OFF-ROAD - Rank / #1 DRY STOPPING DISTANCE- Rank / lower 3, not ideal WET STOPPING DISTANCE- Rank / mid pack RIDE COMFORT- Rank / #1 DRY HANDLING- Rank / lower 3, not ideal STEERING FEEL- Rank / top 3 WET HANDLING- Rank / dead last SNOW PERFORMANCE- Rank / good overall I hope this is helpful. I don't really do any type of driver training anymore, except for fire depts. in off-road conditions and recovery. What are you looking for? I know instructors all over the country for both on and off-road.

@@sanddrifterjb mainly wanting some off road training in the future i am planning to move out to Colorado (west slope around ouray) and will be working for the forest service and i have some experience (been up engineer pass and imogene and several around that area) but would just like to get better training. I wouldn't mind taking some on road classes either.

@@sequoia4567 I can point you in the right direction. I know a few amazing off road instructors who taught me over the years out of Grand junction if you are interested.

@@sanddrifterjb I definently would be that sounds like an amazing opertunity. Thank you! Also the tire compariosn that you referenced where would one go to look at that. I was wondering how the toyo at3 compared.

Sequoia 45 o would reach out to Bill Burke @ 4Wheeling America. He is a former US Camel driver and absolutely the best instructor in the country when it comes to technical driving and recovery. Also, as for the actual data on all of the tires that I tested, I am not sharing it. I will answer questions that are related though.

Kelly Abelmann Kelly- I just asked my Toyo Tire engineer to confirm. Here is his comment. “Both 2 and 3 ply depending on the size and the need for it. All specs, including ply construction is on our website”. I hope that helps👍

@@sanddrifterjb I went with a 35x12.50x17 10ply for my PowerWagon and living and spending most my time in the Rocky Mountain west try to get as tough a tire as possible. Really enjoyed video

Kelly Abelmann I really appreciate it! Glad you liked my video. Still trying to figure that KZfaq channel stuff out. Lol. I have spent some time over the years wheelin’ in your parts so I get it! Enjoy🤘

If you would have asked me 6 months ago I would have said Falken in all areas is a better tire then the Toyo AT3, however Falken recently did a running production change and the tire rubber compounds are now "cheaper" The testing I did was way off the mark on the Falken and it was not even close to the Toyo AT3 now. I even double checked this finding with an older pre-change AT3W set, and yep completely different. It's crazy to me how companies like Falken can build great products and then change them to be garbage! I loved them and they were amazing in almost every category before.... don't waste your money now..... The Toyo is absolutely the way to go in comparison.

@@sanddrifterjb I've heard same thing recently, sad news since I was about to buy a set and the AT3 isn't available in Canada 😒

@@sanddrifterjb that's crazy about the Falkens! I own a late model 4Runner, and I'm looking for tires. Most of the Toyota guys tell me to go with the Falkens. But that's pretty disappointing seeing that they cheaped out on the quality of the tire, because I've noticed over the past few months the price seems to have risen dramatically on the P rated size for my 4Runner. The Falken was touted as a great value, though it seems like they've lost most of their value advantage. I'm leaning toward the Toyo AT3 or The BFG ko2, though from your testing it seems like the Toyo would probably be the better fit, though to be quite honest I much prefer the look of the BFG. I kind of feel like Toyo missed the mark with the sidewall design, they should have benchmarked the KO2 or the Falken for a more aggressive look. I also wish the Toyo was available in a load range C in my size, because the KO2 is one of the few tires available in a 265/70/17 C rating. So as far as the load range, the Toyo is so far available in either the P or E rating in the size that I need. For a 4Runner that will eventually see some off-road use, would I be better off going with the E rating over the P? I live in New England, and while I don't do a lot of off-roading yet, I plan on getting further into it. We do get snow and a lot of rain here, so performance in the wet is important.

@@trailrunnah8886 I can tell you we did do a comparison with the BFG K02 and although the BFG scored well in the rocks it suffered in other areas. It was one of the worst in the snow when it came to being extremely firm and harsh. I am a big BFG fan and love the brand but the tire is just average in many categories we tested. Yes, more aggressive is a good direction but if you look at the Toyo AT3, it is more aggressive on the sidewall in the LT spec. They make a P-Metric spec for the 265 but it is even less aggressive on the side wall tread design. The AT3 did way better on a noise side than the K02 and also is great in snow and wet IMO

@@sanddrifterjb thank you for the info, I really appreciate the quick reply! One more question, I saw that the 255/ 80 /17 AT3 is an E Rated tire, but it's only 50 lb which is only a few more pounds than a C-rated 265 BFG. 255/80 size is 33.1 x 10.0, vs 31.6 x 10.5 for the 265. Do you think the E rating would be overkill in a 4Runner? I'm now thinking I may go that 255 80 route in order to get a larger tire that's not necessarily that much heavier. I am mostly stock, not all overloaded with steel bumpers and a roof-top tent and all that stuff haha. I am sold on the tread of the AT3, I love the look of the S shape in the middle. Reminds me of the old Suzuki logo haha.

Thank you for the kind words. I would look at a 3PMSF cert like the Nitto G2 or AT3 Toyo. I didn’t like the duratrac on average. Stay away from the Falken. I really liked it but they changed it to be garbage. I would look at the G2 or AT3. Imo

@@sanddrifterjb what do you think of the general grabber?

I’m interested in how the AT3 compare with General’s ATX as well, which seem to be getting great overall reviews- especially in snow. They also cost a fair amount less.

The ATX is a solid tire. I worked on the development of the X3 MT some years back, so I have some experience with the engineering team. Great group and I like the General brand. The ATX is a mid pack tire that does many things well but was not a top 5 in my testing when it came to an overall performer. The AT3 out performed the ATX in almost every category I evaluated. Hope that helps

@@sanddrifterjb Thank you for replying; I appreciate it! They seem to be priced accordingly based on your opinions and for the most part get great reviews; especially in snow, which is an area of importance to me. I’ve read comparisons of it vs the KO2 (which it resembles in my opinion) where people have said that it excels in areas where some complain that the KO2 lacks (more siping for improved wet/snow performance).

@@Icutmetal Not a fan of the BFG in snow It was extremely harsh and very non linear during lane changes... ATX was better IMO in snow overall

Great question. I would personally run the RT if you are planning to hit more rocky stuff. The AT3 works great for an AT but sidewall stiffness and tread pattern design is not as good for the conditions you plan to drive on. Keep in mind that you will lose some ride comfort and noise will be up a bit but IMO that is a better direction. Hope that helps and should look sweet on that Taco. 🤙

@@sanddrifterjb Thanks for the quick reply. Much appreciated!!!!

@@behindenemylines9033 Anytime