I've narrowed my tire search down to three tires. The maxxis buckshot 2's, thunderer trac grip and mastercraft mxt. I really want maxxis bighorns but none of my shops distributors can get them. Has anyone ran any of the 3 I listed? The jeep spends the majority of it's life sitting in a garage, I may drive it to work on saturdays, and ride some trails through the woods on sunday. Not worried about tread life, heck I've probably put only 600 miles on it since october. lol.

I'm probably going to go with a 30x9.50. 31's if I have to, But I read somewhere that the buckshots run a little small Can anyone that has those confirm that?

Thunderer


Buckshots


Mastercraft

 

I have the Mastercrafts on my jeep and truck, they are a great tire, they do good on and off road, they are quiet for a mud tire.

 

Axe the thunderers....between the other 2, id lean mastercraft.

 

I run the MasterCrafts as well. Made by Cooper. Replaced my Cooper STT's with the MC's when I couldn't get STT's due to them not being made anymore.

Super happy with them.

 

I can get the hercules mt for $120 a tire. But only in 31's O.D. is 30.5" I'm still skeptical about running 31's on this thing with stock gears. 220k miles and they wasn't easy ones either. I did however add a trans cooler and I can't get the temp above 160 even on a 98 degree day.

Hercules.

 

I have been running 31s with stock gears for two years and it does fine. It isn't ideal but it's not bad enough that you need to do a gear change. 240K on my jeep.

 

I'm happy with my Hercules ATs (would definitely consider their MS just based on these and previous Hercules tires)

I also run stock gears on about 31.6" dial in colorado and it's not really a problem even on highway steep grades. Sure it downshifts and I get passed but oh well, I'm driving a lifted jeep not a sports car. On the trail it has yet to be an issue.

I wouldn't mind different gears but I also still get 15-17 mpg.

oh, 225,XXX. DD and weekend play mobile.

 

Im currently running the milder Mastercraft AXTs in 31s. Love em so far, and since you say tread life isnt a big concern.. Of those choices, definitely the MCs.

Stock gears, 160K-ish miles.

 

eh, i'm no fan of Hercules...i still tires for what it's worth, i'm still sayimg mastercraft based on your options

 

put of curiosity, why don't you like the hercules? They are a copper made tire as well.

 

cooper makes numerous brands. That shouldnt really be a selling point for anyone...hercules is supposed to be one of their mid range brands..however they arent That good and underperform compared to cooper/Hercules budget line of ironman tires.... essentially I feel they are overpriced and underperform compared what they should be. Many many of my customers and people i ask at events around the country tend to agree. Just alot more better options at the same price range, and even lesser priced tires.

 

I have the Buckshot II's very happy with them!

 

I ran Maxxis Bighorn's in a 33x12.50 and they were the worst tire I've ever owned as far as street driving. Scary in snow. They were ok offroad but I would never recommend them since there are much better choices out there.

 

I'm very down on maxxis automotive tires...very overpriced for what you get.....they should stick to atv/utv/dirtbike tires imo.

 

Honestly most tires these days are pretty good. Given the price and durability compared to say 10 years ago. All 3 options seem like they will work for you just fine, given what your expectations are.
Maxxis builds its own product and product for many other companies. Mastercraft is a Cooper built product, good or bad. Thunderer is it's own brand of tire produced in Thailand.
I didn't see price comparisons, but we sell a lot of Thunderer product and have had good success. Wanted to throw it out there. I would have to figure in price for the final decision, but I would think the Trac Grip 2 would save you a few bucks. Still perform as needed.