I'll need tires in a few months and wanted to revisit my options and tell you what I'm thinking. I've read all the tire threads here over the years and have been driving an LR3/LR4 since 2005...
First, I primarily do sand driving for my offroad needs and have finally figured out that I don't need much tread for sand. If I drop the tire pressure below 20 I seem to be able to get trough anything fine. If anything, less tread may be better as I float more than dig.
I do, however, want better tracking for snow. We don't get a ton of snow in the MD/PA area where I drive, but I storm chase for snow sports and I have not been happy with how some of my minimal treaded tires have performed. Something a little more aggressive would be nice. I don't know if it's worth a significant impact to road noise or gas mileage since I'm mainly highway, though.
So, I'm between the following 3 tires, in no particular order, but am open to suggestions;
Michilin Latitude Tour HP ($284 MSRP)- I have had zero issues with my LR3/LR4 Michilins. They last long, they run smooth. I am not crazy with their snow traction, though. It is very much of a road tread.
Not on tirerack currently, for some reason, I'll price shop them.
Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac ($249) - I want to seriously consider these based on
@nymoto 's recommendation. They look great on the truck and he reports "quiet on the road and handles everything I have thrown at them." Tirerack is no longer listing them, but I saw them on Walmart's site.
Nokian WRG3 SUV ($185) - I sold my LR3 shortly after I put these on, so I never got to really test them in off road conditions. There were fine on road, if not slightly more noise than my Michilins. Not a tread noise, kind of a lumpy tire noise. Subtle. My mechanic noticed it more than I did.
In any case, I've heard nothing but good things about the Nokians and was considering trying them again. They were priced low when I got them a couple years ago, and still are. I like a deal as much as the next guy, but it seems odd that a high quality import tire is still selling for significantly less than my other options. ?
I'll say that years ago when I got my LR3, the Goodyear's LR put on it were awful. Didn't wear well and the nylon belts made for a lumpy drive if they'd been sitting for a while.
Appreciate any feedback on this. Thanks!