My recently-purchased 2006 Dakota quad-cab SLT needs new tires. Right now, it has 3 Goodyear Wrangler SRAs, one of which is out-of-round, and an Ironman Something-Or-Other-I-Don't-Care.

First question: What kind of tires do I want? I am in East TN, so rain is the most pressing concern; less hydroplaning than just wet, oily pavement everywhere, most of the time. We had a little ice the other week, but it was gone by noon, and snow almost never sticks to the road. I do take some backroads and haul dirt bikes and 4-wheelers around, though, so a road-biased A/T is what I currently have in mind (Atturo Trailblade, specifically, but open to other suggestions).

Second question: What size do I want? I have the alloy 16" rims, so I assume 8" wide, which gives me a lot of options (stock is 245/70-16). One of the guys in the sticky thread said he got 265/75/16 A/Ts under a stock 3rd gen without trimming; is it worth $50 more per tire for 3/4" more width? And LT...

Third, do I want LT tires? I can get LT245/75-16s for $15 more than stock, with 2/32" more tread depth, stiffer sidewalls, and higher psi. Higher load rating, too, but I can't imagine that I'm ever putting 3 tons on the back of this rig

 

Guys who have 265/75/16 tires, without any trimming issues, are usually guys with the 16x7 steel wheels. With the 16x8 alloy wheels, that size almost always causes minor rubbing issues, and since all 265/75/16 tires are not the same exact size, it's a mystery how much of an issue it will be until you try them on. There are plenty of good AT tires, I prefer a nice American made tire, like Cooper or Goodyear, but there are a lot of options to choose from. I have GY Duratrac tires, which are awesome, but they aren't cheap. You'll get a lot of tire suggestions, but check the tire ratings charts on Tirerack for some comparisons, but keep in mind they don't offer every choice of tire on their site.

I would suggest that you play it safe, and go with 265/70/16, which was an optional stock size and will fit without any issues. LT tire or not, it doesn't really matter if you're not hauling, towing, or off roading.

 

This guy definitely has alloy wheels:

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...ml#post3263884

The only reason I really care is the extra 2/32" of tread depth, helpful in wet weather.

Which is also why duratracs and discoverers are not on my list; neither are known for being good in the rain. GY adventure, maybe...

 

He also has an 08. Bottom line, you may need to do a little trimming if you go for the 265/75/16 tires. You might get lucky and you pick a tire that squeezes in, it's kind of a gamble.

 

I had 265/75/16 M/T's on the 16x8 alloy wheel and even with a 2 inch level still had to do some (very) minor trimming of the inner fender. I think your plan for an all terrain tire will probably be your best bet. I've had good luck with Firestone Destination A/T's on other vehicles (never on the dakota as I can't help but keep mud terrains on it)

 

Oh, I'm not getting m/t tires. 2wd and 95% pavement driving, I could probably get by with h/t or even a/s tires, but I care more about the occasional dirt road than I do about a quiet ride. And the only reason I care about the 265/75s was because that size was available in LT (tougher, deeper tread).

I've pretty much got it narrowed down to 3 tires (these seem to be the best on wet pavement, and we get up to almost 75" of rain some years):

-Atturo Trailblade A/T - $109/each (in 265/70-16), 50k mile warranty, well reviewed as a road-biased A/T.

-Kumho Road Venture A/T - $136/each, 55k, guy at work has them on his Ranger and says they are good in the wet.

-Goodyear All Terrain Adventure Kevlar - $151/each, 60k, these should do anything I need them to without issue, although I'm not sure how much good the kevlar does.

 

If I had a 4x2, I don't think I would get A/Ts. Half of your tires aren't doing much for you (front ones) as A/Ts. If your off-road driving is mostly maintained dirt roads, then H/T or A/Ss will work well for you. Both of those are better bets in the rain, too. And, that seems to be your primary concern. I would stay with a stock size; it makes life easier. I also wouldn't spend the money on the LTs. If you're not off-roading much you don't need them. If you want them for the payload, then you've already overloaded the truck and the tires are the least of your concerns.

I have the Kumho Road Venture AT51s on my 2011 4x4. They're not noisy and they have been good tires. I got them for the snow and occasional off-road driving (rutted and maintained dirt roads). The Kumhos replaced a set of Michelin Latitude tires that were on it when I bought the truck. The Kumhos slip more on wet pavement with an empty bed than the Michelins did. I can control it easily enough, but I did notice it. I expect I would have the same problem with any A/T. That's why given your description of your driving conditions and needs, I don't recommend A/Ts.

If you really want A/Ts, the Kumhos and GYs are well-rated and I considered them along with the Falken Wildpeak AT3Ws and the Yokohama Geolander G015s (I have street Yokos on the family van...good tires). A coworker has the Falkens on his Ram and seems happy with them so far. For your uses, I suggest the Yokos. They're more street tire than A/T with the tread patterns, but have some of the A/T sipe depth and strength.

 

Are H/Ts going to get down rutted dirt tracks when I go dirt biking? I don't have to go when the weather is bad, so I am not dealing with heavy mud or snow, but some serious gravel and then some rocky dirt trails.

I'll think about the Falkens, but I am not wild about the Yokos.

Thanks for the reply!