What's it like running all-terrain tires on a Subaru?
WHEELS: Black Rhino Boxer, 15x7 +15
I've had the BFGoodrich T/A KO2 all terrain tires on my Subaru Forester for a year now. I review my experience and impressions good and bad after about 10,000 miles of driving both off road and on. Also:
• My own misunderstandings of tire size specs
• The tires I had to return because of that ^
• Other all terrain tire options for Subarus
• How lifts come into play
• Numerous clips of the KO2s in action
Plus, a few words about airing down your tires when going offroad.
I get a lot of people asking me questions about tires. I am far from an expert (as you will see from my own tire ordering fail) but I am happy to share my experience and hopefully some of you may find this helpful. Next video, we'll return to the eastern Oregon adventure!
Teraflex Deflators:
amzn.to/2LUHuJX
BFGoodrich T/A KO2 all-terrain tires:
amzn.to/2XYeC55
HOW I AIR BACK UP:
Viair 88p air compressor:
amzn.to/2MQ1Pjl
Backroad Exploration channel:
/ @backroadexploration
Special thanks to the following Instagram friends for photo contributions. Check out their Subaru offroading on IG:
@unwary_Foz
@deep.mit
@highdesertroos
@blingstrom
@fozmtndog
@blubaru2018
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Become a supporter of the channel:
/ softroadingthewest
Brilliant! I'm researching tyres and lift options for my 2003 Legacy Outback H6 3.0. This vid has been really helpful.
Hey mate how did you go I'm looking at doing the same
Props to you for making this balanced, and talking about unsprung weight and use case!
Toyo Open Country AT3 are my favorite. Its lightweight, not too pricey, 3 peak snow rated, great sidewall tread, and performs well on wet pavement.
"I'm far from an expert" yet you have given more information then all of the experts I have spoken to over my past 3 weeks of tyre searching combined.
Love your videos dude, thank you for taking the time to make this. Car looks great.
While negotiating a new Rubicon, the sales manger was trying to upsell a $200 nitrogen charge. I said " but if going off-road, I'll air down, then air back up when done." He looked at me like I had I had 2 heads. 😂
I also like to ask them why so much to only add another 22 or so percentage of nitrogen from what's already in my tires, our "air" we breathe is @ 78%nitrogen already
This nitrogen BS will not die because with this trick the tire shops try to bind the stupid customers who don’t know that the difference to normal air is not even a weight of a table tennis ball.
@@4schitzangiggles there are some slight benefits to it but it's definitely not worth $200.
@@nope1918 those benefits are not going to be seen outside of racing/high performance or aircraft applications.
@@4schitzangiggles I know. That's why it's not worth it.
Thanks for the info. And as an aside, you’re beguilingly zen in your delivery. Many thanks for the relaxation that I can now equate with the complex koan of trying to figure out the ideal tires and wheels for my new machine.
Informative as always! Thanks for the feature :)
Thank YOU for use of the photos, much appreciated and they're great shots too! 8^)
side by side comparison was nice to see puts everything in perspective
What an amazingly useful and informative video! You are basically having the rig I'm planning to have relatively soon and it`s totally awesome to get so much information upfront. The tire size comparison and explanation was the best I`ve seen so far. Tire wise I think the Cooper AT3 4s will be my weapon of choice, though it seems to be impossible to find street legal 15" rims here in Europe... or I'm looking in the wrong places... Also: Fantastic, almost Mythbuster worthy slow-mo ^^ Keep up the nice videos- much appreciated! Greetings from Austria love
I've heard nothing but praises for the Cooper, I expect you'll be pleased. Thanks for the kind words!
Great video! Really helpful especially with clearance concerns! Been looking at getting the K02s for my 18 Crosstrek and I’m more excited to get them now
I’m on my second set of K02’s. Before those I enjoyed the K0’s as well. I’ve had many different All Terrain tires over the years, on different vehicles, but I’ve found these to be the best in all conditions except maybe mud. (In mud they’re still pretty good) And they are definitely the quietest all terrains I’ve ever owned. Listening to my music (instead of my tires) is important to me, on the way out to the trails.
We've got the Cooper Discoverer AT3's on our SH Forester, stock 16" wheels. 225/70/16 and they've made such a huge difference. We haven't fitted a lift yet and they scrubbed a few spots so I had to trim the inner poly guards a bit but since doing so I haven't had any noise at anything other than full compression or extension. Massive difference to the desert trail driving in Central Australia where we live. Nice vid man!
I've been looking for a video that explains certain things like this! I have a 2008 Forester running 215/65/r16 Falken Wildpeaks and always wondered if I needed to get offset wheels to make them stick out some like yours. Your comment about the +15 offset helped me plan for the future!! :)
I have 2007xt I’m about to get the same tires and same size 215/65/r16. Any good or bad reviews? So they fit okay, do they rub? Road noise ? Thank you
@@jimmyistoocool Did you get them? Do they fit okay? Do they rub? Road noise? I'm thinking of the same for my 2006X.
I bought a 2013 Outback last year. You have no idea how helpful the info on the tires and rims have been. I've been hoping to see a vid like this for hours. Thanks sir and keep up the awesome videos!
Glad it was helpful, thanks for watching!
Great video, thanks! While not a Subaru guy, I very much admire streak for adventure, and love seeing any vehicles capabilities fully exploited..plus, I’ve been a huge Ko2 fan myself for three years now. I’ve had the chance to personally see how they wear compared to a few other off road tires, and there’s no comparison. After running them myself, I came to the exact same conclusion. Noticeable weight, although not much noise for me..and expensive...but well worth it.
I have never in my life aired down. Never had any issues.
I have been running the Cooper Discoverer AT3s on my '13 Outback 3.6 for two years. I have taken them to the beach, the desert and the mountains. Love the added capability and aggressive look of all terrains on my Soob. Downside is reduced economy and road noise. The road noise was negligible when the tires were new but has increase with wear and age. The tire wear of the Coopers has been great though. 45k miles and they don't even look worn
Very useful information. Thank you!
I love your channel brother! So much great info, budget friendly as much as possible, and all about networking! Outstanding work! 🇺🇸💯
I just came across your channel and am I sure am glad I did. So much useful info in a straightforward way, interspersed with beautiful scenery. Now I understand what “softroading” means. Many ideas for my current 2018 Crosstrek and a future Forester. Thanks for what you do.
just got a 2016 forester, looking forward to this
Great video @softroadingthewest and useful Roo info for the AT rooers out there! I ran BFGs AT/KOs (old gen BFG AT) on my legacy for 55K miles (uber bald at that point). NA Ej22 in BD 95 legacy sedan 5mt 3.90 axle ratio on OB strut lift. They were heavy and of course taller and severely under-geared that drivetrain. I've since swapped to an OB then AUDM DR 5mt (aka, both 4.11 FD), which effectively re-geared the drive-train for the tire size (27.5" vs stock 24"). I've run 2 sets of General Grabber AT2s. I LOVED them for their mountain snowflake rating (they're studdable) and slightly more open tread pattern (better snow and mud shedding) when compared to the BFG AT/KO. The grabbers are also a softer compound (quieter) and so are more compliant on rock and sandstone (but questionably wear faster) and far superior in wet and particularly snow (when compared to older BFG AT/KO). BUT (and this is an important metric to discuss) the grabbers are 2-ply sidewall vs BFG's 3-ply. One can nerd out endlessly on tires and I've had lengthy conversations about tire carcass construction with friends. "Ply" rating is an antiquated metric, but a useful comparison and "descriptor" for comparing (with modern LT or all terrain) tires. It gives info on sidewall and tread patch strength. It is also important to know carcass construction of p-metric tires vs true LT (not just LT treaded) tires, and load range makes a difference in tire durability and strength when airing down. NOT ALL TIRES SHOULD BE AIRED DOWN EQUALLY, and dont expect similar performance from dissimilar tires when aired down. With subarus (as light-duty off road use), heavier load range tires (LR D and certainly LR E) may be TOO much for a roo, BUT a subaru's weight is also too low for such a burly tire (particularly LRE...which is probably not available in roo sizes anyway). At any rate an argument can be made that LR C tires are comparable to same-sized p-metrics BUT, the carcass construction of a true LT is arguably different from a p-metric. LTs retain strength when aired down and p-metrics (maybe less so on roos) can be hazardous and fragile when aired down for trail use (speaking of SUV use and experience here). Subys being relatively light vehicles, from 32 PSI to 25 could be considered adequate airing down on an oversized tire subaru (let's assume a LR C BFG AT/KO2... a light truck tire) whereas going from 35 to 18 is considered airing down in other heavier SUV and other 4 wheel drive vehicles. So, to recap, you make good points, @softroadingthewest, and I'll compliment by noting tire carcass construction is important as this can support confidence in airing down and how far you can confidently air down. REAL light truck tires, not just LT tread pattern (3-ply sidewall and 6-10-ply tread is common, vs 2-ply sidewall and 4-ply tread for passenger car tires). I had a cooper discoverer tire which had the LT tread and looked great, BUT it was a passenger car tire @ 2-ply sidewall and 4-ply tread. The grabbers were LT LR C tires, but only 2-ply sidewall (it's actually pretty hard to find 3-ply sides... even in the SUV real LT market, there are fewer than one would hope) but 6-ply tread, so good for airing down but fragile on the sides.... I sidewall punctured one, de-beaded another and pinch-flatted yet a third grabber AT2. Airing down dramatically increases contact patch (length, not width) and SIGNIFICANTLY improves traction while also softening the ride quality. Taller sidewalls will give you more 'room' to air down as well as provide greater ground clearance gains. Be careful of tire width and not just height. Depending on your rim's offset (factory @ 55), you may not have the lateral room for a significantly wider tire (the tire can contact the strut shaft on stock suby rim offsets if you go too wide with a tire... Aftermarket rims are great here (blessed methods!), also wheel spacers can give you that breathing room...but you may run into wheel well contact at full lock.... there are fixes for this issues however.
Awesome, tons of great info here, thank you!
I had them on my 92 L series that I had lifted 2" and fitted an injected EJ20 to. Was a fair beast but was definitely a wild ride when the road was wet with the factory gearbox being front wheel drive when not in 4wd!
Thanks for all the information, I will be watching this many times as a reference.
This important info, thanks for sharing. I dig the set up, For me I wouldn't mind the noise so long as it performs well while on the trail. 🤙
multimak 0 op 0
Yeah, I went with the Cooper A/T 235/65/R17 on my 2019 Rav 4 Adventure at 29.2" they have the same O.D as the stock tires were, the tires were 6 pounds heavier but going with the 17" American Racing wheels 893 were 6# lighter, I'm having no lose in MPG's....Great tires.
The balloon demonstration was super cool! Thanks for sharing that!
Very nice to watch. looking to get back into an outlook after being away for a while. THanks
Fantastic video! Very informative and perfect timing! I've been looking for AT tires and the choices are mind-numbing. I'd like to get new, smaller diameter wheels so I can have more sidewall, but I wonder if I should match my General Altimax Artic 215/60R17 snow tires, so I can use them as a spare? They are unstoppable in the snow and only a little bit taller than stock at 27.2" but they ride and corner great. Thanks so much for sharing your wealth of information. Excellent video! Keep up the great work!
It's really a question of diameter, I don't think the car cares if the spare you put on is a different size wheel (it always would be with the donut spare anyway) so you could try to find a 15" AT tire that matches the diameter of your snow tires..? Thanks as always for watching & commenting, appreciate the support!
@@softroadingthewest Thank! Love your videos. They inspire me to explore!
@@softroadingthewest what size tire do you usually go with when oversizing? I have the same Forester and am interested in doing something similar. I do not have a lift on mine. Thanks!
@@rickywhitman9224 I don't have a "usually"...I only did this once. :-) I put 215/75R15 on this Forester, which is a mild upsize from OEM (not even enough to register a noticeable difference on the speedometer). The other common size Subaru people go to is 235/75R15, but that is usually associated with a 2" lift. The significantly added circumference and weight of an already-heavy all-terrain tire that big make it a lot harder for that little engine to get them turning, especially when trying to climb up obstacles on the trail.
I currently run Yokohama Geolandar G015's and they're amazing. Definitely saw a dip in my mileage but outstanding performance! I do bolt on a different set of winter tires too, but the G015's are so good. Great review btw!
What is your tire size?
@@citizenc.g.9385 I run with 225/65/17 size as they don't sell 225/60/17 in that size anymore. Although I had to make a bit of modification on my front splash guards by trimming them as they were rubbing when I turned at a specific angle. Hope this helps!
Amazing tires! I feel as if they are THE tire for lifted off-road oriented cars/crossovers. You must live where it gets really cold because I have taken my G015's into some deep snow on my FWD jetta and had no issues whatsoever with traction.
hi Christopher, what do you mean when you say you saw a dip in mileage? The larger tyres do not give you accurate speed/distance readings?
@@alannguyen2415 Bigger tires require more effort from the engine so it's a bit more of a strain to it. I've gone from 24mpg to 21.5~22mpg.
Subscribed while watching this video. Thanks for some real, helpful info & perspective.
Thanks for the video, super helpful. I have a 2014 XT that I want to put a 2 inch lift on and have been trying to find a good tire.
Keep in mind a taller tire might be a little heavier, but what you also have to consider is a taller tire also raises the final drive gear, so it will seem less peppy.
Nice! I’ve been wanting to add some of these on my Subaru ascent with a 2” lift kit.!
Bear in mind that the k02 is also a very soft tire which means they wear quicker and you will not get the same lifespan as other tires. The softer compound is better for offroad tho.
@@allanfrancis7572 I went with the GEOLANDERS less noise and does just fine in an A/T ride. I did not ever Air Down and now that I know better I will be getting a pump.
Thanks very helpful since I am just started the planning phase.
This is a very informative video; thank you for sharing!
Like your channel. Great vids. Thanks. I learned a lot from this particular video. Brand new on the market as of this post are Falken AT Trail tires. Might be worth a look for the Subaru crowd.
Nice review and info, you are really using the car off road! I have the KO2s on our 2005 Sequoia and they are great, I think 1 of the best AT tires available, significantly better than Falken AT3W. I think your increased diameter is probably much of the reason for your decreased acceleration, plus increased rolling resistance.
Although my vehicle is a '16 Jeep Compass the info you've provided should be very helpful in my wheel and tire selection. Presently my wheels and tires are stock and perform extremely well on the highway but I would like to get another full set for off roading. I'll consult with the guys at 4Wheel on whether or not a lift will be advantageous or not. Great video! Thank you!
Thank you for the advice and products you showed on your video. Went to Great Basin National Park and deflated my PSI to 25 abs went over miles of gravel flawlessly
That's awesome to hear! Sounds like a great trip!
It was. Keep up the good workn
My Kumho Crugen HT51's have been a good choice for my Forester's use as an all-weather highway commuter that frequently sees logging roads and occasionally offroad. They're the most all-terrain like all-season I could find. Most of my Subi's miles are commuting miles, so having a tire that handles that well was top priority. I was thankful that a tire exists that could handle that well while still giving better offroad service at the same time.
Thanks, that’s a nice tip for a tire that balances both needs!
I Realize this is old, but thanks, I like to drive state forest logging/stone roads, but I commute 2-3 days a week and I'm thinking of tire type.
@@sharkman8810 Glad to help! In the two years since this was posted, I've put ~50k miles on the tires. I can suggest running a few more PSI air pressure on the street than the door tags say, and rotate them without fail. Been through some gnarly ice and snow, no issues. Highly recommended.
as a subaru forester 2009 ovner . it a perfect video. thank you for the explanations
@J130 G810 thank you very much.
Great vid. Quite an advocate/ambassador for All Terrain tires. You covered well the subject.
This is great info. I'm picking up an 04 Forester on Friday and it has the K02 on bbn it. 215/65/16, and it looks GREAT
I did alot of research and then settled on the Falken wildpeak Trail tire 225/60r/17. P rating they have been a Great tire so far and my gas milage has stayed about the same. Thank you for your info on +15 off set that helped me on rims.
what wheels did you use?
I just got the same tires for my 3rd gen today. 215/65/16 on basic steelies. Can't wait to get them on some dirt and actually try them out.
I'm running 255/55/R18 wild peak AT trails on my tribeca and love em
245/65/17 is where it’s at if you have a 2” lift.
I’m running 235/75/17 on my 2022 wilderness. 🤷🏽♂️ (3” lift)
Thank you for running this channel and creating fantastic content. I'm just getting into overlanding, and it's difficult to find good information regarding the use of crossovers. Even though I'm not in a Subaru, most of your videos are equally informative for crossovers in general. (Though I remain jealous of the aftermarket support for Subies)
I feel your pain! Trying to find parts for my 13 rav4 is awful
Detailed videos and no bias reviews also have some good advice as well nice
Thanks for sharing! Informative and answered questions that came to mind whilst watching. 👍
the recommendation for the tire calculator really helped me. I just bought an 08 Grand vitara that I am lifting and fitting AT's too. Thanks
Glad to hear it was helpful! I've referred to that thing SO many times...even now that I've had my tires for over a year, I still end up referring to that calculator when people ask me questions. Super handy. Good luck with the build. I'm a Suzuki fan and wish that new Jimny was sold here. Is your Vitara 4x4 with low range?
@D R I did not know that! That makes the Vitara a very interesting option for sure!
Great video, thanks for sharing this information and opinion. I got a '15 Forester Touring Edition - this comes with 18s, the only AT option for this wheel size is the Geolander AT that comes in two mileage ratings. Though I rushed into purchasing the higher mileage version a bit and didn't take/have the time/money to consider getting smaller diameter wheels and thicker sidewall tires (needed something ASAP for a job in a remote location), after about a year of use I've been really pleased with these. They're a bit louder on the road, MPGs have been good and they've gotten me through what I've thrown at them (mud, wet clingy clay, some rocks). Once these wear more, I'll go to a smaller wheel size and thicker sidewall tire but as most my miles are paved/gravel roads, I'll air down as needed and work with these until then.
It seems to be a good choice for a lot of people, I’ve seen it frequently recommended. Thanks for watching and weighing in!
What size goelanders did ya get
@@drulessman2892 225/55R18
Great demonstration about importance of airing down tires before off-roading.
Great video! Lots of good info, well shot and edited. The air down part is very helpful. I recently purchased a 2020 Outback base model and paid to have it lifted (2"). Got Method wheels and BF Goodrich KO2s 245/65 17R D rating. Love, love, love it!!!
How are the method wheels different from stock? Tougher? Lighter or heavier? I just learned about sprung/unsprung weight
@@gerrygadget You know more than me. We purchased the car from the dealership with this set up. I haven't researched the ins and outs of the different options. The main thing for us was the ground clearance and tires so we can access our cabin in the winter (mile and a half up a dirt road, not plowed).
I run Yokohama Geolander ATs on my forester stock wheels and love it!
Thanks for this comment. I have an ‘11 that I want to put AT’s on without having to buy new wheels.
Gealoandar A/T's are the best off-road oriented tires for cars/crossovers IMO. They are aggressive enough for just about everything aside from deep mud/clay, all while being substantially lighter and less noisy on-road than K02's. I had one set of the Geolandar A/T-S's which they no longer make and I loved them. They got my FWD open diff TDI jetta down some pretty gnarly trails and were terrific in the snow. I got about 37k miles out of them which I considered to be good with how much I abused them on a regular basis. Now i've got the Geolandar G015's and they are every bit as good as their predecessor. They are extremely quiet, only marginally louder than a worn out A/S tire and they stick like glue in the rain it's really amazing. I love Yokohama tires, i run S.Drives on my other car too. haha
@@naggersdie The 215/75/15 Geolander AT GO15 is LT rated and 31 lbs, making it an ideal swap for off-pavement use with some small SUVs, but really not so ideal on pavement. I have these on my 1st gen RAV4 and they're great off pavement. The tread is 1/2" on the G015 LT vs 12/32" on the P rated sizes, but virtually melts on pavement unless high pressure ( =/> 40psi) is used, and 40+ PSI makes for a very bumpy ride. P rated are better for daily drivers, but then the stock 16(+)" wheels are fine too. If you can swap them out at home, a 2nd set of smaller wheels with LT rated tires could work for extended off-road trips, but not so much otherwise.
I think I’ll stick up Michelin all season tires. Very informative.
The KO2 are a great option for over all roading. I'm looking into these tires as well as a set of generals...I want to get a set of bronze anodized wheels though...I too have driven the lava cast forest roads/trails and a tire rated for proper use is a must!
very informative and you were well spoken. good job
I am on my second set of the KO2's on my '04 Land Rover Discovery. They are worth every penny. You are so right about road noise, though.
Can you post vids plz?
Yeah, I bet those tires will last you three more land Rovers. 😉
Excellent info covering all the questions one has on lifting and tire options... Airing down is important, and comfy... really love my Yoko Geo go15's @ 215/75r15...have a 4 1/2" adf lift with ~3" subframe drop... have beaten the heck out of these tires down in Baja, only aired down for the beach, didn't get stuck once, thankfully... thank you for a great video... I will surely relay... 👊🏼🙏🏼🤙🏼
Very good material. thanks from Poland!
Yes, I have been researching A/T tires for my 93 Legacy wagon AWD. Thanks for the reminder to air down for off road. Thumb up. ;-)
I just installed some Falken Wildpeak AT3Ws on my crosstrek and I freaking love them! I thought my car could go cool places before... now all my Jeep friends are trying to keep up haha Thanks for the tips man, I love your stuff!
Awesome to hear, I would have loved to run them myself! Thanks for commenting!
Ive got about 10k miles on mine or 11 months on my 18 Crosstrek and love them also. They preform great in the snow.
I’m a land cruiser guy but drove my Mom’s Subaru Baja this past weekend and have been watching your videos. You have great content keep up the good work!
The humble brag is palpable.
Allan Black I shared what I drive in my post to help bridge the off-roading vs softroading. I have seen other videos with posters and commenters downplaying other set ups because it didn’t fit in there preferred mold of what an off-roader “should be”. Just trying to give credit where credit is due. Since my last post, I took the Baja on as a project because of the lasting impression this channel has made on me and I will continue to follow the adventures because God knows when I will be able to romp around the north west. If you get out there, I wish you a safe return.
A great video - thanks for sharing. I’m looking to get either KM3 or KO2 - this was really helpful !
Great video and very helpful ... appreciate your work, thank you
I've got General Grabber AT2'S on my 2012 Forester and I love them!
I got these as well for my Crosstrek - how are they playing in the snow?
They are great! I live in Michigan, so we gets tons of snow!!
I have them on my 2003 Tacoma, great tire
How was it installing them? Any grinding needed? Did you need new struts?
What tire size and rim size?
Running a 16 SJ 2.5 stock hight with 225/65/17 Geolander G015 on stock rims. I do alot of highway and havent lossed much milage when running a 35psi for harder tires of street. Then air down for trail.
Really helpful and well-made video! Thanks for putting together and posting.
I NEVER KNEW THAT ABOUT TIRES!! WOW. Thanks
i am still so new to all things subaru. this video was just what i needed. Thanks so much for the education and lowering my IQ (my ignorance quotient!!)
I love my Grabber A/T 2's on my Trek. Lighter, cheaper, and quieter than the KO2's. My only issue with my Grabbers is they slide more than I'd like on greasy road surface(after a rain as the oils in the road seep up to coat the top of the road). They do quite well in active and even heavy rain storms. I drove roughly 5 hours home with a very heavy rain storm pacing us the entire way and I never felt any concern with the tires.
I’ve heard similar complaints about KO2 and other aggressive-tread AT tires. I’ve had one wet season on the KO2s (and here in western Oregon the wet season is significant) and didn’t have any trouble, though I think I probably was subconsciously taking it easy with that concern in the back of my mind. Thanks for watching and for the detailed comment!
I’ve also got AT2’s on my SG Forester. Little bit loud for me but good tires. Never had issues in the wet or slick so far. I used to have Falken AT3W’s on my old 4Runner and LOVED them. A little bit quieter than the AT2’s and similar if not better performance in snow/wet. Wish they made the AT3W in my size tho... :/
How do you guys think they would be on snow? Just learning about AT tires.
@@chrisjwil they are amazing.. I air them down in snow and I can go through anything
I just went from Grabber ATs to G015s and I cant believe how shit the grabbers were on wet mountain roads.
Thank you so much for posting this. You really did cover all the things!
Great stuff! Picked up some very helpful info here on my hunt for new tires & wheels, the visuals for what you were pointing out both on the car and graphics (showing tire sizes etc.) were excellent. Would definitely like to see how you modified the trunk to fit a full size spare if that vid hasn't come out yet!
I didn't have to modify the trunk. At the size I'm running, my full size spare simply fits. Ended up not really being anything I could make a whole video about. :-)
Awesome video and some fantastic points made. One I would like to point out however is larger tyres throw out the speedometer and reduce the crawling ability. 215/75r15 is one of the best tyre sizes for the off-road subies in my opinion as it gives a good balance of low speed ability and extra ground clearance
Oh, interesting point! It seems like everyone always wants to fits larger tires and the 235/75/15 seems to be the accepted gold standard here, but I’m sure you’re right, there must be a point of diminishing returns as the tires get bigger. Ultimately I haven’t felt limited in any way by running my smaller 215/75R15 (though another comment on here mocks them as “baby tires.” 😏). Thank you for watching and weighing in!
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What do you think of 235/60/16 or 235/65/15 on a +38 rim?
@@damianv8200 seems like an odd size with a low selection of tires. Generally for off-roading a taller sidewall is better as it allows for the tire to bag out more when deflated.
@@ignitionoffroad5028 Kool thanks, I will follow your advice, those tyre sizes were recommended by Bob Jones in Preston
Thanks for sharing that you can run AT’s on stock foresters
this is great info, thanks for the video and the sweet Foz. I recently ordered a set of Pirelli Scorpion A/T Plus for my Outback, I wanted to lift it, but this video gave me something to thing about in regards to the lift and what all would change on it.
Lots of people running lifted Outbacks. I don't know if any of the Outback kits result in uncentered rear wheels. If you get a kit with rear trailing arm spacers etc it should not be an issue. That's what caused the issue in my case, strut top spacers only with no other components. I wouldn't let my experience discourage you. Having a lift is a really nice upgrade on the trail, and I'm sure most kits from the reputable fabricators will get you set up right. Good luck!
@@softroadingthewest Have you decided if a rear trailing arm kit is your next step? or are you fine with what you have and just going to let it be?
@@anunez6092 No, it's not worth it to me to spend money for parts and labor for this meager 1" lift, since it's working fine and the modding I did in the wheel wells made enough of an improvement. If I'm going to throw any more money at it, it will be to just go to a complete 2" lift which includes all the necessary components to keep the wheels centered and gets me more lift in the process.
@@softroadingthewest perfect, I had been debating between 1 inch or 2 and all that I would need, so if i lift, I'm doing 2 and the whole kit. Very helpful man🤙🏾
That was a nice presentation, it all start from the driver's needs, airing down is very important and more rubber than metal makes any offroader more efficient, now to maintain the same acceleration as the OEM tires setup either maintain the same tire diameter or lower the final ratio, my 2015 Forester came with 225/60R 17, I replaced them with 235/55R 17, a little wider but the same diameter, OK2 tires are exactly rated as you mentioned, I had them on my Land Rover Camel trophy, tough go anywhere tires. I will wait for your next video, Good job.
i put toyo open countrys on my 18 crosstrek, 215, 65, 17R and they fit great. Not much road noise and they don't look to bad with the stock wheels
Hey William, do you have a lift on your Crosstrek, or just fit with stock wheels and stock height?
It’s so tempting to get those all terrain tires sothat I can accommodate the look of a car. Although most of my driving are city.
Great video ! I 'm gonna get them ! Thanks for sharing !
Good to watch a video with pros and cons about a product.
I run general grabbers at3 all-terrain no road noise what so ever great off road
I'm running Coopers ATT on my outback. Best decision I've made. 215/65r16
Running the Yokohama G015 on my ‘15 Forester right now and they are performing very well. I like the Touring package 18” wheels and the Yokos were the only ones that would fit. They look great, too.
LOVED the SLO MO Balloon fun.. GREAT VIDEO !!
Although i dont have a subaru i have KO2s on my tacoma. Theyre great tires the one down side to them is the lack of traction on wet pavement. Theyre amazing in snow and off road.
That's probably the most frequent complaint I've heard. I've been through one wet western Oregon winter on the KO2s and didn't have any trouble, but then my Forester is a bit of an underpowered slug, so even on wet pavement it's not prone to breaking tires loose. Thanks for watching!
I had trouble finding something to fit on stock 18 inch wheels on my 2016 outback. I chose Yokohama geolander g015 in 235 width. Fits great.
we did the same
You explained all the details very well. Thank you.
That balloon demonstration is probably the best explanation for someone that is new to the off road stuff I’ve ever seen,good job man.just found your channel 👍🏿👍🏿 also not sure about the size exactly but Milestar makes a bunch of good priced AT tires a lot of Jeep guys Rock them I’ve had the Milestar Patagonia’s on couple of my rides and had really good luck.
I don't think they make those small enough to fit on my Forester, though I had a buddy who briefly ran them on a Forester with a bigger lift. Ultimately they were so oversize as to be problematic in a number of ways and he got rid of them pretty quickly. I do have a video of a short excursion I did with him while he had those tires: kzhead.info/sun/gNd7eJuOoaGcgnk/bejne.html
Lighter tires you can get in that size,are the toyos at2. 26lbs vs 32lbs for the ko2.They are also available in 215/80/15 which gives you 1/2'' more height-ground clearance.
I think that part of the loss of acceleration/ zippiness with your larger all terrains is not just the weight but the larger diameter of the tyres. This gives you the ground clearance- and the guard clearance issues. But it also raises the overall gearing ratios slightly. Larger diameter rolls further per revolution which has the same effect as a taller diff ratio. Also can put your speedo accuracy out and this will change the measurements for your fuel economy..
8:30 I like this skid plate! Can you do a video that shows you how you made it and how it's attached?
To be honest I really hesitate to show this in any detail. It's improvised from a scrap of not terribly thick aluminum and I think most people would say it barely qualifies as a skid plate. It's just an interim solution I've got on there for now to provide an extra layer of metal for now until I can firm up plans on the custom long-term design I'm visualizing. If I talk about this temporary protection in a video, I'm just going to get hammered with commenters mocking me and pointing out all the reasons it's insufficient. And really, it wouldn't be helpful to anyone because it's true that it IS insufficient. I wouldn't want anyone emulating it then coming back to me angry because they still managed to crack their oilpan on a rock or something. 8^) To sort of answer your questions though, in front it is attached by the same two bolts which mount my Rally Innovations light bar. In the rear, I found a pair of perfectly positioned unused holes I was able to bolt to. The shape wasn't a deliberate attempt to copy any other design, I simply started bending and cutting in a way that made sense to me as I was under the car looking at everything. Overall it has less coverage and FAR less sturdiness than the Primitive plate, but it is at least a *little* extra protection compared to what I had under there for the first two years, which was zero. 8^)
Thanks Donald. great informations about tires and KO2
Thanks brother !! I am brand new to this type of vehicle and I found your tips very helpful. I am searching for a Volvo XC70 crosscountry and am hoping to get some beefy tires without a lift. Much love
Look for C or D rated LT tires for off-road use with small SUVs. Don't use bigger that are much heavier than stock, it only reduces your gear ratio and taxes your bearings and rotors (so C rated LT is ideal). The best idea is to fit the smallest wheels possible (ie, 15" instead of 16"), and then match the stock diameter as closely as possible. For example, 215/75/15 (27.7") is an idea swap for 215/70/16 (27.9"). Don't use (much) wider tires either; the extra sidewall has more offroad value than extra width. 225 for 215 is ok, or 235 for 225, but don't get extreme or it just bogs down your rig with extra rolling resistance, weight, and also shorter gears with taller tires.
I have AT2’s on my cross trek and I absolutely love the versatility they give me!! Any terrain any weather my car goes!! I am so confident and happy with it that I am actually giving the car to my 16 year old daughter!! I know it’s safe and capable!!!
Does it rub?
Doesn’t rub at all
@@scottfranza7383 I just put 215/75/15 general tires on my 2013 crosstrek and it rubs :( do you think it’s because it’s the first gen?
@@ejamesnapelenok7224 Possibly. 1st gen Crosstreks have smaller wheelwells. It could also be your wheel offset. You may also want a lift, but it might not be necessary with the right offset and/or maybe some trimming of the wheelwell plastic.
Your video is so informative...thank you. I'm looking to purchase a 2017 crosstrek for my outdoor adventures. It has about 29k miles only so I'm looking to modify this vehicle and I'd like to start with the right tires. Stock is 225/55hr17. Not familiar with what the hr stands for. I'm looking for all terrain tires, will spend a good amount of time in snow as well as dry land. I know you mentioned a smaller diameter to fit a bigger thicker tire... what would you suggest if I'd prefer the tires to SLIGHTLY stick out the sides? This is all new to me so any information is helpful. Thanks in advance and for the great video!
Awesome vid. answered a lot of my questions without having to spend a lot of money. mahalos brother. Keep the vids coming. Love the Frontier too
Thanks for the tips and Sharing your knowledge and experience, appreciate it.
Very informative video. What is your gear for airing back up? Thanks.
Viair 88p. Have been running it for nearly 2 years now, works great!
softroadingthewest how long does it take you to air up when you go that low
TRP I would say about 10 minutes on average. More if I’m all the way down at sand pressures, less if I’m only down to 25. Thanks for watching!
@@softroadingthewest Viair 88p fits perfectly in a 0.50 cal ammo can. ;-)
@@asplenic16180 My Viair88p is now permanently mounted as my DIY "on-board air" but more on that in another video. ;^)
Great Video.... I’m running 225/60R 17 Continental Terrain Contact A/T’s on my stock 2014 Forester Limited and I couldn’t be happier. On-road in heavy rain and snow they have been great and off-road they been phenomenal. They have run really well on the forest roads of Northern California but where they really shined was off-road in Death Valley. After they did really well on Titus Canyon I decided to run the notorious tire destroying rocky road out to the racetrack and back. This road is 25 miles of talus and relentless washboards that almost made me turn around. After almost an hour and a half, I made it to the playa. Heading back out, I went much faster and actually passed a couple of Tacomas. The tires and the Subaru preformed flawlessly. They’ve been on the car for 18 months now and 20k miles and they still look new...I’ve had BFG All-Terrains on a Land Cruiser and Isuzu Trooper I’ve owned and honestly, I like the Continentals better.
Numbers wise, yes. But in actual measurements they are slightly taller. The original tires were Yokohama Geolander G91s. They were worn out at 35k miles and got noisier as the wore down. The Continentals are much quieter.
Nice, thank you for the detailed report. My previous all-seasons were Continental - they were fabulous tires and even held their own reasonably well offroad. I’ve heard many people praise the TerrainContacts. Thanks for watching!
Great vid and great info. I've just gone down to your tyre size from 16s in the Hankook Dynapro MT. Quite a lot more aggressive than my previous ATs, quite a lot noisier on road, but so much more off-road grip. Early days still but I'm loving them so far...
I’ve seen your new setup on IG and it looks fantastic. I’ll be curious to hear how they do on the road in wet conditions.
Surprisingly good in wet conditions. I did some serious heavy braking stops and corner boosting the other night in the wet and they held on just like ATs. They’re actually M+S rated too. I think the technology has come a long way since the days of muddies being overly sloppy on-road.
Very informative video it gives me something to think about.