If you’re in need of new tires and are probably wondering what the best all terrain tires for Tacoma are, look no further. We give you a detailed review and buying guide to get you sorted with the best tires for your Tacoma.
The Toyota Tacoma is without a doubt a dependable truck and the reason for this is that they are very reliable and versatile catering to your day to day needs. Getting your Toyota Tacoma the best all-terrain tires for Tacoma adds on to the many qualities and benefits that are associated with this truck.
It being a truck, you would expect it be a heavyweight but that isn’t the case. It is a lightweight truck being rated as having some of the best off-roading features. Adding to this, the Tacoma gives you great fuel efficiency which is definitely something you want to have in any vehicle. They say that buying a car is only half the job; keeping it fueled is another story all together.
Investing in great tires will only improve on these features. Improving traction, grip, fuel efficiency as well as comfort and quietness during the drive as all determined by the kind of tires you get.
With that, let us get into the various types of tires.
Best All Terrain Tires for Tacoma
BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A tires are a great choice for your Tacoma as they are perfect for on-road as well as off-road driving despite the aggressive and rugged tread blocks. These tires have been made with a tear, chip and cut-resistant tread which is a plus because they are highly durable and have more wear resistant compared with the first gen T/A KO2.
The tires will be a great choice as they have a great go-anywhere traction as well as all-weather capabilities. Added to this the pattern consists of interlacing tread blocks that offer more grip and traction which comes in handy when driving on roads with loose surfaces. You’ll cover more distances without worrying that your tires will give up on you.
You will enjoy a comfortable and quiet drive even with its serrated shoulder design and increased biting edges for yet more traction. The only downside when it comes to the BFGoodrich T/A tire is that it is expensive. If you’re on a budget, then getting these tires might not seem like the reasonable decision to make. Each tire will cost you well over $200 for a set of these tires.
Pros
- Quite drive
- Durable construction
- Rugged design
- Improved traction and grip
- More wear resistance compared the first-gen
Cons
- Expensive
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Goodyear Wrangler TrailRunner AT
This is another great choice especially the BFGoodrich is too pricy for you. The Goodyear Wrangler is not as rugged and in terms of capability is lesser than that of the aforementioned. It is still however capable of some medium to high off-roading. This Goodyear Wrangler tire comes with a rubber compound that is tear resistant for durability.
Added to this, it has a symmetric treat design responsible for the enhancement of the tread life and at the same time it promotes even wear. You will get maximum comfort and quiet thanks to its less chunky treads. The Goodyear Wrangler has great grip due to the saw-toothed block edges combined with the multi-angle sipes. The combination will ensure that the grip is especially effective when driving on moderate snowfall or even loose surfaces.
It might not be rated for severe snow or mud but it is definitely a cheaper option without having to compromise on quality. For those who prefer comfortable and quiet drives, the Goodyear would be the most ideal choice because you’ll enjoy the benefits not having to worry whether the tires will last long or not.
Pros
- Comfortable and quiet drive
- Less pricy
- Good on snow as well as wet pavements
- Great grip and traction
- Less aggressive and less chunky
- Handling is stable
Cons
- Not rated for severe snow and mud
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Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 3
The Bridgestone Dueler A/T tire is a rugged hybrid tire that is capable of both on-road and off-road driving while giving you comfort and a quiet drive which is undoubtedly appreciated by many. It has a tear resistant rubber compound that is durable and a computer optimized symmetric tread design for irregular wear resistance.
The transmission from highways to off road trails is quite flawless thanks to the deep initial treads, open shoulder blocks, circumferential grooves as well as the staggered shoulder lugs. The handling and response across the different terrains is also spot on and with the Traction Claw Technology, the tires dig into snow or mud ensuring it has a firm grip.
When it comes to performance, the Bridgestone Revo 3 is definitely among the best tires for all terrain. But one thing it especially prides itself on it the ability to really perform on wet roads and this is because it has circumferential grooves that are deed as well open shoulder slots and what these do is redirect the water from getting to the contact patch.
If you’re looking for great all-terrain tires that are comfortable and at the same time are a safe choice, you won’t be going wrong with the Bridgestone All Terrain Revo 3.
Pros
- Great performance on wet/snowy roads
- Large tread blocks
- Aggressive tires
- Wear resistant
- Comfortable and quiet driving
Cons
- Expensive
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Michelin LTX A/T2
This Michelin LTX tire does not come to play and with its prices ranging from approximately $230 each, this is one the more expensive options on our list. However, the price for those who can afford these tires, shouldn’t deter you.
These tires are great in that they are a hybrid of All-Terrain together with the Highway Terrain with more Highway Terrain characteristics. You can rely on them all year round no matter the weather as they will definitely deliver.
The construction material is from a highly enhanced light truck rubber compound that enables the tires to be able to withstand all applications. The tire comes equipped to promote even wear, severe all-season traction and important of all is that it gives you better fuel economy. It also comes with independent tread blocks.
With the Michelin LTX A/T2, you get better traction as well as grip especially on snow, mud, gravel, wet grass and so much more. This is thanks to Michelin’s Biting Edges tread design. Vibrations are lessened and you get to enjoy a smooth, comfortable and quiet drive with the optimized footprint. All in all, these tires are a great choice and if the price doesn’t scare you, then it is a worthy investment.
Pros
- Michelin’s Biting Edges Tread Design
- Optimized Footprint
- Better fuel economy
- Excellent highway comfort
- Ideal for mild – moderate off-road drive
- Improved traction and grip
Cons
- Expensive
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Firestone Destination A/T
This is a great option if want a quality product that looks expensive and delivers like a million bucks but the price is moderate i.e. not too expensive and not too cheap. It is a hybrid tire like a few we have already discussed above in that it combines A/T tires with the quality you will find in H/T tires.
It has great traction so the tires will behave when driving on snowy or wet roads and you can count on them for off-roading as well. It is equipped with a symmetric tread design that protects the tires against wear. Added to the symmetric design, it has a continuous center rib and intermediate blocks making the Firestone Destination A/T more durable.
The Firestone comes equipped with the outlined white letters that are a favorite among many since they greatly improve the rugged looks of the truck. However, if you do not fancy this look, they have the alternative traditional black wall design. What makes it great for both highway driving as well as off-roading are the wrap-around shoulder blocks.
The Firestone Destination A/T are a great all-terrain option and they provide comfortable and quiet driving.
Pros
- Symmetric design with continuous center rib and intermediate blocks
- Wrap-around shoulder blocks
- Comfortable and quiet drive
- Wear – resistance
- Good on snow/icy pavements
- Improved traction and grip
Cons
- Slightly expensive
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Sumitomo Encounter AT
For those who are on a budget, the Sumitomo Encounter AT will be a great all-terrain choice with a set of four tires being approximately $650 and under.
By the looks of it however, you could never suspect that they would be that affordable. It is a hybrid tire of the A/T and H/T combined and is definitely one of the more famous tire options.
What makes the Sumitomo Encounter AT stand out is the chunky treads, rugged stance as well as the aggressive looks which is basically what makes all-terrain tires great. Having said that, it means that these tires will have good performance on quite literally any road surface.
The shoulder comes equipped with two types of sipes; zigzag sipes that greatly improve the snow and wet traction and the in-block sipes responsible for improving grip while driving on dry and smooth surfaces.
The Sumitomo tire has the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol which makes it one of the really good options for a solid off-road as well as extreme application tire in the market. Truly this is a very economical option without having to compromise on quality, comfort, performance as well as appearance.
Pros
- Open tread design from all-terrain rubber compound
- Affordable price
- Three-peak mountain snowflake symbol (3PMSF)
- Great performance on all surface roads; both dry and wet
- Comfortable and quiet driving
- Improved stability and handling
Cons
- Reports of minor tread wear issues
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Pirelli Scorpion ATR
Designed to withstand the toughest of shocks, the hybrid Pirelli Scorpion ATR is another great choice to get that comfortable, quiet and above all smooth ride. It is an all-terrain tire that has great performance both on well-paved tarmac as well as the unpaved ones. It has a high resistance against any damage and punctures. This is because it has a strong carcass that has a reinforced sidewall area.
The Scorpion ATR has improved traction as well as braking efficiency that is made possible by the rugged shoulder blocks. Curved central grooves also aid in offering continuous traction which will carry you through all the various types of roads out there. You will enjoy comfort as well as a quiet drive thanks to the low resistance tread compound that adds on to longer wear.
These tires will be good for your Tacoma and better still they won’t leave your pocket struggling with a tire going for approximately $120 to $130. This is definitely a good option for those looking for blend between a rugged performance and on-road comfort.
Pros
- Curved central grooves
- Ability to withstand shocks
- Improved continuous traction
- Better braking efficiency
- Comfortable and quiet driving
Cons
- A few reports of poor quality
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Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S
The Yokohama Geolander is another great all-terrain tire that meets the all-season traction demands, durable tread life as well as great off-roading durability. You will be getting the full package in these tires without much hustle.
The construction material used in this tire is a special high-silica tread compound that is essential in the promotion of longer, even wear. Since trucks are all about carrying heavy loads, this tire has a 3-ply casing that will handle whatever load you carry at high speeds.
It also has rounded edge treads which work hand in hand with the dual interlocking pyramid sipes in beating uneven wear and at the same time improving all-season traction.
This Geolandar is designed to be able to withstand the pressures of off-road terrains and definitely lets you enjoy a comfortable and important of all, quiet drive knowing it is highly durable. Aside from all these, it has aggressive sidewall protectors that resist abrasions, cuts as well as punctures while increasing those biting edges to allow for smooth driving over muddy or soft paths.
A great option, these Yokohama Geolander A/T-S tires will cost you approximately $180 for each tire and you get a 50,000- mile warranty for tread wear.
Pros
- Special high-silica tread compound
- Rounded edge treads and interlocking pyramid sipes for longer even wear
- Improved traction
- 3-ply casing to bear the heavy loads at high speeds
- Comfortable and quiet drive
- Aggressive sidewall protectors to resist abrasion, cuts and punctures
Cons
- None
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General Grabber ATX
The General Grabber ATX is a good choice for anyone who’s looking for a set rugged tires that are sturdy, tough and can deliver in all seasons with just the right amount of off-road traction. For a comfortable and quiet drive on highways, these tires will deliver just that.
Off-roading traction is greatly enhanced due to the V-shaped integrated tread pattern that also prolong the tires’ tread life. It also comes with a 5-row tread pattern that has a lot of biting edges to ensure that you get continuous traction that is not compromised no matter what terrain you’re on. This choice of General Grabber AT2 tires will cost you approximately $100 and come with a tread wear warranty of 65,000 miles.
Pros
- Improved traction
- V-shaped integrated tread pattern for durable tread life
- 5-row tread pattern for continuous uncompromised traction
- Comfortable and quiet drive
- Sturdy and tough tires
Cons
- Not ideal for wet conditions
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Buyers Guide
Tire Size
Before you set off to go buy tires for your truck, make sure you know what size you are looking for to avoid stressing the heel as you drive. Oversized tires can be quite risky as the possibility of them falling off is quite high. You can consult your mechanic to advise you on what you ought to get for your Tacoma.
Tire Width
Knowing the width of the tire is important as getting the width right or wrong will affect the grip. Getting a smaller tire will mean that the contact between the tire and the surface will be less. This ultimately translates to poor performance on wet surfaces.
Determining the width is achieved by reading the first three numbers in a tire label. For example, the 235/75R15 105S tire has a width of 235mm.
Tread Pattern
When it comes to tread patterns, these are categorized into three main patterns:
Directional – These patterns are quite noisy when it comes to it, they really are the best on wet surfaces
Symmetrical – These are quite the opposite; they are more quiet but are not ideal for wet surfaces. They are the most common treads and the design is narrow and wavy.
Asymmetrical – These are hybrids of the Directional and Symmetrical.
Tire Age
As shocking as it may be to some tires actually deteriorate even if they’re just in the stores. The rubber tends to soften up and so you want to look for tires that are older than six years to ensure you get tires that will last longer.
Tire Profile
Time Profile is closely related with the tire width and is basically the sidewall thickness. It is also a percentage of the width. Knowing the tire profile is also important with a profile of approximately 50 being a good choice as it offers more protection. For better steering however, narrow profiles are better.
If we take our previous example of the 235/75R15 105S tire, the profile of this specific tire is 75.
Speed Rating
The speed rating is what determines grip and the capability to stop smoothly when driving. A higher speed rating will mean that your car will have better grip and will stop smoothly. The only downside to this however, is that the tire will be less durable.
This rating is denoted by the last letter in the tire label. In our 235/75R15 105S, the tire has a rating of S.
Warranty
Always go for the most favorable warranty that is going to last longer and cover most of the damages should any occur.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which is the better option between A/T and H/T for the Toyota Tacoma?
The All-Terrain (A/T) is a better option especially if you constantly drive your Tacoma on rough as well as loose terrain. Rugged treads are better in that they offer better traction on all surface roads. Should you however drive primarily on paved roads, then getting yourself a set of H/T tires will get you maximum comfort.
How do I know the right size of tires for my Tacoma?
Always check your owner’s manual for specifications to avoid getting the wrong set of tires.
Are A/T tires more durable than H/T tires?
To put it plainly, yes. All-terrain tires are engineered to be able to withstand rough surfaces and as such, they are constructed with tougher material. When it comes to driving over paved surfaces however, all-terrain tires will tend to be noisier.
Can you install different tires on your car?
No, you cannot. It is advisable that you go for tires with the same make, size and model ensuring that even the tread depths are the same. Doing this ensures that you achieve maximum performance while at the same time reduce any risks.
Conclusion
As we wrap it up, it is important to understand that trucks need to be equipped with tires that can withstand vigorous pressures as most trucks are driven over rough surfaces while carrying heavy loads. As such, getting the best all-terrain tires for Tacoma is the way you want to go to ensure you’re treating your Toyota right.