Tires for Soft Roaders

[richman555]

The other day, I began to think about future tires for my 2025 Ranger XLT with BAP which I use as my daily.

Without changing out the shiny OEM black wheels and tire size (255/65/18) what would be good for a "Soft Roader"?

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[Mrtull4]

I’m not a soft roader, but the stock wranglers are so quiet from the start I’m not sure how much quieter tires can get. I’m curious to see how people respond.

 

[richman555]

I’m not a soft roader, but the stock wranglers are so quiet from the start I’m not sure how much quieter tires can get. I’m curious to see how people respond.

I agree. I don't really love the OEM tires. They are like driving on pillows.

I used to have KO2s on a Jeep years back and it was a bit overkill for my daily driving including a large MPG hit.

Perhaps there is a good way to bridge the gap.

 

[Mrtull4]

I agree. I don't really love the OEM tires. They are like driving on pillows.

Exactly. My wife’s tremor had General Grabbers and I thought they were a good balance. I have Cooper Discoverers on my F150 and I would like a quieter tire but go off road in the mountains so not really an option.

 

[richman555]

Exactly. My wife’s tremor had General Grabbers and I thought they were a good balance. I have Cooper Discoverers on my F150 and I would like a quieter tire but go off road in the mountains so not really an option.

I do like bigger beefier tires, lifts, etc. however I live just outside of Philly. Too many trips in the city and using parking garages, streets, suburbs, etc.

Right now it's much more of a city truck driving around crappy NE winter weather.

 

[superj]

Whats a soft roader

 

[Mrtull4]

Whats a soft roader

I may be wrong but I took it to mean never leaving city streets, so any type of rugged tire is unnecessary.

 

[richman555]

I may be wrong but I took it to mean never leaving city streets, so any type of rugged tire is unnecessary.

I wouldn't say 'never' leaving city streets but rarely. Like the look of an AT tire but don't need a more rugged more heavy tire. Think of a percentage of 20% or less off-road.

Gravel may be the biggest thing a 'soft roader' may encounter.

 

[richman555]

To keep this thread going, thinking about BF Goodrich Trail Terrains (seen many of these on Tacos over the years) or maybe Cooper Discoverer Road and Trail.

 

[stemplar]

I’m happy with my nokian outpost nAT which are overkill for a “soft roader”, but the all-weather 3pms-rated milder version looks like a great fit and comes in 255/65-18: https://na.nokiantyres.com/all-terrain-tires/nokian-tyres-outpost-apt/

 

[josephp732]

I have Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus on my two 4Runners. This will also be the tire that I put on the Ranger when the time comes. It's a great all around AT tire. https://www.tirerack.com/tires/pirelli-scorpion-all-terrain-plus

 

[h1k3rb]

Are you nearing the end of your tread life or just thinking ahead? My truck doesn't even have 1000 miles on it yet but I've had bad luck with Goodyear tires in the past so can't help but think about it. Back in the 90's I bought a used minivan for my wife and the Goodyears on it started coming apart with steel treads poking through the surface. The nearby Goodyear store was willing to pro-rate them for new ones but not on any "sale" tires, full price only. I found some great Armstrong/Pirelli (same as Pirella Cinturato's at the time) tires across town for nearly half what the Goodyear replacements would have cost.

Another new vehicle I bought came with Goodyear Wranglers (don't remember exact model) that barely lasted 20K miles. So far I'm impressed with how quiet the Goodyears on the Ranger are, the performance on snow, ice and gravel roads, plus getting 21-26mpg. If they hold up reasonably well I'll be tempted to get them again but will be watching this and other tire threads.

 

[h1k3rb]

I have Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus on my two 4Runners. This will also be the tire that I put on the Ranger when the time comes. It's a great all around AT tire. https://www.tirerack.com/tires/pirelli-scorpion-all-terrain-plus

How's the noise and mpg? Those look good but the Tire Rack site shows they're not available in the stock size on my SXT.

 

[josephp732]

How's the noise and mpg? Those look good but the Tire Rack site shows they're not available in the stock size on my SXT.

My Ranger has factory Goodyear Wrangler Territory AT 255/65R18. Which are 31" in diameter. The Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus come in a 265/65R18. Which are 31.5" in diameter and will easily fit on our trucks. I find this tire to be a very good tire for highway driving (quite) and very capably for lite off-road duties and in the snow.

Here they are on my 4Runners. (Note these are 17" tires):

 

[h1k3rb]

My Ranger has factory Goodyear Wrangler Territory AT 255/65R18. Which are 31" in diameter. The Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus come in a 265/65R18. Which are 31.5" in diameter and will easily fit on our trucks. I find this tire to be a very good tire for highway driving (quite) and very capably for lite off-road duties and in the snow.

Here they are on my 4Runners. (Note these are 17" tires):

Good looking tire, happy to hear they're performing well. Have 255/70-17's on my Ranger SXT which Tire Rack says they don't carry. Maybe they'll be available when the time comes.

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