JKU Tire Opinions?

Fishrising

Observer
Sorry for a tire question/suggestion thread, but I am at wits end and in analysis paralysis with all the info I've read on this forum and others. Just wondering wha the Expo folks think...

Here is what I have:
*2011 JKU Sahara
*RK 1.75" BB LT kit installed (pucks)
*Rubicon wheels and tires installed (255/75/17 : ~32.1"X10")
*Spidertrax 1.5" spacers on a shelf

Here are my goals/guidelines:
*Slight gain in underbelly clearance for more clearance while driving down rutted farm roads and woods trails for camping, hunting and fishing
*Not do anything to my suspension and other related components, other than I what already have with the BB
*Maintain the best road/highway comfort I can as this is my DD
*I do not rock crawl
*Keep Rubicon wheels
*I do drive it to VT from CT to ski nearly every other weekend in the winter regardless of weather (150+ highway miles each way)
*I do drive it throughout New England to camp out of, often (150+ highway miles each way)
*I do drive it to Cape Cod (beach) from CT to every other weekend in the summer when the weather is sunny, but rarely drive it more than 2 days on the beach (200 highway miles each way)
*I am not for or against using the spacers I have

I have narrowed it down to these:

* Nitto Exo Grappler AWT 285/70/17 (~32.7”x11.2”) ~$244
* Goodyear Duratrac 285/70/17 (~32.7”x11.2”) ~$260
* Cooper ST Maxx 255/80/17 (~33.1x10.0”) ~$204
* ******** Cepek Extreme Country 295/70/17 (~33.3”x11.6”) ~$225
* Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 285/75/17 (~33.8x11.2”) ~$217

I am leaning towards the 285/75/17 Wildpeak A/T3W followed by the 255/80/17 Cooper ST Maxx and lastly the 285/70/17 Duratrac. I looked at the BFG A/T T/A KO2 in 34x10.5" but the ~$311 seems expensive.

Anyone have any thoughts before I pull the trigger on something? Thanks!
 

Mass_Mopar

Don't Litter
I settled on the Coopers, and love them! Here's my decision thread if you'd like to read some opinions from late last year.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...-32-33-quot-Tires-are-you-running-on-your-JKU

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cshontz

Supporting Sponsor
Do not recommend Goodyear Duratracs. It's a capable off-pavement tire, but it greatly contributes to NVH and is ill-mannered on-pavement. I was ecstatic to replace mine with the Cooper Discoverer AT3, which is a superb tire. Aside from the Coopers, BFGoodrich is my go-to for AT or MT.
 

HRPINDC

Adventurer
I couldn't recommend BF Goodrich K02 more. Honestly they are one of, if not the best tires I've had on my SUVs. They are amazing in snow and ice, quiet on road and very good in the rain. Unfortunately I haven't had them off-road yet, but I have no concerns based on reviews. The sidewalks are stronger than the Duratracs, but they are heavier. I hope this helps you.
 

MTSN

Explorer
Don't exclude a tire because it seems expensive. Sometimes/oftentimes it's worth it to spend a little more to get a much better product, especially one that will serve you well for several years.
 

kojackJKU

Autism Family Travellers!
Anyone find the KO2 squirrely in the rear end like the KO's? That was one thing I noticed after coming from my Maxx to the KO, going in ruts on the highway, the back end is very "loose"....where as the Maxx never felt like that.
 

Fishrising

Observer
While I agree with you, for the amount of snowy highway travel I end up doing, I don't think it's worth the dedicated snow tire investment. Roads get cleared pretty quickly where I am. My snowy highway concern is when it happens to snow good on a Friday night when I'm heading from CT to VT. Maybe twice year it's a 45mph snowy highway ride for a couple of hours.
 

Kmrtnsn

Explorer
Nena Barlow at Barlow Jeeps in Sedona raves about the A/T3Ws. Durtracs have a bad reputation for sidewall weakness.
 

chasespeed

Explorer
I went with KO2s. Last several tires were Duratracs(and the Dunlop MaxxTrac).

Death with BFGs in the past, and swore up and down I'd never run another set of them.

Needless to say, I'm very happy with the KO2s. Excellent highway manners. Excellent in the sand, etc.

Haven't had them in a Mass winter yet.

But, as with any of these tires, these are an AT, not a mud tire, or snow tire, etc.

Chase
 

Mass_Mopar

Don't Litter
What do you guys think of the ST Maxx 255s in the snow? Both snowy highway travel and off-road snow?

I haven't thrown too much at them yet but they did make it through last winter without any issues, including some very hairy mountain roads in New Hampshire.

As a side note, before climbing any road that might turn into sheer ice, turn the hill-hold brake feature off! Otherwise it'll grab the brake and hold it on the entire time you slide backwards down the hill...

Breaking some trail last winter, no issues.

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dstock

Explorer
Do not recommend Goodyear Duratracs. It's a capable off-pavement tire, but it greatly contributes to NVH and is ill-mannered on-pavement. I was ecstatic to replace mine with the Cooper Discoverer AT3, which is a superb tire. Aside from the Coopers, BFGoodrich is my go-to for AT or MT.

Couldn't disagree more regarding the Duratracs, it's extremely well mannered on pavement and frankly kicks the crap out of the BFG KO in wet and snow. I switched away from the BFG KO precisely because of the wet and snow handling, otherwise it was a wash between the two in terms of dry and off pavement. Hopefully the new BFG KO2 has addressed this.

Maybe it depends on the vehicle.
 

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