Good road tire without an aggressive tread pattern - recommendations?

[Gut]

Stay away from places with rocks. I've had bad luck with rocks going through Wranger side walls.

Wranglers have the softest sidewalls of all the tires in the warehouse.

I sold parts at the dealer and wholesale level. Walking through stacks of tires, poking the sidewalls with a finger, Wranglers are by far the softest of them all.

This not only bad for flat protection but it makes a truck handle like crap, as the tires wallow and deflect when changing direction.

As to the OP, front mud flaps are a great idea. Tires will spit gravel regardless of tread design, unless they are racing slicks. Even then, once warm, they will pick up cast off road debris at a significant velocity.

I am a fan of BFG ATs. They last 60k miles, are quiet and handle very well. I have had them on 5 different vehicles and never had issues, until this Bronco. I too have paint chips on the doors from gravel.

That is a Ford design issue, not a tire issue.

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[Brian_B]

Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail is a good one I see often. We’ve pretty well went almost all Falken Wildpeak at my place though - my Bronco is the only vehicle I don’t have them on.

I liked the Bridgestone Duelers as well - decent tire, used to run them on my Ranger back in the day. A version of that is what come stock on OBX trims.

Stay far away from Michellin Primacy.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

If you want a 17" wheel/tire package, look for Big Bend takeoffs. If you want a 18" wheel/tire package, look for OBX takeoffs. Both non-Sasquatch wheel/tire sets come with the Bridgestone Dueler AT. You can probably find a complete set for around $500.

I'd also recommend buying a set of OEM steps. They serve as fine gravel catchers for the gravel that does get slung.

Similar story ... the bridgestones that came from the factory on my Base (16" , unsure of the exact tire model ) have been great year 'rounders. They stick in the rain, do OK in the snow ... the gravel roads I get on, all tires end up throwing stones, so I don't know what to tell you about that.

Michelin has a LTX that gets very good real world reviews, one of which was out of Colorado that has always stood out to me. The guy really detailed his experience with those and other tires over the years. He was really impressed with the LTX's especially considering how mild the tread pattern looks.
As I recall, the guy posted the review on a Tacoma or similar forum.
I'm fairly certain it was the LTX M/S model, not the AT version .. either of which is still pretty mild.

 

[Brian_B]

Similar story ... the bridgestones that came from the factory on my Base (16" , unsure of the exact tire model ) have been great year 'rounders. They stick in the rain, do OK in the snow ... the gravel roads I get on, all tires end up throwing stones, so I don't know what to tell you about that.

Michelin has a LTX that gets very good real world reviews, one of which was out of Colorado that has always stood out to me. The guy really detailed his experience with those and other tires over the years. He was really impressed with the LTX's especially considering how mild the tread pattern looks.
As I recall, the guy posted the review on a Tacoma or similar forum.
I'm fairly certain it was the LTX M/S model, not the AT version .. either of which is still pretty mild.

That's a good idea, can usually get takeoffs from OBXs for almost free, and BB for not too much more (they are on the more popular 17" rims)

 

[23OBX2.7]

Firestone Destination XT's. Great all around tire. Light but pricey.

+1 an excellent tire on and off road thats quiet and great cornering.

 

[TruckCamper]

I run these on my RAM 1500 and absolutely love them. Super quiet on the highway, great all weather traction, and good traction on fire roads. I get them at Costco. A bit expensive, but worth every penny IMO.

Probably one of the best for fuel economy, traction, tread life and noise. Top tier

 

[Blue Hen]

I agree Michelin Defender is a great tire. Have them on our 4Runner. No Michelin in a 315-70-17 or 35-12.5-17.

 

[T800]

I'd add mud flaps and just leave the OEM tires on. This also assumes you have rails or steps.

If you really want to change out the tires, I had Falken AT4W on my previous DD (Ram 1500) and really liked them. I will probably get those or MT Baja Boss AT when my OEM tires wear out.

I have also heard that the Firestone Destination ride really nicely.

 

[userdude]

Plus they make getting in and out much easier for some folks, like ladies in heels, AND (this is a big one) they protect the sides of your Bronco from 95% of potential door dings in parking lots, because they block most car doors from impacting the paint.

Ladies in heels?!? I hear my 2dr protects me from such things.

 

[Brian_B]

Ladies in heels?!? I hear my 2dr protects me from such things.

What GOAT mode is that

 

[userdude]

What GOAT mode is that

It's the Feinting GOAT mode. For the ladies!!

 

[Pops]

I thought it was some new GOAT mode, like the Transfer Case Explodes or Brakes Lock mode.

This forum is a bad influence on me.

 

[Desmolicious]

Two words:
mud flaps.

or if you don’t like that suggestion, one word:
mudflaps.

 

[Jakob1972]

I just put a set of Falken Rubitreks on my Silverado it’s a good AT tire doesn’t throw rocks driving down our 1/2 mile gravel drive. And they wouldn’t look too anemic on a Sas Bronco. https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/falken-rubitrek-a-t/p/174255

 

[aermtr]

I have a 23 Bronco Bigbend 4cyl 2dr w/sasquatch package. I recently got it knowing, sadly, it would spend most of it's time on the pavement. I'm old, have owned various 4wds since my teens. Loved them all, my favorite was a 67 Scout 800 V8 first year with the bigger axles etc. Posi. I did some great trails here in Colorado the 20 years I owned that vehicle. Just sold my Suzuki Sidekick I can't say enough good things about. Drive 70 miles an hour on the interstate to your 4wd trail destination. My long winded point is my back country expeditions are very limited now, and knew this when I bought the Bronco which I totally love. I NEED TO FIND A GOOD ROAD TIRE without an aggressive tread pattern. I have a gravel driveway. The Goodyears are good tires but are ruining my paint job. I am having trouble finding a meek and mild tire. An all season tire would suit me, but everything I am looking at is heavy and has an aggressive tread. Any suggestions out there?

Not a direct answer to your question, but good mudflaps will solve your paint chip problem. I’m a sponsor on 6G and I have a ‘23 Badlands 2.3 MT with the Goodyear 35s. I’ve done 18K miles so far with a lot of off-road gravel and have even done the Rocky Gap trail (solo) which is one of the Jeep badge trails in Red Rock. No rock chips! For your spec, Broflaps are “no drill” and even just a pair of long flaps on the front will cure it. Made in USA broflaps.com

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