Tire Experiences and Recommendations

[Daskuppler]

Hello Everyone,

 

Does anyone have any experience with the following tires:

Continental Terrain Contact

BF Goodrich Trail Terrain

Toyo Open Country AT III

 

Back story, Colorado's roads are sh*t and I'm tired of buying tires.  The goal is to get something a little more durable than the Continental TrueContacts I have been running.  While the TrueContacts have fantastic traction in snow, rain, and dry, the sidewalls are garbage.  I've had to replace two sets of tires because of sidewall failures.

The ideal tire would support a spirited driving style while handling rougher terrain better than a standard street tire.  Discount Tire offers the above tires that have more of a dirt oriented terrain, but there's limited information on sidewall thickness and real life experiences.

 

Thoughts?  Experiences? Comments?

 

Thanks!

[idosubaru]

I’d suggest getting 16” Forester turbo wheels and if you must stick with those vulnerable 17” stock wheels - If I had to guess the BFGs will be a strong candidate. 

Generally, for what you’re looking for - you get what you pay for. Cheaper tires tend to reduce side wall strength and chemicals that mitigate UV/oxygen degradation for longevity. average consumers aren’t good purveyors of those traits. So companies can easily cut expense there. 

Have you considered getting larger sidewall tires? You could use the lid time standard Outback 16” wheels. The 16” Forester turbo (and maybe some non turbos) are super sharp wheels  

The 2005+ trend to increase wheel diameter and lessen the tire side wall makes them more vulnerable. I live in an area where gravel roads are common. I see tons of 2005+ Subarus with busted side walls and those bumps on the side walls (do they have a name)?  My 2009 legacy has a large protruding bump now. It’s so common I’m just leaving it. I’m tired of replacing them, this set will be replaced soon, these are otherwise great tires, and this car isn’t that critical. 

Tire companies change brands all the time for marketing purposes so it’s hard to see good quality long time reviews and consumers in aggregate aren’t great reviewers for a huge number of reasons.

Example:  general Altimax tires are a very common tire here that performs well and is priced well. But they have weak side walls and I see them fail all the time here. The online reviews don’t mention this. So reviews aren’t great but:

Id still look at reviews to see what they say.

Edited May 13, 2023 by idosubaru

[Daskuppler]

On 5/13/2023 at 6:36 AM, idosubaru said:

I’d suggest getting 16” Forester turbo wheels and if you must stick with those vulnerable 17” stock wheels - If I had to guess the BFGs will be a strong candidate. 

Generally, for what you’re looking for - you get what you pay for. Cheaper tires tend to reduce side wall strength and chemicals that mitigate UV/oxygen degradation for longevity. average consumers aren’t good purveyors of those traits. So companies can easily cut expense there. 

Have you considered getting larger sidewall tires? You could use the lid time standard Outback 16” wheels. The 16” Forester turbo (and maybe some non turbos) are super sharp wheels  

The 2005+ trend to increase wheel diameter and lessen the tire side wall makes them more vulnerable. I live in an area where gravel roads are common. I see tons of 2005+ Subarus with busted side walls and those bumps on the side walls (do they have a name)?  My 2009 legacy has a large protruding bump now. It’s so common I’m just leaving it. I’m tired of replacing them, this set will be replaced soon, these are otherwise great tires, and this car isn’t that critical. 

Tire companies change brands all the time for marketing purposes so it’s hard to see good quality long time reviews and consumers in aggregate aren’t great reviewers for a huge number of reasons.

Example:  general Altimax tires are a very common tire here that performs well and is priced well. But they have weak side walls and I see them fail all the time here. The online reviews don’t mention this. So reviews aren’t great but:

Id still look at reviews to see what they say.

Thanks for the input.  I had though about downsizing the rims, but I wasn't sure if the brakes would clear. I also don't know that a half inch would make a huge difference, but it would be worth it if you got a good deal on the wheels.  I ended up going with the Continentals again but I think we're going to lean on the Xterra  a little more to save wear and tear on this car.

For reference, the Bf Goodrich tires have pretty bad reviews in the rain, and I would be inclined to believe them based on the tread block design.  All of these tires also seem to be fairly poorly constructed for offroad use.  I'm sure this is primarily because the market demands a quiet and smooth tire and that just doesn't work with a durable offroad tire.

I've had a few tires get those bubbles (I believe the technical name is impact break).  I have never experienced that with the Continentals, just cut sidewals but never a failure on the road just loss of structural integrity.

I generally try to look at reviews from the tire industries and testing facilities.  It can be hard though, and is getting harder due to market schemes, and a new tire/revision every other year.

I've gotten pretty good at reading tread patterns and predicting handeling in certain situations, but it's hard when you don't know what the rubber compound is.

As a general rule, I find Goodyears to be terrible after about 20k, nothing will come anywhere near it's projected life (especially on a Subaru), Bridgestones don't last, Michellin is overrated though always dependable, and nothing beats BF Goodrich offroad and generally speaking overall handling on the road.  That being said, they don't last but they do perform.  Everyone has their tales of success with particular tires and everyone gets lucky...and unlucky.

Tires and brakes are the two things I never skimp on...on any vehicle.  Luckily at least two of these tires will be covered under Discount Tire's Certificate program.  I wish the BFG A/T KO2 would fit without modification.  Can't beat those dang tires.