Going to need new shoes soon

[Ron Quixote]

Your point being?

BTW, the winter update was published 8 months ago, in 2025. These tires are still the same today and do not change from one year to another. When it comes to my and other's safety, I will rather trust Tire Rack tests a great deal more than a random person on the internet.

Bro, the Workhorse HT you're linking to is not the same tire.

Sponsored

 

[daytoncarter]

Comparing the Workhorse to the Ascent - they have different design priorities:

1. Compound Philosophy

• Goodyear Workhorse AT2: Uses a "chip and tear resistant" compound designed for durability. The rubber is harder to withstand sharp gravel and job site debris. The trade-off is that harder rubber struggles to conform to wet asphalt and stiffens quickly in freezing temperatures, reducing micro-adhesion.
  Bridgestone Ascent: Utilizes high-silica "Enliten" technology. This compound is chemically engineered to remain soft and pliable in the cold and wet, prioritizing grip and stopping power over sheer physical durability.
  

2. Siping Technology / Groove & Block Design

• Goodyear Workhorse AT2: Features standard 2D sipes cut straight across the blocks. While they provide biting edges, the blocks can flex and squirm under heavy braking, causing the sipes to squeeze shut just when you need them most on ice. The "open shoulder grooves" and large voids (visible in your image) rely on mechanical keying. This design excels at digging into deep, loose material like fresh powder, mud, or loose gravel because the large gaps act as paddles. However, the large voids reduce the total rubber contact patch on wet highways.
  
  
  
  
• Bridgestone Ascent: Uses full-depth 3D interlocking sipes (waffle pattern inside the rubber). When braking, the internal walls lock together to prevent block squirm. This keeps the biting edges open and effective on hard-packed snow and black ice. Features a continuous center rib and tighter block spacing. This puts more rubber in contact with the road at all times, providing superior stability and wet traction, but offering less ability to "paddle" through deep, loose off-road terrain.
  
  

 

[bigb]

Is there any love here for Cooper Discoverer tires?

 

[daytoncarter]

Is there any love here for Cooper Discoverer tires?

I looked at them closely but reviews say the the Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT were a little bit louder on the road but better off-road than the Dueler A/T Ascent I went with.

Tires are a great way to tune your vehicle to your needs!

 

[Ron Quixote]

All I know is that the Workhorse AT2 performed great in wet braking and wet handling, especially for a true AT. I'm surprised the Toyo AT3 was as middling as it was, because I've run those and liked them a lot.

 

[bigb]

I looked at them closely but reviews say the the Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT were a little bit louder on the road but better off-road than the Dueler A/T Ascent I went with.

Tires are a great way to tune your vehicle to your needs!

I ran Cooper Discoverer AT3s on my Superduty, was very happy with them and will likely put them on my Ranger if they are available when the time comes. I will probably go to a 265/70-R17.

 

[RRheault_NC]

Bro, the Workhorse HT you're linking to is not the same tire.

Good point, I missed that and was confused when the other poster pointed out the date of the test, instead of the two tires being different.

 

[RRheault_NC]

He linked to the 2024 test of the Workhorse HT.

The Workhorse AT2 is totally new for 2025, which is why the 2024 test tells you nothing about it.

If you're going to crap on someone's recommendation, at least make sure you're talking about the actual tire that was recommended.

"On that note, Continental's TerrainContact A/T was pretty decisively the top option in this test. It stands to reason that as the sole category representative for On-Road All-Terrain tires, that it would be a strong contender on paved surfaces, but it was both subjectively and objectively the best out here. The nicest ride, the quickest laps, and the best stopping distances from 60 mph. It does an excellent job reinforcing the importance of looking at category first for tire choice.

"Goodyear's Wrangler Workhorse AT2, as one of the newest products in this test, also makes a great case for looking to see what the continual advancement of tire technology offers as well. It was very close behind Continental's tire in nearly every regard, and as an Off-Road All-Terrain pick, that's a strong place to be.

"Mickey Thompson's Baja Boss A/T rounds out the top three of the test, and makes a compelling argument for the Rugged All-Terrain category doing a little bit of everything as well. Not to the same level - it was a noticeable step down in ride quality and noise comfort on the street compared to the other two - but a worthy contender nonetheless."

I stand corrected

 

[Glisch]

In the Tacoma space, everyone was constantly recommending either BFG KO2/KO3 or Nitto Ridge Grapplers. I'm surprised how different the recommendations are here. The BFGs and Nittos aren't even in the comparisons from the reviews being shared. They are also A/Ts.

Anyone know why the difference? I've owned KO2s multiple times, Nitto Ridge Grapplers, and now the KO3s that came on the RR. All have been excellent so far, both road driving and off road (sandy / rocky terrain).

 

[pablo94sc]

Anecdotal, but I've had great luck with Continental tires. They do wear faster than their rated treadwear life, but the performance was consistent from beginning to around 4/32 when they started to really drop off.

On the positive side re: treadwear, I was always pro-rated for early replacement, usually resulting in getting the 4th tire free. If you can get them with a 30 day trial (I think Discount Tires offers that), might be worth trying the terraincontacts if they match the rest of your needs.

 

[daytoncarter]

In the Tacoma space, everyone was constantly recommending either BFG KO2/KO3 or Nitto Ridge Grapplers.

Like OP, my truck spends 95% of its time on road working and approx. 5% off-road on adventures. Taco owners might optimize for looks or clout?

The tires you mentioned (BFG KO2/KO3 and Nitto Ridge Grapplers) are typically classified as Rugged All-Terrain or Hybrid (R/T) tires. While they are fantastic for durability and off-road traction (popular in the Tacoma overlanding/off-road crowd), they often sacrifice wet stopping distance and noise comfort compared to the On-Road All-Terrain tires being recommended here (like the Continental TerrainContact or Bridgestone Ascent).

 

[bigb]

the OEM 255/70-R17s are SL load range tires. Many of the tires I look at in a 255, 265 and even a 245 are load range E. Is anyone considering the differences between SL, C, D and E? I am thinking an E rated tire might offer a stiffer ride and poorer cornering? Pretty sure SL tires are put on small trucks and SUVs for ride comfort. What's a good compromise?

 

[daytoncarter]

the OEM 255/70-R17s are SL load range tires. Many of the tires I look at in a 255, 265 and even a 245 are load range E. Is anyone considering the differences between SL, C, D and E? I am thinking an E rated tire might offer a stiffer ride and poorer cornering? Pretty sure SL tires are put on small trucks and SUVs for ride comfort. What's a good compromise?

I know for me, I picked SL, and even that is overkill for the required GVWR. The rough GVWR for a Lariat 4x4 Ranger like mine is ~6,000 lbs. The SL Ascent set has a max capacity of approx 9,700 lbs. For the E load range it goes up to a super-duty 12,700 lbs capacity.

 

[stemplar]

The rubber is getting worn down at this point. almost 70K kms.
the stock tires, 255-70R17 112T Goodyear Wrangler Terrains haven't been the best tire Ive ever had, their wet and cold performance is rated at a B and it shows.
Today, while zooming through the dark in light rain, I hydroplaned so that's enough of those shenanigans. It was a weird event.

What have you guys been using that will fit my needs. High miles mostly highway, moderate amounts of rain, sometimes heavy, and snow/icy conditions for a few months of the year. Basically a southern ontario weather mix. I rarely do offroad, and only see occasional gravel roads. So aggressive tread is only a desire for looks, and would choose an all terrain tire if it had A ratings for wet and cold.

https://www.tire-reviews.com/Tire-Tests/The-Best-All-Terrain-Tires-For-Winter-2025-Tested.htm

tldr; the reviewer rated the nokian the best overall winter tire. With that said, as good as they are I decided to get dedicated winter tires on a second set of rims because pretty much any real winter tire will beat even the best AT tire in winter conditions.

 

[bigb]

I know for me, I picked SL, and even that is overkill for the required GVWR. The rough GVWR for a Lariat 4x4 Ranger like mine is ~6,000 lbs. The SL Ascent set has a max capacity of approx 9,700 lbs. For the E load range it goes up to a super-duty 12,700 lbs capacity.

I don't feel comfortable going into some of the rocky terrain around here with an SL tire. I can get the Cooper Discoverer ATP II in XL. There are a number of C1 tires available but they start to get heavy, like 50+ lbs.

Sponsored