Tire recommendation for Outer Banks. I’m so confused 😵‍💫

[ethanridings]

I’ve had Nitto Nomad Grappers on my OBX- 235/60/r18 and they’ve been fantastic in sand, snow and rain. I honestly only go camping/offroading 5 days out of the year, but there’s a lot of tread even after 3 years and they look cool

I’ve had Nitto Nomad Grappers on my OBX- 235/60/r18 and they’ve been fantastic in sand, snow and rain. I honestly only go camping/offroading 5 days out of the year, but there’s a lot of tread even after 3 years and they look cool IMO.

Do you know how much the MPG was affected?

 

[Xzavior1818]

BRIDGESTONE WEATHER PEAK and call it a day. I love mine they are good enough to do just about everything even a little bit off the road.

 

[thegadgetfish]

I’d guess around 2-3 mpg less. I used to hit 30mpg easily with stock tires, but I rarely get 28mpg on a good day. I also drive with crossbars so that doesn’t help either.

 

[BritNowInOhio]

I’d guess around 2-3 mpg less. I used to hit 30mpg easily with stock tires, but I rarely get 28mpg on a good day. I also drive with crossbars so that doesn’t help either.

Same.
I got around 32-33mpg on my commute with the OE Continentals but after switching to the Nomad Gs, that went down to 29-30.
But it looks so much better and it seems that’s the price I’m willing to pay for looks.

 

[BritNowInOhio]

To the OP, if you’ve accepted that wanting a tougher look means switching to an all terrain tyre and this will cost you noise, comfort, and economy, then I’d suggest just seeking out an objective review of tyres, to see how they stack up…

 

[Stircrazy]

To the OP, if you’ve accepted that wanting a tougher look means switching to an all terrain tyre and this will cost you noise, comfort

not always, I went from the very fuel efficient highway tires to the cooper's and yes the fuel milage dropped, but the comfort and noise actually got better, which surprised me. but the tires that have the best fuel savings are usually being made with harder compound which transfers more road changes to the suspension and also make more noise. if you just go a little aggressive for a nicer look, as in a all terrain and not a mud tire, then the noise will be similar or even better in the A/T

now if your comparing them to a all season tire that is not a extreme energy conserving then all bets are off haha

 

[hellb0y]

BRIDGESTONE WEATHER PEAK and call it a day. I love mine they are good enough to do just about everything even a little bit off the road.

the weather peaks are a big compromise….look at the test and hard data here:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=336

 

[Xzavior1818]

the weather peaks are a big compromise….look at the test and hard data here:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=336

Traction on wet and dry is what they say for the weatherpeaks (is marginal) but are you really breaking traction in a awd BS? 1.5 if that? I'd say if op lives where it snows definitely get them. But their are plenty options out there.

 

[TheX]

The Falkens suggested above, while an outstanding tire for off-road use, don’t come in a size that would match both your existing wheels and still have a proper fitment within the wheel well without modifications.

The BF Goodrich Trail-Terrain T/A comes in a 225/60 18, and would give a good mix of on & off road capability.

If you don’t off-road at all, don’t get a tire made for it as its on-road performance is compromised in favor of off-road capability. Not to mention you’re paying for something you can’t use to its fullest.

And the noise...

 

[hellb0y]

Traction on wet and dry is what they say for the weatherpeaks (is marginal) but are you really breaking traction in a awd BS? 1.5 if that? I'd say if op lives where it snows definitely get them. But their are plenty options out there.

yep you are - hydroplaning is 100% a thing, AWD or not.

 

[Xzavior1818]

yep you are - hydroplaning is 100% a thing, AWD or not.

Hydroplaning is not necessarily the same as wet traction. Their's the amount of grip when the tire compound gets wet /cold and theirs also the tires ability to disperse water. All tires will be worse and awful as they wear down. Here are the scores on tire rack contrary of what was said about its performance in wet/dry.

 

[hellb0y]

Hydroplaning is not necessarily the same as wet traction. Their's the amount of grip when the tire compound gets wet /cold and theirs also the tires ability to disperse water. All tires will be worse and awful as they wear down. Here are the scores on tire rack contrary of what was said about its performance in wet/dry.

these are customers surveys - Joe Doe might think his new tires are amazing and give a 10 on everything…don’t use those as your barometer to purchase, it’s just a small data input.

Actual tests with specialists and controlled environments is where you want to read and digest.

 

[Deathmiester]

Just hit 40k on my stock 225-60r18 tires! I’m looking to replace them with something a little more aggressive looking but these threads are confusing me. I’ve seen a lot of people experimenting with other sizes but I know absolutely nothing about tires and what I can get away with.

what’s the consensus as of 2025? Any recommendations?

I was in the same boat as you. Check out my post on what I put on mine. With pics. Cooper discoverer, road and trail. 245/60 R18

 

[Deathmiester]

Just hit 40k on my stock 225-60r18 tires! I’m looking to replace them with something a little more aggressive looking but these threads are confusing me. I’ve seen a lot of people experimenting with other sizes but I know absolutely nothing about tires and what I can get away with.

what’s the consensus as of 2025? Any recommendations?

Cooper road and trail. 245/60 R18 a little larger. Fits with no rubbing. 65k miles. Look great. Made in USA. SEE MY POST WITH PICS.

 

[Stircrazy]

Cooper road and trail. 245/60 R18 a little larger. Fits with no rubbing. 65k miles. Look great. Made in USA. SEE MY POST WITH PICS.

they are going to be heavier than the stock size I have, so even more of a fuel milage hit. I went with the stock size they actually look really good on the bronco sport.

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