A/T vs M/T tires for CA use?

[Kurt_S]

'97 TJ 4.0 Sport with 2.5" lift, weekend warrior with hopefully more offroad time than highway miles. Currently exploring trails around Central CA (Shaver Lake, etc...). Winter plans include installing Detroit lockers front and rear, 4.56 gears, Dana Super 35 upgrade, possibly 1.25" BL. This is just context.

Here's my real question: Any CA/West Coast (or similar terrain) folks have an opinion on ATs vs MTs? We don't have a great deal of mud here especially in the summer, but I'd think that deflated MTs will bite more just because of bigger lugs. Yes, No, maybe? Thinking about Cooper Evolution M/T 33 x 12.5 x 15 running on 15 x 8's. Thoughts?

 

[WestCoastDan]

I just went with the AT's because I didn't want the road noise and ours will be used for the exact opposite as yours (more highway than off-road).
If I were in your position, I would have gone with the MT.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

For California's rocky trails you'll be better off with a MT style tire. And the stronger the sidewall the better since there are sharp rocks out there capable of slicing through the sidewall. I thought my Kevlar reinforced MT/R sidewalls were pretty much bulletproof until this happened last year.

 

[Kurt_S]

For California's rocky trails you'll be better off with a MT style tire. And the stronger the sidewall the better since there are sharp rocks out there capable of slicing through the sidewall. I thought my Kevlar reinforced MT/R sidewalls were pretty much bulletproof until this happened last year.
View attachment 290354

Holy crap... well okay then. Thanks for the feedback... M/Ts it is then.

 

[Kurt_S]

I just went with the AT's because I didn't want the road noise and ours will be used for the exact opposite as yours (more highway than off-road).
If I were in your position, I would have gone with the MT.

 

[Plumber1]

Another vote for MT’s

 

[Lou]

ATs are for Toyotas or Jeeps that don’t actually wheel hard.

 

[Kurt_S]

Another vote for MT’s

 

[Kurt_S]

ATs are for Toyotas or Jeeps that don’t actually wheel hard.

 

[L J]

We don't have a great deal of mud here especially in the summer, but I'd think that deflated MTs will bite more just because of bigger lugs. Yes, No, maybe?

Yes. M/T as Mud Terrain is a bit of a misnomer. Think of M/T as Maximum Traction.

 

[notnsuv]

Went with these. Cooper Evolution 35 x 12.5 x 15

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=e0c77dXH&id=082F78452F332203F22A807DDD01FD1CCCE78681&thid=OIP.e0c77dXHb2xN1bQWm7sQCAHaHa&mediaurl=https://www.1010tires.com/images/tires/Cooper/Cooper-Evolution-MT_lg_800x800.jpg&cdnurl=https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.7b473bedd5c76f6c4dd5b4169bbb1008?rik=gYbnzBz9Ad19gA&pid=ImgRaw&r=0&exph=1000&expw=1000&q=cooper+evolution+m/t&simid=608027211618020849&form=IRPRST&ck=7C58B62047D5B34C1CF4D20089C14653&selectedindex=7&pc=SANSAAND&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0&vt=4&sim=11

Reports are good off-road, not superior, and good on road, again not superior, but better than most in snow and on ice. Not CA rated.
Guess I'll find out when I use them.

 

[Gilaguy23]

And for Ice covered roads like going up 168 to Courtwright?? of course there are chains but what fun is that. Siping mang...siping. Just my $.02

 

[Jerry Bransford]

And for Ice covered roads like going up 168 to Courtwright?? of course there are chains but what fun is that. Siping mang...siping. Just my $.02

There are MT tires to be found with siping, and many tire stores can add siping to tires as I did to my first set of BFG MT tires.

 

[suicideking]

The MT tires will be better for most wheeling situations, especially rocks are any area that might puncture a tire.

AT will will better for street/highway and snow/wet driving.

My first set of aftermarket tires were BFG AT 33's. They got poor traction on rocks, but much better handling on road.

 

[SoCalGlide]

Went with these. Cooper Evolution 35 x 12.5 x 15

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=e0c77dXH&id=082F78452F332203F22A807DDD01FD1CCCE78681&thid=OIP.e0c77dXHb2xN1bQWm7sQCAHaHa&mediaurl=https://www.1010tires.com/images/tires/Cooper/Cooper-Evolution-MT_lg_800x800.jpg&cdnurl=https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.7b473bedd5c76f6c4dd5b4169bbb1008?rik=gYbnzBz9Ad19gA&pid=ImgRaw&r=0&exph=1000&expw=1000&q=cooper+evolution+m/t&simid=608027211618020849&form=IRPRST&ck=7C58B62047D5B34C1CF4D20089C14653&selectedindex=7&pc=SANSAAND&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0&vt=4&sim=11

Reports are good off-road, not superior, and good on road, again not superior, but better than most in snow and on ice. Not CA rated.
Guess I'll find out when I use them.

I had the same put on last month. Not the best at anything, but they have a great price point, and suit my needs. I'm happy with their road manners, and I don't wheel particularly hard, but do occasionally need more than what I can get from most ATs.

 

[notnsuv]

Wish us luck.

Mine should arrive within the week. If my 5.13s will show up I'll just have the builder install the new tire/wheel package whiles he's got it apart for that and axles.
Wanted to get BM brakes at the same time but holding off awhile so I can feel the difference after I've driven it as is. Heck, I don't even know what I have for brakes for sure, other than 4-wheel discs.